Collaboratory awards $1.2 million in scholarships

05/30/2025

Collaboratory awarded 174 scholarships to students and adult learners from Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties. More than $1.2 million will pay for these students to advance their educational goals.

Yesenia Juarez Hernandez, 18, a graduate at Moore Haven Middle-High School received a $1,000 award from the Couse Gram Scholarship.

“I feel excited and overjoyed to receive a scholarship,” she said. “I didn’t expect it. It will help me fulfill my dreams of becoming an MRI technologist.”

Collaboratory is committed to making its scholarship application accessible to all students regardless of circumstances and abilities. Scholarships are based on a range of qualifications including community service, academics, fields of study, athletics, or even attendance a particular school.

“Education helps build smart and productive citizens,” said Dr. Harrison S. Knight, scholarship committee chair and member of the Collaboratory Board of Trustees. “It should not be a privilege, but a catalyst to make transformative change.”

More than 200 volunteers participate in the application process, which involves reviewing the entries.

“We have some amazing students in our local community,” Knight said. “Reviewers truly enjoy reading the students’ stories and gaining insight into the big dreams they hope to accomplish.”

This year, Collaboratory awarded 31 of the scholarships as multi-year awards that support the students beyond their freshman year.

Brittany Curley, a graduate of Cypress Lake High School, received The John M. & Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship in 2023, a multi-year scholarship that continues to change her life. She is a sophomore at the University of Florida and is pursuing a degree in teaching.

“It didn’t just pay for tuition, it gave me a stable place to live, the freedom to dream, and the opportunity to self-explore and realize just what sort of impact I want to leave on this world,” she said. “I carry this opportunity with deep humility and immense gratitude. I know the value of a hand reached out, a door opened, and a heart that says, “I believe in you.” That’s what you’ve done for me. And now, I’m committed to doing the same – for every student I’ll one day meet.”

Collaboratory has seen a steady increase in scholarship applicants each year, underscoring the growing need for financial support toward training and education beyond high school in the region. This scholarship season, Collaboratory received 1,169 applications—a 13 percent increase from the previous year.

“Community partners are working together with local school districts to support their work and expand the awareness of scholarship opportunities and financial aid resources to students and families,” said Crystal Maldonado, scholarship coordinator at Collaboratory.

The need for scholarship funds to support students is rising. On average, approximately 10 percent of applicants were awarded a scholarship in the last two years. Collaboratory is committed to increasing both the number and value of scholarships awarded in the future.

The success and growth of the scholarship program has a direct impact on the area’s workforce. FutureMakers Coalition is a collective impact initiative working along the cradle-to-career pathway to create a skilled and sustainable workforce pipeline. The coalition, for which Collaboratory provides backbone support, 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.

If you are interested opening a scholarship fund or donating to the Scholarships General Fund, contact Collaboratory at [email protected], call 239-274-5900, or visit https://collaboratory.org/donate.

The complete list of scholarship winners includes:

