Emerald Coast Public Relations Foundation Awards Two Scholarships

Fort Walton Beach, Fla., June 11 -- The Emerald Coast Public Relations Foundation awarded $1,000 scholarships recent graduates of Rocky Bayou Christian School in Niceville and a graduating senior from Freeport High School at the monthly Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization’s luncheon held at the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, June 10th.

One scholarship is sponsored by Eglin Federal Credit Union. The second is the Sherry Harlow, APR Scholarship, made possible by a grant from Ms. Harlow. The awards are based on academic credentials, volunteer and service work and an original essay that addresses on an issue of importance to public relations or marketing fields.

Macy Wanner from RBCS, who will major in business at Samford University in Birmingham, AL in the fall was presented with a $1,000 check by Sherry Harlow, founding member of Emerald Coast Public Relations.  Macy’s essay focused on the importance of integrity in marketing materials.

Zachary Neconie, of Freeport is currently dual-enrolled at, and will be attending Northwest Florida State  University in the fall, majoring in Marketing.  He plans to eventually transfer to Florida State University.  Melissa McSwain from EFCU presented Zachary with a $1,000 check.  His essay emphasized the need for transparency in public relations.

Candidates for the scholarship must be high school seniors residing in Okaloosa, Walton or Santa Rosa counties, with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, a U.S. citizen, and planning to pursue studies in public relations, communication, marketing or journalism.  Over the past few years, the Foundation awarded twelve $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from Crestview, Niceville, Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, Choctawhatchee and Fort Walton Beach High Schools.   This year’s scholarships are the first to be awarded to graduates of Rocky Bayou Christian School and Freeport High School.