ORLANDO (WESH/CNN) – Almost one year after the Pulse nightclub attack, a group of LGBT students are headed to college with some help from scholarships established to honor the attack’s victims.
Barry Miller founded The 49 Fund after the attack at Pulse and tragic deaths of 49 people, which left a lasting impact on central Floridians but especially LGBT youth, he says.
"They all were affected by the Pulse tragedy. Some of the students actually came out to their families because of it,” Miller said.
The 49 Fund was created to make a positive impact and help foster future leaders in the LGBT community.
Eight Orlando-area high school graduates are getting a $4,900 scholarship to help with college.
"My family has a bit of financial struggle, so having this is really going to help me go forward in my life,” said scholarship recipient Alejandro Ceron.
To be considered for the scholarship, LGBT students had to maintain a GPA higher than 3.0 and show a commitment to improving their central Florida community.
"We've got some nurses that will be volunteering… at medical clinics to help the community. We've got a student that wants to go into politics,” Miller said.
The scholarships were awarded Saturday at a ceremony inside Orlando City Hall. Several local leaders took part.
"I think it's really cool to be part of the first year of it, and I hope it stays around,” said scholarship recipient Colin Riley.
Miller says he hopes the scholarships will empower futures but also continue to memorialize those who lost their lives.
"[I’m] hoping to honor those that lost their lives sadly,” Ceron said.
To learn more about The 49 Fund’s scholarship fund, visit the website.
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