Thanks to fund-raising and strong community support, the Punta Gorda Garden Club is delighted to award PGGC Higher Education Scholarships of $1,200 each to two students from Charlotte High School and three previous scholarship recipients. These very deserving young men and women have demonstrated academic excellence, extra-curricular involvement and clearly defined goals for their future studies and career plans.

Claire Hegarty is graduating from Charlotte High School this year. She plans to attend the University of Florida majoring in Environmental Sciences/Biology. She has achieved a weighted grade point average of 4.68 while taking AP and AICE courses. She has volunteered to work with children at the Port Charlotte Library and has been involved in extracurricular leadership activities. Her goal is to study sustainable agriculture.

Ryder Miranda, is graduating from Charlotte High School. He has a weighted GPA of 4.46, while taking Honors, AP, Dual Enrollment and AICE courses. He volunteered for two years at East Elementary School, producing two plays that focused on diversity and history. He has worked two summers as a camp counselor; and, this summer he will intern at the Charlotte County Parks and Natural Resources division, working with land management and coastal division staff. He plans to major in Political Science/Environmental Law at Florida State University.

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 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 summers he worked for three months for Ian Vincent and Associates as an Ecologist and as an energy research analyst for Charles River Associates. This summer he will work with peers and local non-profits to install solar panels in a rural mountain town in Puerto Rico. Upon return to Duke, Nick will help to develop curriculum for schools in Durham and Puerto Rico. He continues to maintain a 4.0 GPA, as well.

Jordan Meckstroth, graduated in 2024 from Lemon Bay High School, and attends Florida International University. Jordan is majoring in Marine Biology and her career goals are to pursue a Ph.D. and to become a research scientist. She is currently studying the movement of sharks based upon their diet. She helps to capture the sharks, which are not harmed and released back into their area. She tags, measures and takes blood and tissue samples from each shark. She then helps to process the samples in the research lab. She currently holds a 4.0 GPA at her university.

Cole Beiner graduated from Port Charlotte High School in 2024. He attends Florida State University majoring in Environment Science and Policy. He is the co-president and founder of Beautify Florida State University, which works in tandem with Keep America Beautiful and Keep Florida Beautiful. He is a member of the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals, and a member of the Environmental Service Program at Florida State University.

Applications for 2026 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.