VERO BEACH — The Vero Beach branch of the American Association of University Women has awarded more than $12,500 in scholarships and stipends to local women pursuing college degrees and career training programs.
The organization gave $1,300 scholarships to five 2026 graduates from Indian River County high schools. It also presented a $2,000 technical award to another recent graduate and stipends totaling $4,000 to three women enrolled in Treasure Coast Technical College’s accelerated licensed practical nursing program.
Peyton Cooper, a Vero Beach High School graduate, will study medical biology at the University of South Florida. She captained the cross-country team, competed in track and field and weightlifting, and volunteered at St. Peter’s Missionary Baptist Church, Rosewood Manor and various beach cleanups and county events.
Tashiya McMillon, also from Vero Beach High, plans to major in physical therapy at Florida A&M University. A soccer and flag football player who belonged to the National Honor Society, she volunteered with the Treasure Coast Girls Club and helped at community food drives and Juneteenth events.
Alexandra Messam, a fellow Vero Beach High graduate, will attend Florida A&M to study biology and pre-medicine. She ran track, co-founded the Achievers in Action Club, ranked in the top 11% of her class and participated in JROTC and phlebotomy training while volunteering at food drives and honor guard ceremonies.
Soreya Dramain graduated from Indian River Charter High School and will study music production and jazz studies at Florida A&M, with a focus on guitar and voice. She led the jazz band and advanced choir, performed with the All-State Florida Choir and volunteered as a worship leader at two local churches.
Kaylie Esposo, who graduated from Sebastian River High School, received a scholarship to study aerospace engineering at the University of North Florida. A varsity cheerleader, she served as a Big Future Ambassador, tutored middle schoolers in math and ran her own SAT prep bootcamp.
Recognizing the growing need for direct-to-work certifications, the AAUW branch created a new $2,000 technical award. Ola Branka, a Vero Beach High graduate and National Honor Society member, will use it to attend Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry to train in special-effects makeup. She served as president of the art club and volunteered with animal rescue groups.
The LPN stipends, selected in partnership with the Economic Opportunity Council of Indian River County’s REACH program, help women with family responsibilities cover living expenses while they complete the intensive program that leaves little time for outside work.
Alaina Thompson, a mother of two from Indian River County, received $1,000. Inspired by volunteering with elderly residents at a nursing home as a child, she worked as a certified nursing assistant before deciding to pursue her longtime dream of becoming an LPN. She hopes to specialize eventually in labor and delivery or plastic surgery nursing.
Ashley Anderson, also a mother of two, got $1,000. A former certified nursing assistant and phlebotomist who moved to Sebastian as a child, she was encouraged by family and television medical dramas to keep advancing in health care. She aims to become a forensic nurse.
Audrey Turner received a $2,000 stipend. The Daytona Beach native and first in her family to attend college worked two jobs for years while caring for a disabled relative. A longtime volunteer at animal shelters and nursing homes, she said the support means everything.
“I always wanted to further my nursing career but didn’t have the means,” Turner said. “Now I have this wonderful opportunity, and knowing there are strong women behind me, helping me, means the world to me.” She plans to work as a hospice nurse after completing the program.
The all-volunteer AAUW Vero Beach branch is a 501(c)3 organization that raises money solely for scholarships, grants and stipends for local women and girls.
