Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship awards: Four North students among those recognized
It may have been the Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship Fund, but that didn’t stop four North Fort Myers High School seniors from getting their share of 26 scholarships.
They were recognized for their hard work Thursday at the 33rd annual Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship Fund awards banquet. Each received $1,500 scholarships based on their GPA, test scores, interviews and community service.
Tyler Gonzalez, Savannah Liebegott, Rosa Saldana and David Siwarski was in the North contingent, the largest group of students from a non Cape Coral based school.
Siwarski, a member of the National Honor Society and an Eagle Scout, plans to attend the University of Florida where he will major in Pre-Med and eventually go to medical school and then into residency.
“I’m really honored to be awarded this scholarship. Being able to have assistance for college is something I really appreciate it,” Siwarski said.
Liebegott, who will graduate with an associates degree from Florida Southwestern State College this month, will attend the University of Central Florida and major in business management.
“It makes me feel as if my efforts toward the city are being given back in an award that will help me further my education,” Liebegott said, who has two parents who work for the city of Cape Coral. “Cape Coral is like a big family and it’s nice to be recognized.”
Rosa Saldana, who is ranked No. 1 out of 411 seniors, has done just about everything a student can do, from sports to academics. She will attend the University of Florida and major in biology.
“This will help me pursue my bioengineering and my career. I was a little surprised because I didn’t know how my interview went,” Saldana said.
North principal Matt Mederios was quick to heap praise on Saldana, who may have the highest GPA in Lee County.
“She is extremely motivated. She goes above and beyond, takes more than a full load of classes, she takes them online and at university,” Mederios said. “She’s a brilliant student.”
Gonzalez has made winning scholarships old hat, as this is the third he has won. He has tutored in math, volunteered at local elementary schools and assisted professors at FGCU. He will attend Purdue University and major in electrical and mechanical engineering.
“I was happy with not only the number of scholarship sponsors, but their diversity. From the Sheriff’s Department to Kiwanis, all the different fields these people came to support us,” Gonzalez said.
Mederios believed all the students represented the very best Cape Coral had to offer and that the sponsors recognition of that is very special.
“These kids here are representative of the Cape Coral scholarship and what it’d all about. We’re thankful to the sponsors for providing these students an opportunity to further their education,” Mederios said.