The Wharf at Orange Beach has announced that applications are now open for its fifth annual $10,000 scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school senior from Baldwin County in 2025.

Funded through The Wharf’s Anchor Campaign, the scholarship reflects the campaign’s mission to strengthen the Gulf Coast community. The Anchor Campaign supports local children, families, and organizations through financial contributions, volunteer efforts, donations, and community partnerships.

"Expanding upon The Wharf's Anchor Campaign, the scholarship aims to empower tomorrow's leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs," explained Mary Kate Lantrip, Public Relations and Social Media Manager at The Wharf. "Over the past four years, we've received nearly 300 applications from students countywide, showcasing exceptional achievements and capabilities. We're thrilled to announce the program's return for its fifth year."

High school seniors in Baldwin County — including those attending public, private, and virtual schools — are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Recipients will be selected based on their community involvement, academic performance, and a written essay response to a provided prompt. This year, the scholarship will once again include a $500 runner-up award, a feature recently added to the program.

Past recipients of The Wharf Scholarship highlight its impact on Baldwin County students. The inaugural award in 2021 went to Kamiya Watson, a senior from Baldwin County Virtual School, who went on to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In 2022, Denver Persinger, a Spanish Fort High School graduate, was selected and is now studying at the University of Denver in Colorado. The 2023 recipient, Gulf Shores High School senior Kaysheri Haffner, is currently pursuing a law degree at the University of Florida. Most recently, the 2024 scholarship was awarded to Dianna Moore, a Gulf Shores High School graduate now majoring in Biomedical Sciences at the University of West Florida.

To apply or for more details on scholarship guidelines, qualifications and deadlines, CLICK HERE. To learn more about The Wharf and its offerings, visit www.alwharf.com.