North Fort Myers High’s Wood named Carson Scholar for eighth time
A North Fort Myers High School student is one of four Lee County seniors who has earned the Carson Scholar distinction eight consecutive times.
“Dr. Carson’s love for learning and emphasis in community involvement has inspired me to pursue my passions of science while trying to make a difference in the world in whatever ways I can. Each year it encouraged me to keep reaching higher and working harder. I am truly honored to have been a Carson Scholar and have been influenced by these ideals,” honoree Reagan Wood said. “But more importantly, being an eight-time Carson Scholar has been an accomplishment that I am proud of and has helped shape my academic career.”
The other scholars for eight consecutive years include Mia Ottolini, a senior from Riverdale High School,; Catelyn Holcomb, a senior from Cypress Lake High School; and Kurukulasuriya Fernadno, a senior from Dunbar High School.
This year there were 33 students named as 2026 Carson Scholars in Lee County. Each earned a $1,000 college scholarship for the academic excellence and dedication to serving others.
There were an additional 92 Lee County students who earned recognition as scholars who have maintained the honor.
The 125 honorees are part of the largest class in the Carson Scholars Fund 30-year history. There were 706 new scholars and 994 recognized scholars named across the country.
To date there have been 687 scholarships awarded to students within Lee County.
To become a Carson Scholar, students in grades 4 through 11 must maintain a minimum 3.75 grade point average and go above and beyond service to their community. The students are nominated by educators.
Wood said she first learned about the Carson Scholars when she was in 5th grade at Tropic Isles Elementary School.
“I was nominated by my school to apply for the Carson Scholarship by submitting an essay. I was very honored to be awarded the scholarship and for the chance to attend a banquet and meet Dr. Ben and Candy Carson,” she said.
The first year she filled out an application and wrote an essay. She has applied to be recognized as Carson Scholar each year since.
“To be eligible, I have continued to earn a GPA of at least 3.75 and demonstrated continued commitment each year towards giving back to my community,” she said.
Wood will attend Cornell University in the fall to study biological engineering.
“I hope to pursue a career in research and help solve some of our world’s problems. The scholarship money will be applied to my college expenses,” she said.
The 2026 Carson Scholars, and their families, will celebrate at the Lee County Awards Banquet Sunday, April 19, at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center.
The first-time West Zone recipients include:
• Jaelyn Cummings, 5th grade, Pelican Elementary School
• Callie Hamstra, 5th grade, Diplomat Elementary School
• Ella Harper, 5th grade, Gulf Elementary School
• Franklin Ruiz, 5th grade, Pine Island Elementary School
• Cadence Simonian, 5th grade, Skyline Elementary School
• Cody Zebley, 5th grade, Oasis Elementary School South
• Jezaria Earsley, 8th grade, Diplomat Middle School
• Isabell Schade, 8th grade, Oasis Middle School
• Emily Skocik, 8th grade, North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts
• Ethan Buller, 11th grade, North Fort Myers High School
• Ivelysse Santiago, 11th grade, Mariner High School
The remaining first-time recipients include:
• Rian Peguero, 4th grade, Veterans Park Academy for the Arts
• Zoe Arguelles Almeida, 4th grade, Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Littleton Elementary School
• Mia Acevedo Colon, 5th grade, Lehigh Elementary School
• Dominick Beyers, 5th grade, Sunshine Elementary School
• Rose Boogaard, 5th grade, River Hall Elementary School
• Ryan Bowers, 5th grade, Gateway Elementary School
• Aerin Bragg, 5th grade, Tanglewood Elementary School
• Alessandra Clare, 5th grade, Colonial Elementary School
• Adalyn Contos, 5th grade, The Alva School
• Neha Gelli, 5th grade, Heights Elementary School
• Julianna Karrels, 5th grade, Mirror Lakes Elementary School
• Caroline Kaye, 5th grade, Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School
• Violet Kennedy, 5th grade, Orange River Elementary School
• Bryce Kowalski, 5th grade, Rayma C. Page Elementary School
• Valeria Leon Reyes, 5th grade, San Carlos Park Elementary School
• Bella Mantilla, 5th grade, Tropic Isles Elementary School
• Ellie Ortiz Zabolotnyj, 5th grade, Spring Creek Elementary School
• Mason Sammet, 5th grade, Villas Elementary School
• Theia Suriyasena, 5th grade, Orangewood Elementary School
• Anna Kovarik, 6th grade, The Sanibel School
• Yesid Murillo, 8th grade, Bonita Springs Middle Center for the Arts
• Isabella Martinez, 11th grade, Bonita Springs High School
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