AAUW Marco Honors Scholars

AAUW-Marco Island (AAUW-MI), the local branch of the American Association of University Women, celebrated scholarship winners at CJ’s on the Bay with an elegant luncheon on April 20. Two high school students from Marco Island Academy were awarded $1,000 each. Bianca Fernandes, who will attend the University of South Florida to study criminology, and Julia Berger, who will study nursing at Belmont College in Tennessee, graciously accepted their awards.

Four other women received $2,000 each as Martha Yates (MY) Scholars. These awards are offered to women who are over 21, live or work on Marco Island, and are attending an accredited college or university. Sophia Torres, who attends Harvard Law School, was unable to attend as she is studying in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Brittany Piersma, another second-time winner, accepted her award and spoke briefly about her research protecting Marco Island’s burrowing owls. Cristy Gallup accepted the award for her daughter, Abigail Marie Gallup, who is taking finals at Florida Gulf Coast University, where she will graduate in May and enter the University of Florida PharmD program to earn a doctorate in pharmacy. The fourth MY scholar, Iran Zarate-Centena, is studying nursing at Nova Southeastern University.

Following the awards and lunch, President Lynn Tuttle presented the AAUW-MI Branch 2026-2027 board. Linda Hyde and Marsha Crawford will complete their two-year term as program directors, Durell Buzzini will continue as finance director and run some meetings, Kathy Sewin will serve as scholarship director, and Lynn Tuttle will continue as development director. Unable to attend the luncheon were Colleen Moser, who will also run some meetings, and Jacky Childress, who will serve as president.

If you are interested in joining AAUW-Marco Island, please contact Lynn Tuttle tuttlemarco@gmail.com for more information or visit the website http://marcoisland-fl.aauw.net.