For over 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).  Scholarships are awarded to deserving high school seniors who intend on furthering their education and achieving academic experiences in a university setting.  Scholarship applicants are judged on community service, financial need, GPA, leadership, and a statement of education and career goals.  This year’s selections were made by students from the University of South Florida International City Management Association Student Chapter.  The highest-ranking applicant is awarded an additional $500 and named the Ruthanne Stonewall Scholar.  The Award is named have the former Ridge League of Cities Executive Director.  Congratulations to the following 2026 RLC Academic Scholarship recipients!

Noah Stull graduated from Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School and plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University seeking a degree in Nursing.

Jose Rincon Medina graduated from Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School and plans to attend the University of Central Florida seeking a degree in Civil Engineering. 

Alana Wyckoff graduated from Hardee Senior High School and plans to attend Florida State University seeking a degree in Nursing.

Gabrielle Knoll graduated from Lake Placid High School and plans to attend Southeastern College in Lakeland seeking a degree in Kinesiology (Unable to attend the awards ceremony).

Olivia Simmons graduated from Pasco High School and plans to attend Florida State University seeking a degree in Biology.   Ruthanne Stonewall Scholar

Jose Rincon Medina, Chain of Lakes Collegiate HS, Noah Stull, Polk State Lakeland Collegiate HS, Olivia Simmons, Pasco High School, and Alana Wyckoff, Hardee Senior High School
Davenport Mayor Donna Fellows Coffey and RLC President Sara Roberts McCarley congratulate Jose Medina from Chain of Lakes Collegiate High
Wauchula Mayor Keith Nadaskay and RLC President Sara Roberts McCarley congratulate Alana Wyckoff from Hardee Senior High
Winter Haven Mayor Brian Yates and RLC President Sara Roberts McCarley congratulate Noah Stull from Polk State Collegiate High
Dade City Mayor Scott Black and RLC President Sara Roberts McCarley recognize Olivia Simmons from Pasco High School as recipient of the Ruthanne Stonewall Scholarship
Hardee High School Graduate Alana Wyckoff responds to the interview questions of RLC Executive Director Bobby Green
Ridge League Executive Director Bobby Green and President Sara Roberts McCarley with Ruthanne Stonewall Scholar Olivia Simmons. Ruthanne Stonewall served eighteen years as the RLC Executive Director and was unable to attend the awards ceremony

Related Posts