The FFCC believes strongly that a culture of community and sportsmanship contibutes greatly to building the character of the membership we serve. In keeping with this spirit, the FFCC sponsors The Martha Stark Memorial Scholarship and The Kevin Palus Memorial Sportsmanship Award.
The Martha Stark Memorial Scholarship
Martha Stark, band director at Gainesville HS, was influential in creating and developing the policies and character of the FFCC. She was an inspiration to all who were fortunate to meet her. Her bands at Gainesville High School were continually superior-rated at FBA Festivals, and the Centerstage Color Guard became one of the premier members of the FFCC. She touched thousands of students with her unique brand of caring and support that made those students strive for the highest levels of excellence. In 1995, after a courageous battle with cancer, we lost Martha. In her honor, the FFCC Board of Directors renamed the existing scholarship fund “The Martha Stark Memorial Scholarship Program.” The Program is funded through private donations and sales of FFCC merchandise.
Candidates for the Martha Stark Memorial Scholarship must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- The applicant must be in their senior year of High School or already attending a College, University or Vocational School.
- The applicant must attend a College, University or Vocational School for the following academic year.
- The applicant must be an active marching member of a team who is a member in good standing in the FFCC.
- Each team may only have one member considered for a scholarship each season.
The number of scholaships awarded each season is dependent on the amount of avaialble scholarship funds. Applications are reveiwed by a committee chosen by the FFCC Board of Directors. This committee evaluates and ranks the applications and forwards this to the Executive Board. Scholarships are granted for one year only, but recipients may reapply the following year if she/he remains an active marching member in the FFCC. The Martha Stark Memorial Scholarships are awarded at FFCC Championships.
To contribute to the Martha Stark Memorial Scholarship Fund, please vist our contribution page. Contributions can also be made at any of our FFCC hosted events or by mailing a check or money order to the FFCC mailing address.
Martha Stark Memorial Scholarship Recipients
2015
Christian Galarza – UCF Pegasus Open Winter Guard
Laura Garcia-Torres – Spoto HS Color Guard
Lizette Juarez – Freedom HS Color Guard
Emily Macias – Newsome HS Percussion
2014
Alyssa Baez – Gaither HS Percussion
Priscilla Luong – Land O’Lakes HS Color Guard
Ashley Stockel – River City
Luke Babb – USF Winter Guard
2013
Alana Castro-Gilliard – Seminole HS Color Guard
Kristen Hall – Fleming Island HS Color Guard
Tabatha Lancianese – Lowndes HS Color Guard
Cayla Taylor – Belleview HS Color Guard
