First Argo Scholar Attends UWF

Miguel Aldahondo, as a music major, is now taking classes at the University of West Florida in music theory, piano and voice lessons to name a few. Aldahondo is the first Argo Scholar to attend UWF and he hopes the scholarship will help him reach his dream of becoming a singer and a musician.

 “Receiving this award meant a lot to me especially since I’m the first in my immediate family to go to college,” said Aldahondo. “Also, I’ve wanted to take my musical training even further. This scholarship has continued giving me hope and it keeps encouraging me to do the best I can.”

Aldahondo grew up in Puerto Rico and moved to the United States six years ago. He has been involved in the Pensacola Children’s Chorus and the chamber choir at Pensacola High School. Miguel’s favorite subjects are chorus and math and he hopes to pursue a career in music.

“My experience so far at UWF has been amazing,” said Aldahondo. “I’ve met great people, am gaining knowledge, views and a sense of security by becoming more independent.”

The Argo Scholars Program began in the fall of 2006 as a partnership between UWF and Pensacola High School. Argo Scholars who attend UWF receive financial support for tuition, room, board, book expenses and a study-abroad experience. Argo Scholars give back to the program that supported them by serving as mentors for younger Argo Scholars still at Pensacola High School.

“The program provides opportunities for motivated Pensacola High School students who have significant financial or other barriers, to succeed through scholarship support, mentoring, leadership development and broadening cultural experiences,” said Kyle Marrero, interim vice president for University Advancement.

Pensacola High School was identified by the federal government as a Title One school because it serves students from some of the most financially and personally challenging environments in Escambia County, Fla. The student body is 57 percent minority and also includes more than 400 students participating in the International Baccalaureate Program. In 2005, the school was ranked by Newsweek as eighth in the national for offering challenging courses at the high school level.

“The ultimate goal is to build a $1 million endowment fund to provide scholars with financial support as well as a study-abroad experience,” said Marrero. “To date gifts, pledge commitments and eventual state match total more than $338,000 in support of the Argo Scholars endowment.  This includes a $100,000 gift from the Bank of America.

To learn more about this program or to make a gift, contact Martha Lee Blodgett, director of Development, at (850) 474-2712 or e-mail mblodget@uwf.edu.