All proceeds from tickets, auction items and sponsorships will go to support scholarships. Donations are eligible to earn a dollar-for-dollar match through the State of Florida First Generation in College matching grant program. The past three events have generated $1.2 million in scholarships for Valencia students.

This year’s event marks the first time UCF and Valencia have collaborated for a joint philanthropic effort as part of the DirectConnect to UCF partnership. Since 2006, UCF has guaranteed admission to all Valencia graduates through DirectConnect to UCF, the most productive community college-university partnership in the country. Almost 19,000 Valencia students are now enrolled in DirectConnect to UCF.

“A Taste for Learning” will be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek on Saturday, October 17th beginning at 7 p.m. For event and sponsorship information, visit www.valencia.org/taste .