The Wharf at Orange Beach has officially opened applications for its fourth annual scholarship program, offering an award of $10,000.00 to one deserving graduating high school senior residing and attending school in Baldwin County in 2024. This significant educational grant is a part of The Wharf’s Anchor Campaign, an initiative dedicated to bolstering the local community through various forms of support including funds, volunteerism, donations, and partnerships. The campaign particularly focuses on aiding children, families, and organizations within the Gulf Coast region. Sheena Mizell, the marketing and public relations director at The Wharf, emphasized the scholarship's role in nurturing the region's future leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs. Over the past three years, the scholarship has attracted more than 200 applications from highly accomplished students across the county, underlining the program's success and impact.

“The scholarship was developed from the desire to expand The Wharf’s Anchor Campaign to focus on supporting our future leaders, educators and entrepreneurs,” said Sheena Mizell, marketing and public relations director, The Wharf. 

High school seniors across Baldwin County — public, private and virtual — are eligible to receive the award which will be evaluated based on community involvement, academic achievement and their response to a written essay from three provided prompts. The recent addition of the runner-up award will be continued this year in the amount of $500.00.

The Wharf Scholarship winners include Kamiya Watson, a 2021 senior in Baldwin County’s Virtual School, who was selected as the first-ever recipient of the award and attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Our 2022 winner, Denver Persinger, graduated from Spanish Fort High School and is now at the University of Denver in Colorado. In 2023, Gulf Shores High School senior, Kaysheri Haffner was presented the award and is now at the University of Florida majoring in law. 

To apply or for more details on scholarship guidelines, qualifications and deadlines, click here. To learn more about The Wharf and its offerings, visit alwharf.com