Uncommon Friends seeking scholarship applications

PHOTO PASON GADDIS Applications are now available for the 2007 Uncommon Friends Foundation Scholarships.

The scholarships recognize deserving people who have a financial need, the potential to succeed in school, and who demonstrate the personal traits of five unique men and their wives - Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Dr. Alexis Carrel, and Charles Lindbergh.

James Newton wrote of these unique individuals in his book Uncommon Friends and the Uncommon Friends Foundation was founded to carry on their legacy as well as that of Jim and Ellie Newton, long time Fort Myers residents.

Scholarships will be awarded on June 7 at the Foundation's "Uncommon Evening" being held this year at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs. Scholarship categories include the following:

+Special Recognition Scholarship: awarded to someone who has financial need, the desire and potential to succeed in school and possesses positive character traits

+High Tech Center Scholarship: assistance with tuition, books, and supplies for one term at a High Tech Center. There are no age requirements for this scholarship

+Florida Prepaid College Foundation Scholarship: awarded to selected ninth grade students who contract to succeed in high school, stay free of drugs and crime, and fulfill other scholarship conditions - two years of college tuition

+Boy Scouts of America Scholarship: helps pay for books for the first semester of college

+Edison College Single-Parent Scholarship: assists single parents who have overcome extraordinary obstacles to further their education and gain skills to enter the workforce

+FGCU Future Teachers Scholarship: awarded to an education student at Florida Gulf Coast University

Application forms are due by April 23 and may be obtained by calling the Uncommon Friends Foundation at (239) 335-2110, requested via e-mail at uncommonfriends@ mindspring.com or downloading from www.uncommonfriends. org. n