ChairScholars
Pablo Aguilar, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Ana Abarca awarded Pablo Aguilar, Jr.
Memorial Scholarship in 2011
Pablo Aguilar, Jr. personified ChairScholars motto, “no physical impairment should deter a motivated mind.” Pablo was born with multiple pterygium syndrome, a debilitating spinal condition. But Pablo never let this stop him. He excelled in school, volunteered in his community and even obtained his driver’s license. We had the privilege of awarding Pablo a scholarship in 2000. He attended the University of Florida for a year before his passing on July 7, 2001.
Pablo, known as Pab to his friends and family, was a remarkable individual. Despite enduring 17 major surgeries and spending an enormous amount of time in the hospital recovering from these surgeries, Pablo was an extremely gifted student. He graduated at the top of his class at Coral Reef High School, with a weighted GPA of 4.95. He received many, many academic awards such as the Silver Knight Award, Outstanding Public Service Student, Outstanding Legal and Public Affairs Student, to name a few. Pablo was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by his peers at Coral Reef High, Class of 2000. Pablo was also chosen as a support runner for the Salt Lake City Olympic Torch Relay in Ft. Lauderdale. His father, Pablo Aguilar, Sr., ran in his honor.
Pablo’s passing touched the hearts of many in the community and their desire to honor him is evident in the numerous recognitions received posthumously. The street in front of Pablo’s elementary school and middle school was renamed “Pablo Aguilar Jr. Avenue”. He was inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars at the University of Florida. The Coral Reef Sr. High Legal & Public Affairs Academy established the Pablo Aguilar Jr. Scholarship that is awarded annually to a student who has overcome many obstacles. Pablo was honored by his parents in the University of Florida Commemorative Circle as well.
Additionally, the ChairScholars Foundation awards a scholarship to a Florida student each year in memory of Pablo. This scholarship is funded primarily through contributions of Pablo’s family and friends. To date, this scholarship has helped eight deserving young people. Four of these students have graduated and three are currently in college. They are:
- Michelle Gerlowsky
- Chuck Browder
- Alexandra Mayer
- Alex Landis
- Sando Petersen
- Patricia Pogodzinski
- Daniel Stern
The staff and trustees of the ChairScholars Foundation thank Rose Mary and Pablo Aguilar, Sr. for the privilege of sharing a small part of Pablo Aguilar, Jr.’s life.