Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
November 05, 2025
UF Student Claudia Corujo Wins Prestigious Community Growth Scholarship
TLDR
- The Viles & Beckman Foundation's $2,500 scholarship provides Claudia Masmitja Corujo a financial advantage to pursue her healthcare career and leadership development.
- The scholarship selection process identified Corujo based on her first-generation background, community leadership roles, and commitment to addressing healthcare disparities through education.
- This scholarship supports Corujo's mission to improve healthcare equity for marginalized groups, creating a more compassionate and just healthcare system for future generations.
- A Spanish-born student with Cuban roots won the Marcus W. Viles Community Growth Scholarship to study how social inequities affect healthcare access.
Impact - Why it Matters
This scholarship announcement highlights the powerful intersection of education funding and community development, demonstrating how targeted financial support can empower first-generation students to pursue healthcare careers while addressing systemic inequities. For readers, it showcases how local organizations like Viles & Beckman Foundation are creating tangible opportunities that directly impact educational access and career pathways in critical fields like healthcare. The story serves as an inspiring example of how community investment in education can yield long-term benefits for both individuals and society, particularly in addressing healthcare disparities that affect marginalized populations. It also illustrates the growing importance of scholarship programs that recognize not just academic achievement but also community engagement and personal resilience.
Summary
The Viles & Beckman Foundation, in partnership with the personal injury law firm Viles & Beckman, has announced Claudia Masmitja Corujo as the recipient of the 2025 Marcus W. Viles Community Growth Scholarship. This prestigious award honors the legacy of Marcus Viles and his commitment to community betterment, providing $2,500 to support outstanding students who demonstrate exceptional dedication to their communities. Corujo, a University of Florida student majoring in Health Education and Behavior on a Pre-Physician Assistant track, stood out among applicants for her compelling essay detailing her journey as a first-generation college student with an international background that has profoundly shaped her perspective on community service and support.
Corujo's personal story reveals a remarkable journey of resilience and dedication. Born in Spain to a family with deep Cuban roots, she moved to Miami as a child and experienced firsthand the power of community acceptance during difficult transitions. This experience inspired her commitment to becoming "that source of comfort and familiarity for others." At university, she actively participated in the First-Generation Leadership Program, eventually rising to become Head of Public Relations from 2024 to 2025, where she expanded her network and found valuable mentorship opportunities. Her involvement extended to the Member Leadership Program and work as a substitute teacher with the UF Early Childhood Collaboratory, demonstrating her consistent dedication to educational support and community building.
The scholarship selection committee praised Corujo's compassion and determination, noting her exceptional efforts to connect with others and develop supportive relationships. The Marcus W. Viles Community Growth Scholarship will enable her to continue studying how economic disparities and social inequities disproportionately affect marginalized groups in healthcare. Following graduation, Corujo plans to pursue a Health Education and Behavior Combined Master's Program with aspirations to work in pediatrics or neonatal care. The Viles & Beckman Foundation, dedicated to "Empowering Young Minds, Illuminating Futures" across Southwest Florida, continues its mission of creating lasting change through education and community support, reflecting the family values that define both the foundation and the renowned 5-Star Law Firm that supports it.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, UF Student Claudia Corujo Wins Prestigious Community Growth Scholarship
