Zeal Institute holds graduation . . . Finally
It’s a bit amazing Zeal Technical Institute is even still around after it was destroyed by Hurricane Ian last year.
But after moving to a new location, the only private, post-graduate school in North Fort Myers, has made the journey back.
On Friday, the school which offers courses in the medical field, did something it hadn’t done since June 2022 — held a graduation.
Nearly 60 students graduated at Hallelujah Community Church in Fort Myers.
Those who graduated just after Ian were also invited. Many have already moved on and did not attend, but some did.
Linda DeNoto, of Fort Myers, finished her classes in January as a patient care technician, but came because it was significant.
“It was important to complete it and Zeal is a great school and this is a milestone,” DeNoto said, who got a job right after finishing her coursework. “You can get a lot of licensing, individual attention because the teachers are wonderful. Because it’s a smaller school. It’s about education.”
Tarina Robinson of Cape Coral said she wanted to try something new after her friends entered the field. She studied phlebotomy.
“It was something I wanted to try. I’ve been a staff coordinator and worked with the mentally challenged and didn’t think that would work down here,” said Robinson, who finished in May and was attending her first graduation. “I was looking for hospitals but decided to try the outpatient clinics with Lee Health.”
Tyler Sands, of Cape Coral and one of the few males graduating as a medical assistant, said he wants this to be a stepping stone for something even better down the line.
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but it’s a stepping stone in that direction,” said Sands, who finished his classes on Thursday. “Zeal got me my classes and certification. It has some good teachers who were kind and patient with the students.”
Zeal Institute was located on Bayline Drive in North Fort Myers, until Ian hit. The school found its new North Fort Myers location at 3434 Hancock Bridge Parkway, where it will be for the foreseeable future as it has built a home there, increasing its footprint.
Sylvia Dorisme, who founded Zeal Institute in 2009, said there are many jobs available in health care and many people coming out of high school who are starting to examine those fields for many reasons.
“Our population has increased 25 percent in the last few years, so we want to encourage young people coming out of high school who aren’t sure of what they want to do,” Dorisme said. “College isn’t for everyone. And trade education is so important for our economy and community.”
Zeal’s classes are going on year round, so there is no deadline in which to apply.
For more information on Zeal Technical Institute, visit zealtechnicalinstitute.com.