{"id":264042,"date":"2026-05-08T22:30:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T22:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/264042\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T22:30:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T22:30:08","slug":"meet-the-excellence-in-education-honorees-cape-chamber-recognizes-teachers-presents-scholarships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/264042\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Excellence in Education honorees | Cape Chamber recognizes teachers & students; presents scholarships"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The $1,000 Cynthia Gallagher Memorial Junior Leadership Scholarship was awarded to Samuel Dugarte, a 2025 graduate of the Junior Leadership Cape Coral Program. ERIC GUNDERSEN\/PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF CAPE CORAL<\/p>\n

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Eric Feichthaler holds up the check for one of the $1,000 scholarships awarded Monday night as part of the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral\u2019s 34th annual Excellence in Education program. ERIC GUNDERSEN\/PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF CAPE CORAL<\/p>\n

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ERIC GUNDERSEN\/PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF CAPE CORAL<\/p>\n

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ERIC GUNDERSEN\/PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF CAPE CORAL<\/p>\n

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Students and educators were celebrated at the 34th\u00a0Annual Excellence in Education Awards this week.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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,\u201d Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral president and CEO Donna Germain said. \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

The event was held on May 4 at Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. The theme was Star Wars and the keynote speaker was Caleb Wesco.<\/p>\n

\u201cStudents recognized as Students of Excellence are selected by their individual school administration and teachers based on leadership, academic achievement, character, and community involvement,\u201d Germain said. \u201cEducators and school staff honorees are also selected internally by their schools for their dedication and impact on students and the school community.\u201d<\/p>\n

The scholarship recipients are chosen separately through an application and review process, which is conducted by the Chamber\u2019s Education Committee.<\/p>\n

The seniors who were recognized as a Student of Excellence received a $500 scholarship.<\/p>\n

The event also awarded nine $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors selected by the Chamber\u2019s Education Committee through the scholarship application process. <\/p>\n

Those students include Claire Johnson, Emily Feichthaler, Nonkulee Rousseau, Caleb Rovira, Shamali Jaywant, Chloe Dean, Samantha Curls, Aynet Fernandez and Meyer Erickson.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Excellence in Education Awards are one of the Chamber\u2019s 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

High School<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Cape Coral High School: student Janelle Bombino and educator Vanessa Soto<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Ida S Baker High School: student Eric Bahamonde and educator Katarzyna Lapinska Jablonski<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Island Coast High School: student Lioren Capote Gonzalez and educator Frank Simms<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Mariner High School: student Yenisleidy Diaz and educator Meghan Barbour<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 North Fort Myers High School: student Dylan Rivera, educator Andrew Pierre<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 North Nicholas High School: student Veronica Bujones-Barrero and educator Natalie Wood<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Oasis High School: student Lexie Skorzak and educator Kelly Buck<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Cape Coral Technical College: student Stephen Blikstad and educator Dorine Walker<\/p>\n

Middle School<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Caloosa Middle School: student Ally Bala and educator Sean Cox<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Challenger Middle School: student Joshua Onix Morales Cruz and educator Barbara Cifuentes<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Christian Life Academy: student Keanu Johansen<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Diplomat Middle School: student Eliza Odom and educator Jared Tetreault<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Gulf Middle School: student Addison Bartomeo and educator Kely Ratcliff<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Heritage Charter Academy: student Franco Antonio Martinez De Andino and educator Stacey Anderson<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Mariner Middle School: student Vincent Rice and educator Christine Boss<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Oasis Middle School: student Arthur Bastos Dickson and educator Veronica Tarabokija<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 St. Andrews Catholic School: student Linnea Kerr<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Thrive Academy: student Jonathan Dick and educator Brittany Faust<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Trafalgar Middle School: student Sofia Damisch and educator Jean Lackey<\/p>\n

Elementary School<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Caloosa Elementary School: student Ryan Valdes and educator Elvira Padron<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Cape Elementary School: student Noah Unger and educator Corey Johnson<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Christian Life Academy: student Haven Hendershot and educator Theresa Sandahl<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Diplomat Elementary School: student Avery McKenna Knipp and educator Joanna Sausa<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Gulf Elementary School: student Sophie Manrique and educator Kathie Samman<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Hancock Creek Elementary: student Sebastian Rodriquez and educator Nicole Mitchell<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Hector Cafferata Jr. Elementary School: student Alini Perez and educator Lee Castro Rodriquez<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Heritage Charter Academy: student Dwing Steward Herrera Dales<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 J. Colin English Elementary School: student Yenderly Arias Hernandez and educator Katrina Pickett-Rust<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Littleton Elementary School: student Damien Simbania and educator Mandy Leidig<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Mid Cape Global Academy: student Kevin Criado and educator Scot Betty<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Oasis Charter Elementary North: student Alyssa Menendez and educator Lisa Bologna<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Oasis Charter Elementary South: student Raegan Brown and educator Samantha Wilson<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Patriot Elementary School: student Vanessa Lorenzini and educator Katie Markovich<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Pelican Elementary School: student Karlie Schwandner and educator Johnna Gascon<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Pine Island Elementary School: student Kimberly Martinez Gutierrez and educator Libby Catto<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Skyline Elementary School: Gioia Valentina Tundo and educator Amy Walker<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 St. Andrews Catholic School: student Carter Willoughby and educator Tonya Peters<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Thrive Academy: student Jayden Edghill Campos<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Trafalgar Elementary School: student Brooklyn Betz and educator Angelica Santiago<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Tropic Isles Elementary School: student Joselyne Ochoa Sanchez and educator Carly Burch<\/p>\n

\u00a0The sponsors include The Breeze Newspapers, Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral, Guardian Angles for Special Populations, LCEC, SuEllen\u2019s 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\u2019s 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 \u2013 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\u00a0Pacheco.<\/p>\n

Breeze Newspapers Advertising Manager Laurie Ragle said The Breeze was proud to again be the title sponsor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Breeze understands that education is a collaborative effort between students, educators, parents and the community and we\u2019re proud to be part of this community and do our part to recognize local educational efforts through the Excellence in Education program,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n


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