2024 Scholarship recipients

nATALIE FITZGERALD

Gotham Gators Incoming Freshman Scholarship Recipient

Hi! My name is Natalie Fitzgerald. I am a senior at Westfield High School in Westfield, New Jersey.  Throughout high school I have been involved in a number of activities such as Key Club, Model UN, Surfrider Club and the high school golf team.  When I am not in school,  I love to go to the beach, bake and hang wth my friends and family. At the Univeristy of Florida, I plan to major in psychololgy and hope to open my own practice one day helping children. I am very appreciateive of the Gothan Gators for awarding me this scholarship.  I can’t wait to be a Gator in the fall.  

LILY gAULIN

Gotham Gators Incoming Freshman Scholarship Recipient

Hi, my name is Lily Gaulin and I am a senior at Union County Vocational Technical High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. I am a competitive swimmer and a member of both my local YMCA and local high school swim team. I love arts and crafts, especially crocheting. I am also involved in a lot of clubs and activities including Girl Scouts, class council, and tedxyouth@ucvts, my school’s own tedx branch! At the University of Florida I plan to major in health sciences and eventually get my doctorate in occupational therapy, in hopes of eventually working with children in a pediatrics hospital. I’m super excited to attend UF, Go Gators!!

JUSTIN VARSALONE

Gotham Gators Incoming Freshman Scholarship Recipient

Hi, my name is Justin Varsalone. I am a senior at Hanover Park High School in East Hanover, New Jersey and I will be a freshman at UF starting in the fall of 2024. During my time at Hanover Park, I devoted my time to varsity soccer and the role of captain of my club soccer team. I also participated in several in-school clubs, including Student Government, FBLA, and Stock Market Analytics. I enjoy playing sports with friends, going out, and meeting new people. While at the University of Florida, I will be majoring in Finance and plan to pursue my MBA in Finance, as well. Thank you so much to the Gotham Gators for recognizing me and presenting me with this scholarship! Go Gators! 

Kiera Duffy

Gotham Gators Continuing Education Scholarship Recipient

Hello! My name is Kiera Duffy and I am a rising junior in the Honors program at the University of Florida. I am from Parsippany, New Jersey, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Disabilities in Society, on the pre-law track. My goal is to attend law school and become an advocate for individuals with disabilities. While at UF, I competed as a LitiGator on UF’s Mock Trial Team and am looking forward to my second year as an executive board member. I am proudly involved with UF Special Olympics, playing softball and tennis, in addition to having served as an intern over the past year. During my sophomore year, I joined my sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi, and do my best to live up to their motto of “inspire ambition.” In my free time, I love to volunteer, play tennis, snowboard and spend time with my friends. This summer I am so excited to be traveling to Wales to volunteer with Support Through Court, a program that provides free services to individuals facing legal proceedings without representation. I am extremely grateful to the Gotham Gators for their support!

DANIEL SHAPIRO

Summer in the City Scholarship Recipient

Daniel Shapiro is a fifth-year student at the University of Florida, pursuing a Bachelors in Industrial & Systems Engineering, with a minor in Accounting and a certificate in Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals & Applications. Daniel will be graduating in December 2024, following a summer internship at Bank of America in New York City as a Finance Management Summer Analyst Intern. Congratulations, Daniel!