The Suncoast for Kids Foundation (Suncoast for Kids), funded by Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union (Suncoast Schools FCU), announces its higher education scholarship recipients for 2011. Throughout the communities served by Suncoast Schools FCU, Suncoast for Kids has provided need and merit-based scholarships for 19 years to graduating high school seniors planning to attend an accredited institution in Florida. In Lee County, scholarship awards went to Nahomi Torres, Lehigh Acre, Alexander Ragonese, Cape Coral; Michael Scheer, Fort Myers; and Anabel Rodriguez, Cape Coral. Some 435 participants submitted applications within the 15 counties served by Suncoast Schools FCU. The awards included a $10,000 renewable scholarship to a senior attending a four-year university, a $6,000 renewable scholarship to a senior attending a two-year college and up to a $4,000 scholarship to a student attending a vocational or technical program. “Now more than ever, our funding is proving to meet a crucial need for families in the local districts we serve, and we believe it improves the quality of our members’ lives, which is part of our mission,” says Mary Tlachac, executive director of Suncoast for Kids.