Ivan McEskew isn’t your average high school senior.
A student at Orange Park High School and a third-year intern in the VyStar Academy of Business High School Branch Program, Ivan has always brought a sense of purpose to everything he does.
When his family faced an emergency that forced him to grow up faster than most of his peers, he didn’t back down. Instead, he saw it as an opportunity to grow.
“The VyStar Academy of Business showed me that everything in life is an opportunity — it’s what you make of it,” Ivan said.
That mindset is taking him far. Ivan was recently honored as part of a distinguished class of 16 exceptional students from the VyStar Academy of Business High School Branch Program who have been awarded a two-year Florida Prepaid College Plan scholarship thanks to VyStar’s partnership with the Florida Prepaid College Foundation (FPCF). These scholarships represent more than just tuition assistance — they are an investment in the future of young leaders in the communities VyStar serves.
FPCF matched VyStar’s contribution toward these scholarships dollar-for-dollar, doubling the impact and covering up to 60 college credit hours at a Florida public college or equivalent funding at eligible institutions.
“These scholarships have the power to transform lives by providing students with the resources they need to pursue higher education,” said VyStar President/CEO Brian Wolfburg. “We are dedicated to making a tangible difference in our communities, and we believe in the potential of these young minds to shape a brighter future for all.”
In addition to earning a spot in the VyStar scholarship program, Ivan became the first student selected for a summer internship with VyStar’s IT Application Development team in 2024. A recipient of the Student Leader Award he has been widely praised by his mentors for his determination, character, and professionalism – consistently demonstrating strong leadership bringing optimism and problem-solving skills to every challenge.
Ivan wants to use this scholarship to better himself — and help others.
“Receiving this scholarship allows me to continue fulfilling my desire for more in life. I want to do more, work for more, and achieve more so I can ultimately create change.”
This fall, Ivan will attend Jacksonville University to study Finance — an ambition sparked in part by the real-world experience he gained through the Academy.
“The Academy is a unique opportunity that a lot of people overlook. I don’t know many companies that give high school students the chance to shadow back-office operations, learn retail, and understand how a business really works. It’s a path builder.”
Since its inception in 2006, the VyStar Academy of Business High School Branch Program has delivered financial education to more than 155,000 students and provided over 2,200 paid internship opportunities. Students from the eight participating school districts are eligible to apply for the scholarship, which honors not only academic excellence but also leadership, community involvement and personal growth.