A North Fort Myers High School student is one of four Lee County seniors who has earned the Carson Scholar distinction eight consecutive times.<\/p>\n
\u201cDr. Carson\u2019s love for learning and emphasis in community involvement has\u00a0inspired 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,\u201d honoree Reagan Wood said. \u201cBut more importantly, being an eight-time Carson Scholar has been an accomplishment that I am proud of and has helped shape my academic career.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There were an additional 92 Lee County students who earned recognition as scholars who have maintained the honor.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
To date there have been 687 scholarships awarded to students within Lee County.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Wood said she first learned about the Carson Scholars when she was in 5th grade at Tropic Isles Elementary School.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The first year she filled out an application and wrote an essay. She has applied to be recognized as Carson Scholar each year since.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Wood will attend Cornell University in the fall to study biological engineering.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope to pursue a career in research and help solve some of our world\u2019s problems. The scholarship money will be applied to my college expenses,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The 2026 Carson Scholars, and their families, will celebrate at the Lee County Awards Banquet Sunday, April 19, at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center.<\/p>\n
The first-time West Zone recipients include: \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jaelyn Cummings, 5th\u00a0grade, Pelican Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Callie Hamstra, 5th\u00a0grade, Diplomat Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ella Harper, 5th\u00a0grade, Gulf Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Franklin Ruiz, 5th\u00a0grade, Pine Island Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Cadence Simonian, 5th\u00a0grade, Skyline Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Cody Zebley, 5th\u00a0grade, Oasis Elementary School South<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jezaria Earsley, 8th\u00a0grade, Diplomat Middle School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Isabell Schade, 8th\u00a0grade, Oasis Middle School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Emily Skocik, 8th\u00a0grade, North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ethan Buller, 11th\u00a0grade, North Fort Myers High School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ivelysse Santiago, 11th\u00a0grade, Mariner High School<\/p>\n
The remaining first-time recipients include:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Rian Peguero, 4th\u00a0grade, Veterans Park Academy for the Arts<\/p>\n
\u2022 Zoe Arguelles Almeida, 4th\u00a0grade, Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Littleton Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Mia Acevedo Colon, 5th\u00a0grade, Lehigh Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Dominick Beyers, 5th\u00a0grade, Sunshine Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Rose Boogaard, 5th\u00a0grade, River Hall Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ryan Bowers, 5th\u00a0grade, Gateway Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Aerin Bragg, 5th\u00a0grade, Tanglewood Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Alessandra Clare, 5th\u00a0grade, Colonial Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Adalyn Contos, 5th\u00a0grade, The Alva School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Neha Gelli, 5th\u00a0grade, Heights Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Julianna Karrels, 5th\u00a0grade, Mirror Lakes Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Caroline Kaye, 5th\u00a0grade, Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Violet Kennedy, 5th\u00a0grade, Orange River Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Bryce Kowalski, 5th\u00a0grade, Rayma C. Page Elementary School\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2022 Valeria Leon Reyes, 5th\u00a0grade, San Carlos Park Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Bella Mantilla, 5th\u00a0grade, Tropic Isles Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ellie Ortiz Zabolotnyj, 5th\u00a0grade, Spring Creek Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Mason Sammet, 5th\u00a0grade, Villas Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Theia Suriyasena, 5th\u00a0grade, Orangewood Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Anna Kovarik, 6th\u00a0grade, The Sanibel School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Yesid Murillo, 8th\u00a0grade, Bonita Springs Middle Center for the Arts<\/p>\n
\u2022 Isabella Martinez, 11th\u00a0grade, Bonita Springs High School<\/p>\n