2017 Scholarship Recipients

Allen B. & Elizabeth W. Shevach Scholarship Fund for Johns Hopkins
For deserving undergraduate students who graduate from high schools located in Lee County, Florida and enroll at the Johns Hopkins University, located in Baltimore, Maryland.

Recipient:  Ahad Hussain

Allen B. & Elizabeth W. Shevach Scholarship Fund for Medical School
For deserving students who graduate from high schools located in Lee County, Florida and enroll at the University of Florida College of Medicine.

Recipient:  Yumiko Nakamura

Allen B. & Elizabeth W. Shevach Scholarship Fund for Lee County Graduates
For deserving students who graduate from high schools located in Lee County, Florida.

Recipient: Abigail Norris

American Association of University Women Sue Gottcent Memorial Scholarship Fund
For financially needy Lee County women 25 years or older who are enrolled in any institution which is part of the Florida University System.  Preference will be given to applicants over 25 years of age and to the current awardee for subsequent years, with a max of 4 years.

Recipient:  Michele Gendron

AMI Kids SWFL Foundation- Gulf Harbour Yacht Club Scholarship Fund
For students who successfully complete the AMI Kids SWFL program to pursue post-secondary education at a college or trade school.

Ann & Tom Smoot Scholarship Fund

For a Lee County high school graduating senior with at least a 2.7 GPA pursuing post-secondary education at an accredited school and demonstrates financial need.

Recipient:  Ny’kia Kearse

Anne M. Fassett Memorial Scholarship Fund
For post-secondary educational opportunities in Florida at the college, community college, or technical school level for men and women with a physical disability who use a wheelchair and demonstrate financial need.

Recipient:  Cody Deno

Anne Sturrock Nursing Scholarship Fund
For a student pursuing nursing who is a member, or a child of a member, of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Cape Coral and demonstrates financial need.

Recipient:  Krista Sciulla

Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce – Ralph A. Richardson Fund
For an Estero High School graduate, or the child of a current Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce Member planning to continue his or her education at a vocational/technical school, college or university.

Recipients:  Samantha Maurer, Izabella Michalski

Bruce T. Gora Photography Scholarship Fund
For a high school senior or a college student at an accredited Florida college, university, or applicable technical school who is a Fine Arts Major concentrating in photography.

Recipient: Carter Popple

Building Futures Scholarship
For individuals nominated by Fiddlesticks Country Club to pursue post-secondary education.

Recipients:  Mariah Williams, Amanda Hernandez, Maria Sebastian, Madelyon Pezzi, Amy Bento, Byron Wideman, Daphelina Louis, Shelby Earley, Maria Cuesta-Repice, Emily Moore, Brent Foockle, Kaelynn Elliott, Eden Swedish, Rafael Hernandez Cruz, Mariela Hernandez Cruz, Rafael Pascual

Carl E. Brooks Scholarship Fund
For college bound students of one or more immigrant parents.

Recipients:  Wastson Marcelin, Odalys Martinez-Villa

Carol Patti McLaughlin Scholarship Fund
For a student pursuing a 4-year degree at an accredited college or university who has a GPA of 3.3 or higher, demonstrates community service, and is from Lee, Charlotte, Glades, or Hendry Counties.

Recipient:  Jennyfer Gerrero Torres

Certified Public Accountants’ Scholarship Fund
For tuition, books, and/or fees for an undergraduate or graduate student from Southwest Florida majoring in accounting and planning to attend a post-secondary institution in the five-county area of Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades, or Collier counties.

Recipient: To be determined.

Charles and Margaret Foster Scholarship Fund
For two high school seniors; one who will be attending the University of Florida and studying environmental studies or environmental education and one who will be attending Florida State University and studying music.

Recipient:  Tyler Kellenberger, Brianne Harper

Chet and Janett Perry Rotary Club of Fort Myers Scholarship Fund
For a student graduating from a public or private high school in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee Counties pursuing a career in accounting and must enter college within a year following high school.

