Kiwanis honors exemplary students with this year’s scholarship awards
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island once again has bestowed scholarship awards to several exemplary students seeking a higher education.
With funds raised during the Taste of Pine Island and Waterfront Day, members of the Kiwanis began presenting scholarships during last week’s meeting. Among the students receiving financial assistance from the Kiwanis were Amanda Teets, Melissa Alama, Aaron Foster, Kayla Baker and Shawn Iler.
Amanda Lyn Teets of Bokeelia is a graduate of Ida Baker High School and plans to attend Eckerd College this fall. While at Ida Baker, Amanda was a member of the National Honor Society and named MVP for tennis during all four of her years in high school. While not in school, Amanda served as a tennis coach and worked as a hostess at the Sandy Hook Fish and Rib House. Amanda is currently in her second year at Eckerd and is studying biochemistry. Amanda’s future plans involve attending graduate school to do research in human diseases and medicine.
Melissa Tevaililo Alama is also a Bokeelia resident and attended Mariner High School. Her goal is to attend Graceland University in the fall. Having held several jobs to support herself, Melissa has worked as a cashier at McDonald’s, was an in-home care taker and worked as a technician at CVS Pharmacy. She aspires to study the field of psychology, specifically cognitive or community psychology to be able to assist young people in the future.
Aaron Christian Robert Foster, is a Bokeelia resident and graduate of Mariner High School. His hope is to attend Hillsborough Community College in Tampa in the fall. While attending Mariner, Aaron was a member of the Lee County Department of Justice Teen Court, Griffin Martial Arts, Pine Island Little League and Fort Myers Little League. His extracurricular activities included baseball, tae kwondo, roller hockey, music and photography. Aaron’s college studies will involve studying business and hopes to one day develop a non-profit organization that helps children and families with developmental disabilities.
Kayla Comille Baker is a resident of St. James City and a graduate of Ida Baker High School. She plans to attend the Universal Technical Institute in Orlando later this year. During her high school career, Kayla was a member of the Junior Varsity Soccer Team and the National Honor Society. She spent some of her free time as a volunteer at the Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Fishing Tournament and the Matlacha Hooker Pine Island Elementary School Fishing Tournament. She also has worked at Red’s Seafood Restaurant in Bokeelia and at Grease Monkey of North Fort Myers. Kayla’s goal is to one day work as an automotive technician.
Shawn Ryan Iler resides in Matlacha and also is a graduate from Mariner High School when he was awarded his diploma in 2003. During his high school years, Shawn was a member of the Mariner Wrestling Team and was involved with Pine Island Little League, the Kiwanis and Americorps. Shawn also is an Eagle Scout and works at the Pine Island Dairy Queen. Currently he is attending Heritage Institute where he is working toward graduating college with the skills to help people who are in pain.