Eastern Florida Rewards Cocoa Beach Golfer’s Hard Work With Scholarship

award went to Gianna Piscitelli

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After two weeks of learning about golf as well as life, the 24th annual P.J. Wilson and Henry Scott Youth Golf Camp concluded Thursday with 10 awards being passed out to the participants. (EFSC image)

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – After two weeks of learning about golf as well as life, the 24th annual P.J. Wilson and Henry Scott Youth Golf Camp concluded Thursday with 10 awards being passed out to the participants.

The annual scholarship award went to Gianna Piscitelli, a rising senior at Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School during the awards ceremony at the Ralph M. Williams Student Center on Eastern Florida State College’s Cocoa Campus.

The scholarship covers tuition for two years, giving Piscitelli time to achieve the requirements to receive an Associate in Arts Degree from Eastern Florida State College.

“It means that over the years I have proved myself not only as a golfer but as a person,” Piscitelli said. “I can now go and pursue my dreams without any financial burdens.”

Gianna Piscitelli, a rising senior at Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School won the annual scholarship award
Gianna Piscitelli

Piscitelli’s journey into the world of golf began when she was in the seventh grade.

“I wasn’t playing any sports and I looked at my parents and said I am going to join the golf team. They looked at me like I was crazy, ‘You have never picked up a club!’” she recalled.

“So I just walked on to the team and they welcomed me with open arms. I started as the No. 8 player. I wasn’t playing in any tournaments or anything, just practicing with them and now I am going into my senior year and this will be my second year as team captain.”

She also has her career path mapped out, which is why the scholarship will mean so much to her.

“(I’m) going to work with marine animals and behavioral psychology, so here I want to get my AA, and then if the opportunities rise I would like to transfer to FIT for marine psychology or go to the Keys to get into marine training,” she said “… I have a lot of opportunities open now.”

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Medallion Awards were given out to campers in three groups:

Instructor Roosevelt Jackson’s group for beginning golfers who have never played; instructor Isaac Johnson’s group for intermediate golfers who have some background in the game and Howell’s group for experienced athletes who have played and competed.

• Awards in Jackson’s group: Most improved – Michael Rodriguez; Sportsmanship –Zander Bamforth; Best attitude – Jacob DeRushie.

Awards in Johnson’s group: Most improved – Giovanni dos Anjos; Sportsmanship – Abby Compton; Best Attitude – Nicholas Ziegler.

Awards in Howell’s group: Most improved – Isaiah Bolton; Sportsmanship – Tommy Davidson; Best attitude – Dylan Benson.

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More than 50 children showed up for the 24th annual Eastern Florida State College P.J. Wilson and Henry Scott Youth Golf Camp this year

The camp began in 1992 under the guidance of former EFSC President Dr. Maxwell King with assistance from Scott and Wilson, two African American golf professionals in Brevard County.

For years it was known as the Minority Golf Camp because of its efforts to reach out to minorities, but it has always been open to all young players.

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Wilson passed away in 2000, Scott in 2002.

The camp continues with the support of EFSC President Dr. Jim Richey and the EFSC Board of Trustees.

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