Congratulations to BGCSDC Senior Graduates

June 13, 2022 – Sarasota

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties celebrated 90 graduating seniors from local high schools at the annual Senior Celebration on Thursday, June 9, 2022. Seniors were joined by family and friends, and supported by members of the community such as Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer, Chris Renouf; Secondary Schools Executive Director, Steve Cantees; North Port High School Principal, Shannon Fusco; Riverview High School Principal, Erin Del Castillo; Sarasota High School Principal, David Jones; and Sarasota Military Academy Head of School, Colonel Fredrick Fout. The event was held in the Dick Vitale Sports and Fitness Center at the Lee Wetherington Club.

The 2022 graduating class went above and beyond in their academic achievements and are outstanding examples of what hard work and determination can do in achieving their goals. The evening recognized 17 graduating seniors who have been selected to receive scholarship awards, including the Shannon Staub Excellence in Leadership Award, The Club’s Post-Secondary Transition Scholarship, the Matthew A. Knight Foundation Scholarship, the Robert and Patricia Gussin Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties Endowed Scholarship at Duquesne University, the Steven and Marjolaine Townsend Scholarship, and Youth of the Year Scholarship.

Since their first scholarship in 2018, Steve and Marjolaine Townsend have awarded over 47 scholarships to Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties’ youth. Steve Townsend stated, “We established our scholarship fund as a way of giving back to our community, and we have been touched by the personal successes achieved by so many of our recipients.” When asked why they choose to invest in the lives of young people each year in Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, Marge responded, “We believe education changes lives. Because education is so important to us, we hope these scholarships will empower students to pursue their hopes and dreams and strive to reach their full potential.”  

Congratulations to our graduating seniors and scholarship recipients! The future is bright for these young leaders as they embark on their great futures and join the incredible list of Boys & Girls Clubs alumni.

Robert and Patricia Gussin Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties Endowed Scholarship at Duquesne University

• Laura M., RHS 
• Bryan B., BHS

Matthew A. Knight Foundation Scholarship

• Quinn O., SHS

Shannon Staub Excellence in Leadership Award 

• Quinn O., SHS 
• Giacomo M., BHS

The Club’s Post-Secondary Transition Scholars

• Bryan B., BHS; 
• Kennedi B., SHS; 
• Desmen L., SHS; 
• Laura M., RHS; 
• Giacomo M., BHS

Youth of the Year Scholar

• Bernadette N., RHS

Steven and Marjolaine Townsend Scholars, Class of 2025

• Aiden B., BHS 
• Ayanna C., BHS 
• Ethan C., SPHS
• Ariyana E., BHS
• Samuel M., BHS 
• Aundrayah M., BHS
• Charlize M., BHS 
• Melanie M., SHS 
• Ciara P., SHS 
• Usman P., NPHS 
• Angel V., Imagine School at North Port 

Steven and Marjolaine Townsend Scholars, Class of 2023

• Gabriel B., SPHS
• Fabian O., SMA
• Kara P., NPHS
• Madison S., SHS
• Daria T., PVS

Steven and Marjolaine Townsend Scholars, Class of 2022

• Kennedi B., SHS
• Kenneth D., VHS
• Francisco H., NPHS
• Isaiah L., VHS
• Jasmine M., SMA
• D’Kai S., BHS