Recipient:  Romano Coe

Chip Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund
For students who have completed 60 hours of college and plan to attend Barry University, FGCU, Nova, Florida SouthWestern State College, or Hodges University.

Recipients:  Evan Jones, Alyssa Goldenhart, Nicholas Orthmann

City of Sanibel Employee Dependent Scholarship Fund
For dependents of City of Sanibel Employees to attend a college or university.

Recipients:  Alec Worth, Alyssa Vetter

Couse Gram Scholarship Fund
For a Moore Haven High School student pursuing post-secondary education.

Recipient:  Adrian Pardo

D&A Scholarship Fund
For financially needy high school senior or undergraduate student in Lee, Charlotte, Hendry or Glades Counties with a 3.5+ GPA attending one of the following schools:  FGCU, UF-Gainesville, FSU-Tallahassee, Flagler College, Stetson University, University of Miami, University of Tampa, or Embry Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach.

Daniel J. and Jane H. Berktold Columbia College Scholarship Fund
For a student who demonstrates financial need and is attending Columbia College.

David G. Robinson Fund for the Arts
For financially needy Lee County high school seniors who plan to study the arts in an accredited school.

Recipient:  Vincent Marcucci

Discovery Day Academy Scholarship
To support the education of students at Discovery Day Academy.

Recipients: To be determined by committee.

Doc Keen Memorial Scholarship Fund
For a high school student who was an active member of 4-H or FFA for two consecutive years and attended Clewiston or LaBelle High School.

Recipients:  Tylyn Tarter, Sierra Nunez

Doctors Ira and Udaya Dash Nursing Scholarship Fund
For a student residing in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee Counties studying nursing at Florida SouthWestern or FGCU and demonstrates financial need.

Recipient:  Shauna Sciancalepore

Doris W. Frey Scholarship Fund
For a high school or undergraduate student from Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, Glades or Lee Counties pursuing a degree in Christian ministry/youth ministry, teaching, Christian counseling, nursing, or medicine.

Recipients:  Kathy Gomez, John Paul Klucik, Shauna Sciancalepore

Dorothy Curtis Brown Scholarship Fund in memory of Ann Nutt
For students interested in studying early childhood education in an accredited college or university who will pursue advanced certification to become an administrator or director at a child care center.  Potential certification programs include the Childhood Development Association Credential (CDA) or an associate’s or bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE).

Recipient:  Briannah Jeffries

Dunbar Heritage Scholarship Fund
For a financially needy Dunbar High School graduate of African-American descent to pursue a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college.  Must have at least a 2.5 GPA and enter college within a year following high school graduation.

Recipients:  Brianna Jeffries, Mikayla Snowden

Edna & Felix Swain Scholarship Fund
For deserving individuals who are members of the Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church to be used for college, vocational, graduate or professional education.

Recipients:  Carl Burnside, Chayana Burnside, Aliyah Mason, Mikayla Snowden

Ellen Sheppard Scholarship Fund
For a financially needy Lee County high school senior or undergraduate student currently enrolled in an accredited college or university pursuing a degree in art (specifically visual arts-painting, photography, or sculpture) or nursing and has at least a 3.5 GPA.

Recipient:  Rebekah Wetmore

Faye Lynn Roberts Education Scholarship Fund
For financially needy Lee County women at least 21 years old, pursuing a career in technical studies, court reporting, computer training, or nursing.

Recipient:  Rebekah Wetmore

Former Graduate of Everglades City Scholarship Fund
For a High School graduate of Everglades City in Collier County who has at least a 3.0 GPA and plans to attend college full time.  Secondary preference given to children or grandchildren of a service member of the US Armed Forces.

Recipient: Logan Foss

Frances H. Waldron Scholarship Fund
For financially needy High School Senior Graduate of Immokalee High School with a GPA between 3.2 and 3.4 who plan to attend an accredited college or university in Southwest Florida.

