Meet the Excellence in Education honorees | Cape Chamber recognizes teachers & students; presents scholarships
Students and educators were celebrated at the 34th Annual Excellence in Education Awards this week.
“The Excellence in Education Awards were created to recognize and celebrate the outstanding students, teachers, administrators, and support staff who make a difference in education throughout Cape Coral,” Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral president and CEO Donna Germain said. “The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral believes strong schools create a strong community, and this program was established to honor those who go above and beyond in shaping future generations.”
The event was held on May 4 at Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. The theme was Star Wars and the keynote speaker was Caleb Wesco.
“Students recognized as Students of Excellence are selected by their individual school administration and teachers based on leadership, academic achievement, character, and community involvement,” Germain said. “Educators and school staff honorees are also selected internally by their schools for their dedication and impact on students and the school community.”
The scholarship recipients are chosen separately through an application and review process, which is conducted by the Chamber’s Education Committee.
The seniors who were recognized as a Student of Excellence received a $500 scholarship.
The event also awarded nine $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors selected by the Chamber’s Education Committee through the scholarship application process.
Those students include Claire Johnson, Emily Feichthaler, Nonkulee Rousseau, Caleb Rovira, Shamali Jaywant, Chloe Dean, Samantha Curls, Aynet Fernandez and Meyer Erickson.
Germain said a $1,000 Cynthia Gallagher Memorial Junior Leadership Scholarship was also awarded to a graduate of the Junior Leadership Cape Coral Program. That student is Samuel Dugarte, a 2025 graduate of the program.
“The Excellence in Education Awards are one of the Chamber’s most meaningful annual events because they allow the business community to directly support and celebrate education. The Chamber is proud to recognize the incredible work happening in local schools and to honor the students and educators who inspire excellence every day. Investing in education is investing in the future of Cape Coral,” she said.
High School
• Cape Coral High School: student Janelle Bombino and educator Vanessa Soto
• Ida S Baker High School: student Eric Bahamonde and educator Katarzyna Lapinska Jablonski
• Island Coast High School: student Lioren Capote Gonzalez and educator Frank Simms
• Mariner High School: student Yenisleidy Diaz and educator Meghan Barbour
• North Fort Myers High School: student Dylan Rivera, educator Andrew Pierre
• North Nicholas High School: student Veronica Bujones-Barrero and educator Natalie Wood
• Oasis High School: student Lexie Skorzak and educator Kelly Buck
• Cape Coral Technical College: student Stephen Blikstad and educator Dorine Walker
Middle School
• Caloosa Middle School: student Ally Bala and educator Sean Cox
• Challenger Middle School: student Joshua Onix Morales Cruz and educator Barbara Cifuentes
• Christian Life Academy: student Keanu Johansen
• Diplomat Middle School: student Eliza Odom and educator Jared Tetreault
• Gulf Middle School: student Addison Bartomeo and educator Kely Ratcliff
• Heritage Charter Academy: student Franco Antonio Martinez De Andino and educator Stacey Anderson
• Mariner Middle School: student Vincent Rice and educator Christine Boss
• Oasis Middle School: student Arthur Bastos Dickson and educator Veronica Tarabokija
• St. Andrews Catholic School: student Linnea Kerr
• Thrive Academy: student Jonathan Dick and educator Brittany Faust
• Trafalgar Middle School: student Sofia Damisch and educator Jean Lackey
Elementary School
• Caloosa Elementary School: student Ryan Valdes and educator Elvira Padron
• Cape Elementary School: student Noah Unger and educator Corey Johnson
• Christian Life Academy: student Haven Hendershot and educator Theresa Sandahl
• Diplomat Elementary School: student Avery McKenna Knipp and educator Joanna Sausa
• Gulf Elementary School: student Sophie Manrique and educator Kathie Samman
• Hancock Creek Elementary: student Sebastian Rodriquez and educator Nicole Mitchell
• Hector Cafferata Jr. Elementary School: student Alini Perez and educator Lee Castro Rodriquez
• Heritage Charter Academy: student Dwing Steward Herrera Dales
• J. Colin English Elementary School: student Yenderly Arias Hernandez and educator Katrina Pickett-Rust
• Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Littleton Elementary School: student Damien Simbania and educator Mandy Leidig
• Mid Cape Global Academy: student Kevin Criado and educator Scot Betty
• Oasis Charter Elementary North: student Alyssa Menendez and educator Lisa Bologna
• Oasis Charter Elementary South: student Raegan Brown and educator Samantha Wilson
• Patriot Elementary School: student Vanessa Lorenzini and educator Katie Markovich
• Pelican Elementary School: student Karlie Schwandner and educator Johnna Gascon
• Pine Island Elementary School: student Kimberly Martinez Gutierrez and educator Libby Catto
• Skyline Elementary School: Gioia Valentina Tundo and educator Amy Walker
• St. Andrews Catholic School: student Carter Willoughby and educator Tonya Peters
• Thrive Academy: student Jayden Edghill Campos
• Trafalgar Elementary School: student Brooklyn Betz and educator Angelica Santiago
• Tropic Isles Elementary School: student Joselyne Ochoa Sanchez and educator Carly Burch
The sponsors include The Breeze Newspapers, Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral, Guardian Angles for Special Populations, LCEC, SuEllen’s Floral Company, The Rotary Club of Cape Coral Foundation, Doug Lockhart Fund Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, Florida Blue, Harbour Shores Realty, Life Synergy Wellness, LMCU, Amoroso’s Handyman Services, Wintrust Banking Center Cape Coral, American Legion Post 90, Suncoast Credit Union, Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., Crown Trophy, Powers and Rogers, Rebecca Durling – Edward Jones, JNS Defense Logistics, Cape Coral Executive Performance Reset Partners, Liza King For Cape Coral City Council District 6, The Fort Myers Tip Off, Erica Braley Photography, and Judge Javier Pacheco.
Breeze Newspapers Advertising Manager Laurie Ragle said The Breeze was proud to again be the title sponsor.
“The Breeze understands that education is a collaborative effort between students, educators, parents and the community and we’re proud to be part of this community and do our part to recognize local educational efforts through the Excellence in Education program,” she said.