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Updated: May 22, 2025 @ 11:55 pm
Keynote speaker, XXLX Super Bowl Champion Ricky Watters, far left, stands with the 2025 recipients of the Kiwanis Club of Carefree Benefit Foundation academic scholarships presented on May 5, 2025.
Keynote speaker, XXLX Super Bowl Champion Ricky Watters, far left, stands with the 2025 recipients of the Kiwanis Club of Carefree Benefit Foundation academic scholarships presented on May 5, 2025.
Kiwanis Club of Carefree Benefit Foundation, a local nonprofit that helps local youth, recently hosted “A Night of Excellence,” its 40th scholarship ceremony, on May 5.
Held at the Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, the event celebrated 32 high school seniors as they continue to pursue their higher education goals.
These students, representing high schools throughout Arizona, were awarded scholarships totaling $550,000 for the colleges, universities, and trade schools of their choice.
The Kiwanis Club of Carefree has awarded over $4 million in scholarships to date.
“This year, we had the very difficult task of selecting the scholarship recipients from record-breaking application submissions,” said Janet Greet, Kiwanis scholarship chair.
“The 32 extraordinary students awarded at A Night of Excellence represented one of the most diverse and competitive classes of scholarship recipients we have ever assembled.”
Besides honoring students, the event hosted motivational speaker Ricky Watters and a catered reception.
Watters is a 10-year veteran of the NFL, who played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks.
Watters was also presented with the prestigious Kiwanis’ “Champion for Kids” award for 2025, recognizing his alignment with Kiwanis’ mission and continuing efforts to help and inspire at-risk youth.
“We were delighted to recognize a kindred spirit in Ricky Watters, as he consistently uses his celebrity and platform to raise awareness for many of the forgotten and vulnerable youth in our communities,” Greer said.
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