Another beautiful and emotional night on May 12, 2026 for Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation as they presented their second $1,000 scholarship of 2026 to Esmeralda Fernandez at Fort Meade Middle Senior High School.
What made the evening even more special was ‘Melanie unexpectedly meeting Michael’s cousin, Brooke Elliott, for the very first time after the ceremony. Brooke has been a teacher at Fort Meade High School for many years, making this moment feel truly special.
Here are Melanie’s words from the evening:
I was honored to give out a $1,000 scholarship from Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation to Ms Esmeralda Fernandez at Fort Meade Middle Senior High School!!!
I started Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation in 2021 in honor of Michael Culpepper, who passed away from Congestive Heart Failure.
I wanted to help save someone else’s life because I couldn’t save him. I wanted to honor Culpepper and to let him know that he didn’t die in vain.
We raise money every year to put out AEDs throughout our community .
We are currently at # 95 AED going out this month that we have placed in our communities.
We also chose to help give out 3 scholarships every year for Medical, Fire and EMT as we support all of our 1st Responders. We want to help students further their education and this is our way to say Thank You to our students & to help further their education in choosing to Save Others .
This was our 2nd $1,000 Scholarship this year & our 5th year giving out scholarships with The Polk Education Foundation.
Culpeppers Cardiac Foudation will have given out a total of $13,000 in scholarships by the end of this month.
What a Blessing & to my surprise, to meet Michael’s cousin for the 1st time, Ms Brooke Elliot, as she came up to me after the ceremony to introduce herself. She’s been a teacher at Fort Meade High School for many years and was so surprised that CCF was giving out a scholarship all the way in Ft Meade.
A huge shout out to my husband, Brian, for always standing behind me and being here for me no matter what.
Thank you, everyone who helps support, donate, sponsor & and promote in any way.
Without all of you and the love of our community we couldn’t do this and it takes all of us pulling together to make a difference as “Saving Lives Matters.”
From Brooke Elliott:
I currently teach Science and Law Studies courses. This is my 20th year teaching, some at Eagle Lake Elementary, some at Lewis Anna Woodbury in Fort Meade, and now at Fort Meade Middle Senior.
I’m Michael’s cousin on his dad’s side. Steve’s mom Agnes, Michael’s grandma, was my mother, Helen, sister.
