The DeBartolo Family Foundation is dedicated to helping the youth in our community. Every student’s story is different and the Foundation is committed to helping students achieve their dream of attending college.
The DeBartolo Family Foundation scholarship program was created to recognize Tampa Bay area high school graduating seniors who have achieved academic excellence despite obstacles and are dedicated to continuing their education. A one-time scholarship award is given to students prior to the start of their freshman year of college and can be used for any college-related expenses.
To qualify for a DeBartolo Family Foundation scholarship, all applicants must be a current high school senior in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas or Polk Counties and must have plans to continue his/her education at a University, Community College or Technical School starting in summer or fall after your graduation.
Download our 2025-2026 scholarship application HERE.
2025 Scholarships
Congratulations to our 2025 scholarship recipients. With weighted GPAs over 8.0 and remarkable stories of resilience, these Tampa Bay seniors were awarded $2,500 scholarships to continue their post-secondary education.
In addition to the seniors, we awarded Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School’s Arjun Nair with the DeBartolo Family Foundation’s Valedictorian College Scholarship. Arjun graduated with an 8.28 GPA and took on many leadership roles while at BDCHS. He was the founder and president of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Chapter, Vice President of DECA, and an active member of several prestigious honor societies, including Mu Alpha Theta and the National Honor Society. He was also a National Merit Finalist and dual-enrolled student and graduated with an Associate in Arts degree from Hillsborough Community College. Arjun will take the next step in his academic journey at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he plans to major in Biology, minor in Chemistry, and ultimately pursue a career as a surgical oncologist.
We are thrilled to reward these seniors for their hard work, dedication and commitment to their futures.
2025 Valedictorian: Arjun Nair
Class of 2025 Scholarships Recipients:
Madison Yates, Land O’ Lakes High School
Mackenzie Yates, Land O’ Lakes High School
Bryan Harden, Hillsborough High School
Areon Atkinson II, Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School
Ashawnee Tabor, Tampa Bay Technical
Andrew Fink, Steinbrenner High School
Murielle Ackey, Jule F. Sumner High School
Stacy Rodriguez Liz, Tampa Catholic High School
Madison Douglas, East Bay High School
Dakota White, Lakewood High School
Mason Wesley, Sickles High School
Asia Williams, Carrollwood Day School
Jackson Wainwright, River Ridge High School
Alexus Spates, Jule F. Sumner High School
Sarah Jaber, Summerlin Military Academy
Angelina Bellestri, Gibbs Senior High School
Tess Aguero, Strawberry Crest High School
Michael Morales, East Bay High School
Rebecca Youssef, J. W. Mitchell High School
Logan Hardin, Jesuit High School
Amya Cotney, Armwood High School
Lauren Launikitis, Robinson High School
Jack VanderSchuur, Steinbrenner High School
Tiyana Perrin, East Bay High School
Hala Rassas, King High School
Dravyn Oblak, East Bay High School
Shandria Davis, King High School
Angeliq Otero, Jule F. Sumner High School
Aeleyah Abou-Assi, Gaither High School
Zayda Martin, Winter Haven High School
Lily Swanton, Steinbrenner High School
Isabella De La Rosa, Spoto High School
In 2007, the DeBartolo family partnered with Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks and co-founded Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (BDCHS), a high-performing, “A”-rated charter high school in Hillsborough County. The school has received 10 consecutive A grades from the Florida Department of Education, and was given the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award in 2015 by the U.S. Department of Education.