Collaboratory recently granted $1,155,834 and 164 scholarships to local high school seniors, undergraduate, graduate students and adult learners from Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties. This year, Collaboratory awarded 28 of the scholarships as multi-year awards which will continue to help the students each year towards completion.

“This scholarship season we had 663 applications submitted, which is a 51.7 percent increase from the previous year,” said Dr. Harrison Knight, scholarship committee chair and Collaboratory Board of Directors member.

“This is despite the challenges faced during the year due to a hurricane,” said Crystal Maldonado, Collaboratory scholarship coordinator. “The rise in applications this year can be greatly

attributed to the additional support from FutureMakers Coalition and the networks it has in place that expanded the outreach to students across Southwest Florida.”

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.

“The collaborative efforts also assisted in the recruitment of over 150 volunteer application reviewers that are a vital part of the process,” said Maldonado. “Our reviewers look forward to reviewing applications each year, and most continue for multiple years, describing it as an extremely fulfilling and humbling experience.”

“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.

“When I first started the process of applying for college, I didn’t know how I was going to financially afford everything like tuition, books, and all the other expenses that are associated,” said Jose Zendejas, graduate of LaBelle High School and recipient of the Patricia Means Scholarship.

Zendejas also stated that since the Patricia Means Scholarship is a four-year scholarship, it will help him and his family a lot with alleviating some of the financial stresses and allow him to focus on school and take advantage of opportunities such as internships while in college.

“I didn’t think I would receive any scholarships because I was sure many other students were applying and applied because of my teacher Ms. Mendoza. If it wasn’t for her and her inviting someone from Collaboratory to speak to us about the scholarships, I wouldn’t have known about them and how to apply,” he said.

Zendejas plans to complete his associate degree at Florida SouthWestern State College and then transfer to a university to major in business administration.

“As a kid, I have seen families working in the fields and how difficult it is. I want to be able to study business and learn how to build a company up,” he said.

Zendejas is a first-generation college student and tries to be a good example for his younger brother so that he sees that hard work pays off and can also have access to opportunities.

When asked what advice he would give other students about applying for scholarships he said it’s important to apply to all scholarships – big or small because there are many scholarships available.

“It is so meaningful to me to know that someone believed in me enough to be a scholarship recipient,” he said.

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

The complete list of scholarship winners includes:

Kaci Barber, AAUW Sue Gottcent Memorial Scholarship

Vianca Chambergo, Alli D. Brett Scholarship for Nursing

Krista Sciulla, Anne Sturrock Nursing Scholarship

Jayce McMillan, Southwest Florida Incorporated- Ralph A. Richardson Chamber Scholarship

Sofia Duque, Southwest Florida Incorporated- Ralph A. Richardson Chamber Scholarship

Lucas Habash, Bruce T. Gora Photography Scholarship, Matt Harmon Memorial Scholarship, and Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship

Rodrigo Velasco-Hernandez, Carl E. Brooks Scholarship and Judge William J. Nelson Scholarship

Chasann Samuels, Carl E. Brooks Scholarship and Jane H. Berktold Scholarship

Eric Feichthaler Jr., Carol Patti McLaughlin Scholarship and Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship

Aliyah Morgan, Chet and Janett Perry Rotary Club of Fort Myers Scholarship

Kaleb Dotson, Chip Johnson Memorial Scholarship

Isabel Gequelin, Chip Johnson Memorial Scholarship

Tori Guarino, Chip Johnson Memorial Scholarship

Shirley Mazariegos, Couse Gram Scholarship

Nicholas Nease, Dave’s Scholarship

Bryan Adams, David C. Barton Scholarship

Jordan Walker, David G. Robinson Fund for the Arts

Madison Cockram, Doc Keen Memorial Scholarship

Samantha Jean, Doctors Ira and Udaya Dash Nursing Scholarship

Jessica Newman, Doris W. Frey Scholarship

Raven Gadson, Doris W. Frey Scholarship, Jordan Ashley Gutheim Scholarship, and Edna & Felix Swain Scholarship

