“This event to me meant a new beginning. Being surrounded by fellow scholarship recipients and scholarship donors, you can’t help but absorb everyone’s excitement to start the next chapter of their life and their genuine support for your success,” shared Justin Whitaker,  recipient of the Rachel Allison Cate and Edna L. Martin Scholarship Fund attending Belmont University.

The Community Resource Center provided 50 Hygiene Dorm kits, packed with essential cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items, ensuring students can head to college with one less thing to worry about. This thoughtful partnership helps ease the financial stress of everyday necessities.

Persist also shared the fantastic news about their free persistence coaching, exclusively available to CFMT scholarship recipients. With Persist’s guidance, students are empowered throughout their college journey, from enrollment to career transition.

The celebration was complete with mouthwatering bites from Bacon & Caviar and delicious treats from the Friends Life Community Treat Truck, adding a sweet touch to an already uplifting day. The Foundation was thrilled to have local favorites cater the event, adding to the sense of community.

Laughter and excitement filled the air as students connected with each other and met the generous fundholders who made their scholarships possible. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation for the school year ahead. A highlight of the day was hearing from Sandy Real Ramirez, a two-time recipient of the Toward An Inclusive Architecture Scholarship Fund, who shared how the scholarship has made her dream of studying architecture at the University of Tennessee Knoxville a reality.

The event was a joyful celebration of community, support, and the limitless possibilities ahead for these bright scholars!