Orlando Health Central Auxiliary awards funds to West Orange high schools

Two local West Orange schools are set to receive a special donation.

As one of its last remaining acts, Orlando Health Central Auxiliary is awarding funds to West Orange High School and Ocoee High School.

Due to societal and hospital changes, the program through the Auxiliary is ending in 2021, according to Orlando Health. 

The program has fundraised $46,000 from efforts over the years and will be splitting the funds equally between the two high schools. 

Each school will receive $23,000 to award to select students under a specified criterion. 

Scholarships will be awarded to students who are pursuing a career in the medical field, have achieved a GPA of 3.5 or higher in their high school years and demonstrated a desire to serve by having volunteer hours in community organizations. 

According to Orlando Health, the amount of each one-time scholarship is to be $2,000 and may be used all in one year or spread-out for several years, at the discretion of the school. 

For over 15 years, Orlando Health Central Auxiliary has shown its interest in the future and improvements of the medical field.

The program has raised funds to provide thousands of dollars for the hospital and over $150,000 for area students through an academic scholarship program. Auxiliary has also established an endowment program of $250,000 at Valencia College which will continue to provide scholarships to students in the future.