Babcock High School senior Cypress Cohen receives prestigious Cooke College Scholarship for academic achievement and leadership
Cypress Cohen, a student at Babcock High School, is one of only 60 high school seniors nationwide selected as an elite recipient of the highly competitive 2026 Cooke College Scholarship.
Currently ranked first in her class, Cohen is a member of Babcock High School’s third senior class, which graduates May 29.
She has earned the prestigious Cambridge AICE diploma and completed extensive dual enrollment coursework that places her on track to graduate with an associate of arts degree alongside her high school diploma.
“Cypress is a testament to what can happen when we allow students to lead. She lives the mission of our school and is in fact a world changer, locally and globally,” said Shannon Treece, executive director of Babcock Neighborhood Schools, offering in-town K-12 education. “Her drive, compassion, and commitment to others is inspiring and what is most encouraging is that she is just getting started. Cypress is a true trailblazer, leading and learning with every experience. We are proud of her and know that she will continue to change the world.”
Beyond her academic achievements, Cohen is the founder of The Drop Project, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to raising awareness about global water access and supporting clean water efforts in Mozambique. Through her leadership, she has developed educational curriculum, led school-wide initiatives such as Water Week and partnered with Water4Life Mozambique to support sustainable water solutions.
“I started The Drop Project to turn awareness into action,” said Cohen. “This scholarship gives me the opportunity to continue that work on a larger scale and pursue a future where I can serve both locally and globally.”
Cohen’s leadership extends across her school and community. She serves in leadership roles within student government, the National Honor Society and Interact Club. Cohen has contributed nearly 600 hours of community service, reflecting a deep commitment to service, advocacy and impact.
She plans to attend the University of Florida and major in political science and medicine with a minor in international relations.
Presented by the Jack Cooke Foundation and announced April 1, the Cooke College Scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated extraordinary academic achievement and leadership.
As a last-dollar award, it supplements all institutional aid by providing recipients with up to $55,000 per year to attend any accredited undergraduate institution. The scholarship is designed to ensure that exceptional students with financial need can pursue and complete their college education without the burden of excessive student debt.
The 2026 Cooke College Scholars represent students from across 31 states and the District of Columbia.
“As we continue our mission to support talented students with financial need, we are proud to recognize this year’s cohort of Cooke College scholars,” said Seppy Basili, chief executive officer of the foundation. “We are excited to celebrate them as they move forward in pursuing their educational and professional ambitions.”
In addition to financial support, Cooke College Scholars receive comprehensive advising and enrichment opportunities, including personalized academic guidance, career and graduate school planning, internship and study abroad opportunities as well as access to a national network of scholars and alumni. Scholars may also apply for additional funding to support graduate studies.
Founded in 2017 as a Charlotte County School District K-5 school, Babcock Schools has grown rapidly, adding middle school grades, opening the high school in 2022, and celebrating its inaugural senior graduation in 2024.
With a system-wide enrollment of 1,250 students, the school focuses on project-based learning using the town as a living lab. Students in all grades are presented with real-life challenges and work collaboratively to find solutions. Babcock High School’s enrollment has grown from 46 graduates in 2025 to 60 seniors this school year.