NSFA awards $22,000 in scholarships

At the June 24 Social held at The Kraft Athletic Club, the Nassau Sport Fishing Association presented a total of $22,000 in scholarships to seven graduating seniors from Nassau County high schools. The recipients of the 2026 $4,000 NSFA scholarships are Kaylee Aguilar, Emilia Dupee and Elizabeth Killmeyer from Yulee High School, Ruby Shaw from Fernandina Beach High School, and Makayla Parkerson from West Nassau High School.

Aguilar will attend Florida State University and pursue a degree in Pre-Med with a career goal of physician Assistant. Dupee will attend the University of North Florida and pursue a degree in nursing. Killmeyer will attend Daytona State University and major in biology/pre-med with a career goal of pediatric physician assistant. Parkerson will attend the University of North Florida and major in elementary education. Shaw will attend University of Central Florida and major in chemistry/pre-med with a career goal of dentistry. The recipients of $1,000 Merit Scholarships are Abigail Fiske from West Nassau High School and Brady Steffen from Hailey Fernandina Beach High School. Fiske will attend Jacksonville University and major in nursing. Steffen will attend New College of Florida and major in business finance.

Joe Wise chaired the club’s scholarship committee, which also included Marilyn Mrozek, Heath Whittle and Jefrey Bohn.  They made their selections based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, community service, financial need and an essay plus recommendations.

These scholarships are available because of NSFA’s annual fundraising events, which include the Fernandina Beach Kingfish Tournament/Fishing Rodeo, and also donations from individual club members. The Club is especially grateful to its many Tournament Sponsors and Tournament Anglers for financial support for these scholarships.

The NSFA, founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization created to develop and promote saltwater fishing in Nassau County while adhering to state, federal and local regulations; to encourage compliance with rules of water safety by club members and the general public; and to promote youth-related community activities. The Nassau Sport Fishing Association holds its monthly business meetings on the second Wednesday, and the monthly social get-together is held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Kraft Athletic Club, 961023 Buccaneer Trail, Fernandina Beach. Email info@nsfafish.net or  visit www.nsfafish.net for more information.