News

Highlands Elementary School’s science teacher Mara Shaffer recognized the learning approach her students needed and this past July, applied for a Champions For Learning Classroom Grant. Shaffer wanted a way to “incorporate fun, instructional videos throughout the curriculum” and requested a one-year subscription service from Brain Pop and Flocabulary for her curriculum.

As students continue to learn through tablets and other devices, teachers are turning toward supplemental instruction videos which helps visual learners engage in a learning approach that benefits them.

Beverly Feagin, a committed member of our Champions community, funded this grant and supported Shaffer’s request. “Giving to Classroom Grants is a wonderful way to show appreciation to our teachers and to help them create innovative learning experiences. My family was a big supporter of education and I can’t think of a better way to carry on that legacy. It’s a wonderful feeling being able to contribute in any way possible,” said Feagin.

These services are professional educational websites that provide informational videos for students K-12 to help them learn and memorize classroom content. Shaffer wanted to benefit her classes and knew these videos would allow her students to “be more engaged throughout the lesson and will use the mnemonic strategy to remember key concepts being taught across the curriculum”.

The subscriptions purchased through the grant were used between multiple classes covering language arts, science, and social studies lessons. Because of this Classroom Grant, elementary students were able to learn in a fun and interactive way to help them remember class material. This is just one example of how a Classroom Grant can impact students in Collier County.

Collier County teachers! The classroom grants portal is now open for submissions. You can apply for a grant here.

All grants will be made public for community funding starting on July 19th.

In the meantime, support classroom grants in Collier County by purchasing a Support Education license plate. When a Florida resident purchases or renews their Support Education specialty tag, $20 goes directly back to support schools, teachers and students in the county where the tag is registered.  In Collier County, Champions For Learning, The Education Foundation of Collier County, invests 100% of those proceeds into classroom grants.

Lindsay Lydon is a graduate of Champions For Learning’s Take Stock in Children mentoring and scholarship program. She is currently a junior at Florida Gulf Coast University studying marketing and advertising and is interning with Champions For Learning this summer.

After a 15 year pause for Lely High School’s theatre program, they recently performed Mother Goosed, made possible in part by the investment of the Michael J. Searcy Family through the Champions For Learning Classroom Grant program.

Dr. Cynthia Gomez teaches Language Arts and Theatre at Lely High and wanted her students to be able to experience theatre in an authentic and memorable way. The $500 donation enabled Dr. Gomez to purchase supplies for her students, including stage materials, make-up kits, and scripts, allowing students to organize, plan, and produce a performance that will not be soon forgotten.

The materials purchased allowed the students to experience a true performance, including set designs, make-up, and costuming.  Gomez says hosting and performing the show has “reignited a passion for theatre among our students”.

“These students will learn things that will push them out of their comfort zones and stretch their character. They will learn that the sky is the limit, and with the right words- they can become whomever they choose to be,” shared Gomez.

Our Collier County community has the opportunity to change the lives of students in many ways. The students and staff at Lely High will never forget the impact the Searcy family’s donation had on them. This one donation has changed the lives of many students. Champions For Learning believes in the power of education and is proud to see the impact one person can make for a whole community.

Collier County teachers! The classroom grants portal is now open for submissions. You can apply for a grant here.

All grants will be made public for community based funding for the 2022-2023 school year starting on July 19th.

In the meantime, support classroom grants in Collier County by purchasing a Support Education license plate. When a Florida resident purchases or renews their Support Education specialty tag, $20 goes directly back to support schools, teachers and students in the county where the tag is registered.  In Collier County, Champions For Learning, The Education Foundation of Collier County, invests 100% of those proceeds into classroom grants.

Lindsay Lydon is a graduate of Champions For Learning’s Take Stock in Children mentoring and scholarship program. She is currently a junior at Florida Gulf Coast University studying marketing and advertising and is interning with Champions For Learning this summer.

As another school year comes to an end, Champions For Learning is in awe of all the amazing things our students have accomplished. However, none of these accomplishments would have been possible if it weren’t for the generosity and support of our donors and sponsors.

This year alone, 47 eighth graders were inducted into our four-year mentoring program, Take Stock In Children. Graduates of this program earn a 2-year scholarship to a Florida state college or technical school.

“There is so much value in Champions For Learning and Take Stock In Children that got me through a lot of struggles,” said Watson Marcelin, a graduate from the Champions For Learning Take Stock In Children. “The program got me prepared in every facet to make sure I was ready for college, and then didn’t let go of my hand but made sure I completed college successfully.”

Champions For Learning is also celebrating the graduation of 82 seniors from this years College & Career Prep program. This program provides in-person support for students in financial aid, career exploration, goal-setting and self-advocacy. Collectively, these 82 students received over 250 college acceptances!

“Being a first-generation student was difficult enough but figuring out everything I needed to know to prepare for college seemed impossible without the Champions For Learning community,” said Brianna Barrantes, a 2022 graduate from Champions For Learning’s College & Career Prep program. “Through Champions, I learned to make a resume, apply for a job, study for the SAT, write a personal statement, apply for financial aid, and so much more.”

It is because people within our Collier County community believe in the importance of education, that many students’ lives are forever changed.

Help every student develop a goal for their future, an educational pathway and a financial plan to accomplish their dreams!

You can give to Champions For Learning in various ways. Click here to learn more and to give.

During the recent Countdown to Cap & Gown celebration, Champions For Learning unveiled a new volunteer recognition award, the Karen Harman Excellence in Volunteering Award.

