Baker County Education Foundation
Scholarships
The Baker County Education Foundation is pleased to offer multiple scholarship opportunities for seniors graduating from Baker County High School during the 2025–2026 school year.
Application Deadline
Friday, March 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM
Late applications will not be accepted.
How to Apply
Click here to complete the scholarship applications.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility requirements vary by scholarship and may include, but are not limited to:
- Grade point average (GPA)
- SAT and/or ACT scores
- Leadership experience
- Community service involvement
- Financial need
Important Information
- Use this scholarship chart to help identify which scholarships students are eligible for and which require essays or additional documentation.
- Scholarships 1–9 are available only to BCHS seniors enrolling at Florida Gateway College.
- Scholarships 10–68 are open to seniors enrolling at any postsecondary institution.
- If a scholarship requires an essay or supporting documentation, those materials must be uploaded during the online application process.
- Applicants may upload additional information they wish the scholarship committee to review.
- Please ensure all documents are prepared and ready for upload before starting the application.
Leaving a Legacy Scholarship Dinner
The Baker County Education Foundation (BCEF) is pleased to invite you to attend the 15th Annual Leaving a Legacy Scholarship Dinner on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the cafeteria at Legacy Elementary School.
🎟️ Tickets: $40 Per Person (Must be purchased in advance.)
đź“ž Tickets & Info: Visit the District Office to Purchase Tickets or for Questions Call 904-259-0404
🎓 All proceeds benefit Baker County High School student scholarships.
This year, BCEF will proudly honor three iconic educators whose dedication has shaped generations of Baker County students: Bob Gerard, Kelley Norman, and Etta Elizabeth “Betty” Sands.
Together, Bob Gerard and Kelley Norman have devoted more than four decades each to the school system, shaping the lives of generations of Baker County students.
A 1976 graduate of Baker County High School, Kelley Norman began her teaching career in 1979. Over the course of her 37-year career, she was repeatedly recognized for her excellence in the classroom, earning multiple Teacher of the Year awards. In 2012, she received the prestigious Ruth I. Schuler Excellence in Teaching Award and represented Baker County as the District Teacher of the Year. She retired in 2016.
Bob Gerard began teaching at Baker County High School in 1983 and served students faithfully until his retirement in 2020. His peers recognized his commitment to education by selecting him as Teacher of the Year during his career.
Beyond their classroom achievements, Bob and Kelley have left an enduring mark through their leadership in the Baker County High School drama program. Since the early 1980s, their efforts have enriched the school community and inspired countless students to find their voice through the arts.
Etta Elizabeth “Betty” Sands, was a beloved educator and Baker County native. A 1954 graduate of Baker County High School, Mrs. Sands spent 36 years teaching at BCHS before retiring in 1994. She was selected as Teacher of the Year five times and was recognized as the District Teacher of the Year in 1978.
Although Ms. Sands passed away in 2023, she continues to be fondly remembered for her passion for the arts and her dedication to expanding students’ experiences beyond the classroom. She organized the annual senior trip to New York City for many years and served as a mentor to numerous young educators.
Together, these individuals have made remarkable contributions to the Baker County School District. Please join us as we celebrate their lasting legacies and support scholarship opportunities that help open doors for our students’ futures.
Previous Leaving a Legacy Honorees:
Kim Brannan, Clemmytee Daniels, Tom Covington, JoAnne Covington, Mary Finley, Mary Jo Thomas, Joyce Weldon, Ronnie Kirkland, Tim Starling, Harold Milton, Fay Milton, Alice Fay Sinclair, Jack Williams, Veda Dopson, Dr. Gary Dopson, Marilyn Raulerson, Glenn McKendree, Sharon Boyette, Don Boyette, Athena Gail Brown, LuAnne Williams, Pete Harvey, John Kennedy, Paula T. Barton, Tim Thrift, Judy Webb, Dwight Crews, Dwight Harris, JC Lyons, Robin Mobley, Gail Griffis, Dean Griffis, Marcelle Richardson, David Richardson, Greg Lyons, Clay Lyons, Bobby Harrison, Karen Harrison, Joyce Ruise, Dr. George Weeks, and Patricia Weeks.
