Florida Sheriffs Association Continues Investing in Florida’s Youth by Awarding 10 STEM Scholarships

The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) invests in the state of Florida each year by encouraging and rewarding bright, hard-working students whose parents work in a Florida sheriff’s office. This year, the FSA has awarded a STEM Scholarship to 10 high-achieving students who are pursuing a career in a STEM-related field (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math).

"Supporting Florida’s youth has always been a priority of the Florida Sheriffs Association,” said Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis, President of the FSA. “The future of our state lies in the hands of the next generation. The Florida Sheriffs Association is dedicated to securing a safe and healthy Florida by investing in programs specifically designed to help young people be better prepared for a successful life.”

To be considered for the FSA STEM Scholarship, the student must have a legal guardian that is a full-time employee of a sheriff’s office. The students also must submit a five-page application and an essay on why they are passionate about studying their STEM-related field. The applications and essays were reviewed by a committee of representatives from the Florida Sheriffs Association whose members selected this year’s recipients. The 2023 FSA STEM Scholarship recipients include:

Mason A Kaufman

Son of Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brian Kaufman. Mason plans to complete his bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the University of Central Florida. After graduation, he hopes to secure employment with a government endorsed organization.

Donald Anthony Doyle III

Son of Orange County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Donald Doyle Jr. Donald plans to complete his degree in computer engineering at the University of Central Florida in three years, as he entered college with 50 credits from the dual enrollment program. He intends to pursue a master’s degree and gain hands-on experience as a member of the Knights Auto Team. His goal is to work with embedded systems and self-driving cars as an autonomous driving engineer.

Treston Livingston

Son of Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Senior Patrolman Jeremy Livingston. Treston is a senior at Florida Atlantic University where he is pursuing dual degrees in management information systems and international business and then plans to enter a master’s program. He plans to use his education and passion for photography/cinematography to create a media and design company.

Sahana Thayagabalu

Daughter of Broward County Sheriff’s Office Database Administrator Ramalingam Thayagabalu. Sahana will attend the University of Florida where she plans to major in applied mathematics and biostatistics. She would like to complete her education with a master’s degree in public health. Her goal is to become a healthcare manager working in a hospital.

Michael Ryan Harrington

Son of Broward County Sheriff’s Office District Chief Gary Harrington. Michael is a junior attending Georgia Institute of Technology where he is pursuing a degree in electrical engineering. He would like to further his education by obtaining a doctoral degree in electrical engineering at either Georgia Tech or MIT. He hopes to one day work for a firm researching and developing technology that result in discoveries to benefit society.

Lindsay Noelle Scherer

Daughter of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Accounting Clerk II Colleen Scherer. Lindsay will be a freshman attending Nova Southeastern University. Her ultimate goal is to complete a PhD in Marine Biology. She has an automatic seat in the graduate program by receiving an invitation to the dual admissions program in Marine Science there. She hopes to work with coral reef conservation and restoration projects around the world.

Steven Patrick Sawyer

Son of Broward County Sheriff’s Office Crime Analyst Christine Rotondo. Steven will be a freshman at Florida Gulf Coast University. He plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in environmental geology and obtain a Florida Professional Geologist License. He would like to work in hydrographic surveying with a focus on shoreline restoration.

Gesina Rae McDonald

Daughter of Collier County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Dan McDonald. Gesina plans to enter Florida Gulf Coast University and hopes to eventually earn a doctoral degree in physical therapy and exercise science.

Raquel Beatriz Rossman

Daughter of Broward County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Richard Rossman. Raquel will be a sophomore attending Nova Southeastern University currently majoring in osteopathic medicine. She plans to graduate from the Osteopathic Medical School and perhaps specialize in otolaryngology, the surgical specialization of the head and neck. She is also interested in participating in teaching future doctors.

Hailey Lynn Hinchliffe

Daughter of Collier County Sheriff’s Office Detective Sergeant Gregory Hinchliffe. Hailey will graduate high school with her associate degree in general studies. She plans to continue working toward a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at the University of Florida. She would like to earn a PhD and work in biomedical research.

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Florida Sheriffs Association:

The Florida Sheriffs Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation made up of the Sheriffs of Florida, approximately 3,000 business leaders and 100,000 citizens throughout the state. Founded in 1893, FSA has steadfastly served the citizens of Florida by supporting the needs of the state's law enforcement community. Through the Florida Sheriffs Association, Sheriffs are given a forum to address lawmakers to push for positive changes in Florida’s public safety arena. FSA also provides Sheriffs' Offices much-needed programs such as affordable training, special task forces and legislative and legal services. Dedicated to the prevention of juvenile delinquency and the development of lawful, productive citizens, FSA has established and funded the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches with facilities throughout the state to help restore hope, fulfill dreams, and prepare boys and girls for the future. It has grown to be one of the largest and most successful state law enforcement associations in the nation. For more information on the Florida Sheriffs Association, visit [url=http://www.flsheriffs.org]http://www.flsheriffs.org[/url].