Fourteen students from The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) were awarded scholarships during the famous Hemingway Look-Alike Contest over the weekend. For 26 years, the “Papas” of the Hemingway Look-Alike Society (HLAS), have been “putting the ‘fun’ in scholarship fundraising” supporting the dreams of over 300 CFK students to date and ensuring their celebration of Hemingway’s spirit also leaves a lasting, positive impact on the community.

 

This year, the festivities kicked off on the stage of Sloppy Joe’s with the Papas awarding $35,000 in scholarships to students attending CFK. HLAS Scholarship Chair and “Papa 2013” Stephen Terry congratulated the CFK students, each receiving $2,500 to apply toward tuition and fees.

 

The scholarship is open to degree-seeking students who demonstrate literary talent, are veterans, and/or are pursuing credentials in the fields of nursing, marine science, paramedic services, emergency medicine, law enforcement, or corrections. One scholarship bears the name of Kermit "Shine" Forbes, Hemingway's sparring partner, and is presented to a CFK-bound graduate of Key West High School. 

 

In addition to awarding scholarships totaling over $250,000 to date, HLAS has built the largest endowment with the CFK Foundation, solidifying their legacy at CFK and the ability to fund future scholarships for many years to come.

 

CFK’s 2025 HLAS scholarship recipients include:

Briana Arnold

Marie C. Brevil

Eddie Bryant

Daniel Buitrago

Nicole J. Cedano

Ariel Gonzalez

Shathi Islam

Angelica Mendaros

Leandro Macias Montes

Quynh Nguyen (Hemingway Look-Alike Society “Shine Forbes” Scholarship)

Angelica Ortiz

Marvens Surin

Valerie Thomas

McKayla White

 

For more information about CFK and its scholarship opportunities, visit the College’s website at cfk.edu/paying-for-college.

 

For more information about how to give to the CFK Foundation, contact Dr. Lana Gaspari, CFK Vice President of Advancement and CFK Foundation Executive Director, at foundation@cfk.edu or 305-809-3214.