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!
2025 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Luke Vischio-Duffy
University of South Florida
2025 recipient
Luke Vischio-Duffy is a second-year Honors student at the University of South Florida majoring in Secondary English Education. He is passionate about community engagement, educational equity, and interdisciplinary learning. At USF, Luke serves as the Community Development Co-Chair for the Education Living Learning Community and as the Secretary and Internal Communications Coordinator for the Climate Teach-In. He also supports middle school Civics students through one-on-one and small group instruction through USF's Tutor-a-Bull program. In addition to his academic and extracurricular involvement, Luke works as a cashier at Publix, where he values building connections with customers and supporting his community. A lifelong learner, Luke is excited to share his passion for English with future students. After graduation, he plans to teach high school English and pursue graduate studies to continue exploring how to create meaningful change within and beyond the classroom.
Caroline Bartunek
University of South Florida
2025 recipient
Caroline Bartunek is a dedicated student in the College of Education at the University of South Florida, where she is pursuing her degree in Educational Studies. Passionate about equity and inclusion, Caroline has focused much of her fieldwork on supporting English language learners and students with exceptionalities. After graduation, Caroline plans to work in a diverse school setting, supporting ELL and/or special education students through differentiated instruction and student-centered learning. She brings experience in childcare, educational internships, and volunteer work abroad to her future role as an educator. Caroline is honored to receive this scholarship and looks forward to continuing her journey of empowering all students to succeed.
2024 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Hannah Jones
University of South Florida
2024 recipient
Hannah Jones is currently in her senior year at the University of South Florida. She will be graduating in May with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Hannah currently works with the Boys and Girls Club as a tutor and coach, working with underserved youth who struggle with reading and mathematics and lack the support to improve. She also works at the Museum of Science and Industry as a special events instructor, where she facilitates science-based activities for birthdays and other events to teach STEM in fun ways. Hannah is in Level 3 of her internship, where she is at her assignment school two days a week during teacher contract hours. She works as a teacher with groups of 20+ third-grade students in a Math & Science classroom, specializing in working with students who are English Language Learners. Hannah has been busy writing a novel on the side! She says that she has always loved writing, but taking a writing class this semester has encouraged her to actually try to write out a story she’s had in her head for years. She’s hoping to finish the first draft and submit it for editing and possibly publishing within the next year.
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, 2025).
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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, 2025.
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 March 7, 2025.
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.