Matlacha Hookers award 11 ‘Hooked on Education’ scholarships
The Matlacha Hookers awarded 11 scholarships during its May 9 meeting at Sandy Hook Restaurant. Each received $1,500 to be used at any post-secondary institution of their choosing.
“Tonight is a very exciting night for the Matlacha Hookers,” Dee Hanks said. “We will present 11 very deserving students with scholarships for $1,500 each. These scholarships are very important to these students and often make the difference whether they can continue or not.”
Tina Bush opened the meeting with a letter from a former scholarship winner Asa Rees.
“This is also a gift for the committee because we don’t hear often enough from our scholarship winners,” Bush said. “Asa received a scholarship last year and graduated with a bachelors degree with honors this year in theological studies.”
Rees wrote: “I want to tell the new recipients that I owe much of my success to all of the wonderful people at this great organization, the Matlacha Hookers. I truly could not have made it without them, their moral support, and their financial help. They have propelled me into this next season of life.”
This year two additional scholarships have been added. The first is funded by the family of Don Maxwell and the second, “Secret Sisterhood Scholarship,” was funded by the Matlacha Hookers.
Chairperson of the Hooked on Education scholarship program Peg Cruckshank introduced the first recipients.
Jessy McLean received the first $1,500 scholarship.
“Thank you very much, my name is Jessy and I will be attending Emory University,” Mclean said. “I am still undecided on my major because I am interested in so many fields but I am thinking about possibly a pre-law track.”
Dakotah Goetz received the Pine Island Elementary School Scholarship. The Pine Island Elementary School Scholarship goes to a student that has attended all six years at Pine Island Elementary and the money comes from the Hooker Scholarship fund.
“My plans are to attend the University of South Florida,” Geotz said. “I will major in Mass Communications and hope to work at a TV station.”
Margaret Valcarcel is currently attending North Fort Myers High School.
“I want to thank the Matlacha Hookers for their generosity,” Valcarcel said. “I will be attending the University of Central Florida and major in business administration and biomedical science,”
DJ Ruscik presented the Don Maxwell Scholarship in the memory of her father. Maxwell passed away in December 2014. “My dad was so generous with his time, his home and his donations,” Ruscik said. “This organization meant the world to him. This little lady, Jenny Kline, is the poster child for the Matlacha Hookers and has logged almost 300 volunteer hours while attending high school full-time. I am very proud to award this scholarship to Jenny.”
“First, I want to thank the Matlacha Hookers for their generosity,” Kline said. “My plans are to attend Florida Gulf Coast University where I will major in history and secondary education.”
Dee Hanks presented Jessica Hill with her scholarship. Hill attends North Fort Myers High School.
“I will be attending the University of Florida,” Hill said. “My plans are to major in theater and costume design.”
Leslie Boucherle received the Mariners Scholarship.
“I want to thank the Matlacha Hookers for their help,” Boucherle said. “My plans are to attend the University of Florida and major in an advanced degree as a physician assistant.”
Johannah Wermerskirchen will attend Florida Gulf Coast University and major in elementary education.
“I hope to come back to Pine Island and teach at Pine Island Elementary,” Wermerskirchen said.
Ryan Robertson received the Logan Rabinette Memorial Scholarship. Steve Rabinette created the scholarship after his son Logan’s death and has given these scholarships in Logan’s name for the last four years. Robertson attends Florida State University. He is majoring in chemical engineering. Robertson is taking summer classes in calculus and wasn’t at the ceremony.
Junco Nelson received the Bert Tidwell and Harold Webster Scholarship.
“I would also like to thank the Matlacha Hookers for their generosity,” Nelson said. “I will attend the University of Southern California with a major in civil engineering,” Nelson said.
Brooke Benjamin will return to the University of North Florida. She is majoring in business management minoring in Art.
Kendal Talbott received the “Secret Sisterhood Scholarship.” Talbott will attend Florida State University and major in nursing.
“The amount of scholarships we have handed out today is $16,500,” Cruckshank said. “And the total amount the Matlacha Hookers have awarded through ‘Hooked on Education’ Scholarships since 2003 is $103,200!
Matlacha Hooker history:
In 1998, 21 women got together and decided to “make a positive difference in their community.” This was the beginning of the charitable organization “Matlacha Hookers.” Since then hundreds of women have joined and their husbands formed the Matlacha Mariners. The “Hookers” raise money and donate to the Beacon of H.O.P.E., F.I.S.H. (Friendly Islanders Sending Help), Pine Island Food Pantry, Pine Island Elementary School and blood drives. They also assist the American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, Mango Mania, ArtFest Fort Myers, Matlacha Mariner events, From Our hearts and many others.
Any woman over 21 can join by filling out an application and paying the annual dues of $20.