Donor luncheon a real treat for students

Danny Roessler
In Motion Staff Writer

The annual donor luncheon hosted the Daytona State Foundation in early March, put a face on both the students receiving Foundation scholarships and those who donated the cash to make that possible.

The late morning event featured a wide variety of foods ranging from chicken to ribs and antipasta salads to salmon, all prepared by the prestigious cooking students in Daytona State College’s Hospitality and Culinary Arts program. The spread showed how diverse and talented these students are while giving donors an example of how their money is being well-spent and not used on wasted potential.

Although the point of the event was bringing together those who donate and believe in the students who receive these scholarships and the students whose lives are being touched by such generosity, the food was the epicenter. The first to speak was Melissa Diaz of the Student Government Association and Phi Theta Kappa organization, who thanked everyone for coming. Up next was Howard Holley, chair of the Foundation’s board of directors, who spoke offering many shocking statistics. He said this year an estimated $850,000 in donations made a difference in more than 1,050 students lives.

“Scholarships make the difference between graduation, a job or ending up on the streets,” he said. “Students who receive scholarships show more promise in school and have a higher rate of graduation.”

Following Holley’s speech, lunch was served by the culinary students. As lunch continued two speakers stepped up to the podium: Katherine Bianraniello and Peter Burick. Bianraniello graduated and became a registered nurse in 2013. Burick, a Police Academy student currently, received the DeLand Police Department Scholarship when he needed it most. Both speakers said they owed their futures to the donors because the scholarship money they received helped them remain enrolled when they could not afford to pay for it themselves.

Finally the Director of Foundation Development, Judy Haydt thanked everyone again on coming and taking time out of their busy schedules to stop by.

After dessert, for those interested there was a tour of Café 101 with Costa Magnoulis, dean of the culinary school, showing off the students and the facilities. Many donors were impressed with the kitchen stations where students use only fresh ingredients and the cleanest work areas. The tour was the metaphorical cherry on top that proved even the smallest of donations can make all the difference in a student’s life.

The Summer 2015 scholarship applications are available through April 27. Students can check their Falcon Net accounts for further information and updates. Dual-enrolled or transient students, DSC employees and/or their dependents may not apply for Daytona State Foundation scholarships. For information visit the Foundation home page at: http://donate.daytonastate.edu/page.aspx?pid=362