Keep Martin Beautiful Scholarships: Investing in Future Environmental Leaders

Keep Martin Beautiful Scholarships: Investing in Future Environmental Leaders

Keep Martin Beautiful is eager to support future environmental leaders who will carry our passion for the planet into future generations. This year we launched a scholarship program – the first in our history –  to help graduating seniors in Martin County high schools who intend to pursue a degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Environmental Policy, Conservation or Marine Biology or a related field.

The response to our call for applications was beyond our expectations. In fact, the response was so overwhelming, and the quality of candidates was so exceptional that we decided to award both the initial $500 scholarship and also a $250 scholarship.

Cameron Burke of Clark Advanced Learning Center is our $500 scholarship recipient. Cameron has shown his leadership skills by mentoring students at SeaWind Elementary School for its 5th grade science class and Green Team Club and encouraging other students to become mentors also. He has helped teach the SeaWind students about the extreme importance of protecting our environment and has demonstrated the commitment it takes to make a difference.

Cameron has been a huge volunteer for the environment, working alongside marine biologists in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Marine Research Center, with Students for H20 and WaterFest in the City of Stuart, and numerous cleanup efforts including the International Coastal Cleanup. Cameron will be studying Civil Engineering at Florida Atlantic University in the fall.

Sarah Ladd of Jensen Beach High School is our recipient of a $250 scholarship. Sarah is currently the President of the Earth Savers Crew, a group of middle and high school students who work to support the local Environmental Studies Center through community outreach, center beautification events, and citizen science projects.

During her presidency she recruited new members, grew the membership from 20 to more than 50 students while carrying a heavy academic course load, including Advanced Placement classes in Environmental Science. Sarah’s experiences with Camp WET at the Environmental Studies Center helped to set her on a path toward the study of marine biology, which she will study at the University of South Florida this fall.

This very first year of the Keep Martin Beautiful Scholarships has been a huge success, and highlighted how meaningful this support can be for deserving students in our community. In future years we hope to expand the program so we can award a scholarship at each of our local high schools.

If you too believe in encouraging students to become the environmental leaders of the future, we invite you to be part of this scholarship effort in 2026. Becoming a sponsor brings recognition for individuals, businesses or organizations. More importantly, sponsors will make a difference in the lives of young people who will become our environmental stewards of tomorrow. Call us at 772-781-1222 to learn how you can be involved.

To learn more about Keep Martin Beautiful, its upcoming International Coastal Cleanup and other environmental projects, and the new scholarship program, contact Keep Martin Beautiful at 772-781-1222, email info@keepmartinbeautiful.org or visit keepmartinbeautiful.org.

Tiffany Kincaid's opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.