Wellington Community Foundation Awards $6,000 In Scholarships
By Shannon Anastasio
The Wellington Community Foundation celebrated the recipients of the 2026 Arle & Ken Adams Scholarship during its annual Scholarship Soirée held on Tuesday, May 19, at Village Music Café.
The special gathering brought together community leaders, family members, supporters and students to honor four extraordinary young scholars whose academic excellence, leadership and dedication to community service embody the spirit of the scholarship’s namesakes.
This year’s recipients — Serena Amro Gazze, Georgeia Mareska, Joseph Ayoub and Jaidyn Rosenzweig Shapira — were selected for their outstanding achievements both inside and outside the classroom. Their accomplishments reflect the values of service, perseverance and leadership that defined the lives of Arle and Ken Adams, and continue to inspire future generations through this scholarship program.
The Arle & Ken Adams Scholarship was established in memory of two individuals whose impact on Wellington remains deeply rooted in the community today. Ken Adams, a Wellington pioneer and former Palm Beach County commissioner, dedicated much of his life to improving the village and supporting its future. They believed strongly in investing in young people and encouraging civic engagement, education and volunteerism.
Although Arle passed away in 2017, and Ken in 2020, their legacy lives on through the students who carry forward their commitment to excellence and service. Each year, the Wellington Community Foundation continues that mission by recognizing exceptional graduating seniors who demonstrate not only academic success, but also a desire to positively impact the world around them.
The Wellington Community Foundation Scholarship Committee carefully reviewed numerous impressive applications before selecting this year’s recipients. Committee members were inspired by the honorees’ remarkable academic records, extensive volunteer efforts and strong leadership experience.
Serena Amro Gazze, of Florida Atlantic University High School, distinguished herself with an outstanding 5.57 GPA and nearly 800 hours of community service. Gazze served as president of the National Honor Society and also mentored fellow students as a peer mentor.
Gazze will attend Columbia University, where she plans to study artificial intelligence for healthcare. She hopes to use technology and data analysis to improve hospital efficiency, reduce medical errors and enhance patient care. Her passion for helping others and advancing healthcare innovation reflects both compassion and ambition. Her recognition also continues a family tradition, as her sister Sophia was previously awarded a Wellington Community Foundation scholarship.
Georgeia Mareska, of Wellington High School, was also recognized for her impressive academic and extracurricular accomplishments. Graduating with a 5.03 GPA and more than 360 hours of community service, Mareska has consistently demonstrated creativity, leadership and dedication.
At WHS, Mareska served as president of the Quill and Scroll Honor Society and as a lead editor for the school yearbook, where she managed content and guided fellow students. In addition, Mareska worked as a peer writing tutor, helping classmates strengthen their communication and writing skills. She will attend Purdue University to pursue a degree in motorsports engineering, combining technical innovation with problem-solving and design.
Joseph Ayoub, of Atlantic Christian High School, was also honored at the event. He earned a 4.33 GPA while completing nearly 600 hours of community service. A talented musician and respected student leader, he served as band captain and vice president of the student council during his high school career.
Ayoub plans to attend Florida Atlantic University, where he will pursue his passion for music with a focus on trombone performance. His dedication to both leadership and artistic excellence demonstrate the scholarship’s emphasis on following one’s passions while remaining committed to serving others and contributing positively to the community.
The fourth honoree was Jaidyn Rosenzweig Shapira, of Suncoast High School, whose dedication to leadership, public service and civic engagement made her an outstanding scholarship recipient. She earned a 4.33 GPA and completed nearly 500 hours of community service during her high school career.
Shapira plans to attend Florida State University, majoring in political science with a minor in Spanish. She has already gained firsthand political experience through an internship with U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, where she developed a deeper understanding of government and constituent engagement. Her long-term aspiration is to run for local office in Wellington and continue serving her community. In high school, Shapira served as a teen trainer and held a leadership role on the board of the Suncoast PTSA.
Together, these four remarkable students represent the future of leadership, innovation and compassion within Wellington and beyond. Whether pursuing careers in healthcare technology, engineering, music performance or public service, each recipient has already shown a strong commitment to excellence and community involvement.
The annual Scholarship Soirée serves not only as a celebration of academic achievement, but also as a reminder of the importance of investing in future generations. Through the continued support of donors, volunteers and community partners, the Wellington Community Foundation remains committed to “building a stronger community” by empowering local students to achieve their dreams. The foundation thanks Village Music Café for graciously hosting the evening’s celebration.
The Wellington Community Foundation congratulates Serena Amro Gazze, Georgeia Mareska, Joseph Ayoub and Jaidyn Rosenzweig Shapira on this well-deserved honor and looks forward to watching their continued success in the years ahead.
To learn more about supporting the Arle & Ken Adams Scholarship program or becoming involved with the Wellington Community Foundation, visit www.wellingtoncommunityfoundation.org.
