ANNA MARIA ISLAND PRIVATEERS SCHOLORSHIP PROGRAM

The Privateers scholarship program began in 1992 with 1 student receiving $500.00, as of July 2016 a total of 125 Manatee County students have received $350,500.00 in scholarship monies.

The scholarships are used in assisting deserving students financially as they continue their education.  Selections are made based on an essay about themselves and 3 criteria of: financial need, community service and grades. Scholarships are renewed to recipients that reapply, are full time students and have maintained a 3.0 GPA.  In rare exceptions the Privateers may consider a recipient that does not meet the renewal requirements.  The Privateers are proud of our scholarship recipients that have worked hard and have earned their college degree and the recipients that are still in school.  The scholarship application is available to be downloaded, please click the link below.

Clyde "Whitey" Horton (on the left with Jim "Skully" Hungerford) was a major community presence in the late 60's and became a founding member of the Anna Maria Island Privateers when they formed a charter in 1971.  From the beginning the Privateers and the community counted on his involvement whenever he was needed.  "Whitey" had just retired form the Coca-cola Bottling Company and was the Vice President of the organization as well as a member of our "rival Krewe" the Hernando DeSoto Society when he passed away in 1994.  The primary fund raiser for this scholarship has been an annual golf tournament as well as dedicated donations made in his honor.

 Greg "Shiprek" Davidson was a leader that donated his time and energy to the end.  His final voyage aboard the Skullywag was to Tampa as part of Tampa Krewes for Angel Flight.  The Privateers delivered a "shipload" of hurricane relief supplies the Krewe had collected for the Gulf Coast.  Davidson passed away unexpectedly during his third term as President of the Anna Maria Island Privateers in 2005.  "Shiprek" was also a member of the American Legion and was the Vice President of the West Manatee Fire & Rescue Volunteers.  The primary fund raiser for this scholarship is the "Shiprek" Poker Run as well as dedicated donations made in his honor.