Tickets still available for Mayor’s Scholarship Ball

Oct 3, 2025 By CJ HADDAD 5 min read

Tickets are still available for a major fundraising event to benefit the educational journey of Cape Coral students that takes place next weekend, with the public invited.

The 2025 Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship Ball hits The Westin Cape Coral Resort on Oct. 11 starting at 5 p.m.

The non-profit funds one-time and four-year recurring scholarships that have a real impact on the lives of Cape Coral students throughout their post-secondary education.

Board member of the Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship Fund, Joanne Hayden, said the organization created the ball three years ago as part of the organization’s 40th anniversary, with the hopes to give back more and more for local students.

“It’s held to raise additional funding for scholarships,” Hayden said in a previous interview. “It is one of our major fundraising events, and probably our highest-attended event. We’ve raised over $25,000 each event.”

Hayden added they are putting the “fun” in fundraising, as the event begins with a social hour and time to review silent auction items, such as a stay at The Westin. Dinner and dancing are also on the docket with a live band.

The theme this year is “Bridging Dreams and Opportunities.”

“It’s fun to kick this off (at the beginning of the school year) and let this be one of our first fundraisers that allows us to determine how many scholarships we’ll be able to fund,” Hayden said. “We get great support through sponsorships. It’s great to see how the community comes together and participates in the event and really has a good time.”

A former scholarship recipient, Makayla Ashley, will be a guest speaker to talk about her college experience and how the scholarship has helped her advance. Ashley attends Florida Gulf Coast University studying education, and was a graduate of North Fort Myers High School.

For 43 years, the volunteer, non-profit citizen’s action group has helped pave the way for local youth, some of whom have gone on to become doctors, nurses, engineers, psychologists, teachers, and difference makers.

Established in 1982, the Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship Fund has now awarded nearly $1 million in scholarships to more than 600 recipients. Each year, the fund awards 15 scholarships to 10 high school seniors from Cape Coral, two each from Cape Coral and Fort Myers technical colleges, and for Southwest Florida Public Service Academy. High school seniors receive a four-year, $4,000 scholarship, while the technical school and academy scholarship recipients receive a one-time $1,500 scholarship.

“It’s really satisfying (to see the impact these scholarships make) and nice to be part of a group that we’re an all-volunteer board,” Hayden said. “The efforts we put forth and the connections we have in the community — it’s nice to see the little bit that we do, how much it impacts the students and helps them. We get to hear that every time we present a scholarship. You feel like you’re really making a difference in their future. We’re excited for them.”

Scholarship applications will be available to submit in November, with an awards dinner in May to announce the winners. Applications are processed through Collaboratory and must meet their submission requirements.

Those who apply must be a high school senior heading to post secondary education the following school year, and a resident of Cape Coral, even if their school is not in the city.

Technical college and academy students are selected through their own scholarship award process.

Hayden said the board looks for: “Good academics, but also, community involvement. A lot of times some of the applicants share with us some of the challenges they’ve had to get them to the point where they are. There have been a few where it’s like, ‘Wow, these kids have really come through a lot and worked hard.’ It’s pretty amazing. We have some amazing students that have received scholarships. It’s pretty impressive and encouraging that young people who are raised and going to school in Cape Coral and Southwest Florida are going on to make such huge impacts.”

The Mayor’s Scholarship Fund all started in September of 1982, when a meeting was held for the express purpose of forming an organization to raise funds for scholarships to be awarded to deserving Cape Coral students. As a result, articles of incorporation were drawn for the Cape Coral Mayor’s Youth Fund. The first two scholarships of $125 each were awarded in 1983.

Hayden said it’s amazing to see where the fund has gone over 40-plus years, especially as they approach $1 million in provided scholarships.

“It’s pretty amazing that it’s something that started so long ago, and has had so many different people in Cape Coral involved in it, and it is still going strong,” she said. “It’s really helping a lot of kids go to school.

“It hopefully helps them reduce or eliminate school debt. It makes a difference. If we can raise more money, we can certainly do more. There’s a lot of deserving kids in our school system.”

Hayden said whether through attending an event or making a donation, the fund has low overhead costs so that as much money as possible is going right to the students.

“We’re all volunteers and don’t spend a lot of administrative money,” she said. “It’s a pretty lean budget, so your dollars really are going to help kids finish school.”

Tickets for individuals or tables of eight are available by visiting capecoralmayorscholarship.com.

To be a sponsor or donate items to the silent auction by sending an email to Hayden at: joanne@capecoralmayorscholarship.com.

The Westin Cape Coral Resort is at 5951 Silver King Blvd.

To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com