May 1, 2025
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The Poinciana Council honored the 2025 Poinciana Council Scholarship recipients seated from left, Bryan Ramjattan (Valencia College), Paulina Diaz (Poinciana High School), Ethan Ortiz Valencia (Osceola High School), and Isabela Lopez-Vayas (Gateway High School). (Photo/Michelle Kostuch)
Four Poinciana-area students were honored with college scholarships at the annual Poinciana Council Scholarship Awards Luncheon.
The event is more than a decade old and was held April 22 at Poinciana High School. Chef Juan Alamo and the culinary students of Poinciana High School catered the luncheon.
This year, the Poinciana Council of the Osceola Chamber awarded four $1,500 scholarships collected from donations and event proceeds along with an Osceola County Betterment Grant from keynote speaker and District 3 Commissioner Brandon Arrington.
Bianca Belabre, Poinciana Council Board Chair and owner of A Creative Station, hosted the event, noting she sees the scholarship program as a way to give students a head start on their college journeys.
“We want to be able to just say, ‘Hey, we’re here. We understand. We support you. We’re from this community, trying to give back,’” said Belabre. “And also give them recognition that their hard work is never unseen.”
“There’s something about our kids that when you get behind them, the way that they elevate themselves to achieve and to accomplish is amazing,” said School Board District 3 member Anthony Cook. “We always talk about when you invest in these kids in particular, they will run through a brick wall for you.”
The scholarship contest was open to local high school seniors and current students of post-secondary institutions. The application included an essay about challenges facing the Poinciana community.
Scholarship recipient Paulina Diaz moved to the area from Puerto Rico nine years ago and will graduate from Poinciana High School. She will attend the University of North Florida en route to a veterinary career. Her essay addressed the difficulties of language differences in education in a such a diverse community.
“I talked about the tutoring that was not available to the students which I think is a very important tool that I think many students need,” said Diaz.
Gateway High School’s Isabela Lopez-Vayas expressed hope for the Osceola County school choice options to be more transparent to students.
“The district is amazing. They have so many school options for the kids. The kids just need to be aware of these amazing high schools that they have available to us.”
She will study finance at the University of South Florida or the University of Florida.
Bryan Ramjattan attends Valencia College where he will earn his associate degree then transfer to the University of Central Florida this fall. He plans to study Information Technology to address issues including how artificial intelligence can help traffic congestion.
“I’m really happy right now. It helps me pursue my future to make it one step ahead and I’m really happy to make my dreams come true with this scholarship,” said Ramjattan.
Osceola High School senior Ethan Ortiz Valencia will pair his scholarship with his track and cross country background to pursue college and a career in wellness initiatives for underserved communities.
Members of the Council hope that the students feel empowered to make a difference in the Poinciana community. “I want you to build a business, build a brand. Change the world. Why not? Why do boring? Go do extraordinary!” Arrington spoke to the recipients.
Cook, who described the Poinciana population as “gritty and resilient,” motivated the students in his speech.
“Run towards those obstacles. Don’t duck no smoke. Put your fire jacket on. Get your axe out. You’ve gotta knock out them doors. Do your thing. Handle your business and let us see what that story looks like.”
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