SHERRI VANDEBOE FUTURE IN EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
Sherri Lynn VanDeBoe is a beloved elementary school teacher in Tampa, Florida. She taught in Hillsborough County for 24 years and spent time at Riverhills Elementary, Lewis Elementary, and Carrollwood Elementary. Sherri is a Tampa native. She attended Tampa Catholic High School and the University of South Florida. She was a cheerleader for both and coached local youth cheer teams for years. Sherri comes from a family of public servants. Her mother and mother-in-law were both teachers. Her father is retired military and worked for the VA. Her husband, brother-in-law, and father-in-law are all current or retired firefighters. Sherri shines a light everywhere she goes. She’s the first to help someone in need. She's a devoted wife. She’s that teacher that all the students remember. She’s that friend who always makes you laugh. She’s the daughter who makes her parents proud. Sherri's life has been one of service. This scholarship honors that legacy!
2026 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Elaine Feaster
University of South Florida
Awarded $1,500
In the fall of 2026, Elaine Feaster will begin her senior year at the University of South Florida, where she is studying Secondary Social Science Education. In the 3rd grade, Elaine was diagnosed with dyslexia, which shaped her passion for literacy and learning. Books and reading were intimidating, and through the Girl Scouts, she used the challenges she faced to create her Silver and Gold Award projects which focused on literacy awareness and getting books into the hands of children who didn’t have any. Elaine's motto was: “When you can read, you can learn anything!” This work strengthened her commitment to helping students build confidence and create opportunities, while shaping her desire to become a teacher. After graduation, she hopes to work as a Social Science teacher in a Hillsborough County high school while getting her Master's Degree in Education.
Noemi Nina
University of South Florida
Awarded $1,000
Noemi Nina is the mother of two terrific boys. Currently, she tutors a variety of students while finishing her degree in Elementary Education at the University of South Florida. When she finishes college she plan to substitute teach in Hillsborough County for half a year and then apply to work full-time at one of the county's Title 1 schools.
PAST SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Luke Vischio-Duffy
2025 recipient
Updated Dec 2025
Luke Vischio-Duffy, an undergraduate at the University of South Florida, recently started working as an office assistant for the College of Education's Department of Leadership, Policy, and Lifelong Learning. He also was inducted to The Order of the Golden Brahman, a leadership society through the USF alumni association dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting USF. Furthermore, Luke has expanded his research and submitted an application for an Undergraduate Research Training Workshop with the American Educational Research Association and will present at the USF Humanities Conference in January.
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
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Current University of South Florida undergraduate student (MUST be continuing enrollment in summer or fall, 2026).
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Accepted as an undergraduate into the University of South Florida College of Education (K-12).
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3.0 minimum college GPA.
Award Amount
An amount of at least $1,000 will be awarded to the recipient of the scholarship on or before May 1, 2026.
Application Process
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Review eligibility criteria.
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Complete the online application.
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Submit the required 250-300 word essay.
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Upload a letter of recommendation from an educator in your high school or college career (teacher, professor, administrator, or TA). The letter may not come from your advisor.
**Alternatively, your reference can email his/her letter directly to peiranofamilyfoundation@gmail.com. Follow the guidelines at the top of the application for submitting documents via email. -
Upload a copy of your undergraduate USF transcript (an unofficial copy is acceptable) showing your current overall USF GPA. **A submission from Degree Works is acceptable.
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If your transcript does not show that you have been accepted into the USF College of Education (K-12), you may upload or submit via email a letter from USF verifying your undergraduate acceptance into the USF College of Education (K-12). Follow the guidelines at the top of the application for submitting documents via email.
Application Deadline
Completed application and all supporting documents must be received no later than midnight on Febuarary 20, 2026
Disclaimer
Children of members of the Peirano Family Foundation Board of Directors are not eligible to apply. Children of donors to the Peirano Family Foundation are welcome to apply, but will receive no preferential rating. Scholarship applications will be subject to a blind review process by a panel of outside judges.
Your Donation Creates Opportunities
Make a difference in the lives of students by donating to the Sherri VanDeBoe Future in Education Scholarship. Your contribution will help to provide financial assistance to USF students striving to become new teachers.