CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — Super Bowl champion and Pro Bowl defensive lineman Cliff Avril is awarding scholarships to two high school seniors in Clay County on Thursday, according to a news release.
The two scholarships will be awarded to seniors from Keystone Heights High School and Fleming Island High School, the release states, as they are being presented in "the inaugural round of scholarships" as part of Avril's foundation called the Cliff Avril Family Foundation.
The 'Cliff Avril Family Foundation Trade School Bound Scholarship' was created earlier this year in honor of Avril's late father Samuel who migrated from Haiti in the 1980s, the release says. Ever since Avril lost his father suddenly to a heart attack on May 22, 2015, the Clay County native has been "motivated to do something in his honor."
"Once settling in Florida, Samuel picked up welding which enabled him to provide for his family," the release states. "The scholarship, in the amount of $2500 will be awarded to one Clay County senior attending trade school this fall."
The second scholarship – the 'Cliff Avril Family Foundation College Bound Scholarship' – will be awarded to a graduating senior enrolling in a college or university, according to the release.
"Submissions were accepted from all high schools in Clay County during the month of April and reviewed by members of the Cliff Avril Family Foundation," the release mentions. "Recipients were selected based on established criteria and will be presented their scholarship in a special ceremony on Thursday, May 23 at their respective school. Neither winner is aware of this honor."
The Trade School Bound Scholarship will be presented at Keystone Heights High School at 11 a.m., and the College Bound Scholarship will be presented at Fleming Island High School at 12:30 p.m.; Avril will present each student their award.
Avril's annual youth football camp
Since 2013, the release says Avril has returned to Green Cove Springs each summer to hold a youth football camp and family fun day. Both events are free and open to the community.
This year’s youth football camp will take place at the Clay County Fairgrounds on June 22 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and is open to ages 12-18. Each attendee will receive a camp shirt, lunch, one-on-one instruction, and a photo and autograph with Avril and other NFL players.
The family fun day is open to the entire community and will take place at Paul C. Armstrong Park on June 23 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will provide food, bounce houses, music, a kickball tournament and more. People can register for either event here. The release states that sponsorships are still available.