Daniel Marquin Mendoza, Doris W. Frey Scholarship Fund

Maddie Levy, Dorothy Curtis Brown Scholarship Fund in Memory of Ann Nutt and Lloyd and Shirley Matthai Scholarship

Olivia Cabrera, Dr. Janet Marderness Scholarship and Tommy Bohanon Foundation Scholarship

Mckinley Davis, Ellen Sheppard Scholarship

Jessenia Peralta, Faye Lynn Roberts Education Scholarship Fund

Jack Calder, Frances H. Gresham Scholarship and LEAD Estero Scholarship

Audriana Larrea, G. Napier and Ellen T. Wilson Scholarship and John and Ruth Childe Scholarship

Trystan Chavers, George E. Judd Scholarship

Pablo Guerrero, George E. Judd Scholarship

Keehnon Jackson, George E. Judd Scholarship and Southwest Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association Scholarship

Valentina Spalletta, George E. Judd Scholarship

Sofia Modica, George E. Judd Scholarship

Ashleigh Carson, George E. Judd Scholarship

Madison Greene, George E. Judd Scholarship

Katie Doden, George E. Judd Scholarship

Jade Ziegler, George E. Judd Scholarship

Sophia Gurule, George E. Judd Scholarship

Daniel Medina Rincon, Gerard C. Mehr Scholarship

Lauren Hogan, Howard P. and Magdalen K. Breitenbach Scholarship

Gabriel Dickerson, Howard P. and Magdalen K. Breitenbach Scholarship

Harrison Bauer, Howard P. and Magdalen K. Breitenbach Scholarship

Oswaldo Santana Lauriano, Immokalee Achievement Award

Derline Biassou, Isabel Mayer Kirkpatrick Scholarship and Judge Isaac Anderson Scholarship

Rebecca Jasinto, James Bilder Scholarship

Kamar Wallace, James Bilder Scholarship

Solange Gonzalez, Jane H. Berktold Scholarship

Cassandra Thatcher, Jane H. Berktold Scholarship and Julie Willard Mikell Scholarship

Catherine Uceta, John and Ellen Sheppard Humane Student Scholarship, Charles and Margaret Foster Scholarship, and LEAD Estero Scholarship

Dalevyon Knight, John and Ellen Sheppard Humane Student Scholarship and Richard S. and Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship

Brittany Curley, John M. and Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship

Alexandra Odar, John M. and Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship

Laurel Kalin, John M. and Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship

Kie’Niyah James, John M. and Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship

Lindsey Zajdowicz, John I. and Madeleine R. Taeni Scholarship and Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship

Rachel Kelly, Lewis B. Barber Scholarship

Hannah Atkinson, Linda L. Mann Scholarship Fund for Music Majors

Shion Simms, Love of Bonita Empowerment Scholarship

Miguel Guerrero, Norman Marcus Scholarship

Aum Dhruv, O. Fred and Bernadine Stuefer Scholarship

Brendan Chavarria, Patricia Means Scholarship

Jamy Jorvelus, Patricia Means Scholarship

Jose Zendejas, Patricia Means Scholarship

Esther Hernandez-Sabanilla, Patricia Means Scholarship

Yulissa Garcia-Martinez, Paul B. and Aline Flynn Scholarship

Lily Perkins, Paul B. and Aline Flynn Scholarship

Britton Deleacaes, Richard S. and Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship

Kylie Thomas, Richard S. and Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship

Jasmine, Seda, Richard S. and Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship

Makenzie Davenport, Richard S. and Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship

Jahnaya Octavien, Richard S. and Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship

Casey Pearl Obien, The Ricky Pigott Memorial Scholarship

Berk Aydogmus, The Ricky Pigott Memorial Scholarship and Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship

