The Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club recently announced its Kiwanis Scholarship Awards Program recipients for the 2025-26 school year.
A total of $38,500 in scholarships were awarded to 14 students, who will be enrolled in 13 different colleges and universities.
They were hosted at a club meeting, where they received congratulations and well wishes.
“Investing in our youth through scholarships is one of the most impactful ways we can support the future of our community,” President Emily Ankerson said. “Our club believes every young person deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams, and we’re proud to help remove financial barriers so they can thrive and lead with purpose.”
The funds to underwrite the scholarship program are raised by the club through fundraisers held throughout the year, along with donations from club members and other private individuals.
This year’s recipients are: Sam Lessinger, Riley Mann, Jackson McKee and Daniel Romulus, with repeat multi-year scholarships; Marissa Barrile, Izabella Smolnicka-Dos Santos and Ava Grace Tietz, with new multi-year scholarships; and Raul Hosking Cruz, Olympia DeCosta, Elizabeth Longenhagen, Tressa Moessner, Kaitlyn Moessner, Henry Sergeant and John Sergeant, with one-year scholarships.
Some scholarships carried a special designation to honor donors and in memory of past members. Barille received the Bill Boswell Memorial Award, and Tietz received the Tom Sharbaugh Memorial Award. The Sam and Frances Bailey Island Night Memorial Scholarships went to John Sergeant for achievement in athletics and DeCosta for achievement in community service.
Over the past 19 years, the program has provided individual scholarships totaling $699,675 in support. To be eligible, applicants must reside on Sanibel or Captiva or have parents who work on the islands.
For more information, visit https://sancapkiwanis.org/.
To reach SANIBEL-CAPTIVA KIWANIS CLUB, please email
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