b"PBCFF Scholarships See ExpansionThanks to the Dennis G. Punches Charitable Foundation the Palm Beach County Fishing Foundation (PBCFF) has increased the number of scholarships it awards to students studying marine science and related fields at area high schools, universities, and other institutions.The Reef Institute, located in West Palm Beach, was added to the list last year.This specialized non-profit is cultivating, growing and out-planting stony corals in local waters.Florida Atlantic University, Many of South Floridas stony corals have been diminished by a virus calledCharles E. Schmidt College Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease.The Reef Institute is one of just a few dozen of Sciencegroups that have been charged with helping save Floridas corals and help make them moreJupiter High School resilient.They hope to expand their efforts.One of the ways the Fishing Clubs charitableEnvironmental Academyfoundation is helping is to provide financial aid that supports their summer internshipThe Reef Instituteprogram.A gift of $25,000 was made this year to the Reef Institute for summer internPalm Beach Atlantic Universityscholarships.Interns are critical to the Reef Institutes work, especially during the summerUniversity of Florida Fisheriesmonths.The PBCFF is thrilled to help facilitate these scholarship awards and see the real- & Aquatic Sciences Graduate world impact Mr. Punches legacy is having on students in our community. Student OrganizationThe scholarships we present. The City of Riviera Beach Scholarship ProgramOver the past 30 years the Fishing Clubs charitable foundation has presented more thanForest Hill High School Friends $230,000 in scholarships to deserving students pursuing higher education, primarily inof the Academy of Environmental the field of marine science or related disciplines.At right is the current list of institutionsScience & Technologywe support by offering annual scholarships.Eric Bovee, recipient of the 2023 University of Florida's FASGSO travelSummer interns from the Reef Institute visit scholarship. Masters candidate Brent McKenna, our FAUthe WPBFC clubhouse.scholarship recipient, prepares to tag a Aubrey Holloway juvenile mutton in the Lake Worth Lagoon. Lauren PBAU Scholarships Awarded PaulkThe Palm Beach County Fish- Institute helping cultivate ing Foundation (PBCFF) hasstony corals in captivity and awarded its annual scholarshipshas assisted with coral mon-at Palm Beach Atlantic Univer- itoring efforts near Peanut sity (PBAU) to marine biologyIsland.Both of these girls students Aubrey Holloway andare quite deserving of these scholarships.I am looking forward Lauren Paulk.Each student received a $3,000 scholarship madeto seeing what may come in their futures, said PBAU Associate in memory of Mr. Dennis G. Punches.Both recipients have beenProfessor of Biology and Oceanography Dr. Angela Witmer involved with locally based marine habitat restoration efforts.who helps the PBCFF facilitate the scholarships at the school, a This scholarship is such a blessing, it will enable me to pursuerole that was filled by the late Dr. Ray Waldner for many years. more research and volunteer opportunities in the community,Since 1994 the PBCFF has presented over $47,000 in scholarship said Ms. Holloway who has interned at the locally based Reefawards to PBAU marine science students.T ighTL inesM agazine- F aLL2023 47"