Michael Peter Maguire of Clearwater received the 2006 Dorothy Walker Ruggles Scholarship from the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections. Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Deborah Clark presented the $1,200 scholarship to Maguire.
Named in memory of a former Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections, the scholarship is one of three awarded annually by the FSASE. The other two scholarships are named for former Supervisors of Elections Jimmy Whitehouse (Highlands County) and Joe Oldmixon (Escambia County).
Maguire is a senior at the University of Florida, where he is majoring in political science and plans to pursue law school after graduation. He usually works two to three jobs to cover his expenses and save money for law school. He also has a variety of volunteer service to his credit, such as Special Olympics, All Children's Hospital, Isaiah's Inn (for battered women and children) and Little League baseball. He was active in four varsity sports in high school and two political clubs in college.
Scholarship criteria included a major in political science, public or business administration, journalism or mass communication; junior or senior level at an accredited four-year university; a high grade point average; and letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors. Supervisors of Elections in each county had the opportunity to nominate one student for the scholarships. Nominations were evaluated by an awards committee comprised of election supervisors.
For more information about FSASE scholarships, call (727) 464-6108 or email election@votepinellas.com.