The Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation has announced nine scholarship recipients for 2025, marking the Destin-based organization’s largest award year since its establishment four years ago.

• Each recipient will receive up to $40,000 to pursue higher education, with up to $10,000 provided per school year for four years. The scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors and recent graduates from Okaloosa and Walton counties.

Five recipients were selected through the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation program for students who have benefited from services provided by participating charities. 

The DCWAF scholarship recipients are

• Ava Bowers, affiliated with ECCAC. 
• Uriel Sanchez, who is pursuing a trade school path and affiliated with Point Washington Medical Center.
• Liliana Quinlan, affiliated with Boys & Girls Club.
• Armin Jusis, affiliated with Ascension Sacred Heart. 
• Naima Hampton, affiliated with Youth Village.

Four additional at-large scholarships were awarded to William Justiss, Brock Dugan, Isabella Riggs and Karissa Grant. The at-large ceremony is open to any high school senior or college freshman in the region who has demonstrated outstanding scholastic achievement, leadership or financial need.

The foundation was able to offer four additional at-large scholarships this year due to growing support. The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation awarded the foundation $200,000 for scholarships this year. Affordable Home Insurance Charities Foundation is providing one of the scholarships after the company’s board reached out to support the foundation’s mission. 

Paul Barcus, executive director of the foundation’s board, said the organization has experienced steady growth since its creation.

“We’ve got a lot of local support, especially from the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, but also from a lot of individuals who donate too,” Barcus said. 

• The foundation awarded three scholarships in its first year and expanded to five scholarships annually. Currently, 13 students are receiving the scholarship.

The foundation was created to honor Ellison Ingram, who passed away Oct. 19, 2021 from a bleeding brain tumor. Ellison was 9 years old and the youngest of four brothers growing up in Destin. After his sudden death, a group of friends came together to create the foundation in his honor. Ellison’s parents have a passion for working with and supporting children’s organizations in Destin.

The scholarship covers tuition, books, fees and room and board at accredited colleges, universities or vocational institutions, including four-year schools, trade schools and technical schools. Recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and complete at least 12 semester hours each year to continue receiving funding.

The foundation will present the awards Feb. 12 at Marina Cafe in Destin. Owners Danny Bilger and his wife, Karen, are hosting the ceremony again this year, donating both the restaurant space and food to allow the foundation to dedicate more resources to scholarships.

The dinner has already sold out, with 130 attendees expected.

For more information on the Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation, visit here.