- April 26, 2025
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Sixth graders Meadow and Emma carefully measure out an ingredient.
Photo by Ian SwabyFifth graders Jaleeyah and Journee mix the coffee cake.
Photo by Ian SwabyGloria, a fourth grader, beats an egg.
Photo by Ian SwabyRyker, a fourth grader, Mia, a third grader, Jaleeyah, a fifth grader and Journee, a fifth grader, cover the coffee cake with crumbs.
Photo by Ian SwabyArianny, a sixth grader, measures out an ingredient for the cakes.
Photo by Ian SwabyCoffee cupcakes get ready to go in the oven.
Photo by Ian SwabyMia, a third grader, Journee, a fifth grader, Jaleeyah, a sixth grader and Mahogany, a third grader, write their team name on their table.
Photo by Ian SwabyChocolate bars wrapped in honor of Virginia B. Toulmin are displayed at the event.
Photo by Ian SwabyRyker, a fourth grader, and third graders Mahogany and Mia listen to a discussion.
Photo by Ian SwabyDennis O'Sullivan, owner of Young Chefs Academy, demonstrates the uses of different kitchen tools.
Photo by Ian SwabyEmma, a sixth grader, Gloria, a fourth grader, and Arianny, a sixth grader, add icing to a coffee cake.
Photo by Ian SwabySixth graders Emma, Arianny and Meadow, and fourth grader Gloria, add icing to the coffee cakes.
Photo by Ian SwabyA member of Girls Inc. spreads icing across a coffee cake.
Photo by Ian SwabyRyker, a fourth grader, measures out cinnamon.
Photo by Ian SwabyBill Villafranco, trustee of the Virginia B Toulmin Foundation, speaks to the girls, telling them about the accomplishments of Virginia B Toulmin.
Photo by Ian Swaby
"Virginia B. Goes to the Symphony"author Kevin Pease, Girls Inc CEO and President Angie Stringer, Toulmin Foundation trustee Bill Villafranco, Children First CEO Philip Tavill, Gulf Coast Community Foundation President and CEO Phillip P. Lanham and director of brand engagement Kelly Borgia, Sarasota Opera maestro Victor DeRenzi, Selby Gardens President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki, former Asolo Repertory Theatre managing director Linda DiGabriele, and Young Chefs Academy owner Dennis O'Sullivan.
Photo by Ian SwabyApril 7 was the day the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation presented its annual college scholarships for Girls Inc., to a group of eight girls facing financial difficulties.
It also was National Coffee Cake Day, and coffee cake happened to be a dessert beloved by Sarasota philanthropist Virginia B. Toulmin during her lifetime.
The foundation partnered with Young Chefs Academy to offer something additional: one-year scholarships of $23,000 to the academy spread out for 10 girls, which kicked off with a coffee cake and coffee cupcake-making session.
The event featured a reading of an excerpt from the soon-to-be-published children's book "Virginia B. Goes to the Symphony," by its author Kevin Pease.
"We do a lot of health and nutrition classes with the girls, so this is a very good tie in with all of those classes that we do," said Angie Stringer, president and CEO of Girl's Inc. "We have a whole mind and body curriculum that we use to teach girls about health and wellness and nutrition as well."
"It feels like I'm special in a way, because not many people get to have that scholarship," said Mahogany, a third grader. "There are only, like, 10 kids, so I'm one of those 10 kids, so it makes me feel like I'm a part of something."
