Guest Commentary | Congratulations to the Class of ‘26
As we round the corner toward the end of the school year, I want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the Class of 2026. Watching our seniors prepare to walk across the stage fills me with an enormous sense of pride, not just in what they have accomplished, but in who they have become. This class has worked hard, shown resilience, and risen to every challenge put in front of them. They deserve to be celebrated.
Last school year, the School District of Lee County achieved an overall graduation rate of 89.8%, a 4% increase from the prior year and nearly double the state’s 2.5% growth. Our 15 traditional high schools and Lee Virtual School reached an unprecedented 95.3% graduation rate. Those numbers represent real students whose futures are brighter because of the commitment they have made to their education and the community that supported them along the way.
This class is continuing that momentum. As of March, 11 of our 15 traditional high schools are projecting higher graduation rates than they were a year ago. We are not done yet, and I fully expect that number to keep climbing.
I am incredibly proud of this senior class! They are on track to earn more than 8,000 college credits through our dual enrollment programs at FGCU and FSW. For families whose children remain in Florida for college, that represents approximately $1.6 million in saved tuition. We offer that benefit completely free of charge, and no other local school system can say the same.
Our graduates are heading to some of the most prestigious institutions in the country. Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and MIT will welcome School District of Lee County students this fall. Others have accepted appointments to the nation’s military academies. Many will attend the University of Florida, ranked the fifth best public university in the nation by Forbes. Whatever path that our seniors choose, I have no doubt they will be incredibly successful.
I am so proud of every single one of our graduates, including the students heading to a university, a technical college, the military, or into the workforce. I am proud of every student who balanced a job and school, every student who supported a family member while still finding a way to graduate, and every student who struggled and persevered. Our graduates deserve this moment, and I hope they know how much we are all cheering for them.
This year, 15 of our graduates will be honored as valedictorians across our schools. Eight of these scholars earned straight As throughout their high school career, with weighted GPAs ranging from 5.2 to 6.73. They are heading to universities across the state and country to pursue careers in medicine, engineering, nursing, and beyond. Some will graduate this spring, not only with a diploma, but with an Associates Degree already in hand. Several students have been recognized nationally through programs like the National Merit Scholarship Program, College Board National Recognition Awards, and International Baccalaureate and Cambridge diplomas.
Please join me in congratulating our Class of 2026 Valedictorians!
• Alena Augustine, Bonita Springs High School | GPA: 5.76
• Janelle Bombino, Cape Coral High School | GPA: 6.08
• Saylor Davis, South Fort Myers High School | GPA: 5.6
• Jennifer Dong, Fort Myers High School | 6.73
• Nishini Fernando, Dunbar High School | GPA: 6.68
• Gioshanti Feneus, Mariner High School | GPA: 5.44
• Gavin Griffith, Gateway High School | GPA: 5.82
• Catelyn Holcomb, Cypress Lake High School and Center for the Arts | GPA: 5.68
• Evan Mintz, Riverdale High School | GPA: 5.64
• Alyssa Torres Montesino, Lehigh Senior High School | GPA: 5.74
• Elis Rodriguez, East Lee County High School | GPA: 5.65
• Ryder Seluk, Estero High School | GPA: 5.5
• Shivam Soni, Ida Baker High School | GPA: 5.46
• Justin Wang, North Fort Myers High School | GPA: 6.06
• Genesis Zapata Vasquez, Island Coast High School | GPA: 5.4
To the Class of 2026: You have made your school district family proud. Our community has been in your corner since day one, and we will continue to cheer for you long after you leave our schools. The future is bright because you are in it.
Thank you to every family and community member who has invested in our students. Their accomplishments are a reflection of our community who believes in our children. We are grateful for your continued support.
Dr. Denise Carlin is the superintendent of schools of the School District of Lee County.