2024 Scholarship Info
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2023 Scholarship Winners
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Making an Impact
Ethan Stewart
2022 Scholarship Winner
“When I first got the call to varsity my sophomore year Gio was the first person to come to me. He really taught me that in soccer, your team is family and you can’t really have anything like that so being able to receive a scholarship that’s in memory of Gio is awesome. It means I have a part of him that’s always going to be with me.”
Ron Vitrano
Gio’s Dad & Foundation President
“These are great high school students, athletes, pillars of the community. To be able to help out a little bit, I think that’s the key. It helps ease the pain of what happened. Giovanni died six and a half months ago, but to watch these young students and athletes walk away with these awards, it warms my heart.”
Jose Gonzalez
2023 Scholarship Winner
“I’m overwhelmingly happy with winning the scholarship. Thank you to the foundation for this experience, it’s been incredible.”
The Giovanni Vitrano Scholarship
Class of 2023 Winners
Jose Gonzales - $6,000 Scholarship Winner
Jose co-founded the Physical Club and participated in Science Olympiad, the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and more. He led the Chiles Boys’ Soccer Team to the 2022 Gio Cup Championship and the 2022-23 District Championship. Jose will attend Penn in the fall. Jose will attend Penn in the fall.
Betrice Drayton - $2,000 Scholarship Winner
Betrice is a talented soccer player who scored 41 goals in 14 games this season, ranking as one of only two girls in Leon County with 40+ goals. She is also an ABC 27 Scholar-Athlete of the Week award recipient and will attend West Florida College.
RJ Hosay - $2,000 Scholarship Winner
RJ is the Editor-in-Chief of The Andalusian School Newspaper and a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and All-Florida Scholastic Press Association. He scored 44 goals in his varsity soccer career at Maclay and was named ABC 27 Scholar-Athlete of the Week. RJ will attend the University of Florida.
Class of 2024 Scholarship Information
Who is eligible to apply for our scholarship?
All student-athletes who meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
- Played soccer at the Varsity High School or equivalent club level.
- Is a graduating member of the Class of 2024.
- Have a 3.2 GPA or higher as of January 31, 2024.
- Reside in the Tallahassee, FL & Thomasville, GA media market. This area includes Leon, Franklin, Gadsden, Wakulla, Jefferson, Jackson, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Lafayette, Suwannee, and Hamilton counties in Florida and Seminole, Miller, Decatur, Grady, Thomas, Brooks, Lowndes, Lanier, and Echols counties in Georgia.
Additional scholarship details will be announced in October, 2023. Applications will be open November 2 2023 – January 31, 2024.
The Giovanni Vitrano Foundation
Board of Directors
Ron Vitrano
Gio’s Dad, President
Emilee Copeland
Gio’s Sister, Director
Mike Fahmie
Vice President
Tom Block
Director
Chris Petley
Director
Support Those That Support Us
THE GIOVANNI VITRANO FOUNDATION
NEWS COVERAGE
Our Foundation has been featured in the Tallahassee Democrat, WCTV (CBS Tallahassee), WTXL (ABC Tallahassee) and more.
Giovanni Vitrano Foundation Welcomes Renowned Figures Tom Block and Chris Petley to its Board of Directors
The Giovanni Vitrano Foundation is excited to welcome Tom Block and Chris Petley to its Board of Directors for the 2023-24 academic year. Renowned FSU Football Sideline Reporter Tom Block joins as Director of Fundraising, and Tallahassee Soccer Club’s Chris Petley steps in as Director of Community Outreach. Their combined expertise promises to elevate the foundation’s mission of supporting high school student-athletes in Tallahassee. Read more about their contributions and the foundation’s ongoing impact.
2023 Giovanni Vitrano Memorial Scholarsip
The Giovanni Vitrano Foundation proudly announced its annual scholarship winners in a heartwarming event at Southwood Community Center. Among the exceptional student-athletes recognized, Jose Gonzalez of Chiles High School clinched the $6,000 Giovanni Vitrano Memorial Scholarship and is set to attend Penn this fall. Betrice Drayton from Rickards High School and RJ Hosay from Maclay School both secured the $2,000 scholarship. Both have exhibited outstanding prowess in soccer and academics alike, with Betrice gearing up to join West Florida College and RJ set to embark on his journey at Florida. These scholarships, commemorating the inspiring Giovanni Vitrano of Leon High School’s Class of 2020, celebrate a legacy of dedication to education, soccer, and community service.
WCTV Covers the Inaugural Gio Cup
Our local CBS Sportscaster Ryan Kelly came by the Inaugural Gio Cup, to help spread the...
WCTV Covers Inaugural Giovanni Vitrano Memorial Scholarship Awards Banquet
WCTV's Ryan Kelly came out to cover our annual awards banquet, and profilied 2022...
Class of 2022 Scholarship Winners Announced
In a heartwarming move to commemorate Giovanni Vitrano’s legacy, The Giovanni Vitrano Foundation has unveiled the proud winners of the inaugural Giovanni Vitrano Memorial Scholarships. This year sees a rewarding $7,000 being disbursed to three deserving high school seniors. The standout recipient, Alejandro Alonso from Gadsden County High School, with plans to dive into Criminology at Florida State University, clinched the $5,000 scholarship. Meanwhile, soccer stalwarts Ethan Stewart from Leon High School and Maddie Kopka from Sail High School, who have both showcased immense dedication on and off the field, each secure a $1,000 scholarship. Formed in the wake of a tragic loss, the foundation stands as a testament to Giovanni’s love for soccer and education. Aspiring applicants for the Class of 2023 can look forward to the application window opening this fall
Tallahassee Democrat profiles the Giovanni Vitrano Memorial Scholarship
March 5, 2022 - The Tallahassee Democrat profiled the Giovanni Vitrano Memorial...
How you can help
Join over 300 of our friends, family and community neighbors who have helped raise $30,000 to fund our scholarships. All funds raised go directly to scholarships for graduating seniors.
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