2023 Scholarship Recipients

The Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation (FASF) Board of Directors have selected five Florida-based students as recipients of the 2023 Scholarship. Daniela Botero, Ann Marie Casado, Sophie Duguid, Caleb Jessee and Frank Verney will each receive a check for $2,000 to aid them in their pursuit of their hospitality-related degrees. FASF will be highlighting the scholarship program and acknowledging this year’s recipients at the Florida Attractions 2023 Annual Conference on Monday, June 12 at the Luminary Hotel in Fort Myers.

Daniela Botero is currently working at Universal Orlando Resort as an Event Guide while pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Event Management from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida. Daniela’s career goal is to create new themed experiences using technology to make them more inclusive by different languages or add larger ride restraints. She has a sincere love for theme parks and aims to inspire others in the way she was inspired to enhance the guest experience.

Ann Marie Casado is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Event Management from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida. She currently works at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Orlando Resort’s Volcano Bay as an Attractions Attendant. Event planning has always been Ann Marie’s passion, and is confident that a degree from the number one hospitality school in the world will prepare her for the challenges she may face in the industry.

Sophie Duguid is earning her degree in Hospitality Management form the university of Central Florida on the Theme Park Track. She has worked several positions at Busch Gardens Tampa including Ride Operator, Trainer, Photographer and Supervisor. Her goal is to become a leader in the theme park industry and ignite the same passion that she has in others. Upon competition of her degree, she would like to continue a leadership role at Busch Gardens.

Caleb Jessee is a member of the team at Universal Orlando Resort where he serves as an Admissions Inventory and Project intern while working on his degree in Hospitality Management from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida. He is expected to graduate at the end of this year, and when Epic Universe opens up in 2025, he intends to be a part of that park’s opening team as a lead or supervisor in any department.

Frank Verney is an experienced attraction professional serving as Assistant Park Manager at Lion Country Safari. He has worked for Lion Country Safari for more than 10 years and is pursuing a professional development opportunity to grow into a leadership role at his attraction. Frank works to make sure the staff has service training as well as everything they need to enhance the guest experience.

Created in 2013, FASF has awarded scholarships to students pursuing degrees in hospitality-related fields to secure the future of the workforce. Since its inception, the FASF has granted nearly $80,000 in scholarships. Scholarship applicants must be an employee or dependent of an employee of a Florida Attractions Association (FAA) member business, be a Florida resident and a full-time student.