Recipient:  Josselyn Solorzano

Frances Harris Gresham Scholarship Fund
For a Lee County High School graduate from a public or private high school to attend college.

Recipient:  Jannel Blanco

G. Napier and Ellen T. Wilson Scholarship Fund
For an outstanding high school student who has volunteered at a Veterans Administration Hospital, Clinic or similar organization for at least 100 volunteer hours providing services to military veterans to attend an accredited university, college or vocational technical institution.

Recipient:  Matthew Aparte

Gail Markham Believing in Girls Scholarship Fund
For a female high school graduate in Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, Glades or Lee Counties who demonstrates financial need with a minimum GPA of 3.0 to obtain a post-secondary degree at an accredited college, university or technical school for up to a 4-year duration for this award.

Recipient:  Brittany Funderburk

George E. Judd Scholarship Fund
For a High School Senior graduating from a Lee County public or private high school pursuing post-secondary education in the fine or performing arts.

Recipients:  Callie Atkinson, Jenavieve Verley

Gerard C. Mehr Scholarship Fund
For a financially needy Southwest Florida student graduating high school or possessing a GED, or to adult learners seeking continued education from accredited colleges or universities or training from certified job training programs.

Recipient:  Andrina Dennison

Hotchkiss Scholarship Fund
For Florida Prepaid scholarships to sixth grade students upon successful completion of a mentoring program and graduation from high school.

Recipients: Edwin Bautista, Myah Durlacher, Natalie Gonzalez, Pablo Guerrero, Robert Gull, Melanie Sarmiento, Carlos Tabora

Howard P. and Magdalen K. Breitenbach Scholarship Fund
For a financially needy student who was either a service member, or is a child or grandchild of a service member, who was in the United States Navy.  Must graduate from a public or private high school in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee Counties.

Recipients:  Alyson Stalnaker, Kayla McNeely, Matthew Barnabee

Immokalee Achievement Award Fund
For an Immokalee High School graduating senior who has or will be applying to a community college or an advanced education trade school for a course or courses leading to a specialized trade or job skill.

Recipient:  Jennifer Fonseca

Isabel Mayer Kirkpatrick Scholarship Fund
For a Lee County high school graduate with a “B” average (3.0 – 3.7) to pursue post-secondary education.

Recipient:  Maria Estrado

James Bilder Scholarship Fund
For Lee County high school students to pursue higher education with preference given to students attending vocational/technical schools.

Recipients:  Gha’riel Kinchen, Tuyet Nguyen, Emily Golom

James D. & Eleanor F. Newton Children’s Fund
For the winners of the Thomas A. Edison Science and Inventors’ Fair.

Recipients:  Autumn Rhodes, Morgan Barkhurt

James F. Chelius, Jr., Esq. Scholarship Fund

To provide a need-based scholarship to a Charlotte, Hendry or Lee County graduating senior who has lettered in a high school sport with a minimum 3.0 high school grade point average (un-weighted).

Jane Cavanna Bleakly Scholarship Fund
For a Haddonfield New Jersey High School student to pursue higher educational studies.

Recipient:  Meghan Elizabeth Smart

Jane H. Berktold Scholarship Fund
For graduates of Lee County public high schools who in need of financial assistance.

Recipients:  Bridget Macpherson, Emily Fournier, Kelsi Bevington

Jay Sheppard Memorial Scholarship Fund
For a Bishop Verot student in financial need.

Recipient: To be determined

Jo Anne Olmsted Fund
For Florida Prepaid scholarships to sixth grade students upon successful completion of a mentoring program and graduation from high school.

Recipients:  Edwin Bautista, Myah Durlacher, Natalie Gonzalez, Pablo Guerrero, Robert Gull, Melanie Sarmiento, Carlos Tabora

Jim Ilias Athletic Memorial Scholarship Fund
Scholarship to be given to a high school athlete who demonstrates excellence in athletics, academics, sportsmanship, and moral character and pursuing post-secondary education.

