The Emerald Coast Gator Club (ECGC) is proud to announce it has awarded $32,500 in academic scholarships to 21 recent high school graduates across Okaloosa and Walton counties as they prepare to begin their freshman year at the University of Florida.
Continuing its long-standing dedication to local youth and higher education, the ECGC has distributed approximately $100K in scholarships over the past five years. Highlighting the strength and reach of the program, every single eligible applicant for the past three consecutive years has been granted a scholarship toward their inaugural year in Gainesville.
“Investing in the next generation of Gator leaders is at the core of our club’s mission,” said Emerald Coast Gator Club President Jen Owczarski. “We are thrilled to celebrate these remarkable students as they join Gator Nation.”
Additionally, each year, one student is selected as the Hathcock Scholar by local Gators Kalah and Hugh Hathcock. The 2026 Hathcock Scholar is Brennan Gould from Ft. Walton Beach High School. These merit-based awards are made possible through the generosity of local Gator alumni, supporters, and area business sponsors. Throughout the year, the ECGC hosts several signature community events to fuel its scholarship fund: Fall Season Kickoff & Auction, Spring Emerald Coast Golf Classic and Gator Football Watch Parties throughout the Fall at Harry T’s Lighthouse.
2026 Emerald Coast Gator Club Scholarship Recipients
Choctawhatchee High School: Kady Folsom, Astrophysics
Collegiate High School at Northwest Florida State College: Kendall Feal, Wildlife Ecology & Conservation
Niceville High School: Zach Gideons, Aerospace Engineering; Zachary Ott, Molecular Biology; Katherine Robertson, Psychology; Wyatt Rolison, Mechanical Engineering; Jonathan Shimko, Biomedical Engineering; Donovan Sjoberg, Engineering; Colin Smith, Aerospace Engineering
Ft. Walton Beach High School: Bradley Buckthal, Health Sciences; Emily Coteat, Health Sciences; Katie Eubanks, Health Sciences; Brenna Gordon, Biochemistry, Brennan Gould, Aerospace Engineering & Music Performance; Anthony Pham, Biomedical Engineering; Cole Rewis, Biochemistry; Isabella Riggs, Finance; Anna Sculthorpe, Political Science; Jeda Srichareon, Chemical Engineering
Walton High School: Bella Baker, Architecture and Eli Rhodes, Journalism
