Thanks to the success of last year's fund-raising Holly Days home tour and strong community support, the Punta Gorda Garden Club is delighted to award PGGC Higher Education Scholarships of $3,000 each to four students from local high schools and two previous scholarship recipients. These very deserving young men and women have demonstrated academic excellence, extensive extra-curricular involvement and clearly defined goals for their future studies and career plans.

Nicholas Nease, graduated from Port Charlotte High School, and attends Duke University, majoring in Environmental and Computer Science. He has been recognized as an outstanding student combining scholastic achievement, community involvement, and strong leadership in multiple roles, including helping to maintain the Sarah P Duke gardens, serving as a Green Devil Intern with the Duke University Office of Sustainability, Director of Professional Development for the Duke Energy Club, and Vice President of Advocacy for the Duke LIFE program for first-generation/low-income students. During last summer he worked for three months for Ian Vincent and Associates as an Ecologist. This summer he has a position as an energy research analyst for Charles River Associates. He continues to maintain a 4.0 GPA, as well.  See a video from Nick here.

Erik Courtney, graduated from Charlotte High School and attends Florida Gulf Coast University majoring in Environmental Engineering and Environmental Geology. This summer he will be interning to collect data from different watershed regions by x-raying rocks, looking for metals that could be seeping into water supplies. He also volunteered to present his research on local soil samples to our Punta Gorda Garden Club during our March meeting at the Berne Davis Gardens in Fort Myers. See a video from Erik here.

Leandra Allbrook, graduating from Lemon Bay High, will attend the University of West Florida, majoring in Marine Biology. She plans to pursue a career in marine research upon graduation. She spends many hours volunteering as a member of the Englewood Sailing Association, and also with the Ryan D Provencher Memorial Fund which supports students in the community. After Hurricane Ian she worked with the World Central Kitchen, helping to serve meals to families and emergency response teams. Leandra is a JROTC member and participated in Wreaths Across America, and is also a member of Manta Athletic Leadership Academy and Lemon Bay Conservancy. Leandra has also maintained a weighted GPA of 3.527.  See a video from Leandra here.

Isabella Hargraves, also graduating from Lemon Bay High School, plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University majoring in Marine Biology. She has a weighted GPA of 4.092. In addition to many academic accolades, she is a member of the Environmental Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Culinary Club, Bridge Church Youth Group, Manta Maniacs, and Deep Creek Church Youth Group. She is president of Women’s Empowerment. Isabella has worked as a barista for Sassy Tarts Bakery and as a volunteer for World Central Kitchen Hurricane Relief. Her interests include photography, piano, travel, music, fashion, baking, the ocean, and archery.

Jordan Meckstroth, graduating from Lemon Bay High School, will attend Florida International University where she plans to major in Marine Biology. She holds a weighted GPA of 4.5 and has provided 222 hours of community service. In addition to her many academic awards, she holds varsity letters in Track and Field and Basketball Cheer. She has been a cover artist winner for the Keep Charlotte Beautiful calendar and has won awards in various art shows. She is a certified NAUI Open Water Scuba Diver and is a member of the Lemon Bay High School Marine Conservation Club and the Environmental Club. Jordan is vice-president of the Marine Science Club and has volunteered at the Mote Marine Laboratory Aquarium and the Suncoast Humane Society.

Cole Beiner is graduating from Port Charlotte High School andplans to attend Florida State University majoring in Environment Engineering. He is currently the President of his school’s Environmental Club, President of Model United Nations, District 4 Secretary of Florida Association of Student Councils, Math Club officer, Junior Leadership Charlotte delegate, Mapping Climate Justice Program apprentice, Elite Fine Arts competitive and recital dancer, Charlotte County Junior Commissioner, and Peer Mentor. Cole also plays Varsity Tennis and dives in the Varsity Diving team at Port Charlotte High School. He is a Keep Charlotte Beautiful volunteer, a counselor for the Military Heritage Museum Summer Camp andhas worked in several Port Charlotte restaurants as a host and busser. He has also maintained a weighted GPA of 4.6.

Applications for 2025 Punta Gorda Garden Club Scholarships will be available in January. For more information contact Scholarship Chair Nancy Knaus at nancyknaus@yahoo.com or 413-297-7187.