'Best party in town' Antonio Amaral Foundation presents $30,000 in scholarships

Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin also presented Ze Amaro, a Portugal singer and performer, with a key to the city.

By Observer Staff
| 9:05 a.m. May 3, 2023

Ed Danko, singer Zé Amaro, Renee Wickowski, Donald O'Brien, Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin, Sheriff Rick Staly and Tony and Carla Amaral. Photo courtesy of Maria Elizabeth Frazão Pereira.

The 2023 Antonio Amaral Foundation scholarship recipients. Photo courtesy of Maria Elizabeth Frazão Pereira.

The folklore group Rancho Coraçôes de Portugal. Photo courtesy of Maria Elizabeth Frazão Pereira.

Attendees watching the show at the Antonio Amaral Foundation celebration. Photo courtesy of Maria Elizabeth Frazão Pereira.

Palm Coast Observer
Your Town

After a three year hiatus, the Antonio Amaral Foundation returned on April 23 to party and present 12 students of Portuguese descent with scholarships.

Over 800 people attended the event, including Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin and Vice Mayor Ed Danko, County Commissioner Donald O’Brien and Sheriff Rick Staly. Singer Ze Amaro — known as the “Portuguese Cowboy” — even flew in from Portugal to entertain, according to a press release from the foundation.

The party was a full celebration, according to the press release. Alfin presented Amaro with a key to the city of Palm Coast during the festivities.

The students received a combined $30,000 in scholarships. The Antonio Amaral Foundation has provided 237 scholarships, totalling $386,500.

The scholarships ranged from $2,000 to $3,500, except for two $500 scholarships to two students at Flagler Palm Coast High School and Matanzas High School.

The 2023 scholarship winners are Trista Mendes from New Port Richey, Brittany Sebastião from North Lauderdale, and, from Palm Coast: Annalisa Pereira, Alexander Camacho, Briana Esteves, Destiny Gonçalves, Edwin Moncayo, Natalie Kehle, Emily Madalena, Liana Fernandes, Marissa Jesus and Raquel Torrão.