  • Abigail Cudnik: Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship
  • Abigail Hynes: Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship and Tommy Bohanon Foundation Scholarship
  • Abigail Kohler: Jordan Ashley Gutheim Scholarship
  • Alaynna Harms: Hope Foundation of Southwest Florida Scholarship (In Memory of Fredrick Morgan)
  • Alexander Matei: James F. Chelius, Jr., Esq. Scholarship
  • Alexandra Souto: Julie Willard Mikell Scholarship
  • Alexandria Spiller: Richard S. Thompson & Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship
  • Alia Mercado: Patricia Means Scholarship
  • Aliyah Gaines: Richard S. Thompson & Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship
  • Allie Lehman: Anne M. Fassett Scholarship
  • Ally Perkins: Building Futures Scholarship
  • Alyssa Liu: James D. & Eleanor F. Newton Children’s Scholarship
  • Amy Kollcinaku: SWFL Inc.- Ralph A. Richardson Chamber Scholarship
  • Analise Gingerich: Judith Ann Zimomra Scholarship
  • Andre Jocelyn: Building Futures Scholarship
  • Andrew Vasile: Chip Johnson Memorial Scholarship
  • Angie Arellano: John and Ellen Sheppard Humane Scholarship
  • Anna Sentucq: LEAD Estero Del Negro Family Scholarship and Paul B. & Aline Flynn Scholarship
  • Antonio Street: Judge William J. Nelson Scholarship and Dunbar Heritage Scholarship
  • A’Nyah Moorer: Isabel Mayer Kirkpatrick Scholarship
  • Arleasia Carter: Quality Life Center- Emma Lee Thomas Memorial Scholarship
  • Arlen Neisz: LEAD Estero Camp Scholarship
  • Autumn Mcfarlane: George E. Judd Scholarship
  • Aydin Ward: Mrs. Cathy Riedel Scholarship
  • Bella Mongillo: Patricia Means Scholarship
  • Bennett Wilcoxson: George E. Judd Scholarship
  • Brianna Madore: John & Ruth Childe Scholarship
  • Caleb Cruz: Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship
  • Cali Trepkowski: Carol Patti McLaughlin Scholarship and Barbara’s Friends Scholarship
  • Caliah  Russell: Barbara’s Friends Scholarship
  • Camaraelle Milord: Ruth Messmer Scholarship
  • Camden Ryan-Asselin: Justin Curtis Anderson Scholarship
  • Caroline Papa: Jane Berktold Scholarship
  • Carson McManaway: Paul B. & Aline Flynn Scholarship
  • Catherine Maher: Howard P. & Magdalen K. Breitenbach Scholarship
  • Cecilia Casas-Angel: Chet & Janett Perry Rotary Club of Fort Myers Scholarship
  • Chloe Stevens: Doris W. Frey Scholarship
  • Dalton Clemens: Building Futures Scholarship
  • Daniela Perez: Couse Gram Scholarship
  • Danielle Barsheshet: USMC Cpl. Thomas J. Jardas Memorial Scholarship
  • Danielle Such: Linda L. Mann Scholarship for Music Majors
  • David Lemus Solis: James Bilder Scholarship
  • David Aleman: Robert A. Kleckner Scholarship
  • Dayani Telles: Gail Markham Believing in Girls Scholarship
  • Destiny Davenport: Richard S. Thompson & Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship and Dunbar Heritage Scholarship
  • Devoshiah Parris: Jerome L. King Scholarship for Careers in Healthcare
  • Dhira Sharma: James D. & Eleanor F. Newton Children’s Scholarship
  • Drue Overmyer: LEAD Estero Topper Family Scholarship
  • Dylan Moore-Rytlewski: Ricky Pigott Memorial Scholarship
  • Dylan Kenville: Patricia Means Scholarship
  • Edwin Carsolio: James Bilder Scholarship
  • Elisa Carrillo: Building Futures Scholarship
  • Evalyn Klein: Frances Harris Gresham Scholarship
  • Ezekiel Dube-Garrett: John M. & Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship and Tommy Bohanon Foundation Scholarship
  • Fiona English: Richard S. Thompson & Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship
  • Francisco Galindo: Anne M. Fassett Scholarship and Frances H. Waldron Scholarship
  • Gabriella Andrews: Building Futures Scholarship
  • Giana D’Altrui: Howard P. & Magdalen K. Breitenbach Scholarship
  • Haley Grimmel: Building Futures Scholarship
  • Haruna Mescallado: Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship
  • Hector Nava: John M. & Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship
  • Isabella Lentz: John M. & Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship
  • Jailynn Sparrow: Edna and Felix Swain Scholarship
  • Jaime Antunez: Immokalee Achievement Award Scholarship
  • Jalis Rodriguez: Doris W. Frey Scholarship
  • Janet Enriquez: Carl E. Brooks Scholarship
  • Jania Sparrow: Edna and Felix Swain Scholarship
  • Jeff Adams: Howard P. & Magdalen K. Breitenbach Scholarship
  • Jempson Pierre Louis: Building Futures Scholarship
  • Jensen Diggs: Building Futures Scholarship
  • Jessica Raybon: Faye Lynn Roberts Scholarship and Lloyd and Shirley Matthai Scholarship
  • Jiani Tang: Love of Bonita Empowerment Scholarship
  • Jianna  Senkeleski: Sanibel Community Church Scholarship
