Skip to main content

174 scholarships awarded through 91 scholarship funds for high school seniors, undergraduate, graduate students and adult learners.

Collaboratory recently granted $1,257,470 and 174 scholarships to local high school seniors, undergraduate, graduate students and adult learners from Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties. This year, Collaboratory awarded 31 of the scholarships as multi-year awards which will continue to help the students each year towards completion.

“This scholarship season we had 1,034 applications submitted, which is a 55.9 percent increase from the previous year,” said Dr. Harrison Knight, scholarship committee chair and Collaboratory Board of Directors member. “This demonstrates the high need in our community for continued scholarships towards postsecondary education.”

“Students faced challenges with completing the 24-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) this year. The uncertainty of not knowing their aid eligibility due to the delays along with the collaborative efforts through FutureMakers Coalition the networks it has in place have contributed to this increase,” said Crystal Maldonado, Collaboratory scholarship coordinator.

FutureMakers Coalition is a collective impact initiative working along the cradle-to-career pathway to create a skilled and sustainable workforce pipeline. The coalition aims to transform Southwest Florida’s workforce by increasing the proportion of working-age adults with college degrees, workforce certificates, industry certifications and other high-quality credentials to 55 percent by 2025.

Over 200 volunteers participated in the application review process.

“We have some amazing students in our local community and reviewers enjoy reading their stories and gaining insight about the big dreams they hope to accomplish,” said Dr. Knight.

Collaboratory is committed to making their scholarship application accessible to all students regardless of circumstances and abilities. Some examples of the scholarships available through Collaboratory are based on community service, academics, fields of study, athletics, or even students that are attending or attended a particular school.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect throughout the scholarship application process and was very excited when I received a scholarship to help me pay for a portion of my tuition, books, and school expenses,” said Joseph McElwee graduate of Gateway High School and recipient of the Patricia Means Scholarship and Lewis B. Barber Scholarship. McElwee plans to study Ministerial Leadership at Southeastern University.

Another scholarship recipient, Wanayja Davis, when asked what advice she would give other students about applying for scholarships said, “Don’t give up on applying for scholarships and try your hardest.”

Davis is a graduate of Dunbar High School and plans to study nursing at Bethune-Cookman University. She was awarded the Patricia Means Scholarship, which is a four-year scholarship that will help her with paying for college and improving her educational opportunities.

If you are interested in becoming a scholarship reviewer next year or contributing to or starting a scholarship fund, contact Collaboratory at scholarships@collaboratory.org or call 239-274-5900.

The complete list of scholarship winners includes:

Tomika Breese, AAUW Sue Gottcent Memorial Scholarship

Brooke Ordetx, Alli D. Brett Scholarship for Nursing

Jennifer Vidal-Reyes       , Anne M. Fassett Scholarship

Cristobal Molina-Bays, Barbara’s Friends Scholarship

Shaina Petit-Homme, Barbara’s Friends Scholarship

Wilkens Sylfroid, Barbara’s Friends Scholarship

Mariangel Ramirez, Bruce T. Gora Scholarship

Gabriella Andrews, Building Futures Scholarship

Nicholas Cerabona, Building Futures Scholarship

Joseph Denoy, Building Futures Scholarship

Jensen Diggs, Building Futures Scholarship

Joshua Diggs, Building Futures Scholarship

Dalton Clemens, Building Futures Scholarship

Aliz Lopez, Building Futures Scholarship

Samantha Degen, Building Futures Scholarship

Zach Goldstein, Building Futures Scholarship

Elizabeth Keijl, Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship

Alexa Ancheta , Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship

Veronica Varona, Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship

Giselle Leon, Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship

Gabriel Wright, Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship

Alison Calle, Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship and Anne Sturrock Nursing Scholarship

Eyahna Pemberton, Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship and Jane Berktold Scholarship

Jaelle Rodriguez, Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship and John and Ellen Sheppard Humane Scholarship

Dalianys Lachel Hernandez, Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship and John M. & Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship

Riley McFarland, Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship and Richard S. Thompson & Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship

Fatima Nucamendi-Resendiz, Carl E. Brooks Scholarship and Gail Markham Believing in Girls Scholarship

