- May 1, 2025
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When Emily Goodie, a State College of Florida nursing student, applied for a scholarship from the Palm Aire Women's Club, she made sure she explained her hopes, dreams and goals in the letter.
What she discovered was that not only did she believe in her goals, but "other people believe in my goals and want to see me succeed."
Indeed, the Palm Aire Women's Club members aren't just going through a process. They know their annual scholarship awards (that go to State College of Florida or Manatee Technical College students), can make an important difference in a student's life.
“We have a mission that says we will support those in the community who need assistance who are less fortunate than others,” said Carol Darling, the co-president of the Palm Aire Women’s Club.
The club held its luncheon April 11 to honor its scholarship recipients — Goodie, Christianna Hershberger, Marina Perez and Ashley Lewis.
Darling said their scholarship program is administered through the State College of Florida Foundation which receives the applications and forwards them to the club. There is a scholarship committee within the Palm Aire Women’s Club led by Peg Beck, who has been the chair for the scholarship committee for seven years.
“We rank them on a very intense evaluation form and from there we award four scholarships a year for $3,000 each,” Darling said.
Here is a look at the recipients.
Goodie is pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing. She hopes to also obtain her masters degree in nursing education.
“I look forward to teaching other nursing students as well and motivating them to pursue their careers and grow,” Goodie said.
Goodie has pictured herself in scrubs since she was 13. She watched medical personnel work with her dad, Craig Goodie, who was diagnosed with state three colon cancer in 2010. Craig Goodie went through chemotherapy and radiation treatments before going into remission.
“It was something that significantly impacted our family,” Goodie said. “It shifted his whole life and our whole family dynamic.”
While pursuing her associates degree in nursing at the State College of Florida, Goodie also works full time.
Goodie is a first generation high school and college graduate and pursuing further education is very important for her.
Christianna Hershberger graduated from the dental hygiene program at State College of Florida in 2020. She has been working clinically in the area for five years. She has worked at Kind Smiles Dental Health since 2023 and she decided to return to State College of Florida to obtain her bachelor’s degree in health administration. Her goal is to one day open her own dental practice.
Hershberger, who is a trained opera singer, didn’t originally want to pursue dentistry. She first graduated with a degree in vocal performance in 2014. However, she picked up a job at a dental office and ended up receiving on-the-job training from Sarasota's Dr. Thomas Bowles.
She remembered the first time she assisted Bowles.
“I've never assisted before. I've never been in anybody's mouth before,” Hershberger said.
Bowles told Hershberger she would be a talented assistant and encouraged her to go back to school. She followed his advice.
“I do feel like I've been in school for so long, but I have loved this career so much,” Hershberger said. “It has felt like a natural step to continue on with my education.”
Marina Perez attends the State College of Florida working toward her bachelor of science in nursing. She has earned an associates degree in nursing and is a first generation college student.
“I've been that one who has the drive to keep going to get my education,” Perez said. “I feel like I need to do more, and I want to do more.”
Perez hopes to obtain her masters and doctorate in nursing to become an advanced practice registered nurse.
When Perez first discovered the scholarship opportunity and looked into what the Palm Aire Women’s Club was all about, she decided to apply.
She said the scholarship will be a big help.
“I'm thankful and grateful for their generosity,” Perez said.
Ashley Lewis was the fourth recipient of the scholarships from the Palm Aire Women’s Club. She was unable to attend the luncheon.
Lewis is a registered nurse in chemotherapy. Her goal is to obtain a masters degree in education to become a nursing professor at the State College of Florida in order to assist and inspire future generations of nurses.
