Coral Springs High School Graduate Wins $8,000 College Scholarship 

BOSTON — Rebecca Rowley, a 2006 graduate of Coral Springs High School in Coral Springs, Fla., is one of four individuals awarded an $8,000 Robert G. Porter scholarship by the American Federation of Teachers. This scholarship goes to outstanding high school seniors who are dependants of AFT members.

The award, which has been presented since 1992, is given to recipients who have demonstrated exceptional service to their community and who plan to pursue a career in labor, education, health or government service. The AFT will present the awards on July 23 during the union’s biennial national convention in Boston.

Rowley, 17, has served as the vice president of her senior class, was elected captain of both the varsity swim team and the water polo team at Coral Springs High School, organized a voter registration drive through her school honor society, and established the children’s Game Days Camp at Saint Mary Magdalene Church. 

“When I arrived at high school, I realized I did not want to be the one asking the questions for information about activities and such, but I wanted to be the one giving out the answers,” said Rowley.

The Porter Scholars program is named in honor of the AFT’s late secretary-treasurer, Robert G. Porter, who served in that position for 28 years and was known for his commitment to improving the quality of public education and public service.

Rowley’s mother, Mary Alice Rowley, is a member of the Broward Teachers Union in Tamarac, Fla.

Rebecca Rowley lives in Margate, Fla., and plans to study sports medicine and political science. She has not yet decided which university she will be attending in the fall.

Since its inception, the Porter Scholars program has awarded a total of $480,000 in scholarship funds.

# # # #