MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Spectrum News is awarding four scholarships to exemplary students across Central Florida.

Students were nominated by faculty after demonstrating excellence in academics, sports, or volunteer work.

The Spectrum News 13 team is pleased to announce Belleview High School senior Oscar Galicia-Merida as the Marion County recipient, and name him a Spectrum News High School Scholar.

What You Need To Know

  • Four students across Central Florida are being awarded $1,000 to use toward continuing their education

  • Oscar excelled in academics and was a Cambridge AiCE student who took part in rigorous coursework to use toward a degree

  • He took an interest in robotics and was a student in Belleview High’s Robotics Automation and Design program

  • As of the time of his nomination, he held a 4.89 GPA

Oscar Galicia-Merida excelled in STEM throughout his time at Belleview High School, but really earned his stripes during his robotics coursework.

He hopes to study Mechanical Engineering once he gets to college, which will combine both his passions and talents.

“It could entail robotics, but it could also entail a bunch of other things, which is also something I like. It’s very versatile,” he said.

He also got other students involved, helping with recruitment for the school’s Robotics Automation and Design program.

Galicia-Merida held a 4.86 GPA as of the time of his nomination and did it while participating in the Cambridge AICE program.

He also tackled athletics through Track and Cross Country, and used his other time volunteering through Interact Club.

“Teachers love when their kids are working hard. He definitely is one of our hardest working kids on this campus,” said Jason Pfriender, Belleview High School Library Media Specialist.

Spectrum News is excited to award Galicia-Merida with a $1,000 scholarship, which he says he plans to use toward his Mechanical Engineering degree. Galicia-Merida credits his parents for his success, and also was thankful to his current robotics teacher, Mr. Tony, as well as his middle school robotics teacher.