David Aleman, Robert A. Kleckner Scholarship

Ronald James, Robert B. and Dorothy Pence Scholarship

Kenise Jackson, Robert C. and Margaret A. Schikora Scholarship

Geneva Paisan, Ruth Messmer Scholarship

Kaitlin Combs, Southwest Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association Scholarship

Sophia Cabrera, Tommy Bohanon Foundation Scholarship

Fedrick Harris, Tommy Bohanon Foundation Scholarship

Sofija Valancius, Tommy Bohanon Foundation Scholarship and Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship

LilyAnne Rodriguez, William L. Graddy Law School Scholarship

Nicholas Cerabona, Jordan Abdo Memorial Scholarship Fund and Building Futures (Fiddlesticks) Scholarship

John Gracey, Herbert E. Hussey Scholarship

Benjamin Fenuccio, Mary Ann Elder Scholarship

Ariana Guijosa, D&A Scholarship

Jason Bishop, Ann and Tom Smoot Scholarship

Madelyne Guerrero-Bravo, Barbara’s Friends Scholarship

Akisha Fleuridor, Barbara’s Friends Scholarship

Rebekah Kilpatrick, Barbara’s Friends Scholarship

Madeline Osinski, Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship

Abby Malloy, Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship

Makayla Ashley, Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship

Alexandria DeCamp, Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship

Jennifer Gongora Caruncho, Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship

Ivan Moorer Jr., Dunbar Heritage Scholarship

Kie’Niyah James, Dunbar Heritage Scholarship

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

Thor Wikman, James D. & Eleanor F. Newton Children’s Scholarship

Derrian Russaw, Dunbar Heritage Scholarship

Anijah Wiley, Dunbar Heritage Scholarship

Josh Diggs, Building Futures (Fiddlesticks) Scholarship

Angelina Jimenez Sebastian, Building Futures (Fiddlesticks) Scholarship

Jensen Diggs, Building Futures (Fiddlesticks) Scholarship

Emma Bement, Building Futures (Fiddlesticks) Scholarship

Peter Engdahl, Building Futures (Fiddlesticks) Scholarship

Aliz Lopez, Building Futures (Fiddlesticks) Scholarship

Joseph Denoy, Building Futures (Fiddlesticks) Scholarship

Ashley St. George, Building Futures (Fiddlesticks) Scholarship

Dalton Clemens, Building Futures (Fiddlesticks) Scholarship

Edrik Pedraja, Building Futures (Fiddlesticks) Scholarship

Preston Grinder, Building Futures (Fiddlesticks) Scholarship

Koltan Bauer, Building Futures (Fiddlesticks) Scholarship

Ny’teria Grant, Edna and Felix Swain Scholarship

Maxine Martin, Edna and Felix Swain Scholarship

Shriell Warren, Edna and Felix Swain Scholarship

Olivia Zeltman, Mrs. Cathy Riedel Scholarship

Annabelle Mahrhoff, USMC Cpl Thomas J. Jardas Scholarship

Rubi Garcia, Frances H. Waldron Scholarship

Corris McIntosh III, Quality Life Center/Emma Lee Thomas Memorial Scholarship

Justin Christensen, Sanibel Community Church Scholarship

Jianna Senkeleski, Sanibel Community Church Scholarship

Blake Dellenback, Sanibel Community Church Scholarship

Lora (Ruth) Rendall, Sanibel Community Church Scholarship

Jadyn Wilson, Charles and Margaret Foster Scholarship

Emily Samlall, Gail Markham Believing in Girls Scholarship

Ariana Gutierrez, Cyan’s Bright Light Scholarship

Kaia Miller, Judith Ann Zimomra Scholarship

Kaylee Kwek, Judith Ann Zimomra Scholarship

Kylie Sutton, Judith Ann Zimomra Scholarship

Alyssa McHale, Jane Cavanna Bleakly Scholarship

Justin Breitenstein, LEAD Estero Scholarship

Nathalie Rodriguez, LEAD Estero 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 collaboratory.org.

Source: Collaboratory