04/17/2024
Please share with
"HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS"
PALMER C. HODGES SCHOLARSHIP
The Palmer C. Hodges Scholarship was started in honor of our dear friend, Palmer.
*This year we will present one of the scholarships in honor of our long-time friend, Rocky Burrous: who was my husband's dive buddy, and he and his wife, Debbie Burrous, are precious friends. He is genuinely missed.
Two $500 scholarships will be awarded this June to two high school seniors.
Please share with all your seniors.
And if you would like to contribute, please contact us.
A message to current high school seniors:
You are young and have a future that will be filled with activities, jobs, relationships, family, and friends. Through all of these events and people, look for opportunities to help others. You may be surprised and even blessed by the outcome.
Palmer C Hodges info:
Palmer C. Hodges was an avid fisherman. Whether it be marlin fishing tournaments where he captained the boat, to offshore fishing for grouper and snapper with friends, to fishing for trout and reds here in Steinhatchee with us, Palmer loved being on the water!
Though he had a flair for fishing, Palmer was by trade a contractor and master carpenter (and, also, an excellent architect/draftsman). In the 1960’s, he built some of the first condos and high rises on Hilton Head Island, SC as well as building homes and apartments in Savannah, GA.
Through fishing with friends and building homes, Palmer landed in Steinhatchee, Florida. That is where our relationship with P. C. Hodges began. Our newly purchased home needed major remodeling, so we hired the best: Palmer C. Hodges!
Our friendship with Palmer truly began the afternoon that we invited him to join us for lunch. It was a plain lunch, as I recall, and we just ate amongst the construction and sawdust at a makeshift plywood table. Yet, through that simple lunch, a genuine relationship was formed as we shared our days and time with one another.
Palmer was our senior by over 20 years, yet we still found common ground and pleasure in each other’s company. As one lunch turned to daily meals together, and the days grew to years, so Palmer, also, grew to be part of our family.
He taught us many things during our times together: from how to properly cut the angles for door trim to where the rocks and oyster bars are on the flats. But most of all, he taught us about true friendship, and the appreciation of time spent together. It didn’t matter if we were fiberglassing the underside of a boat, building a deck, laying flooring, fishing in the Gulf, talking history, or simply sitting beside one another on the church pew: time spent together was time well spent!
Sadly, in July 2020, our dear dear friend passed away due to an inoperable brain tumor. We loved him deeply. Palmer was a part of our family, and such a major part of our lives. He is truly missed. Yet, we are truly grateful for what he has left with us: a wealth of knowledge combined with treasured memories.
God gives us opportunities in life to be a friend and to have friends. Don’t pass these moments. Look for them and embrace them. The blessings that follow are immeasurable, and it all may start with just a simple lunch.
Details of Scholarship
Two $500 scholarships will be awarded this June.
To be eligible; you must be a Florida resident and a graduating high school student of Taylor, Dixie or surrounding counties.
Deadline for submission: May 31, 2024
Write a 500 word or less essay on: family, friends, fishing, or faith. Essay must contain at least one of these topics, but may contain all. You do not have to include all topics to be chosen.
At the bottom of your essay include these 6 items:
1. A simple statement on how you intend to use the scholarship money, or how it may help you
2. Your name
3. Address
4. Phone #
5. Age
6. High school you attend (if home schooled, please indicate)
Send all information to:
[email protected]
Subject line type: SCHOLARSHIP
If you do NOT receive an email receipt confirmation from us within 3 days of submitting, please resend and call us @ 727-271-9757
You may also send your essay via mail to:
Captain Crystal Pesek
406 Cedar St
Steinhatchee, FL 32359
*must be post marked on or before May 31, 2024
We, Larry and Crystal Pesek, live in Steinhatechee, Florida. Palmer was such an essential part of our lives: as he was for so many others here in our community.
*If you would like to donate to the Palmer C. Hodges scholarship, please contact us or send check to address listed.
Thank you!
Much appreciated!