Recipient:  Josh Ashby

Jo Anne Olmsted Fund
For Florida Prepaid scholarships to sixth grade students upon successful completion of a mentoring program and graduation from high school.

Recipients:  Edwin Bautista, Myah Durlacher, Natalie Gonzalez, Pablo Guerrero, Robert Gull, Melanie Sarmiento, Carlos Tabora

John & Ruth Childe Scholarship Fund
For a Lee County student with a physical disability to pursue higher education in a college, university, or technical school.

Recipient: Brooke Hollan

John and Ellen Sheppard Humane Student Scholarship Fund
For high school graduates of Charlotte, Glades, Hendry or Lee Counties with a minimum 3.0 GPA, with a belief in a universal creator of life who are actively involved in school and student life with a commitment to help others through volunteer work in community, charitable or religious organizations.

Recipient:  Sarah Kelley

John I. and Madeleine R. Taeni Fund
For students pursuing degrees in teaching, nursing, paramedic training, or emergency medical technician training.

Recipients:  Brandon Newhouse, Ellen Angersbach

John M. & Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship Fund
For a financially needy High School Graduate from Charlotte, Hendry or Lee Counties with at least a 3.0 GPA (unweighted) studying medicine, law, dentistry, teaching (Math/Science), ministry, engineering, accounting, agriculture, architecture or computer science.

Recipients:  Daniela Barata, Efe Cudjoe, Jamie Lee, Caleb Luchterhand

John S. Bleakly Scholarship Fund
For a Rutgers School of Law student.

Recipient: To be determined.

Jordan Abdo Memorial Scholarship Fund
For a North Fort Myers High School student athlete with a GPA of 3.0 to 3.5.

Jordan Ashley Gutheim Scholarship Fund
For an Evangelical Christian School High School graduate planning to attend Florida State University and demonstrates financial need.

Recipient:  Katherine Pinchin

Judge Isaac Anderson, Jr. Scholarship Fund
For a Lee County high school senior who can demonstrate financial need with a GPA of 3.0+ and strong ties to the community through extracurricular activities, religious endeavors, or community service.

Recipient:  Tikerria Edison

Judge William J. Nelson Scholarship Fund
For a high school senior who will be attending the University of Florida.

Recipient:  Brandon Pearson

Julie Willard Mikell Fund
For a financially needy Lee County high school senior to attend a 2- or 4-year regionally accredited college or university.

Recipient:  Bailey Russell

Keen Family Nursing Scholarship Fund
For students at Edison State College who are motivated and academically qualified but are without the means to pursue an education in nursing.

Lee County Library Sciences Scholarship Fund
Lee County residents pursuing a Bachelor or Master Degree in Library Science who have completed at least 60 credit hours, have at least a “B” average and have provided 120 hours of paid or unpaid service hours in the Lee County Library System.

Lewis B. Barber Memorial Scholarship Fund
For students pursuing either of the following educational paths: 1) certification to teach the deaf and blind; 2) seminary or pre-seminary school to study church, Christian music, or Christian education.

Recipient:  Joshua Selby

Lloyd & Shirley Matthai Scholarship Fund
For Lee County single mothers with economic need who wish to pursue education in the medical or dental field.

Recipient:  Shiakera Williams

Lloyd & Shirley Matthai Scholarship Fund for High Schoolers
For children below the poverty level to attend a private non-boarding high school in Lee County.

Recipient:  Yammy Hernandez

Love of Bonita Empowerment Scholarship Fund
Books, tuition, and/or course fees for Bonita Springs residents who have been out of school for at least two years to attend a college or technical school.

Recipient: Connie Leonessa

Mary Ann Elder Scholarship Fund
For a student from Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee Counties entering or continuing a Master Degree Program in social work at an accredited university or college.

