Mays earns degree at Sam Houston State University

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – The following area students received degrees during the 2022 Fall Semester at Sam Houston State University:

• Jailyn Mays of Cape Coral, bachelor of science, integrated studies.

For more about Sam Houston State, visit https://www.shsu.edu.

Florida Supervisors of Elections announce scholarship opportunity

Tommy Doyle, Lee County Supervisor of Elections, is currently accepting applications for the 2023 Florida Supervisors of Elections Scholarship. The FSE, a statewide professional organization, comprised of county supervisors of elections, is awarding four $1,200 scholarships to Florida undergraduate students.

Applicants must be registered Florida voters, live in the state for at least the preceding two years, and be enrolled or accepted as a full-time student in a Florida university or college. Applicants must be either a Political Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or Journalism/Mass Communication major. Additionally, students must have at least a “C” average or above for the previous year, have finished two years of junior college or undergraduate work, and demonstrate a financial need.

The deadline to submit completed applications for a scholarship is March 10, 2023. Applications are available online at https://www.lee.vote/Community-Education-Services/FSE-Scholarship. Students can submit applications via e-mail, mail, or in person. For contact information, visit https://lee.electionsfl.org/Contact-Us.

Applications must be submitted to the elections office of the county in which the applicant is registered to vote. Each county will select one finalist to send to the FSE Scholarship Committee for consideration. The Committee will select four winners from the finalists submitted.

For additional information, please visit www.lee.vote or call 239-533-8683 (LEE-VOTE).

Edison Park volunteer honored as Florida Commissioner of Education’s Outstanding School Volunteer

The School District of Lee County has announced that Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School volunteer Sherri Sammons is the Florida Education Commissioner’s 2022 Outstanding School Volunteer. Sammons helps students with their math and reading skills five hours a day, five days a week, in Maria Rose’s first grade class.

“I was shocked, overjoyed and excited to be recognized for volunteering at Edison Park,” said Sherri Sammons. “The hugs and smiles from the kids energize me and keep me coming back each day. I really had no idea that I was making such a difference in their education until I witnessed their success with reading and math with my own eyes.”

Sammons started volunteering two had a half years ago by hosting zoom sessions three times a day. The class average percentile rank in STAR Reading increased from 69% to 85% during the first semester. Now able to volunteer on campus, she is known as Miss Sherri, and holds small group or individual work sessions with students.

The goal of the Commissioner’s Recognition Awards is to recognize Florida school districts and business partners who have shown an endless amount of commitment to students by bringing positive change and implementing bold, innovative approaches to improve the academic performance of students in Florida’s education system and communities. This program serves to highlight educational connections that forge strong community and family involvement in Florida school districts and promote student success.

An official recognition by the School Board for Sammons Outstanding School Volunteer award is being planned for an upcoming meeting.

The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools holds Classroom & School Grants Awards Ceremony

The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools held its annual Classroom & School Grants Ceremony on Monday, Dec. 5, at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. Educators, administrators, The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools’ Executive Board members, Selection Committee members and sponsors gathered to recognize the recipients for their innovative and creative grant projects that will enhance student learning. Over $74,000 has been awarded totaling 41 grant projects funded to educators, schools, and administrators throughout the School District of Lee County.

The Classroom & School Grants program supports teachers and students by funding tools and resources that are normally not included in their budget but are necessary for creating unique learning experiences. Teachers submit a grant application to The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools for innovative projects that enhance student learning through hands-on activities and unique perspectives on traditional subject areas. Classroom Grant categories include Arts, Health Fitness & Nutrition, Literacy and Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM). 

“This program helps educate and guide students to reach their full potential which, in turn, creates a strong, capable workforce in our community,” says Marshall T. Bower, president and CEO of The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. “Providing a high-quality education ensures the success of our greatest asset, our children.”

The funding for this program would not be possible without the generous support of Gold Sponsor Suncoast Credit Union, along with several other financial contributors. The program is also sponsored in part by a major grant from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundation, which is made possible by the State of Florida.

The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc. is a private, 501(c)3 organization established in 1986. Its mission is to enhance and enrich the quality of public education in Lee County for students and educators through programs, resources and experiences made possible through corporate, individual and educational partnerships. Find us online at www.leeschoolfoundation.org, on Twitter @FoundationLCPS, and Facebook.