Four students earned $1,000 college scholarships awarded from contributions from employees of the Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller’s office.
Behzod Hakberdiev of Wellington, Sierra Montuori of Loxahatchee, Kaitlin Sais of Wellington and Amanda Waterman of Gainesville were awarded scholarships based on a 500-word essay, community service and their individual grade point averages. Scholarships are given each year to the dependent children of clerk’s office employees.
“We all know how expensive college can be, so I’m happy that these scholarships will help alleviate the financial burden on these students,” said Clerk Sharon Bock, who awarded the scholarships earlier this month. “I’m proud that our employee donations help these students reach their educational goals.”
Hakberdiev, a 2013 graduate of Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington, plans to attend Florida Atlantic University and major in business. He hopes to become an entrepreneur and promote tourism and polo in Palm Beach County. He is the son of Gulshoda Mirova-Mamatkhan, a clerk in the Recording Department.
Montuori, a 2013 graduate of the Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, plans to attend Washington College in Chestertown, Md., and major in political science. She hopes to become an attorney. She is the daughter of Susan Montuori, a clerk in the Circuit Civil division.
Sais, a 2013 graduate of Wellington High School, plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University and major in biology. She plans to be a doctor. She is the daughter of Gene Sais, who works in the Information Technology Department.
Waterman, a 2011 graduate of Jupiter Christian School, will be a junior at the University of Florida. She is majoring in accounting. She is the daughter of Maritza Waterman, an accountant in Financial Reporting.
Money for the four students’ scholarships came from the clerk’s office Dress Down Friday fundraiser, which last year raised $40,040 for local charities and for the student scholarships. Employees donate $2 each week to dress casually on Fridays, and choose which groups receive the money at the end of the year.
For more information about the clerk’s office, visit www.mypalmbeachclerk.com or call (561) 355-2996.
ABOVE: (Left to right) Behzod Hakberdiev, Kaitlin Sais, Clerk Sharon Bock and Sierra Montuori. (Not pictured) Amanda Waterman.
