As I reflect back on my undergraduate college years at the University of Iowa, I realize what a special time in my life those four years were. And as I recently spent time with my nephew in St. Louis who just graduated from high school and is headed to the University of Missouri, I realize he is about to embark on a time when he’ll be put out of his comfort zone, asked to think differently, surrounded by individuals who will push him to embrace new experiences, and figure out his lifelong dreams and passions.

This brings me to one of my favorite seasons for our work at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County during the summer, when our team is hard at work processing and presenting this year’s scholarship awards. This year, thanks to our generous donors who support deserving, talented and ambitious students in our community, the Community Foundation awarded more than $1.7 million in scholarships to make educational dreams possible.

More than 402 graduating seniors from Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties received scholarships from the Foundation ranging from $500 to $50,000. One hundred and twenty-four adult learners, returning to college or vocational school after being out of high school for a number of years, also received scholarships. Many of these adult learners are teachers, nurses or in similar professions who want to continue their professional education to ensure they can provide a better life for their families.

Much gratitude is owed to the power of passionate and thoughtful volunteers who help to make difficult choices in our rigorous scholarship process. Retired professionals, local business people and community leaders serve on committees to review and select awardees based on merit, need or both. They often hear the heartbreaking stories of the many students who rely on our financial support to go to college.

Like the one young lady who, after losing her dad to brain cancer and leaving to live with her grandmother after experiencing emotional and physical abuse from her mother, struggled to keep on top of her schoolwork and support both herself and her grandmother after a string of unfortunate events such as a house fire, illness and financial emergencies. However, thanks to her commitment and financial support of a scholarship, she is able to pursue her dream of a four-year degree.

Or the story of another young lady who was raised in Brooklyn shelters by a heroin-addicted, single mother and shared that she had “witnessed as many overdoses as snow days.” After social services relocated her to live with her grandparents in a modest home in Florida, she found it hard to completely integrate into her new life. Yet her determination and grit paved the way to a full scholarship.

There are so many stories like the ones of these young adults. However, each of them found solace in their education, worked hard to achieve good grades and volunteer service and held dreams to make a difference in this world.

The vision of donors is behind this great milestone, donors who believe in giving our bright, local students and adult learners an opportunity to empower themselves through higher education. Investing in people to further their education is one of the best investments donors can make for life long success. My heartfelt congratulations to those who are improving their lives and the lives of others by furthering their education.

Roxie Jerde is president of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.