Scholarships funded by the Michael Valdes Foundation in partnership with NOPE Hillsborough
The Michael Valdes Foundation proudly partners with NOPE Hillsborough, Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education, in funding an annual scholarship to deserving Hillsborough County seniors who join us in fighting to end the epidemic of drug abuse and overdose.
2025 Scholarship Awards
The Michael Valdes Foundation, in partnership with NOPE Hillsborough, surprised soon-to-graduate seniors of Hillsborough County Public Schools. This year the Michael Valdes Foundation funded 6 of the 12 awarded $1,000 scholarships. The application includes a required essay structured around 3 important lessons:
- Breaking the code of silence: Most teenagers do not want to be a “snitch” or “tattletale”, so they tend to keep quiet when they see something they aren’t supposed to. However, when it comes to possibly overdosing on drugs, there should be no “code of silence”. If you are a witness or even participating in drugs yourself, it is important to call for help if someone’s life might be in danger.
- It only takes one time to kill: Some people are under the impression that you are only at risk if you take multiple pills. I understand that teenagers sometimes feel invincible or just want to fit in, but they do not understand the risk they are putting themselves in, even by doing it once just to try it.
- 911 Good Samaritan Law: Many students do not report if someone is overdosing on substances because they do not want to get in trouble for doing the same thing. However, this law does protect the caller from legal trouble & encourages people to call 911 if they believe someone is showing signs of overdose.
The Michael Valdes Foundation is grateful for the thousands of students who have been educated & empowered by the NOPE presentations.
2025 Scholarship Awardees:
Tess Aguero -- Strawberry Crest HS
Blake Csyzyk -Home School
Taylor Gillespie- Bloomingdale HS
Cooper Hollis - Strawberry Crest HS
De'Nasia Industriious - East Bay HS
Lauren Launikitis - Robinson HS
Ethan Murphy - Brooks DeBartolo HS
Makana Salim-Uesi - Tampa BayTech
Samantha Leyva Suarez - Wharton HS
Teghan Tiele - Gaither HS
Ava Weissman - Plant HS
NOPE Scholarship Awardees Share Their Passion
