Hemingway Look-Alikes Give Scholarships to CFK Students

KEY WEST, FL, July 23, 2019— The “Papas” of the Hemingway Look-Alike Society (HLAS) kicked-off the festivities of the famous Hemingway Look-Alike Contest by presenting $10,000 in scholarships to students at The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) on the stage of Sloppy Joe’s on July 18.  “Papa” Fred Johnson, HLAS Scholarship Chair, awarded three scholarships to students with literary talent and six scholarships to nursing students. He also presented the Kermit “Shine” Forbes Scholarship, named for Hemingway’s boxing sparring partner, to a CFK-bound Key West High School graduate.

The Hemingway Look-Alike Society established the CFK scholarship 20 years ago with the purpose of encouraging education and literary talent in the community where the legendary writer called home in the 1930s and produced some of his most enduring literary works.  The scholarship was later opened up to nursing students.  To date, they have awarded 260 scholarships and built an endowment of $646,000 to fund future scholarships for many years to come.

Johnson, who earned his “Papa” status by winning the 1986 Hemingway Look-Alike contest, credits the generosity of his fellow “Papas” for being able to contribute annually to CFK’s direct-support organization, the Florida Keys Educational Foundation.  Johnson, along with his wife Jean and team of “Papas” and “Mamas,” collect donations throughout the year and fundraise at various events held during the Hemingway Days celebration to support the group’s ongoing philanthropic commitment to CFK students.

For more information about CFK and its scholarship opportunities, visit the College’s website at www.fkcc.edu and for more information about how to give to the Florida Keys Educational Foundation, contact Dr. Frank Wood, CFK Vice President of Advancement and Foundation Executive Director, at 305-809-3287.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]