The Ridge League of Cities awarded four $1,250 Vocational/Trade Scholarships this year to graduates from various high schools within our six counties (Polk, Pasco, Highlands, DeSoto, Hardee, and Hillsborough).  High school seniors who intend to learn a trade, and/or obtain a vocational certificate or degree at one of the state colleges or technical schools located within the Ridge League are eligible.

Applicants are judged on community service, financial need, GPA, leadership, and a statement of education and career goals. Congratulations to the following 2026 RLC Vocational/Trade Scholarship recipients!

Sujud Elabed graduated from DeSoto High School and plans to attend South Florida State College seeking certification in Nursing.

Landon Brown graduated from Gause Academy of Leadership and plans to attend Polk State College or Traviss Technical College seeking a Computer Systems/IT certification.

Jordis Watson graduated from Frostproof High School and plans to attend Polk State College seeking a degree in Cardiac Sonography.

Jaquelin Torres graduated from Lake Placid High School and plans to attend South Florida State College seeking a degree in Psychology.

Jacqulin Torres, Lake Placid H.S., Landon Brown, Gause Academy, Sujud Elabed, DeSoto H.S., and Jordis Watson, Frostproof H.S.
Executive Director Bobby Green conducts panel interviews with Ridge League Vocational/Trade Scholarship Winners
Ridge League President Sara Roberts McCarley congratulates Jacqulin Torres from Lake Placid High School
Bartow Vice Mayor Laura Simpson and RLC President Sara Roberts McCarley congratulate Landon Brown from Gause Academy
Arcadia Mayor Judy Wertz Strickland and RLC President Sara Roberts McCarley congratulate Sujud Elabed from DeSoto High School
Ridge President Sara Roberts McCarley and Frostproof Council Member Adam Greenway congratulate Jordis Watson from Frostproof Middle/Senior High
Lake Placid HS Graduate Jacqulin Torres shares her story with RLC Executive Director Bobby Green. Torres is the first student from Lake Placid to receive a Ridge League Scholarship

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