This year, the Shark Tooth Sports Car Club (STSCC) and Target Masters gathered at Venice City Hall to honor high school seniors Luke Kenneth Hamilton and Alexis “Lexi” Karajman, respectively, for their achievements in the classroom and beyond. Throughout their educational careers, Hamilton and Karajman have demonstrated a deep appreciation for and devotion to their studies, areas of interest, and the city of Venice.
The STSCC and Target Masters convene annually to award two graduating Venice High School students with scholarships of $1,000 each. Through the Venice Rotary Futures Club and Benevolent Committee, the STSCC selects an accomplished student with an interest in entering an automotive-related field of study. Target Masters—a local gun club whose members are retired police officers and veterans—chooses an exceptional recipient who hopes to major in criminal justice, attend a police academy, or otherwise support and improve their community.
Hamilton, who lives in Venice with his parents, will graduate from Venice High School with a 4.0 weighted GPA and an academic resume of varsity football and varsity weightlifting. He also participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Drug Free Youth. Hamilton works as a host and busser at Rib City and was a mechanical engineering intern at Darcey’s Place where he performed oil changes, tire repairs, and brake and axle work. He enjoys the problem-solving aspect of operating on vehicles and manufacturing systems and will start a mechanical, electrical, and plumbing internship in June. He plans to further pursue his passion by majoring in Mechanical Engineering at the State College of Florida, where he will begin studying in the fall.
Karajman, who resides in Venice with her grandmother and siblings, transferred from Venice High School to the Venice Campus of the State College of Florida in her sophomore year, and will graduate only 13 credits short of an associate’s degree at the age of 17. She often balanced her education with 50-hour work weeks, as she worked as a server and concierge at Plantation Golf & Country Club in addition to attending classes.
Karajman’s grandmother, who raised her from the age of nine months old, enrolled her in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program at 13 as a source of community and peer socialization. Karajman remains close with her Big Sister Cassie, who has continued to provide her with friendship, guidance, and mentorship over the years. Karajman also has a special connection with STSCC and Target Masters President Ken Maher, whom she first met while working at Plantation Golf & Country Club. Maher was instantly impressed by Karajman’s positivity, confidence, and self-determination and knew he wanted to help her reach her goals.
The meeting took a heartfelt, emotional turn when, as a symbol of his personal support, Maher surprised Karajman with an additional $1,000 toward her education. Karajman plans to earn a bachelor’s degree at the University of South Florida and ultimately become an occupational therapist—a career that mirrors her enthusiasm for helping others recover from difficult circumstances and live fulfilled lives.
“If you sit in front of the TV and watch the news, you may have some doubts about the future; but when you see kids like that, it gives you cause to be optimistic,” said Maher of the scholarship winners. “We’re the past,” he said, “but we have the opportunity tonight to invest in the future.”