ALSO Youth Announces the Hon. Rick De Furia Enrichment Scholarship to Honor a Legacy of Investing in Young People
Judge Frederick "Rick" De Furia served as a Circuit Court Judge in Florida's 12th Judicial Circuit, which covers Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. Applications for the ALSO Youth scholarship named for him open Sept. 12, 2026.
Judge Frederick "Rick" De Furia served on the Sarasota County bench from 1981 to 1986 and returned in 2003 as a Circuit Court Judge in Florida's 12th Judicial Circuit, retiring in 2013.
ALSO Youth’s logo represents their mission of Advocacy, Leadership, Support, and Outreach within the LGBTQ+ community
Up to $1,500 a year for one LGBTQ+ young person, ages 10 to 24, to pursue learning beyond the classroom. Applications open September 12.
Judge De Furia believed in people. Sometimes all it takes is one opportunity, one mentor or one experience to change the trajectory of a young person's life.”
SARASOTA, FL, UNITED STATES, September 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- ALSO Youth today announced the creation of the Hon. Rick De Furia Enrichment Scholarship, a new annual scholarship established to honor the life and legacy of the late Circuit Court Judge Frederick "Rick" De Furia by helping LGBTQ+ young people pursue meaningful opportunities for personal growth.— Annie Berkness, Executive Director, ALSO Youth
Unlike traditional scholarships that focus solely on college tuition, the Hon. Rick De Furia Enrichment Scholarship recognizes that some of life's most meaningful learning experiences happen beyond the classroom. Funding may be used for opportunities such as music lessons, creative writing workshops, art classes, leadership development, professional certifications, career exploration, or other experiences that help a young person build confidence, discover new passions and develop lifelong skills. Applicants may be as young as 10.
Beginning this year, ALSO Youth will select one recipient annually to be recognized as the Rick De Furia Scholar. The scholar will receive up to $1,500 to pursue an approved enrichment opportunity that supports their interests, talents and future aspirations. About 100 young people take part in ALSO Youth programming today, and hundreds more have participated in recent years.
Made possible through a generous anonymous gift, the scholarship reflects Judge De Furia's lifelong belief in investing in young people and removing barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential.
Applications for the inaugural scholarship will open on September 12, 2026, the anniversary of Judge De Furia's passing, and will remain open through October 24, 2026.
"Judge De Furia believed in people," said Annie Berkness, Executive Director of ALSO Youth. "He understood that sometimes all it takes is one opportunity, one mentor or one experience to change the trajectory of a young person's life. We hope this scholarship will honor his legacy by helping young people discover their strengths and pursue opportunities they might not otherwise have."
A Career With More Than One Act
Judge De Furia's own path took an unexpected turn. He served on the Sarasota County bench from 1981 to 1986, then stepped down to train as an actor, earning a master of fine arts degree from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. He performed in professional productions including "Biloxi Blues" and "As You Like It," and later anchored the evening news on SNN. He returned to the bench in 2003 as a judge in the 12th Judicial Circuit, which serves Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties, and retired in 2013.
That willingness to follow a calling outside the courtroom is part of what the scholarship is meant to encourage.
Throughout his distinguished judicial career, Judge De Furia earned a reputation for kindness, compassion and fairness. Beyond the courtroom, he championed children and families through initiatives that supported child abuse victims, youth diversion programs and civic education. His work included helping bring certified therapy animals into the courtroom for child victims, supporting Teen Court of Sarasota and encouraging young people to become engaged citizens.
The Hon. Rick De Furia Enrichment Scholarship seeks to continue that spirit of encouragement by investing in a new young person each year.
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants must be an LGBTQ+ young person between the ages of 10 and 24, live in Sarasota or Manatee County, participate regularly in ALSO Youth programming, demonstrate a financial barrier to participating in the proposed opportunity, and apply for an enrichment experience that supports personal growth, creativity, leadership, career exploration or skill development.
Applicants will submit a personal statement describing the opportunity they hope to pursue, explain how it will support their goals, provide documentation of the anticipated cost, and include a reference.
Complete eligibility requirements and application materials will be available at https://www.alsoyouth.org/scholarships. Applications open September 12, 2026, and must be submitted by October 24, 2026.
About ALSO Youth
ALSO Youth provides advocacy, leadership, support and outreach for LGBTQ+ youth and their families throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. Through affirming programs, peer support, educational opportunities and community partnerships, ALSO Youth creates spaces where young people can connect, belong and thrive.
Annie Berkness, Executive Director
ALSO Youth Inc
+1 941-254-7178
email us here
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