WE NEED YOUR HELP – PASS THE WORD ABOUT THIS SCHOLARSHIP TO YOUR RELATIVES WHO ARE RISING SENIORS! THEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE LOCATED IN LAKE COUNTY TO QUALIFY.
Through the generosity of alumni and the community, the Clermont High School Alumni Scholarship Program has awarded more than two dozen scholarships to deserving high school seniors who are related to those who attended Clermont High School (which closed in 1993). The CHS scholarship funds are held at the Community Foundation of South Lake (cfslc.org – a charitable organization) which also provides the application oversight. The committee thanks those who have previously donated to the CHS Alumni Scholarship Fund. If you have a senior (living anywhere) in your extended family they can apply through the website here — deadline March 1 https://cfslc.org/apply/scholarships/
The cherished memories of Clermont High School are one thing that still remains in us. What better way to honor our beloved institution than by helping to further the education of our alumni family. And because of your generosity over the years, you, the alumni have succeeded in doing just that. We are grateful to many memorial contributions to the Scholarship Fund through the Community Foundation of South Lake. Please inform your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren or nieces/nephews when they are about to graduate from high school to apply for the CHS scholarship. It is easy to apply online via the Community Foundation of South Lake website. This scholarship is open to all students who have a relative that attended CHS, no matter where they are graduating from high school. This scholarship includes technical and trade schools.
Each year, we present two or more High School Seniors with a scholarship on behalf of the CSH Alumni Scholarship Fund. The money goes directly to their school of choice to help with their tuition. BIG NEWS! This year (2026) we will present FIVE awards of $2,000 each. The Scholarship Committee considers five main criteria; academics, financial need, responses to two essay questions, references, and finally, extra-curricular activities (which include school activities, sports, job related activities, and community service).
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CHS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
2026 CHS Alumni Scholarships announced at the All Class Reunion.
Bailey Paige – East Ridge High School
•CHS Connections: Daughter of Kathryn and Tristan Page (’93); grandfather Michael Page (CHS ’75).
•Extracurricular – Student government, softball, volleyball, basketball. Fellowship of Christian Athletes, volunteer with SL Little League and Imagine South Lake. Nanny.
•Career – Dual enrollment, Lake Sumter; accepted to Pensacola State College (softball team), kinesiology focus with a track to Physical Therapy Ph.D.
Nena Mitchell – Samuel W. Wolfson (Jacksonville)
•Daughter of Terriette Hayes Mitchell (‘93) and Philip Mitchell.
•Extracurricular – Track, student ambassador, basketball concessions manager. Publix customer service associate. Jacksonville Zoo volunteer, Shiloh Church nursery volunteer. Youth Leadership of Jacksonville.
•Career – UCF Health Science leading to Physician’s Assistant career in Pediatrics.
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Hailey Bronson – South Lake High School
•CHS Connections: Daughter of Dusty Poynter Bronson (‘93) and Ryan Bronson. But there is more…grandmother Pamela Hull (Bronson-Barber) and in fact her CHS connections go back to 1903 when great grandma Alice Becker Hull attended Clermont Elementary. Great‑great aunts Lucile and Louise Hull CHS ‘49, great‑uncle Eddie Hull ’61, great‑uncle Jimmie Hull ‘61, and great‑aunt Linda Hull ‘69.
•Extracurricular – Softball, weightlifting, CAN Program, FFA, golf, bowling, tennis. Volunteer at South Lake Hospital ER. EKG technician certification.
Career – Lake Sumter with plans to become a Registered Nurse to BSN track.
Hannah Manning – Lake Minneola High School
•CHS Connections: Daughter of James Manning (CHS ‘93) and Denise Manning.
•Extracurricular – Student Government- 3 years, swimming, softball. Volunteer SL Little League, Clermont Health/Rehab Center.
•Career – Lake-Sumter/UCF. Education with goal of Kindergarten teacher.
Tramaya Walker – South Lake High School
•CHS Connections: Daughter of Damara Jarrett and grandmother is Robin Jones, CHS ‘75. Also great-niece of Aurelia Cole.
Extracurricular – Cheerleading captain, Delta Gems leadership development, Orlando women’s shelter volunteer.
Career – Troy, FAMU or Lake Sumter with focus on criminal justice
The CHS scholarship funds are held at the Community Foundation of South Lake (cfslc.org – a charitable organization) which also provides the application oversight. The committee thanks those who have previously donated to the CHS Alumni Scholarship Fund. Due to the 2020 reunion cancellation, scholarship donations lagged behind. If you would like to contribute, please click here: CLERMONT HIGH SCHOOL REUNION (fcsuite.com). Tax deductible donations are welcome and should be made to the CFLSC Clermont HS Scholarship Fund, which can also accept memorial contributions and has a “legacy fund” for estate planning.
PAST CHS ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS:
- 2025 – Cadence Lamoreaux, Connor Plummer
- 2024 – Ashley Archambault, Kayden Page, Phillip Slack, Logan Kuharske and Avery Wicker
- 2023 – Allison Hagar, Brianna Peine and Lindi Petty
- 2022 – Charles Duhart and Jason Richter
- 2021 – Amari Graham and Kaley Wooding
- 2020 – Hailey Bladek and Ellexandria Schmidt
- 2019 – Maggie Petty and Atiana Cardenas
- 2018 – Allyah Zhane and Aiden Christopher Hernandez
- 2017 – Hailey Susan Boyatt Vivienne Samantha Krueger and Jayson Isom
- 2016 – Charles Duhart and Jared Richter
HOW AND WHY SUPPORTING THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND BENEFITS YOU!
Did you know you can donate your appreciated stocks to our Clermont Alumni Scholarship Fund and bypass capital gains tax? Did you know you may be able to reduce your tax burden even if you don’t itemize? An IRA charitable rollover has several significant tax advantages. It allows you to give up to $100,000 directly from your IRA to charity using pre-tax assets. If you do not itemize, or are subject to charitable deduction limits, the IRA rollover still allows you to give in tax-advantaged ways. An IRA rollover gift may also help you avoid income that could push you into a higher tax bracket.
Is Making a Rollover Gift Right For You? Making a gift to charity directly from your IRA comes with a number of advantages, including:
• It is easy to make – just notify your IRA custodian.
• You can give from pre-tax assets – which is a nice tax benefit.
• The distributions may satisfy all, or part, of your required minimum distribution and are not subject to the IRS’s charitable deduction limits.
• It minimizes the effect on your cash flow; the gift is from your assets, not your checkbook.
• It allows you to make a significant gift to support the Community Foundation of South Lake or give to a cause that you care about. We have numerous field of interest funds that you may be interested in supporting.
Contact the Community Foundation today for more information about an IRA Rollover. One limitation is the IRS does NOT allow rollovers to be placed in Donor Advised Funds. *We are not tax professionals and would suggest you consult your CPA to discuss your personal situation.
Clermont High School Alumni 