HomePPWA Foundation

The PPWA Foundation was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in 2024. It is an outgrowth from the original PPWA Scholarship Program that was started within PPWA in 2019. The Foundation is focused on providing scholarships to high school seniors in the Venice, Fl area, and may also support other local charitable endeavors. You can view the Foundation bylaws here.

The PPWA Foundation will work in partnership with the Pelican Pointe Women's Association on fundraising events and will provide updates on program accomplishments to PPWA members. Donations to the PPWA Foundation are gratefully received and may be tax deductible as allowed by law.

To donate to the PPWA Foundation please click here PPWA Foundation Inc.

2025 PPWA Foundation Scholarship Winners

Congratulations to the four winners of a second scholarship from the PPWA Foundation in 2025. These incredible young ladies have achieved so much, and we know that they will continue to do great things!

2025 2nd Scholarship Winner Holly Bielanski

2025 2nd Scholarship Winner Savannah Darby

2025 2nd Scholarship Winner Sophia Teijelo

2025 2nd Scholarship Winner Toriana Sessa

PPWA Scholarship Program

The PPWA Scholarship Program has provided 33 scholarships to 24 students since 2019. PPWA has funded one scholarship each year and additional scholarships have been awarded by The Foundation through fund raising initiatives and donations from generous PPWA members and other supporters.

Playing for a Good Cause

We had a wonderful and successful day for the 2026 Scholarship Program Fundraiser, thanks to over 140 gamers, volunteers and donors who supported this event on February 9, 2026.

In 2026 the PPWA Foundation, in partnership with PPWA and several generous donors, will be able to award six scholarships of $2,500 each to Venice High School women.

A special highlight of the day was the announcement of four Past Recipient Scholarship Awards in support of past recipients in meeting their educational and/or career goals. The Past Recipient scholarships allow our scholars to continue their education on the undergraduate or graduate level, attain professional certification or licensure, or fund research or special projects.

A Community Donation was also made to our 2020 recipient to assist in the implementation of a Heart Monitoring initiative for the Physical Education Program at Garden Elementary School.

Previous Winners

We had three winners of a second scholarship from the PPWA Foundation in 2024. These incredible young ladies have achieved so much, and we know that they will continue to do great things!

2019 Recipient - Abigail

Aeronautical Engineering Major at Embrey-Riddle Aeronautical University
Will complete her undergraduate studies in December 2023
Member of the Engineering Honor Society
Currently leading Senior Group Project conducting the preliminary design of a small twin-engine jet

2020 Recipient - Jennifer

• Physical Education Major at University of South Florida
• Will complete her undergraduate studies in May 2023
• Student Teaching at the High School and Elementary School levels full time
• Applied to Graduate School at USF for School Counseling; expected to begin in the fall of 2023

2020 & 2021 Recipient – Rebekah

Health Science Major at University of Florida
Member of the Pre-Professional Service Organization, MediGators & Pre-Physician Assistant Association
Shadowing Professionals in the Cardiovascular ICU at North Florida Regional Medical Center
Volunteers in the Gainesville Community with Relay for Life and Bread of the Mighty

2020 & 2021 Recipient – Zoe

Elementary Education Major at Florida State University
Accepted into the Elementary BS/MS Program
On course to graduate with BS in 2024 & MS in Curriculum Instruction in 2025
Worked with 4th Grade Students last semester
Working with Kindergarten Students this semester

2022 Recipient – Sophia

Biology Major at University of Central Florida
Continuing to excel academically in all of her classes
Enjoying the social life and new community and adjusting well to her new environment

2022 Recipient – Shannon

Biomedical Engineering Major at University of Florida
Taking challenging courses to keep herself intellectually engaged
Creating experiences outside of the classroom, participating in clubs to support her studies and passions
Enjoying social activities and sporting events in her new community

2022 Recipient – Thea

English Major at Florida State University
Changed major from Neuroscience to English
Found her voice as a writer and enjoying the creative liberties
Actively pursuing new career paths

2022 Recipient – Lauren

Health Science Major at State College of Florida
Continuing to excel academically in all of her classes
Awarded a paid internship at a Pediatric Dental Practice and learning while working with children
Continued focus on working her hardest in school and becoming the first to in her family to graduate college