Scholarships to honor Pulse
49 will be given in names of each of the victims in the 2016 attack.
The onePULSE Foundation announced Monday it will begin taking applications Dec. 1 for the first round of 49 scholarships offered in the name of each of the victims killed in the Pulse nightclub attack.
The annual awards will be for as much as $10,000 apiece, and each will be for study in one of 49 fields related to the interests, careers or aspirations of the victims, which include business, nursing, architecture, dance, special education, fire sciences and cosmetology, among others. Preference will be given to family members of those killed and survivors of the attack.
“Each [of the 49] was special and loved, and we hope that through these scholarships, generations of students and professionals will continue to be empowered and inspired by their lives,” said Earl Crittenden, chairman of the onePULSE Foundation board of trustees.
The foundation called the scholarships “an extension of their impact on our world” and said it plans to offer them annually.
Corliss and Stephan Tomlinson said in a statement released by the foundation that their son would approve of the scholarships. Singer Shane Tomlinson was among those killed in the June 12, 2016, mass shooting by a lone gunman.
“We know that Shane is sitting with the angels now, and we believe that he would be so delighted that a scholarship fund of this kind could enable aspiring vocalists to reach their full potential professionally,” the couple said. “We know that this scholarship will also do a lot to ensure our son will never be forgotten.”
The money can be used at any accredited institution of higher learning, including career and
technical schools. The first scholarships will be awarded for use during the 2020-21 academic year.
The foundation — a nonprofit that is also leading the effort to build a memorial and museum south of downtown Orlando — said it would consider several factors in choosing a recipient. Those include the applicant’s personal story, financial need or independence, strong academic
“We know that this scholarship will also do a lot to ensure our son will never be forgotten.”
or self-improvement interest and a “proven track record of leadership, community involvement and/or work experience.”
High school seniors as well as students already enrolled in an institution of higher learning are eligible to apply. The scholarship application process will open online on Dec. 1 and close on Jan. 31, 2020. Recipients will be notified in the spring.
To learn more or apply, go to onepulsefoundation.org/scholarships or call 407-675-6456. Those wanting to donate to the scholarship program can do so at onepulsefoundation.org/donate.
Corliss and Stephan Tomlinson, parents of Shane Tomlinson