The Consortium of Florida Education Foundations and Baker County Education Foundation Are Working Together to Fuel Student Success
Twenty-three classroom mini-grants, along with a secondary educational program initiative, have been funded through the generous support of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (CFEF) and the Baker County Education Foundation. Collectively, more than $37,000 has been awarded to empower educators across the district to implement innovative instructional initiatives. These meaningful educational opportunities would not be possible without the continued partnership and financial support of CFEF.
The two infographics below highlight how these funds are being utilized by the dedicated and innovative educators of Baker County. The Baker County Education Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to the many staff members and individual donors whose generosity makes these efforts possible.
Classroom Mini-Grants Information
Destination Graduation Grant Information
2024-2025 BCEF Scholarship Recipients
Thank You for Supporting Our Seniors!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the many generous businesses, families, and friends who donated to the Baker County Education Foundation. Your support made it possible to award scholarships to our deserving 2024–2025 seniors! Click here to view the full list of BCEF scholarship recipients.
BCEF Annual Report
The Baker County Education Foundation had another great year in 2023-24! The Foundation provided $42,251.00 for student scholarships, $2,500.00 for prior graduate scholarships, $23,341.81 in grants for teachers and schools, and $263,475.07 for special projects. A total of $331,567.88 was awarded in 2023-2024.
During the last 35 years, the Foundation, a non-profit organization, has funded 949 student scholarships, 210 employee and/or prior graduate scholarships, 572 grants for teachers and schools, and 65 special projects, totaling $1,980,093.40. A tremendous amount of this was made possible through payroll deduction by school employees.
The Baker County Education Foundation was originally founded in 1989 with school district employees being the original contributors through payroll deductions. Payroll contributions remains the main source of funding for the Foundation. The number of employees contributing to the Foundation has grown each year with a total of 286 employees contributing during the 2023-2024 year and giving a total of $17,596.00. The generosity of our school employees throughout the district, which includes instructional, non-instructional, and administrative personnel, has enabled our Foundation to be a great success in our community.
The main goal of the Baker County Education Foundation is to promote quality education. Through the years, a number of organizations, business partners, individual donors and families have participated in helping the Foundation achieve these goals. The Foundation is very proud of the accomplishments it has achieved through their support and financial contributions.
If you are a contributor, we hope that you will continue your support of the Foundation. If you are not involved, please consider becoming a member this year. You will be supporting the development of our greatest assets, our children. Also, the Foundation benefits from the purchase of specialty education vehicle tags. A portion of the tag sale is returned to the Foundation.
Again, we thank all of our supporters of the Baker County Education Foundation. We contribute our success to the commitment that each of you have given to our organization. Our employees have made us what we are today!
REMEMBER, YOUR CONTRIBUTION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE!
Promoting Educational Partnerships Between The Home, The School, and The Community
Consortium of Florida Education Foundations
The Baker County Education Foundation, Inc. is a member of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (CFEF). This organization provides support through matching grant funding.
Specialty Education License Plate
For every educational specialty license plate purchased in Baker County, the Baker County Education Foundation, Inc. receives $20 from the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles.
If you are interested in making a donation to the foundation, checks should be made payable to the Baker County Education Foundation and mailed to 270 South Boulevard East, Macclenny, FL 32063.
Department Contacts
Thomas Hill
Associate Superintendent
of Human Resources
392 South Blvd East
Macclenny, Florida 32063
thomas.hill@bakerk12.org
Phone: (904) 259-0401
Joy Sirk
Secretary
392 South Blvd East
Macclenny, Florida 32063
joy.sirk@bakerk12.org
Phone: (904) 259-0404
