The Robin Nable Wagman Against All Odds Scholarship Foundation, Inc.

 

Helping Student-Athletes Win at Life, Against All Odds.

How do high school students who have faced the unthinkable in their young lives find the motivation to take their next step?

Without positive adult role models… many simply will not!

With the numerous social and cultural challenges facing our students today, it is all too easy for them to be knocked off course, “slip through the cracks,” and fail at life before they even get started. Some kids are lucky because they are athletes who have the benefit of support from their teammates and most importantly – their coach. Coaches may be the only positive adult relationship in a student’s life, serving as a mentor, advisor, confidant, and advocate.

Robin Nable Wagman “Against All Odds Scholarship” recipients are student-athletes who have maintained their high academic and athletic performance despite facing a significant personal challenge such as debilitating illness or disease, physical disability, tragic accident or loss, extreme poverty, domestic violence, or parental abandonment.

Despite extraordinary circumstances, these individuals refused to be beaten and have endured, thrived, and inspired their peers, teachers, counselors, and coaches. They have demonstrated a strong spirit, enduring determination, courage, and the will to continue taking that next step, and the one after that, and the one after that, in order to live their lives to the fullest – just as Coach Wagman did.

 

Past Awards and Achievements

Scholarship applicants must be Polk County, Florida residents and senior student-athletes who exemplify courage and persistence in the face of hardship or adversity. Maintaining high academic standards and sportsmanship, despite facing any number of personal challenges, is essential.

The first scholarship was awarded in 2008 to a HCHS student-athlete who resumed playing varsity football and achieved a starting position his senior year after undergoing surgery and treatment for cancer. In addition to beating his cancer, the first recipient also made tremendous efforts to educate others on the risks and treatment of the disease.

The second scholarship was awarded in 2011 to an International Baccalaureate School-East student-athlete for her sustained dedication to academics and varsity sports. She achieved a 3.92 GPA and a starting position on both the varsity volleyball and softball teams, while experiencing extreme emotional trauma as her mother battled cancer during her four years of high school.

These are just two students who exemplify living life with dignity, persevering in the face of the unthinkable, and never giving up. The “AAO Scholarship” is a stepping stone to lead these amazing students-athletes along the path to college. Every year countless high school student-athletes in Polk County face challenges that for many would be debilitating, but a remarkable few are driven to work harder, overcome these challenges, and achieve success in the classroom and on the playing field.

The AAO Foundation desires to assist these outstanding student-athletes with high GPAs, distinguished varsity athletic careers, and school leadership positions to continue their education. Worthy applicants will be able to better afford tuition, housing, meals and books to attend college with the support of the AAO Foundation.

ALL WINNERS