The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Foundation (PBCSF) has announced the recipients of its 2025 Youth Scholarship Program, awarding 15 outstanding high school seniors with $2,500 scholarships for their freshman year of college. Each scholarship is renewable for up to four years, bringing the foundation’s annual commitment to student education to $150,000.
Now in its 11th year, the scholarship program selects students who were nominated by a sworn employee of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO). The initiative aims to support local youth in their pursuit of higher education, whether at a college, university, or trade school.
The 2025 scholarship recipients are:
- Reilly Baltazar – Glades Day School, Florida State University
- Kaylee Coleman – Forest Hill High School, University of Florida
- Janvietane Desire – Crossroads Academy, Florida Gulf Coast University
- Matthew Estrella – Wellington High School, Florida International University
- Ke’Tara Hade – Glades Central High School, Florida A&M University
- Klayton Ilhardt – Jupiter High School, University of Chicago
- Germina Joseph – Boynton Beach High School, Bethune-Cookman University
- Genesis Mendoza – Forest Hill High School, Florida Atlantic University
- William Perez, Jr. – Everglades Preparatory Academy, Palm Beach State College
- Ezequiel Ramirez – Pahokee High School, Michigan Technological University
- Elizabeth Robles – Pahokee High School, University of Florida
- Esmeralda Rodriguez – Santaluces High School, Palm Beach State College
- Maria Saad – Lake Worth High School, Palm Beach State College
- Kenson Small – Everglades Preparatory Academy, Bethune-Cookman University
- Logan Wilkins – Glades Day School, Tallahassee State College (Sponsored by The Drasner Family Foundation)
The students will be officially recognized and awarded their scholarships at a luncheon on March 2 at noon at the National Polo Center in Wellington.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting underprivileged children through initiatives like the Youth Scholarship Program and Shop with a Cop. The foundation also plays a vital role in enhancing deputy safety by funding new equipment and providing critical support to specialized units such as K-9, Domestic Violence, and Gang Units. Additionally, the foundation assists PBSO employees facing financial hardships.
Through these efforts, the PBCSF continues to make a lasting impact on the lives of local youth and law enforcement personnel, reinforcing its commitment to the Palm Beach County community.
