In recognition of their hard work and bright futures, the staff of the Pine Island Eagle is pleased to present the Pine Island graduating class of 2010.

Gail Dankenbring is a graduate of Mariner High School. While at Mariner she maintained a 3.6 GPA and served as a member on the Executive Council for three years. She also received the Adobe Photoshop certification. When not at school, Gail enjoys photography. She will attend Edison State College and her intended field of study will eventually qualify her to become a radiology technician.

Josh Cox, a recent graduate of Mariner High School, is an avid reader and also enjoys watching and drawing Anime. Currently he is a volunteer at Cape Coral Hospital in the Central Transport department. He will attend Summer Studio at the Art Institute of Tampa. This five-day workshop will concentrate on game Art and Design/Media Arts and Animation. After completing his studies at the Art Institute, Josh will be attending Southwest Florida College in Fort Myers to study computer animation/multimedia and digital design.

After moving to the island in 1998, Brandi Schulte attended Pine Island Elementary School and Gulf Middle School and recently graduated from Mariner High School. Brandi graduated with a 4.90 GPA and was very active in a variety of areas while attending Mariner. She was named student of the year in 2002 and best all around for the graduating class of 2002. Maintaining honor roll status, Brandi also received the principals award for academic excellence for 2006-07, highest GPA award in 2006, Superintendent award for grade point average merit 2008-09 and served as her class secretary in both her junior and senior years. In her free time, Brandi has served as a tutor for elementary school children, volunteered for March of Dimes, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Local Soup Kitchens, the Matlacha Hookers, Camp Leader at VBS and has logged more than 200 hours of community service. At school she was involved with student government, the National Honor Society, Key Club, Book Club, Environmental Club, Homecoming Committee, Prom Committee, Odyssey of the Mind and was a student at Pine Island Dance for 10 years. Brandi will attend the University of South Florida in August where she will minor in law and major in criminology. She hopes to one day work for the FBI as a criminal profiler.

Caleb Davis is a recent graduate of Ida S. Baker High School and also attended Edison College. A long-time island resident he attended Pine Island Elementary School and Gulf Middle School. Caleb has achieved two superior ratings for band competitions playing the trumpet and has participated in band for five years. Caleb graduated high school with a Summa Cum Laude status for a high GPA. He also has earned 18 college credits through dual enrollment at Edison and is a member of the National Honor Society. Active in sports, Caleb has earned varsity awards in cross country, swimming and tennis. A four-year member of the tennis team, he was voted most valuable player and a four-year varsity award. He also received the USA Olympic Archery Award. When not at school, Caleb has been a volunteer with the Pine Island United Methodist Church, the Kids Feeding Kids program, Taste of Pine Island, Adopt-a-Road, the Soup Kitchen, Toys for Tots, a 30-hour famine participation fund raiser and has walked in events for multiple sclerosis, the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. Caleb plans to return to Edison College where he will study for two more years and then transfer to Florida Gulf Coast University to pursue a career in the health field. Caleb’s goal is to one day become a nurse anesthesiologist.

Miranda Gagliardi recently graduated from Cape Coral High School with a 4.24 GPA. Her school activities included involvement with the yearbook and was a member of Interact, Teen Trendsetters and International Baccalaureate. She served as the yearbook section editor in the 11th grade and yearbook editor in chief in 12th grade. She was ranked in the top 5 percent of her class and was enrolled in IB, AP and honors classes throughout high school. During her free time Miranda was a summer dance camp counselor and was involved in school volunteer services, Medical explorers at Cape Coral Hospital and an Art Fest volunteer. Later this year, Miranda plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers to major in biology.

Maria Sansone also attended Pine Island Elementary School and recently graduated from Mariner High School She was involved in MWA and enrolled in higher placement and honors classes throughout middle school and into high school. As an active member of Drama Club, Maria was part of several theatrical performances in high school and participated in the Drug House Odyssey for two years. Recently she was inducted into the International Thespian Association through her participation in Drama Club. In addition to theater, she also was a member of the Mariner High Honors Choir and participated in a county-wide corral concert. Maria also enjoys helping others and last summer worked as a teacher’s assistant at Creative Coast Pre-school. She plans to return to Creative Coast this summer as a staff member. In the fall, Maria will attend High Tech Central in Fort Myers to participate in a program for child development and later will further her education in preparation to work as a pediatric nurse.

James “Jimmy” Michael Short is a graduate of Mariner High School and graduated honors. Born and raised in Matlacha, he played high school football and was a member of the track team. He also was in Key Club, Future Business Leaders of America and Fellowship Christian Athletes of America. With a 3.7 GPA, Jimmy also was presented with the Principal Award and has received certification in Microsoft and Ready to Work. In his free time, Jimmy enjoys playing guitar, writing music and fishing. He will attend Florida Gulf Coast University and later transferring to the University of Florida for his masters. Jimmy plans to be a doctor of phycology.

Sharing in the graduation celebration is Jimmy’s twin brother Franklin “Frank” R. Short, Jr. An honor student with a 3. 5 GPA, Frank also played football and was on the track team at Mariner High School. He was a member of Key Club, Volunteens, FBLA and Fellowship Christian Athletes of America. When not at school, Frank enjoys working out, fishing and playing guitar. He too will attend Florida Gulf Coast University this fall and plans to transfer to the University of Florida to pursue his goal of obtaining a masters degree in criminology.