Students, teachers honored at 30th annual Excellence in Education Awards dinner
It was a night of recognition in the field of education Monday night at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater in Fort Myers, as more than 60 teachers and students were highlighted for their outstanding accomplishments in the classroom.
The 30th annual Excellence in Education Awards, held by the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee and sponsored by the Breeze Newspapers, made for a night of smiles and helped further the scholastic ventures of high school seniors as they embark on their next journey.
Students and educators from the elementary, middle, high school and college level were honored, the majority from the West Zone of the School District of Lee County, which includes Cape Coral and North Fort Myers.
Ray Eckenrode, publisher of the Breeze Newspapers, kicked things off by thanking everyone for coming out to such a wonderful night of recognition for the community’s brightest young minds.
“As we emerge from the tumult and trauma of the past few years into a world that needs fresh vision and new leaders more than ever, we want to recognize all the teachers, administrators and education professionals who play such a vital role in the process of helping you people grow into those roles,” Eckenrode said.
This year’s keynote speaker was first grade teacher at Edison Park Elementary and 2018 Golden Apple recipient Maria Rose.
Rose talked of the unprecedented state of the classroom during the COVID-19 pandemic, going from face-to-face to screen-to-screen.
“We all know that these past two years have proven to be the biggest challenge for us,” she said. “Taking teaching and learning, and turning it on its head at a moment’s notice, was something I am sure the community may not have thought we were ready for. What they didn’t realize was the diligence and determination of the teachers and students alike. Not once did we say, ‘No, we’re not willing to try that.’ I never thought in my 28 years as an educator that I would be teaching a first grader to read through a Zoom meeting on a computer.”
Rose and her colleagues had to get innovative when it came to how they would keep their students engaged and on the right path despite communication via a computer screen.
“The children jumped into online learning with both feet and as challenging as it was, they were able to continue learning even though they weren’t in the classroom. Was it ideal for any of us? Absolutely not. But we all rose to the occasion and did what was best for the kids. We never gave up. We went on teaching.”
She also talked about the role an educator can play in a student’s life, and how that impact can forever change their outlook on life. She talked about her student named Timothy who in recent months, broke down the reading barriers he had struggled with and now, all he wants to do is read. Rose also said there’s no greater feeling than seeing a student succeed, and having them remember the impact they made in the classroom.
“Teaching a child is no small task,” Rose said. “Their success in life literally depends on what we do in our classrooms every day. The magical thing is, we thrive on that pressure. It pushes us to be better, do more, (and) reach for the next goal.
“I teach my kids that if you are better today than you were yesterday, then you are moving in the right direction.”
Each student and educator recognized received a plaque to commemorate their outstanding efforts, with high school and college students each receiving $1,000 in scholarship money to go along with their hardware.
Cape Coral High School’s Ella Johnsen was among those recognized for her achievements.
Johnsen has a long list of accomplishments, including being president of the school’s Model United Nations, a member of varsity cheerleading, part of the National Honor Society and Hispanic Honor Society, and more.
“It’s really great,” Johnsen said of being honored. “I feel like all of my hard work has really paid off and it feels really awesome to get recognition for it.”
Johnsen will attend the University of Texas at Austin next year as a government major and she plans on attending law school after completing her undergraduate degree.
“I want to be a lawyer,” Johnsen said. “I’m excited for college but of course that comes with expenses. I’m just honored that all of the work I put in is going to pay off in a physical way.
Alan Gurgal was the educator recognized from Cape Coral High School. He teaches math and physics, and serves in a number of roles in the areas of curriculum, mentoring and sports.
“I just appreciate the honor,” Gurgal said. “The hard work we put on throughout the year pays off.”
Ida Baker’s Laurie Mansfield, the college and career specialist for the school, was honored on behalf of the high school. She has been in the education realm for 35 years and has taught at numerous levels.