  • Jordan Walker: George E. Judd Scholarship
  • Jordween Casseus: Steven F. Lux Scholarship Fund for First Responders
  • Jordyn Barrett: Jane Berktold Scholarship
  • Joshua Barradas-Lopez: Patricia Means Scholarship
  • Kate Madden: Southwest Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association Scholarship
  • Kaylee Thomas: Quality Life Center- Emma Lee Thomas Memorial Scholarship
  • Keion Nance: Quality Life Center-Emma Lee Thomas Memorial Scholarship
  • Kendrick Holloway: Quality Life Center- Emma Lee Thomas Memorial Scholarship
  • Kennedy Price: Building Futures Scholarship
  • Kristian Schafer: Sanibel Community Church Scholarship
  • Kyler Carter: Matt Harmon Memorial Scholarship
  • Kyndal Archambault: Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship
  • Lacie Johns: Doc Keen Memorial Scholarship
  • Lailah Colon: Bruce T. Gora Photography Scholarship
  • Lauren Lyons: George E. Judd Scholarship
  • Leisy Leyva: Jane Berktold Scholarship
  • Lewis Sigfrids: Sanibel Community Church Scholarship
  • Lillian Sotolongo: Carl E. Brooks Scholarship
  • Lilly Ortega: LEAD Estero Founders Scholarship
  • Lorena Diaz: Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship
  • Luis Machado: Barbara’s Friends Scholarship
  • Luke Llossas: Chip Johnson Memorial Scholarship
  • Mackenzie Long: Doris W. Frey Scholarship
  • Mackenzie Jackson: Judith Ann Zimomra Scholarship
  • Madeline Jackson: Joanne Vorhees Scholarship
  • Madison Means: David C. Barton Scholarship
  • Maggie Knox: Robert B. & Dorothy Pence Scholarship
  • Maria Benkhatar: Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship and Richard S. Thompson & Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship
  • Mariana Hartman: Dr. Janet Marderness Scholarship
  • Mariana Mejicanos: D & A Scholarship Fund
  • Marianne Ramirez: Jerome L. King Scholarship for Careers in Healthcare
  • Maya Fleury: Robert C. & Margaret A. Schikora Scholarship
  • Mea Ritter: Doctors Ira & Udaya Dash Nursing Scholarship and Steven F. Lux Scholarship for First Responders
  • Meagan Hirschy: Dorothy Curtis Brown Scholarship In Memory of Ann Nutt
  • Mia Gasperini: O. Fred and Bernadine Stuefer Scholarship
  • Micheberley Jean Baptiste: Chip Johnson Memorial Scholarship
  • Mickey Honas: Jordan Abdo Memorial Scholarship
  • Nakia Joyner: Alli D. Brett Scholarship for Nursing and Hope Foundation of Southwest Florida Scholarship (In Memory of Fredrick Morgan)
  • Nalin Isme: LEAD Estero Camp Scholarship
  • Natalia Gonzalez Cabrera: LEAD Estero Amy Kuchenbecker Scholarship
  • Natalie Simeus: Ellen Sheppard Scholarship
  • Nicholas Purdy: Ricky Pigott Memorial Scholarship
  • Nicholas Cerabona: Building Futures Scholarship
  • Nora Cunningham-Crangle: George E. Judd Scholarship
  • Ny’Teria Grant: Edna and Felix Swain Scholarship
  • Paige Howard: David G. Robinson Fund for the Arts
  • Raven Gadson: Edna and Felix Swain Scholarship
  • Rayne Woods: LEAD Estero Trade School Scholarship
  • Rebecca Kelly: Judith Ann Zimomra Scholarship
  • Reese Anderson: Building Futures Scholarship
  • Rilyn Dick: George E. Judd Scholarship and John and Ellen Sheppard Humane Scholarship
  • Sabrina Dong: Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship
  • Samantha Degen: Building Futures Scholarship
  • Samiya Butler: George E. Judd Scholarship
  • Sandy Bruce: John I. and Madeleine R. Taeni Scholarship
  • Shenard Williams: Tommy Bohanon Foundation Scholarship and Judge Isaac Anderson Scholarship
  • Sophia Brook: George E. Judd Scholarship
  • Sophia Herrera: Southwest Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association Scholarship
  • Sophia Gibson: Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship
  • Sophie Garcia: Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship
  • Syesha Bastien: William Leverich Memorial Scholarship
  • Tejas Upadhyay: LEAD Estero Camp Scholarship
  • Tori Fadayomi: Lewis B. Barber Scholarship
  • Tyler Scott: George E. Judd Scholarship
  • Valeria Urrea: Anne Sturrock Nursing Scholarship
  • Vania Antonio-Carrillo: Herbert E. Hussey Scholarship
  • Veereshwar Gupta: SWFL Inc.- Ralph A. Richardson Chamber Scholarship
  • Victoria Kovach: AAUW Sue Gottcent Memorial Scholarship and Gerard C. Mehr Scholarship
  • Xavier Casanova: John M. & Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship and Richard S. & Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship
  • Yahir Perez Hernandez: Building Futures Scholarship
  • Yesenia Juarez Hernandez: Couse Gram Scholarship
  • Zakary Williams: Patricia Means Scholarship
  • Zane Sousa: Dave’s Scholarship
  • Zoe Kurtz: George E. Judd Scholarship