The cost of a college education is getting more expensive by the day. Scholarship funding can be a big help.

The North Fort Myers Civic Association, during its monthly meeting at the North Fort Myers Recreation Center last Tuesday, awarded four students with $1,000 scholarships to help put a dent in those costs.

This year’s recipients of the NFMCA Scholarship Program are Faith Henry, Nedra Ritch, Trissa Babcock and Brooklyn Davis.

Henry, a North Fort Myers High School graduate, plans to attend Florida SouthWestern College to pursue a nursing degree and become a nurse practitioner.

Henry said she was encouraged by her guidance counselor to apply after applying for other grants, which she did not get.

“I thought I didn’t get the scholarship, but then I got the call and I was overjoyed and tearing up. I also got the Pay It Forward scholarship which was also a surprise,” Henry said. “It showed me to never give up.”

Ritch graduated from Mariner High School and plans to attend the University of Central Florida and major in kinesiology and pursue a career in physical therapy.

Ritch was already at school and was unable to attend the program.

Babcock graduated from Bishop Verot High School and plans to attend Cumberland University in Tennessee to pursue nursing and be a member of the school’s cheerleading team.

Davis graduated from Riverdale High School and plans to attend school to achieve a cosmetology license. Davis is the first recipient of the NFMCA scholarship for workforce training.

Davis said she was happy to get the award as it will help her jump start her career that she decided on as a senior.

“I’ve always been curious about hair and how to keep it healthy. It caught my interest and I want to help others feel better about themselves,” Davis said. “I’m thankful the community is doing this to help others.”

Christy Lee Iwanow, NFMCA vice president and chairperson for the scholarship program, said the organization saw a need to offer scholarships to those who may not want to go to a four-year university and enter the workforce faster.

“Some students have already made up their minds and know the career path they want. Allowing them to stay local was part of the original scholarship idea,” Iwanow said. “It incentivizes their return to the community and it’s everything we stand for.”

The North Fort Myers Civic Association Scholarship Program is dedicated to the memory of Mark Lipton who presented the idea to financially help students within North Fort Myers to go to college or trade schools and, if possible, to incentivize their return to the local community.

Lipton died in 2018 of a sudden illness and was not able to see his vision come to fruition. In 2021, the Civic Association awarded its first scholarships and has now awarded 12 in total.

Applicants must live in the North Fort Myers area. They do not need to attend North Fort Myers High School. Grades are important but involvement in the community and extracurricular activities are taken into account as well.

Ultimately, the program is designed to give back to the area’s best students in hopes they give back in return when they get older.

“We are the voice of the community and work for the betterment of our community. It’s important for our money to stay local and recognize the students,” Iwanow said.