“It’s an absolute delight an honor when your colleagues think so highly of you that they want to nominate you for such a thing,” Mansfield said. “My goal as an educator is to have my students meet their goals. If I can help them take that next step and help them solve their problems and reach for the stars, then I’ve met my goal.”
Ida Baker senior Courtney Dingerson was chosen to represent her high school, and has plans to attend the University of Florida as a biology major.
Dingerson is the captain of the girls varsity tennis team, president of the National Honor Society, Key Club member and a 10-year Girl Scout.
“It means a lot to me,” Dingerson said of the honor. “I’ve worked so hard these past four years and I’m so happy to be here.
“The scholarship money will help so much and I can’t wait to start my journey in college.”
A special scholarship was presented to a Junior Leadership student in the name of Cindy Gallagher, who passed away from cancer in 2018.
North Fort Myers High School student Brooke Williamson was awarded the scholarship after taking part in a condensed version of the program due to pandemic restrictions.
“I just think it’s a really amazing honor, not only to be chosen for the scholarship, but being able to be part of the Junior Leadership program,” Williamson said.
“We were able to create some strong relationships with each other really fast. I was able to make connections with people in the group and community that I know I can take into the rest of my life, and I think that’s really exciting.”
Williamson will attend the University of Florida next year pursuing a degree in medicine.
“In my family, we have four children, and we’re all trying to go through college at the same time, so this scholarship will really help my parents out,” she said.
The full list of honorees include (student followed by teacher):
Caloosa Elementary School: Briseis Luma and Katiuska Oliva Cabrera
Cape Elementary School: Nevaeh Turner and Katherine Enright
Diplomat Elementary School: Dawson Sovich and Melissa Gilbert
Gulf Elementary School: Giselle Vandeventer and Julie Fulton
Hancock Creek Elementary School: Christian Ryals and Vanessa Rice
Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary School: Samuel Rautier and Ingrid Mugica
Oasis Charter Elementary North: Ariella Suarez and Dena Kowalski
Oasis Charter Elementary South: Allison Tarabokija and Susan Sowinski
Patriot Elementary School: Matthew Bustos and Dorothy Yorty
Pelican Elementary School: Lilly Nguyen and Courtney Wallace
Pine Island Elementary School: Jasmin Diaz Virbes and Cathy Frahm
Skyline Elementary School: Zoey Martel-Jones and Jennifer Hall
Trafalgar Elementary School: Luke Campion and Crystal Engelhart
Caloosa Middle School: Gianna Goodwin and Anthony and Suzanne Tocci
Challenger Middle School: Reily Rountree and Todd Maurer
Christian Life Academy: George Noyes and Krystal Yetman
Diplomat Middle School: Dylan Rivera and Diane Ford
Gulf Middle School: Emma Atkinson and Susan Gower
Mariner Middle School: Ambrielle Calixte and Darren Nolff
Mid Cape Global Academy: Johnie Anne Chery and Heather Lodovico
North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts: Isabella Hull and Bobbi Jo Thomas
Oasis Middle School: Zachary Louzao and April Gibson
Saint Andrew Catholic School: Siddalee Rustic and Cristi Haytac
Trafalgar Middle School: Emma Kronenberger and Kathy Cook
Cape Coral High School: Ella Johnsen and Alan Gurgal
Ida Baker High School: Courtney Dingerson and Laurie Mansfield
Island Coast High School: David Merveilleux and Francy Johnson
Mariner High School: Caden Jakacki and Alison Braun
North Nicholas High School: Zoe Isaacs and Christopher Diaz
North Fort Myers High School: Ellen “Marza” Hiatt and Desiree Castillo
Oasis High School: Viktoria Fahnemann and Erin Casale
Cape Coral Technical College: Varinia Garcia Rivera and Lisa de Freitas
Ida S. Baker High School: Kylie Burkhamer, $2,000 Scholarship recipient
North Fort Myers High School: Brooke Williamson, $1,000 Scholarship recipient
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com