Preston Ebenger, Chet & Janett Perry Rotary Club of Fort Myers Scholarship

Maria Belen Findley, Chip Johnson Memorial Scholarship

Miguel Guerrero, Chip Johnson Memorial Scholarship

Joanna Torres, Chip Johnson Memorial Scholarship

Rhiana Morgan, Cyan’s Bright Light Scholarship

Julia Ton Nu, D & A Scholarship Fund and Ruth Messmer Scholarship

Taylor Mayberry, David C. Barton Scholarship

Jordan Walker, David G. Robinson Fund for the Arts

Luke Llossas, Doc Keen Memorial Scholarship

Tiffany Cox, Doctors Ira & Udaya Dash Nursing Scholarship

Ginelle Ulysse, Doris W. Frey Scholarship

Jalis Rodriguez, Doris W. Frey Scholarship

Talor Peart, Doris W. Frey Scholarship and Frances Harris Gresham Scholarship

Natalie Aguirre, Dorothy Curtis Brown Scholarship in memory of Ann Nutt

Tenger Ladi, Dr. Janet Marderness Scholarship

Travaja Duncan, Dunbar Heritage Scholarship

Jaylon Christmas, Dunbar Heritage Scholarship

Raven Gadson, Edna and Felix Swain Scholarship

Ryan Gadson, Edna and Felix Swain Scholarship

Nicolas Hodge, Edna and Felix Swain Scholarship

James C. Givens, Edna and Felix Swain Scholarship

Ny’Teria Grant, Edna and Felix Swain Scholarship

Chinara McCarter, Edna and Felix Swain Scholarship

Jania Sparrow, Edna and Felix Swain Scholarship

Shriell Warren, Edna and Felix Swain Scholarship

Brittany Jarvis, Ellen Sheppard Scholarship

Stephanie Bergeron, Faye Lynn Roberts Scholarship

Jazmin Ajtun-Martinez, Frances H. Waldron Scholarship

Trinity Hewitt, G. Napier and Ellen T. Wilson Scholarship

Marianna Young, George E. Judd Scholarship

Caroline Evans, George E. Judd Scholarship

Nicole Nelson, George E. Judd Scholarship

Taylor Copeland, George E. Judd Scholarship

Emerson Antunes Black, George E. Judd Scholarship

Lily O’Neill, George E. Judd Scholarship

Alondra Malave, George E. Judd Scholarship

Esteban Nunez, George E. Judd Scholarship

Mali Dennis, George E. Judd Scholarship

Grace Novak, George E. Judd Scholarship

Melia Brockington, George E. Judd Scholarship

Jennifer Cedeno, George E. Judd Scholarship and Gems that Dream Scholarship

Yadhira Zaragoza, Gerard C. Mehr Scholarship

Janet Barraza-Morales, Herbert E. Hussey Scholarship

Emerson Adams, Howard P. & Magdalen K. Breitenbach Scholarship

Gunter Harrison Bauer, Howard P. & Magdalen K. Breitenbach Scholarship

Kevin Augutis, Howard P. & Magdalen K. Breitenbach Scholarship

Adriana Pascual, Immokalee Achievement Award

Jayce Elcorrobarrutia, Isabel Mayer Kirkpatrick Scholarship

Alejandro Salazar, James Bilder Scholarship

Dhira Sharma, James D. & Eleanor F. Newton Children’s Scholarship

Alyssa Liu, James D. & Eleanor F. Newton Children’s Scholarship

Andrew Sareh, James D. & Eleanor F. Newton Children’s Scholarship

Solange Gonzalez, Jane Berktold Scholarship

Hailey Jacob, Jane Berktold Scholarship, Carl E. Brooks Scholarship, and John and Ellen Sheppard Humane Scholarship

Ireanna Reyes, Jerome L. King Scholarship for Careers in Healthcare

Ashley Louis, Jerome L. King Scholarship for Careers in Healthcare

Emily Cruz, Joanne Vorhees Scholarship

Morgan Boucher, John & Ruth Childe Scholarship

Megan Price, John I. and Madeleine R. Taeni Scholarship

Kylee Lange, John M. & Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship

Benjamin Hall, John M. & Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship

Zellistyne Zoie Gregorio, John M. & Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship

Alyssa Revilla- Norris, John M. & Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship and Carol Patti McLaughlin Scholarship

Lia Capote, John M. & Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship and James Bilder Scholarship

