Scholarship Information
Scholarships are awarded on behalf of the YMCA of Central Florida and the Southwest Orlando Jaycees. Recipients must be available for award presentation.
In 1973, Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy changed the course of local history when he was elected to the Orlando City Council. As the first Black elected official, he set a precedent in Orlando politics and also a standard for living in unity. His influence affected the building of Hankins Park, the landscaping of Parramore Street, and the organization of the Orlando Negro Chamber of Commerce. Pappy was also involved with Meals on Wheels, the United Negro College Fund, the NAACP, and advocated for the poor.
Multiple scholarships, including one $1,500 Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Scholarship donated by the Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy family, are given to a deserving BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) high school students in celebration of his legacy and dedication to his community.
Applications are open and will be closed on October 30, 2023. Scholarship winners will be announced on November 12, 2023.
Application Process
Applications are open and will be closed on November 15, 2023. Scholarship winners will be announced on November 30, 2023.
About the Scholarships
These scholarships sponsored by generous community donors are designed to assist minority high school seniors who are academically motivated and plan to go onto an accredited post-secondary institution of their choice.
2023 Recipients
- Ananya Misra
$1,000 scholarship sponsored by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office - Brianna Guinigundo
$1,500 scholarship sponsored by the Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Founders Scholarship - Ta’Asia Singleton
$1,000 scholarship sponsored by the Southwest Orlando Jaycees - Kevin Cerveus
$1,000 scholarship sponsored by River of Life Christian Center of Orlando - Ange Louis
$1,000 scholarship sponsored by ESTEAM Foundation - Jaliza Almeida
$1,500 scholarship sponsored by LGL Consulting - Rebekka D’Auria
$1,000 scholarship sponsored by EY - Bakari Lowery
$1,000 scholarship sponsored by Omni Productions
2022 Recipients
- Eunice Pierre
$1,500 scholarship sponsored by Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Founders Scholarship - Arianna Castillo
$1,500 scholarship sponsored by the Southwest Orlando Jaycees - Khaliah Moore
$1,000 scholarship sponsored by Ernst & Young
2021 Recipient
The YMCA of Central Florida, Southwest Orlando Jaycees, and the Kennedy family have awarded a $1,500 Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Scholarship to Jamya Davis! Jamya currently attends Apopka High School and has a 4.0 GPA. After graduating, she’s expected to attend North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. In her free time, she stays involved with activities like BETA Club, the National Honor Society, and stays engaged at the Orlando Science Center. We congratulate Jamya on everything she’s worked so hard for throughout her academic career, and can’t wait to see what else she’ll achieve!
In 2021, due to the ongoing pandemic, the Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Prayer Breakfast event was conducted virtually, and the scholarship process was conducted differently than prior years, with only one scholarship getting distributed. The Y is grateful to the other Central Florida students that took the time to apply for this scholarship, and look forward to the positive impacts their generation will make in the future.
2020 Recipients
- Tianna Battles
$1,500 scholarship sponsored by SunTrust Now Truist - Brandy Bass
$1,200 Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Founders Scholarship - Myannah Robinson
$1,200 scholarship sponsored by Tupperware Brands Corporation - Jamari Saint Cyr
$1,200 scholarship sponsored by Tupperware Brands Corporation - Marchel Washington
$1,200 Teen Achievers Support Scholarship - Judanson Gaspard
$1,200 scholarship sponsored by AdventHealth - Kolby Hollis
$1,200 scholarship sponsored by the Southwest Orlando Jaycees - Christina Tran
$1,200 scholarship sponsored by PepsiCo Inc.
2019 Recipients
- Alexis Tamvakis
$1,000 scholarship sponsored by PepsiCo Inc. - Frederick Asare-Konadu, II
$1,500 Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Founders Scholarship - Kamyah Pontiflet
$1,000 scholarship sponsored by AdventHealth - Tyasia Poole
$1,000 Founders Scholarship sponsored by the Homer Hartage Family Foundation - Sabrina Cherubin
$1,000 scholarship sponsored by AdventHealth - Mohammed Ibrahim
$1,500 scholarship sponsored by SunTrust Bank - Makira Burns
$1,000 scholarship sponsored by Tupperware Brands Corporation - Zeatha Saint Fleur
$1,000 scholarship sponsored by the Southwest Orlando Jaycees
