WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (April 15, 2010) – Palm Beach Aggregates and Grassy Waters Preserve Nonprofit recently presented Palm Beach Central High School senior Alena Morris with a $5,000 college scholarship to help her pursue a career in medicine and environmental studies. Over the past year she was selected to participate in the Pine Jog Fellowship program through her school and Florida Atlantic University, and also worked at the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Second-place finalist, Trent Vogelgesang, a senior at Boca Raton Community High School, received a $1,500 scholarship.

The event was held on the 20-square mile nature preserve in western Palm Beach County. The scholarships were presented by West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel, Enrique Tomeu and Carlos Arruza of Palm Beach Aggregates, and Grassy Waters Preserve chairman Sharon Merchant during the non-profit organization’s second annual Wine and Dine on the Boardwalk. Recipients can use the funds to pursue careers in environmental science, engineering or a similar field.

“These finalists demonstrated an articulate desire to protect our environment, both locally and globally,” said Arruza. “As a community we need to provide educational resources to foster these important goals that are key to a healthy future for Florida. It’s an honor to present these two bright students with scholarships that will lead them on a career path to help our fragile environment.”

Winners were selected by a five-person panel and evaluated based on  a 500-word essay highlighting why they wanted to pursue a career in this field, planned career path, academic achievement, extracurricular activities including community involvement, and financial need.

First-place winner, Alena Morris, a senior and 2010 Science Pathfinder nominee from Palm Beach Central High School, described her goal to open sustainable healthcare clinics in less fortunate areas and increase environmental awareness. The idea came from her community service work through several mission trips. Morris has been accepted to the University of Florida, where she plans to pursue a degree in biology with a minor in environmental science. She has also won awards in numerous county and statewide science and engineering fairs, received the student award for GeoScience Excellence on behalf of the Association for Women GeoScientists, and completed the Palm Beach County “Envirothon” in 2009.

Second-place winner, Trent Vogelgesang, attends Boca Raton Community High School where he participates in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program. He is a member of the National Honors Society and received the Advanced Placement Scholar Award and President’s Education Award in 2009. Vogelesang will graduate in the top 10 percent of his class in May 2010, and plans to attend college to pursue a career in architecture and engineering.

Owned by the City of West Palm Beach, Grassy Waters Preserve is a State-mandated nature preserve and is also the water supply catchment area for the City, Town of Palm Beach and Town of South Palm Beach. The water collected in Grassy Waters moves via canals into the reservoir lakes of the West Palm Beach Water Utilities Department. The preserve includes nature center pavilions, boardwalk trails, hiking, canoeing, educational programs and more. For more information, visit www.grassywaterspreserve.org.