The FFCC believes strongly that a culture of community and sportsmanship contributes 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 Paulus 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 scholarships awarded each season is dependent on the amount of available scholarship funds. Applications are reviewed 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 visit 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
2020
Sasha Cavallaro – Oviedo
Alysia Cancel – Freedom (Orl)
Morgan Francis – East Lake
Carson Frank – Infinity (Presented by McCormick’s)
Rachel Knoff – Belleview
Maomi Martinez – Steinbrenner
Krupa Panchal – PR Wharton
Emily Stimac – UCF Pegasus A
Kylah Stubee – Bartram Trail
Kaitlyn Walters – Pedro Menendez (Presented by McCormick’s)
2019
Meghan Boehmer – Fleming Island
Elijah Castellanos – Robinson
Taylor Hartman – Horizon InD (Presented by Paradigm)
Hadassah McCoy – Melbourne
Jordankis Ramirez – Horizon Winds (Presented by McCormick’s)
Mackenzie Simon-Collins – Nease
2018
Connor Adams – East Bay
Nicole Franze – University of South Florida
Nadia Lumpkin – Freedom (Orl)
Rey Rosado – Sickles
2017
Angelina Phillips – Newsome HS
Justine Brennan – Osceola HS
Evelyn Paguada – Apopka HS
Kerstin King – Bartow HS
2016
Emma Blanchard – Teneroc HS
Kennedy Butler – Fleming Island HS
Alexis Hannah – Gaither HS
Kathryn Sexton – Paradigm
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
