Osceola board honors community partners, highlights Disney stage-tech apprenticeship and Rosen scholarships

The Osceola School District board used its June 23 meeting to highlight community partnerships that support students, including a scholarship commitment and an industry apprenticeship pipeline.

Frank Santos, president and CEO of Rosen Hotels and Resorts, reiterated a multi-year scholarship commitment from the Harris Rosen Foundation that the district said helps remove financial barriers for students handpicked by board members. Santos said the scholarships ‘‘help remove financial barriers and let students focus on their education, their growth, and their goals.’’

Walt Disney World representatives described a stage-technology partnership with Celebration High School they called the Stage Tech Academy. District and Disney presenters said cast members volunteered 227 hours in the school last year, donated about $170,000 in entertainment equipment and offered apprentice-style paid roles with mentorship and potential pathways into cast-member positions. A Disney representative said the program provides hands-on classroom experience and on-site mentorship; six district students have been hired to date through the partnership, according to the presentation.

The board also recognized the Central Florida Indian Community as district partner of the year for consistent donation of supplies, holiday food and gift cards and emergency responsiveness. Several volunteers and students were honored, including a Youth Volunteer of the Year and Adult Volunteer of the Year, and the district celebrated performing-arts and athletics achievements.

Board members and honorees exchanged applause and brief remarks; the recognitions preceded the meeting’s administrative and rulemaking business.