Kaitlin Smith-Norman, a senior nursing student at Florida Atlantic University, and Michael Trotman, a freshman computer science major at University of Central Florida, each won $2,500 in a partnership between garbage hauler Waste Management and the city of Margate.

Margate and Waste Management signed a new five-year contract that will go into effect in October. That new agreement is the reason for the scholarships. Waste Management agreed to give the city $5,000, which was split between the two students.

"When the city of Margate partnered up with Waste Management and did a contract, [we] talked with them about offering scholarships to our Margate youth for future education," Mayor Pam Donovan said. "Kaitlin [Smith-Norman] and Michael Trotman are the first recipients of that. We congratulate [them both] on a job well done."

The department of Parks and Recreation handled the application process for the two scholarships, which were for students enrolled in a higher education program geared toward nonprofit or government work.

Besides being a Margate resident, students had to have a minimum core weighted grade point average of 3.5, and a minimum of 40 hours community service. A panel chose the winners based on the community service, a personal essay, the students' grade point average and character references.

"I just wanted to say on behalf of Waste Management, we are very happy to do this," Luigi Pace, Waste Management representative, said. "I have a kid who is going to college so I know how difficult and expensive it is. I'm proud to work with a company that can give back to the community."

Smith-Norman found out about the scholarship a day before the deadline, but still managed to turn in all the required documents on time. Her tuition this semester is $2,503.85, just slightly over the $2,500 prize.

"I'm very excited [about winning the scholarship]," Smith-Norman said. "My supervisor asked if I lived in Margate and told me about the scholarship they were offering. She let me come in an hour late the next day because I had to go everywhere and pick up the reference letters."

The award also meant a lot to Trotman, who said the money would help him buy his books, which are expensive.

"It's really going to help me out this year to stay in school and I don't have to worry about if I have money to pay for thing," Trotman said. "It's nice that the city [and Waste Management] has these types of scholarships and they give back to the community."