UCC-Related Plymouth Harbor Awards 14 Scholarships

The Plymouth Harbor Foundation awards scholarships annually to employees and their children who are seeking to further their education. This year we were able to award scholarships to the following 14 individuals, thanks to the more than 100 generous donors who have made gifts over the last few years to support their pursuit of higher education and professional development:

Melissa Berthold, Residents Association Scholarship

Melissa has been a Server in Plymouth Harbor’s Mayflower Café for over four years, juggling work and college at the same time. She is using her scholarship for further studies at the State College of Florida in preparing herself to become a Dental Hygienist.

Sandra Esparza, Plymouth Harbor Foundation Scholarship

Sande first joined Plymouth Harbor in Dining Services back in 2007. After a few promotions, Sande desired a management role and in 2017 was selected as Housekeeping Supervisor. Sande will use her scholarship to acquire the International Executive Housekeepers Association Professional Education Credentialing Program. This certification will allow her to further advance her career.

Christina Flanary, Bruce B. Crawford and Joan P. Sheil Scholarship, Alida de Jongh Scholarship

Christina is a busy single mother who is in her second year working towards obtaining her RN-Associates degree from the State College of Florida. She also works full time in the evenings at Blake Medical Center in monitoring and safety. She once worked at Plymouth Harbor as a Candy Striper! Christina’s mother is Liz Clark, who is Plymouth Harbor’s Administrator of Home Care.

Sandra Franca, Bea Davis Memorial Scholarship

Sandra is a Laundry Aide in Health Services at Plymouth Harbor. While researching herbal remedies to complement her health care plan, Sandra sought to educate herself about nutrition. She is using the scholarship to obtain a Master Herbalist and Aromatherapist Certification and hopes to learn what natural products will help support, rebalance and restore vitality for optimum well-being.

Hayden Menzies, Jeannette Gehrie Music Scholarship

Hayden is an 8th-grade student at the Sarasota School of Arts and Science. She continues taking music lessons at Sam Ash Music on the alto sax and trombone. Hayden is the daughter of Danielle Menzies, who works as Plymouth Harbor’s Operations Manager of Dining Services.

Kate Meyer, Jane T. Smiley Scholarship

Kate is a freshman at Florida State University in Tallahassee pursuing a degree in criminology and pre-law. She would like to work initially as a criminal profiler and if she advances on to attend law school, then become a criminal prosecuting attorney. She is the daughter of Joy Meyer, the Health Services Operations Coordinator at Plymouth Harbor.

Stephen Moros, Doyle Scholarship

Stephen is our Human Resources Recruiter. He has his undergraduate degree in Finance and is using his scholarship to further his education by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Data Analytics from St. Louis University in Missouri online.

Trisha Roman, Plymouth Harbor Foundation Scholarship

Trisha is the Operations Supervisor for Plymouth Harbor’s thriving Housekeeping Department and has worked here for a total of four years. Trisha also oversees the Environmental Technician staff. Trisha is using her scholarship to acquire the International Executive Housekeepers Association Professional Education Credentialing Program. This certification will assist her in furthering her career in the hospitality field.

Sarah Osoria Ruiz, Gaylord Family Nursing Scholarship

Sarah began working at Plymouth Harbor as a CNA then as an LPN in Plymouth Harbor’s Smith Care Center. She is married and the mother two girls. She is using her scholarship towards the LPN-RN Transition program at the State College of Florida.

Alexander Ruiztagle, Collinsworth Scholarship

Alexander is in his junior year at the University of Central Florida where he is double majoring in computer science and mathematics. Alexander created a Coding Boot Camp for young children and is currently a software engineer intern at Universal Studios. After graduation, Alex hopes to make his way to Silicon Valley and work in the Artificial Intelligence field. He is the son of Luz Ruiztagle, who is an LPN for Plymouth Harbor.

Carolina Ruiztagle, Charleen Sessions Scholarship

Carolina is heading into her final semester at University of South Florida in Tampa and will be graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She currently volunteers at the Moffitt Cancer Center. She hopes to attend graduate school in Boston and pursue a Master’s Degree, which she will use to help treat those with anxiety, ADHD, Autism and PTSD. Carolina is the daughter of Luz Ruiztagle who is an LPN for Plymouth Harbor.

Alena Scandura, Plymouth Harbor Foundation Scholarship

Alena joined Plymouth Harbor in 2017 as a Housekeeping Supervisor. Alena previously worked as Coordinator of Student Activities at New College. She has her BS in Exercise Physiology and Biology and her Master’s in Exercise Physiology. She will use her scholarship to acquire the International Executive Housekeepers Association Professional Education Credentialing Program, which will then enable her to take the Registered Environmental Services Executive exam.

Corey Schmitz, Veronica Holak Barton Scholarship

Corey is a familiar face at Plymouth Harbor, having worked as a server in the Smith Care Center and as a Mayflower Café bartender/server for many years. Corey is a registered CNA and is using the scholarship to obtain a Licensed Practical Nurse certificate, a year-long program at Suncoast Technical College.

Nathan Stotler, Evelin Corsey Scholarship Nathan is in pursuit of becoming a Physical Therapist. He will be using this scholarship money to complete his last general education course for his Associates degree at State College of Florida, where he also plays soccer. He then hopes to continue his schooling and transfer to a university to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy. Nathan is also a Fit Specialist working at Happy Feet right here in downtown Sarasota. He is the son of Kay Stotler, who works at Plymouth Harbor as a CNA.

CHHSM member Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay, founded in 1966, is a not-for-profit Life Plan Community centrally located between Bird Key and St. Armands Circle with vistas of the Gulf, Bay, and the City of Sarasota. Like its historic northern counterpart, Sarasota’s Plymouth Harbor is a lively waterfront community committed to an independent life in fellowship with one another. Serving over 330 residents, Plymouth Harbor offers customized independent living residences, home care, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing and rehabilitation therapy services. Plymouth Harbor, Inc. operates as a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) and is regulated under Chapter 651, Florida Statutes. For more information, please visit www.PlymouthHarbor.org.