Isabella Gibson, Jordan Abdo Memorial Scholarship

Kaylee Grutchfield, Jordan Ashley Gutheim Scholarship

Deanna Wells, Judge Isaac Anderson Scholarship

Brianna Madore, Judge William J. Nelson Scholarship

Kaia Miller, Judith Ann Zimomra Scholarship

Analise Gingerich, Judith Ann Zimomra Scholarship

Caroline Dillon, Judith Ann Zimomra Scholarship

Vianka Ramirez, Julie Willard Mikell Scholarship

Matthew Ortiz, LEAD Estero Camp Scholarship

Fredly Osias, LEAD Estero Camp Scholarship

Akshar Patel, LEAD Estero Camp Scholarship

John (Trey) Ramsey, LEAD Estero Camp Scholarship

Matthew Stevens, LEAD Estero Camp Scholarship

Sophie Perkins, LEAD Estero Founders Scholarship

Rolando Escandon, LEAD Estero Nick Batos Scholarship

Emily Salas, LEAD Estero Sandra Kauanui Scholarship

Jessica Brown, LEAD Estero Topper Family Scholarship

Benjamin Manekin, Linda L. Mann Scholarship Fund for Music

Nancy Guerrero Martinez, Lloyd and Shirley Matthai Scholarship

Hellen Goecke, Love of Bonita Empowerment Scholarship

Kaci Barber, Mary Ann Elder Scholarship

Camden Lucas, Matt Harmon Memorial Scholarship

Emma Zarate, Mrs. Cathy Riedel Scholarship

Lydia Deleon-Tojin, O. Fred and Bernadine Stuefer Scholarship

WaNayja Davis, Patricia Means Scholarship

Luna Del Pino, Patricia Means Scholarship

Abigail Rivero, Patricia Means Scholarship

Irany Luis-Gomez, Patricia Means Scholarship

Joseph McElwee, Patricia Means Scholarship and Lewis B. Barber Scholarship

Ava Binkowski, Paul B. & Aline Flynn Scholarship

Corris McIntosh III, Paul B. & Aline Flynn Scholarship

Gennifer Rhodes, Quality Life Center- Emma Lee Thomas Memorial Scholarship

Heiress Watkins, Quality Life Center- Emma Lee Thomas Memorial Scholarship

Riley Alexander, Richard S. Thompson & Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship

Genevieve Bailey, Richard S. Thompson & Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship

Kate More, Richard S. Thompson & Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship

Jordan Brown, Richard S. Thompson & Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship

Annika Stafford, Richard S. Thompson & Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship and SWFL Inc.- Ralph A. Richardson Chamber Scholarship

Daniel Scruggs, Robert A. Kleckner Scholarship

Brooklyn Gossett, Robert B. & Dorothy Pence Scholarship

Rae Fernandez, Robert C. & Margaret A. Schikora Scholarship

Jianna Senkelski, Sanibel Community Church Scholarship

Enrique Aparicio, Southwest Florida Inc.- Ralph A. Richardson Chamber Scholarship

Grace Harvey, SWFL Deputy Sheriffs Association Scholarship

Liam Hughes, SWFL Deputy Sheriffs Association Scholarship

Joshua Garton, The Ricky Pigott Memorial Scholarship

Alexander Dingerson, The Ricky Pigott Memorial Scholarship

Eric Avin, Tommy Bohanon Foundation Scholarship

Kayla Hopkins, Tommy Bohanon Foundation Scholarship

Kyra Ritter, Tommy Bohanon Foundation Scholarship

Anya Mencarelli, USMC Cpl. Thomas J. Jardas Memorial Scholarship

Hailey Upchurch, William L. Graddy Law School Scholarship

 

ABOUT COLLABORATORY

Collaboratory is committed to coordinating the solving of all of Southwest Florida’s social problems on an 18-year deadline including homelessness, poverty, mental illness, racism, illiteracy and more. We plan to do this with the entire community working together including people of all ages, colors, beliefs and imaginations across all five counties. We’re committed to coordinating all of this on a massive scale, in the way NASA coordinated the hundreds of thousands of businesses, universities, institutions and people to get us to the moon in nine years. We’re not oblivious to people saying this is ridiculous, insane and crazy but we’re driven by the inspiration of all those great figures in history who have come before us to achieve things no one ever thought remotely possible. Steve Jobs’ observation sums it up for us: “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” We’re building the largest, most democratized living laboratory for community problem-solving in history.

Collaboratory was founded in 1976 as the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. It has made over $100 million in grants since then and is home to more than 650 philanthropic funds. It is upon that legacy of a commitment to community we plan to fulfill on that mission at the level of its greatest expression. As Collaboratory, we will finish what we started.

 

To learn more and get involved, call 239-274-5900 or visit www.collaboratory.org.

Contact: Melinda Isley, APR, m.creativepr, cell: 239-565-1630, melinda@mcreativepr.com