Scholarship Recipients

"I am incredibly grateful to have been a Kelsie Karpiak Scholarship recipient. That support helped me pursue my bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Florida, where I graduated in 2023. My journey eventually led me to discover dentistry, where I found many similarities to dance, including discipline, precision, dedication, and attention to detail. I am now entering my final year at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry and am excited to see where this next chapter takes me!” 

Paulina has performed several times in our annual Showcase 4 Scholarships as a member of the Coral Gables Senior High School dance team - the Gablettes. While captain of the team, she led them to win the national championship in 2021. In 2022, she became a Kelsie Karpiak Memorial Scholarship recipient and is pursuing a Mechanical Engineering degree from Columbia University. Paulina speaks four languages, is an HSF Scholar, and member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. In 2021, she was selected to participate in the United Nations Space4Women Mentorship Initiative.

Angelina was awarded the Kelsie Karpiak Memorial Scholarship in 2019. She used the award to pursue a degree at Florida State University. While there, she was a  Florida State Golden Girls Athletic Dance Team member and served on the Student Athletic Advisory Council.  In 2023, Angelina graduated with a double major in Mass Communications and Fine Arts in Dance. Since 2020, she has been working in the communications field while maintaining an active community service schedule.

 Ali received the Kelsie Karpiak Memorial Scholarship in 2019. She used the scholarships to attend Washington University where she double majored in Marketing and Dance and minored in Business of Entertainment. She was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and graduated with College Honors in Arts & Sciences. One of her favorite WashU memories is leading her dance group to 1st place at a competition in Boston as both the choreographer and co-president. She is pursuing a career in digital marketing while dancing professionally in Miami. She is grateful for receiving The Kelsie Karpiak scholarship and thanks the Foundation for all of the support.

"I am so thankful and honored to have been one of the Kelsie Karpiak Scholarship recipients from the graduating class of 2021". 

Erika applied for the scholarship when she was a senior at Coral Gables High School. She was a Gablette, a dancer on school's dance team when she learned of Kelsie's story. She immediately identified with Kelsie's dance team experiences and her love for life and felt compelled to apply. Erika has applied her scholarship toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the University of Miami.

Erika applied for the Kelsie Karpiak Memorial Scholarship while a senior at Coral Gables High School. She used the scholarship to attend the University of Miami and pursue a degree in biology. 

She became a Foote Fellow at UofM which is a selective, invitation‑only honors program that recognizes the most academically accomplished and well‑rounded students. She also served as a peer mentor, orientation leader, and student assistant, and orientation leader at the University of Miami.