Faith Presbyterian Church hands out $7,000 scholarship; Given to only one senior each year
The congregation of the Faith Presbyterian Church in Cape Coral recently awarded 18-year-old Mick Bicknese with $7,000 to attend the University of Central Florida.
Each year the congregation presents the Bird Scholarship to an outstanding high school senior who is also a member of the church.
“I have been going to that church since I was 5 years old, but I was confirmed as a member when I was 13,” said Bicknese, who received the scholarship on May 11.
In January, three high school seniors and members of the congregation applied for the scholarship that is due in March. Students were asked about their academic achievements including grade point average, what classes they are taking and what services they perform for the community and church.
Each one is weighted differently, Bicknese said, including 40 percent for service to the church, 20 percent to community service, 20 percent to the essay and 20 percent to a personal interview.
At Fort Myers Senior High School, Bicknese had a 4.3 grade point average in the honors and advanced placement and dual enrollment program. He was also active in the school’s JROTC unit, Color Guard and the school’s drill team.
He will be starting school at UCF in August and will major in political science. On Tuesday he said that he wants to join the U.S. Army as soon as he finishes his four-year degree, but is unsure of what career path to follow.
“Political science can help me with being a politician, but it can also take me into a law program,” said Bicknese.
He is also active with the Faith Presbyterian Church. This year will be his fourth year participating in a missionary trip to West Virginia through the church, where he has also served as a youth elder and youth trustee.