On April 23, 2026, more than 110 scholarship recipients, family members and Exchange Club members attended the Isle of Palms Exchange Club Scholarship Awards Dinner and program. The club recognized 17 scholarship winners and awarded a total of $54,000 to tri-county students pursuing college degrees.
The event is one of the organization’s annual highlights, celebrating students and their achievements. Funding for the scholarships comes from proceeds from the March 7 Oyster Roast, along with support from sponsors and donors. Members noted the resilience of the recipients, many of whom have overcome significant challenges during their high school years.
Excellence at an early age was also recognized through the “Pay It Forward” scholarships. Robbie Cessna Berg presented five middle school scholarships to students from the Lowcountry Youth Services Program who volunteered with nonprofit organizations throughout the year. Each recipient donated half of their scholarship funds to a nonprofit of their choice.
Brian Boroff, an Isle of Palms native who has funded IT scholarships since 2019, returned to present two scholarships. Pam Shaw, co-chair of the Youth and Scholarship Program of Service Committee, presented five ACE (Accepting the Challenge of Excellence) scholarships and five Youth of the Year scholarships.
Elizabeth Grantham, a past national president of Exchange and member of the Isle of Palms Exchange Club, announced the students who will be considered for 2025 South Carolina District scholarships. District winners will advance to the national level, where they may be eligible for a $15,000 scholarship to be awarded at the organization’s national convention in July.
This year’s scholarships were funded in part by the 2025 Oyster Roast. Sponsors included Brian Boroff, Cathy Beemer, The Outpost at the IOP Marina and Quarterdeck Marinas, Jim Smitherman, Jimmy Blanchard, Andrew and Barbara Harmstone, Bob and Qwen Lowe, John and Carol Bogosian, John and Tonya McGue, Scott and Jenny Pierce, Dan and Barbara Brown, Howard and Shaye Raye and numerous additional donors. Auction participants, 50/50 raffle supporters and Oyster Roast attendees also contributed to the fundraising effort.
Following the event, one scholarship recipient shared, “Thank you so much for having my family and me at this event. I am grateful for this opportunity and in awe of all the other hardworking students. Thank you for supporting us.”