Recipient:  Jennifer Myung Lee

Norman Marcus Scholarship Fund
For a financially needy high school graduate from Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee Counties with at least a 3.0 GPA.

Matt Harmon Memorial Scholarship Fund
For a financially needy male High School Graduate who played baseball from Lee County to pursue post-secondary education.

Recipient: Josh Ashby

Patricia Means Scholarship Fund
For a United States citizen high school graduate with a B or C grade point average pursuing a United States post-secondary education.

Recipients:  Daniel Lopez, Jennifer Villa, Felicia Seeburg, Gabriella Gray, Brad Bellew

Paul B. and Aline Flynn Scholarship Fund
For students pursuing a degree from a 4-year accredited college in communications or journalism.

Recipients:  Rachelle Westervelt, Caroline Lindsay

Quality Life Center/Emma Lee Thomas Memorial Scholarship Fund
For high school graduates affiliated with Quality Life Center to pursue further education.

Recipients:  Remy Johnson, Kee’Shaurn McCaulley

Richard S. Thompson and Marion L. Thompson Memorial Fund
For Lee County students pursuing a post high school science education.

Recipients:  Leah Colucci, Spencer Ellis, Josh Kennedy, Ryan Robertson, Paul Whytal, Anna Dostie

Robert B. and Dorothy Pence Scholarship Fund
For economically disadvantaged Lee County students to attend college or technical school.

Recipient:  Chloe Kent

Robert C. and Margaret A. Schikora Scholarship Fund
For needy students who have previously graduated from high schools in Lee County to pursue post-secondary educational opportunities.

Recipient:  Hillary Hospodar

Ruth Messmer Scholarship Fund
For women pursuing a business career in college.

Recipient:  Esha Shah

Sanibel Community Church Scholarship Fund: Next Generation Fund Trust
For child or grandchild of a member of Sanibel Community Church.

Recipient:  Trey Cerwinsky

Shadow Wood Charitable Foundation Scholarship Fund
For Shadow Wood Country Club and Shadow Wood Community Association employees and their children (but not other dependents) to pursue further education.

Recipients:  Jessica Barry, Megan Barry, Christopher Ortiz, Austin Boetje

Southwest Florida Community Foundation General Scholarship Fund
For scholarships determined by the SWFL Community Foundation Board.

Southwest Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association Fund
For high school student in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee Counties who are dependents of local law enforcement officers to pursue post-secondary education.

Recipients:  Ryan Carley, Payton Rhodes

Spring Run Charitable Foundation Scholarship Fund
For employees and their dependents age 26 or younger to pursue further education.

Recipients:  Michael Adams, Joseph Samuelson

Stef’an Strawder – A Mother’s Love Foundation Scholarship Fund
To provide a need-based scholarship to Lee County student athletes with a minimum 3.0 high school grade point average.

Steven F. Lux Scholarship
To provide tuition support for the criminal justice students of the SWFL Public Service Academy.

Recipient: To be determined.

The Robert A. Kleckner Scholarship Fund
For a financially needy high school, undergraduate, or graduate student pursuing a career in finance or accounting.

Recipient:  Brittan Funderburk

The Speakers Assembly of Southwest Florida Scholarship Fund
For a high school or college student(s) who applies for a scholarship through The Speakers Assembly of Southwest Florida scholarship process and meets the requirements.

Recipients:  Jash Patel, Jared Fleishman, Jennyfer Gerroro Torres, Makenna Lutz

United Christian Giving/Hodges University Scholarship Fund
For a Hodges University student from a Christian nonprofit supported by United Christian Giving.

William (Billy) R. Shevach Scholarship Fund
For deserving student athletes who graduate from Fort Myers High School located in Lee County, Florida and have lettered in an interscholastic high school sport.

Recipient:  Casey Adams

William L. Graddy Law School Scholarship Fund
For a financially needy first year law student enrolled at an accredited law school.

Recipient:  Martin Ebenger