
Two new scholarships are being offered to high school-age entrepreneurs through the Rhode Island Foundation to honor the memory of Paula Ann Vital, a beloved pool business owner, survived by her husband, Gary.
To start out, they ran Aquidneck Pools & Spas, a part-time pool service company, out of their home. But after a few years Paula saw something bigger and better for their life’s work. She envisioned a storefront that would build community and create a culture of rest, relaxation, and restoration. Gary could see the vision, too. So, filled with drive, courage, optimism, and a deep trust in each other, hand-in-hand, Paula and Gary, invested their entire savings, a modest $6,000, and opened Aquidneck Pools & Spas store in Portsmouth, R.I. in 1995.
The journey had its challenges and without formal college training nor apprenticeships, areas of business management such as bookkeeping, taxes, payroll, insurance, billing, marketing, inspections, and contracting were daunting and self-taught. But they figured it out together and found the last thirty years rewarding and filled with cherished memories.
Paula and Gary made the most of every situation, even spending one anniversary installing the liner of an above-ground pool in the rain, laughing all the way. They lived up to their mission to offer quality service to the southern R.I. area, to foster relationships and build community, and have always treated their staff and customers like family.
Today, their initial investment of $6,000 has blossomed into a multimillion-dollar business. Their vision and collaboration allowed them to create something extraordinary from humble beginnings.
Tragically, Paula passed away unexpectedly in April 2024. To honor her memory and entrepreneurial spirit, her family established the Paula Ann Vital Entrepreneur Memorial Scholarship.
As an entrepreneur and well-loved community member in Portsmouth, R.I., Paula’s legacy lives on through this scholarship, aimed at giving back and supporting Tiverton High School and Portsmouth High School seniors who aspire to start their own small businesses instead of pursuing a four-year degree. Over the last 30 years, Paula and Gary have employed students of both schools and many have stayed on even after graduation. Gary and his family are going to keep Paula’s spirit and fire alive by providing young graduates with the resources to turn their dreams into reality in a town that means so much to the Vital family.
As a proud graduate of Tiverton High School, Class of 1973, Paula’s legacy lives on through this scholarship, aimed at supporting Tiverton High School seniors who aspire to start their own small businesses instead of pursuing a four-year degree. Gary and his family are going to keep Paula’s spirit and fire alive by providing young graduates with the resources to turn their dreams into reality.
Students interested in applying for the Paula Ann Vital Entrepreneur Memorial Scholarship should meet the following criteria:
- Have an interest in starting their own business with a clear vision and business plan to share in their application.
- Be a Portsmouth High OR Tiverton High School senior on track to graduate in the spring of 2025.
- Not enrolled in a four-year institution of higher education.