Michelle Bartlome, Rotary Club of Flagler County
For college students Jack Gilvary, Ciara Gordon and Lily Ames, a scholarship from the Rotary Club of Flagler County has helped make higher education more attainable.
Gilvary received the Rotary Student-Athlete of the Year Scholarship in 2024. Now a third-year finance student at the University of Florida, he is minoring in accounting and health administration.
When Gilvary received the scholarship, he was recovering from a season-ending hamstring injury. The recognition of his academic and athletic accomplishments meant a great deal to him, but the financial support also had a lasting impact.
During his freshman year, the scholarship helped offset housing and living expenses and allowed him to focus more fully on his academics. He also was able to save money that eventually helped him study abroad.
“Neither of my parents graduated from college, so in many ways, I was entering uncharted territory when I started at the University of Florida,” Gilvary said. “One of my biggest goals was to graduate without taking on significant debt, and this scholarship helped make that goal more attainable.”
Gordon is a junior at Florida Southern College studying nursing with a minor in biology. She said the scholarship has allowed her to focus on her education rather than working a part-time job to cover the cost of classes, books and school supplies.
That additional time has allowed Gordon to maintain her grades while becoming involved on campus as a peer mentor, orientation leader and club executive.
“This scholarship helped me achieve this college life that I’m experiencing,” Gordon said. “There’s so much positive going on in my life right now and I can thank this scholarship as one of the reasons for it.”
Ames received her Rotary scholarship in 2026 and is studying accounting at Florida State University. She plans to double major in management information systems. Her connection to Fantasy Lights began in high school, when she volunteered to help set up the event.
“It was always so rewarding to visit the Fantasy Lights, knowing I was a part of making it happen for my community,” Ames said. “When I applied for the scholarship, I was aware of the impact that the Rotary Club had on Flagler County, and I was extremely honored to receive the scholarship from such a dedicated organization.”
Ames said the scholarship helped relieve the stress of paying for college and made it possible for her to study abroad this summer.
“Many families struggle to fund a college education, and the donations that make up the scholarship help to reduce stress for families and students alike whose hard work deserves to be recognized. I am extremely grateful to have received this scholarship, and I hope that I will be able to assist with Fantasy Lights again this year,” Ames said.
Since 2018, the Rotary Club of Flagler County has committed $86,000 toward senior scholarships administered through the Flagler County Education Foundation, including $10,000 earmarked from this year’s Fantasy Lights proceeds.
“Every year, we have the opportunity to see what these scholarships mean to students and their families,” said Jim Marindino, chair of the Scholarship Committee for the Rotary Club of Flagler County. “Students like Jack, Ciara and Lily remind us why this work matters. Their experiences show how scholarship support can ease the financial burden of college and help students pursue their goals. When our community supports Fantasy Lights, they are helping make those opportunities possible for future students.”
Fantasy Lights returns Nov. 28 through Dec. 30 at Central Park in Town Center. This year’s presenting sponsor is Douglas Law Firm. Opening night will take place Nov. 28 at 6 p.m., in conjunction with the City of Palm Coast’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
Introduced by the Rotary Club of Flagler County in 2006, the event has grown into a monthlong holiday attraction and one of the club’s largest annual fundraisers. Since its beginning, Fantasy Lights has generated more than $400,000 to support local nonprofit organizations and community initiatives.
The event features more than 57 light displays, Santa’s Village, a mini train ride, elf houses and a firepit for roasting marshmallows. Fantasy Lights is free to the public and operates on a donation basis, with visitors welcome nightly from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Two special Saturday events are also planned. The City of Palm Coast’s Starlight Parade Night on Dec. 12 will include a holiday parade, food trucks and vendors. Holiday Marketplace Night on Dec. 19 will feature local vendors and food trucks.
Community donations support scholarships for local students, nonprofit organizations and community projects in Flagler County, as well as international Rotary projects.
For more information, visit flaglerrotary.org.
About the Rotary Club of Flagler County
The Rotary Club of Flagler County supports education, youth programs and nonprofit organizations through service projects, fundraising and community partnerships. The club is part of Rotary International, a global network of more than 1.2 million members working to address community needs locally and around the world. One of Rotary’s longstanding international efforts is PolioPlus, a program launched in 1985 to help eradicate polio.
