Lely and Marco Island Academy Students Shine at Woman's Club Scholarship Luncheon

It’s hard to say who was more impressive at the Marco Island Woman’s Club Scholarship Luncheon, the nine scholarship recipients (the tenth was busy taking a test), or the well-oiled machine that is the Woman’s Club. In any case, it’s safe to say the Woman’s Club staged a wonderful event and the guests of honor, top students from Lely High School and Marco Island Academy, gave the Marco Island community a lot to be proud of Wednesday, May 4, at the Marco Island Yacht Club.

Since 1989 the Woman’s Club has awarded $640,000 in scholarships to over 200 Marco Island students. At Wednesday’ event, an impressive $41,000 in scholarships were awarded to deserving students.

The top scholarship was awarded to MIA’s Phoenix Gutierrez, who won the Verne Cabooris scholarship - $4,000 a year for four years. Gutierrez will be attending the University of Florida. Abigail Gallup and Skye LaButte, also MIA students who will be attending UF, each earned $3,000 scholarships from the club.

MIA’s Colin Donegan, who was unable to attend, was awarded a $3,000 scholarship. Donegan will be attending West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Kenneth Kakaty of MIA received a $4,000 scholarship. He’ll be continuing his studies at Belmont University in Nashville.

Lely’s Madison Richardson-Canady will use her $4,000 scholarship to further her education at Florida State University. Fellow LHS senior Mila Swiacki receives a $3,000 scholarship. Mila will be studying and playing lacrosse at St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana.

Camryn Rose of MIA received a $3,000 scholarship. Rose will be attending Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. MIA’s Rachel Weiner received a $2,000 scholarship to help with her education at Florida Southern College. Nick Vergo, also of MIA, will use his $2,000 at the University of Central Florida.

The students, though appearing a bit nervous, delivered sincere, emotional speeches from well-worn sheets of paper, many with editing marks. Several students breathed sighs of relief as they left the podium. Undoubtedly many audience members found themselves tearing up as students shared some of the struggles they have endured in their young lives.

The Woman’s Club introduced five new officers: Barbara Malta, President, Carol Hobday, Recording Secretary, Elisabeth Rechtin, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Leesa Carls, and Assistant Treasurer, Sue Niebling.