Bishop Frank J. Dewane, joined by Board members of the Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida Inc., honored 22 scholarship winners during a ceremony on May 15, 2025, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice.
The recipients of the Mary Fran Carroll, Coseglia, Schaerf, and Schwarz Scholarships were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements and for their commitment to continuing their education in pursuit of wide-ranging career paths such as education, medicine, business, engineering and more. The Foundation Scholarship Committee carefully reviewed 150 applications before determining the winners. Many of the Foundation Board members were present for the luncheon.
Bishop Dewane opened the presentation with prayer and said he was impressed with the new Foundation scholars, noting their academic success and ambition to seek out distinctive goals. “We pray that what they embark upon, the students will certainly be successful in their life.”
Michael Morse, Executive Director of the Catholic Community Foundation, congratulated the new scholars, saying the young men and women are worthy to forever be known as Foundation Scholars.
“You are inspirations to all of us,” Morse said. “Our committee works hard in the selection process, and it is one of the most rewarding things the Board does. When we see your application and what you have done and are going to do, it gives us such hope that the future is in good hands.”
The Mary Fran Carroll Scholarship provided a total of 15 academic scholarships ($3,500) to residents of Sarasota County and is available for tuition, books and fees. This year there were 13 traditional scholarship winners (high school graduates pursuing an undergraduate degree) and two non-traditional winners (an adult learner seeking an advanced education after being away from school for a number of years). The scholarship is renewable annually up to a total of five academic years ($17,500 total) for students maintaining a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.2 or greater, while also making progress toward their career goal. In the past year, many students had their scholarship renewed.
The Coseglia Scholarship provides a one-time scholarship ($1,100) to one financially needy graduating senior from each of the four Catholic High Schools within the Diocese of Venice. The winners were nominated by their high schools and approved by the Foundation Board.
The Frederick W. Schaerf, M.D., Ph.D. Neuroscience Scholarship provides a one-time scholarship ($4,000) to a graduating senior from Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers interested in pursuing a career in neuroscience or similar field. This was the sixth year the scholarship was offered.
The Schwarz Scholarship is a one-time college scholarship ($7,700) to be awarded for tuition, books, fees, and housing expenses for a student graduating from Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota.
During the scholarship ceremony, the recipients shared their personal experiences as well as college and career goals. Each expressed their appreciation for the scholarship from the Foundation. Many specifically explained how the scholarship money will assist in lessening the financial burden of attending college and pursuing their career goals. Several are interested in entering the medical field either as a doctor, nurse or researcher, while others are interested in pursuing careers in business.
Lucrecia Bagnati, a non-traditional Mary Fran Carroll scholar, will be taking online courses with Southern New Hampshire University to earn a degree in neuropsychology so she can become a therapist. The mother of three joked that now she and her children will all be going to college and studying together. She was inspired to go to seek a degree by her husband, a veteran, who struggles with PTSD. “I want to better understand what he is going through and help people like him.”
The Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida Inc. was established to provide philanthropic opportunities for individuals, such as Mary Fran Carroll, to create lasting gifts in support of Catholic programs and ministries within the Diocese of Venice. This year, the Foundation is on track to distribute $3.5 million in endowed support for Catholic Schools, Parishes, Seminarian education, programs for the needy, college scholarships and more.
To learn more about the Catholic Community Foundation, please contact Michael Morse at 941-441-1124 or by email at Morse@dioceseofvenice.org. You can also visit the Foundation website at www.CCFDioceseofvenice.org.
2025 Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida, Inc. Scholars
Mary Fran Carroll Scholars – Traditional
Sydney Pablo, Venice High School, U.S.. Military Academy;
Chrystal Coronado-Chavez, Sarasota High School, State College of Florida;
Arianna Perez, Venice High School, Florida State University;
Rachel Mintz, Riverview High School, Florida State University;
Maria Ballesteros, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, St. Leo University;
Isabella Nealon, Pineview School, University of Notre Dame;
Laura Escobar Londono, Sarasota High School, undecided;
Cristin Giurgui, North Port High School, University of South Florida;
Sofie Turkancikova, Venice High School, University of South Florida;
Juan Sanabria, Riverview High School, University of South Florida;
Elise Galloway, Venice High School, University of Central Florida;
Natalie Bryja, Venice High School, University of Florida;
Deianeira McClain, Riverview High School, University of Florida.
Mary Fran Carroll Scholars – Non-Traditional
Lesli Resendiz, undecided;
Lucrecia Bagnati, Southern New Hampshire University.
Frank and Florence Coseglia Memorial Scholarship
Maria Lander, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, Ave Maria University;
Sophia Escobar, St. John Neumann Catholic High School, St. Thomas University, Miami;
Natalie PIneda, Donahue Catholic Academy of Ave Maria Parish, Rutgers University;
Lily Lockard, Bishop Verot Catholic High School, St. Anselm College, N.H.
James and Margaret Schwarz Scholarship
Morgan Martin, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, University of Florida.
Frederick W. Schaerf, M.D., Ph.D. Neuroscience Scholarship
Ella Farah, Bishop Verot Catholic High School, University of South Florida.
