North Fort Myers High School graduating seniors Olivia King and Cayli Johnson each received a Lee County Public Schools Golden Futures Scholarship. They are pictured with Marshall T. Bower, president and CEO of The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. The\u00a0scholarship provides four-year financial assistance toward a bachelor\u2019s degree in education as well as a mentorship and ongoing support through the foundation\u2019s Academy of Teachers. PROVIDED<\/p>\n
Two students from North Fort Myers High School received a\u00a0Foundation for Lee County Public Schools\u2019\u00a0Golden\u00a0Futures\u00a0Scholarship.<\/p>\n
\u201cReceiving the\u00a0Golden\u00a0Futures\u00a0Scholarship\u00a0means a great deal to me,\u201d Cayli Johnson said. \u201cI am thrilled to pursue my degree in elementary education, so I am able to give back to the same community that poured into me as a child and student.\u201d<\/p>\n
The other recipient, Olivia King, will be attending Florida SouthWestern State College. Both are graduating seniors, who demonstrated a strong commitment to education.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth Cayli and Olivia represent the next generation of outstanding educators,\u201d said Marshall T. Bower, president & CEO of The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, in a prepared statement. \u201cThe Foundation\u2019s Golden Futures\u00a0Scholarship helps to promote and inspire our students to pursue the most important profession in any community, teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Golden\u00a0Futures\u00a0Scholarship\u00a0stemmed from the foundation\u2019s 2013\u00a0Golden\u00a0Apple recipients to support the next generation of Lee County educators. The\u00a0scholarship\u00a0provides four-year financial assistance toward a bachelor\u2019s degree in education as well as a mentorship and ongoing support through the foundation\u2019s Academy of Teachers.<\/p>\n
To qualify, students must attend a School District of Lee County public school, maintain a minimum of a 2.5 unweighted GPA, commit to becoming a\u00a0future\u00a0educator in Lee County, pursue an education degree at Florida SouthWestern State College or Florida Gulf Coast University, and agree to teach in the district for a minimum of four years following graduation.<\/p>\n
Johnson heard about the\u00a0scholarship\u00a0through her school\u2019s College and Career Specialist Andrew Pierre. She filled out the online application and was later chosen for an interview with the foundation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe\u00a0scholarship\u00a0will cover my full tuition, which gives me the opportunity to focus on my education, as well as supporting my career goals,\u201d Johnson said of attending FGCU in the fall. \u201cThe mentorship that comes along with it will allow me to gain more knowledge and experience of the education field, while giving me person insight on what kind of educator I hope to become.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said she had zero plans of becoming a teacher, as she wanted to pursue a career in criminology until her 5-year-old brother was nervous about starting at a new school.<\/p>\n
\u201cI offered to volunteer inside his kindergarten classroom to ease his nerves,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cThe heartwarming and welcoming class created by his teacher, Mrs. Peeling, inspired my passion for wanting to create a safe place for students. Volunteering changed my perspective on the education system and teaching as a whole. I am forever grateful for Mrs. Peeling and her kindergarten class for showing me kindness and\u00a0the true impacts of a loving environment.\u201d<\/p>\n