The National Center for Simulation (NCS) announced the award winners for the 2020 NCS Henry C. Okraski scholarships. Ten graduating high school students from Orange and Seminole County high schools will receive $1,000 scholarships to use in their pursuit of a secondary education in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) or related field at an accredited technical school, college, or university in the state of Florida.

Over the last five years the organization has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships and in support of STEM education programs.

In addition to the $10,000 for the Henry C. Okraski scholarships, NCS has also raised $25,000 for the newly created COVID-19 Response Scholarship, bringing the 2020 scholarship award total to a minimum of $35,000 to be distributed this summer to deserving students.

“One of the key focus areas for NCS is to support modeling, simulation and training education, and that includes helping to build and sustain the development of the future workforce,” said George Cheros, president and CEO. “Our program is designed to recognize students’ academic achievements, hard work, and their passion for STEM. We hope to see many of these students make Central Florida their home after completing their secondary education, ensuring that our industry thrives and continues to bring high tech jobs to Florida.”

This year’s scholarships winners are: Brett Ford, Crooms AOIT; Cameron Parrish, Hagerty High School; Ava Meena, Edgewater High School; Dylan Acevedo, Oak Ridge High School; Eyad Hennawy, Crooms AOIT; Thomas Welsh, Hagerty High School; Mariana Ramirez, Timber Creek High School; Sydney Martinez, East River High School; Hannah Merritt, Edgewater High School; and Christopher Onyiuke, Crooms AOIT.

Over and above their outstanding academic achievement and strong sense of community, these students are required to take classes in modeling and simulation to include game design, animation, and visualization.  Award-winning applicants were evaluated by the NCS scholarship evaluation committee.

Donations are still being accepted for the COVID-19 Response Scholarship and will continue through June 30. Scholarship applications for the COVID-19 fund are open now, and can be accessed on the NCS website.