Local Kiwanis Club gives kudos to NFM Academy for the Arts students, sets them on path to Regional event
Several area middle school students will now get invaluable training with actual college professors, out in the field doing research, a coup for their resumes in these competitive scholastic and economic times.
It’s a synergy effect sparked by the local North Fort Myers Kiwanis Club, said North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts Vice Principal Dr. Donna Schroll.
Five students have been awarded $500 grants each to work with Florida Gulf Coast University professors from a competition at the Thomas A. Edison Regional Invention Fair.
The first step was the school’s own invention/science competition, at which Kiwanis members were the judges.
The five top performers from the school that gained merit at the prestigious regional event were Kaelyn Howerton, Amber Gandy, Francesca Marcucci, Katherine Wilhelm and Megan Winfree. The top seven at the school with the Kiwanis awards also included Calvin Bernard and Joanna Tosegay.
At the school, the eighth grade winner was Joanna Tosegay, the seventh grade winner Amber Gandy and Kaelyn Howerton was the sixth grade winner.
Schroll noted how instrumental the local North Fort Myers Kiwanis Club has been through the years in supporting the academy’s science efforts.
The local Kiwanis group has come out year and again to judge the student work, she said.
“We then take those winners in every class to go to the regional event. The students study the science methodology and do a hands-on approach to a problem,” she said.
“The Kiwanis are an outstanding partnership with us in this community. They do so much for us but this is a highlight. We are very grateful for their support.”
Eugene Garwood is president of the North Fort Myers Kiwanis Club and has been involved in the organization for 16 years.
“I’m amazed at the progress since I started working on this in 1995, and it has now reached the point where we have about 19 judges and 200 exhibits at the school.”
He credited Dr. Charles Settle as a key Kiwanis member involved in their participation.
“He’s our coordinator and a retired college administrator,” Garwood said.
“It seems they get better each year,” said Dr. Settle. “The children (at North Fort Myers Academy) do fine work, more than fine, and it goes directly with the Kiwanis motto that says we are dedicated to improving the world one student and one community at a time.”
He said the type of science work the students are doing is important not only now, but will be important to them in the future.
“The applications they are doing, and the academics whether they decide to major in science or not are lifetime skills. They are learning so much – including decision making – which will be invaluable to whatever they do.”
Science Teacher Licet Gomez was commended by the group for the outstanding work at the school.
“It’s an indication of how well they are learning, and developing into young adults,” Schroll said.
In addition, Vince Marcucci, store manager for the local ICAN Junction Home Improvement Thrift Store and Kiwanis spokesperson, announced an upcoming event.
“The seventh annual North Fort Myers Academy Arts Foundation auction will be held Saturday, March 20, at 7 p.m. at the Italian American Club of Cape Coral,” he said.
It is located at 4725 Vincennes Blvd. in Cape Coral in Big John’s Plaza.
“Enjoy scrumptious appetizers, desserts and a beverage of your choice. Bid on many wonderful items and services donated by our generous area merchants.”
Funds from this event enhance the arts programs at the North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts, in such areas as costumes, sets, scripts, music, art supplies, scholarships and materials to supplement academic instruction at all levels.
“Join us for a Silent Auction, Treasure Chest Adventure, Chinese Auction and our main event a Live Auction featuring a ‘Local Celebrity’auctioneer,” he said.
Tickets are $20 per person, available at the school office. Call the school at 997 2131. Or you can go to iCAN Junction, which is located at 13971 North Cleveland Avenue, in the United Plaza. Their number is 997-4226.