The Mitchell Zuñiga Scholarship provides college assistance to a graduating high school senior who played football for Coral Gables Senior High School.
Mitchell was born in in Red Bank, New Jersey, and raised in Miami. Football was his great passion in his high school years at Coral Gables Senior High School. He played football on the offensive line for 4 years. Helping and caring for others was his nature. His friends would say he was gifted in making everyone who came across feel special and how he taught others how to love life. He volunteered at Habitat for Humanity for several years. Mitchell attended Santa Fe College in Gainesville where he graduated with an Associate’s Degree. He then transferred to University of Central Florida and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management.
Mitchell’s Foundation, founded by his mother, Martha C. Méndez Mishael, is intended to keep his memory alive by providing students the opportunity to excel in education while participating in football.
Scholarship Requirements:
- Applicant must be a football player
- Overall unweighted GPA of 2.8 or higher
- Graduating from Coral Gables Senior High School
- Summary of Community Service and Activities
- Letter of Recommendation from a coach (preferred) or other personal reference
- Essay: Describe what playing football for Gables High School has meant for you.
Subject Area
- General. The student may pursue any area of study or major.
Value of Scholarship
The value of the scholarship will vary from year to year. Checks are sent directly from the Coral Gables Community Foundation to the bursar’s office of the recipient’s college or university.
Award History
- Fara Marie Lux (2026)
- Derek Gazda (2025, FIU)
- Penelope Acevedo (2024, UM)
- Lucas Paez (2023, FAU)
- Ethan Kaddour-Moore (2022, FIU)
- Carnell Partdridge (2021, Albright College)