Marco Youth Shine

The proverb “youth must be served” was on display Wednesday, May 7, as the Marco Island Woman’s Club (MIWC) awarded $79,350 in scholarships to 16 deserving seniors and four students who are continuing their previously awarded scholarships. Marco Island Academy students Helen Totten and Michelle Acosta were awarded $20,000 scholarships ($5,000 per year), and students representing MIA, Lely, and St. John Neumann were awarded scholarships totaling $50,000 at the Woman’s Club scholarship luncheon held at Naples Lakes Country Club.

Totten was awarded the four year, $20,000 Evelyn McDowell scholarship. She delivered a touching speech that talked about a challenge she overcame as an elementary school student at Tommie Barfield Elementary.

"I plan to go to the University of Florida in Gainesville,” Totten said, "where I'll be majoring in communication sciences and disorders and pursuing my master's degree with an end goal of becoming a speech pathologist. I want to go into this career because of my own experience with speech therapy. When I was three years old, I apparently couldn't speak English. My parents said that I made up my own language and no one could understand me, with doctors saying I had the cognitive level of a five-year-old, but the speech ability of a one-year-old. I spoke as if there was fluid in my ear, and I was hearing others speak as they do underwater. I went to speech therapy classes at Tommie Barfield on Marco Island, and though I did have to work to improve my speech, all I remember is picking out prizes from the prize box and how fun it was. I want to become a speech therapist so that I can help kids in their early stages of speech development and be the fun, kind speech therapist for them, like I had years before.”

If Totten’s high school achievements are any indication, she appears headed toward a successful college career. At MIA, Totten holds a weighted 5.32 GPA, all while competing in three sports a year and holding leadership positions in three clubs. She is president of both the National Honor Society and Girls Learn International. She is also a member of the science and Spanish honor societies. She was captain of the soccer and lacrosse teams. She also found time to serve an internship with the Coastal Breeze News.

MIA student Michelle Acosta was the recipient of the four year, $20,000 Verne Cabooris scholarship. Acosta, who plans to attend the University of Florida, has shown a strong commitment to her community.

"My time at MIA has allowed me immense growth and introduced me to my love of giving back to the community,” Acosta said. "In my four years, I have been able to donate over 200 volunteer hours with associations that have been able to greatly benefit our community. Throughout my four years, I became editor in chief of the yearbook, president of the Spanish honor society, vice president of the student government and girls international, secretary of National Honor Society, a member of the science National Honor Society and Interact Club, as well as being a part of the soccer and lacrosse teams. Each of these roles taught me about how to lead, listen and most importantly, how to serve. I discovered that my true passion lies in helping others, which is why I'm so excited to pursue an education at the University of Florida through the nursing program. I hope to be a source of comfort and strength for families during their most difficult times. None of this would be possible without the love, sacrifice, and support from my family, the guidance from the teachers and advisors at MIA, and most importantly, the endowment given to me by the Marco Islands Woman's Club. This scholarship lifts a huge weight off of my family's shoulders. It's not just financial support, but it's the belief in my future. Words alone are not enough to describe how much your generosity means to me and my family. Once again, thank you so much for investing in us students.”

Seven of the 2025 scholarship winners will attend the University of Florida this fall. Four students will attend the University of South Florida, and one each at Georgetown University, the University of Miami, and the University of Central Florida. Since 1989, the MIWC has awarded over $850,000 to more than 240 recipients.

Maureen Chodaba turns her gavel over to 2025-25 President Sue Purvis after leading the Woman’s Club in 2025. Tammy Bastow will be vice president.

2025 Woman’s Club Scholarship Winners

Michelle Acosta, Marco Island Academy, University of Florida, $5,000 for four years.

Helen Totten, Marco Island Academy, University of Florida, $5,000 for four years.

Margaret Poling, Lely, Georgetown University, $4,500 for one year.

Morgan Thayer-Zolna, St. John Neumann, University of Florida, $4,500 for one year.

Zack Antaramian, Marco Island Academy, University of Florida, $3,500 for one year.

Vania Antonia-Carillo, Lely, University of South Florida, $3,500 for one year.

Sandris Mendoza-Jauregui, Marco Island Academy, University of Florida, $3,500 for one year.

Brigid O’Sullivan, Marco Island Academy, University of Florida, $3,500 for one year.

Chelsea Saynes-Ruiz, Marco Island Academy, University of Florida, $3,500 for one year.

Jacob Watt, Marco Island Academy, University of Miami, $3,500 for one year.

Karina Baldwin, Marco Island Academy, University of Central Florida, $2,500 for one year.

Stephanie Escobedo Ochoa, Lely, University of South Florida, $2,500 for one year.

Miles Massie, Marco Island Academy, University of Florida, $2,500 for one year.

Kacie Swanson, Marco Island Academy, University of South Florida, $2,500 for one year.

Renewable Scholarships

Madison Richardson-Canady, $5,350, senior at Florida State University.

Shahzodbet Rahmonov, $4,000, junior at Florida Gulf Coast University.