For thirty years, the Ridge League of Cities has awarded academic scholarships.   This year, the RLC awarded four $2,500 Academic Scholarships and one $3,000 scholarship to graduates from various high schools within our six counties (Polk, Pasco, Highlands, DeSoto, Hardee, and Hillsborough).  Harrison School for the Arts graduate Paige Malykhin was awarded the $3,000 Ruthanne Stonewall Scholarship named after the former RLC executive director.   Congratulations to the following 2025 RLC Academic Scholarship recipients!

Ella Lannon graduated from Summerlin Military Academy and plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University seeking a degree in exercise science

Paityn-Ann Wright graduated from Pasco High School and plans to attend the University of Florida seeking a degree in chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry

Julia Hernandez graduated from Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School and plans to attend the University of South Florida seeking a degree in biology

Paige Malykhin graduated from Harrison School for the Arts and plans to attend the University of Florida seeking a dual degree in English and political science

Emery Skinner graduated from DeSoto County High School and plans to attend Gaston College in Dallas, NC seeking a degree in veterinary science

RLC 2025 Academic Scholars (l to r) Ella Lannon, Paityn-Ann Wright, Julia Hernandez, Paige Malykhin, Emery Skinner
RLC Executive Director Bobby Green conducts a panel discussion with the 2025 Academic Scholarship recipients
RLC President Rod Cannon, Bartow Commissioner Trish Pfeiffer, and Vice President Sara Roberts McCarley congratulate Ella Lannon
RLC President Rod Cannon, Dade City Mayor Scott Black, and Vice President Sara Roberts McCarley congratulate Paityn-Ann Wright
RLC President Rod Cannon, Winter Haven Mayor Pro Tem Brian Yates, and Vice President Sara Roberts McCarley congratulate Julia Hernandez
Former RLC Executive Director Ruthanne Stonewall joins RLC President Rod Cannon and Vice President Sara Roberts McCarley in recognizing Paige Malykhin
RLC President Rod Cannon, Arcadia Mayor Judy Wertz Strickland, and Vice President Sara Roberts McCarley congratulate Emery Skinner