Karen Harman was a long-time volunteer at Champions For Learning. For over 10 years she dedicated her time to helping students and teachers alike. “Her passion was volunteering in education, and you would never see a brighter smile than Karen’s when she was volunteering with us” said Susan McManus, CEO of Champions For Learning.

Inspired by his late wife, her husband Ray Harman chose to honor her memory through a legacy gift that will forever fund volunteer recognition. The first recipients of this award included volunteers Dottie and John Whipple. Over the last six years, Dottie and John have served in 126 volunteer roles at Champions For Learning. They have also dedicated their time to mentoring 10 students. The time and talent Dottie and John give to Champions For Learning is invaluable.

“Being a mentor and being involved with Champions For Learning has been a wonderful experience for John and me,” said Dottie. “Working with mentees and helping them navigate through high school and beyond has brought us so much joy and inspiration. John and I are so proud and honored to be the first recipients of this award.”

Five students were also recognized for the time they have donated to Champions For Learning success. They each completed over 200 hours of service. Liset H., Grace S., Yanet H., Prisca P., and Daniel C. each received the $500 Karen Harman Excellence in Volunteering Award scholarship.

Congratulations to our inaugural recipients and we look forward to awarding this meaningful recognition for years to come.

Champions For Learning celebrated the Class of 2022 at the Countdown to Cap & Gown event on Wednesday May, 4^th at Artis Naples and presented by BMO Wealth Management.

The eighty-three graduates completed two years of College and Career Prep and many will be receiving scholarships through Champions For Learning’s Take Stock In Children Program, In-Demand Career Scholars and Project STARS Program. The graduating class of 2022 has faced numerous challenges over the last two years that they have had to navigate. As Michael Rubenstein, Vice President and Senior Fiduciary Advisor at BMO Wealth Management told the students, “The skills you have learned through these challenges will help you as you continue your education and enter the workforce.”

Collectively, the 83 Champions For Learning graduates have thus far accomplished the following:

• 479 applications for college or technical programs
• Received 245 college acceptances
• Earned 52 industry certificates

Graduate Brianna Barrantes made remarks on behalf of the class. She credited Champions For Learning with teaching her how to go through the college application process, make a resume, apply for a job and apply for financial aid. All of which she wouldn’t have known how to do without the guidance of Champions For Learning as her family never went through the process themselves. “Being a first-generation student was difficult enough but figuring out everything I needed to know to prepare for college seemed impossible without the Champions For Learning Community.”

Champions For Learning is so proud of how hard the Class of 2022 has worked over the last two years and their dedication to their education. Countdown to Cap & Gown was a wonderful evening celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2022!

Nine years ago, Watson Marcelin was paired with his mentor Shepard M. Scheinberg through Champions For Learning’s Take Stock In Children program. Since Marcelin’s eighth grade induction into the program in 2013, Scheinberg has been one of Marcelin’s biggest cheerleaders, providing him with support and advice.

“Who would’ve known a relationship that I started with a complete stranger in the 8th grade would’ve come to fruition how it has today,” said Marcelin. “Shep is more than just a mentor to me. We met almost every week for about 6 years. He is a direct correlation to the success I’ve had.”

Throughout Marcelin’s high school career, Scheinberg pushed Marcelin to be the best version of himself he could be. From lessons on saving money to accepting people from different backgrounds, Scheinberg used his platform as a mentor to help prepare Marcelin for the future.

“You know, I always tried to build confidence in Watson and I would always tell him, ‘You can be anything in the world. You can be President of the United States. You can be a senator; you can do anything’. I tell him that today as well because he has this potential. That’s what mentoring is all about. To try to draw out that potential and build on it,” said Scheinberg.

Marcelin says having Scheinberg for a mentor who was there every step of the way was his “golden ticket”.

“I was just very lucky to have him as a mentor.” said Marcelin. “Lucky in so many ways. Little things, like when I was in high school, he would come to every single lacrosse game or football game I had. Little things like that went a long way.”

After Marcelin graduated from Champions For Learning and Lely High, he and Scheinberg continued to stay in touch as Marcelin attended the University of Florida and double majored in Anthropology and Economics with two minors in Entrepreneurial studies and Statistics. Marcelin now lives in Naples and works remotely from home as a Sales Development Representative in the tech sales sector.

Today, Scheinberg is still invested in Marcelin’s success and continues to find ways to connect and network him with other people. Marcelin says he believes Scheinberg thinks his job as a mentor is not yet finished.

“It’s the influence I was able to have on Watson that has been so rewarding. I think I got more out of it then Watson,” said Scheinberg.

Saturday, April 9^th, Marcelin and Scheinberg had the opportunity to catch up in the same place they met nine years ago; Champions For Learning’s 8^th Grade Induction. There, Marcelin got to speak on his time in the Champions For Learning program, crediting his success in life to his mentor, Shepard Scheinberg.

“Definitely the greatest mentor I’ll ever have in my life”.

That is how Tyler Knight, a graduate from the Champions For Learning Take Stock In Children program, describes his mentor to this day – a mentor that he was partnered with nearly eight years ago.

Bill Beynon was Tyler’s mentor throughout his high school career. Today, he continues to provide support and guidance to Tyler.

During his high school years, Tyler says he did not know if college was for him and did not know what he wanted to do. Tyler says it was Bill that took him down a different direction that ended up being the best direction for him.

“I had an opportunity to really work with him through high school which was wonderful. Being involved in his life, he’s really become part of our family,” said Bill.

Becoming ‘part of the family’ has been taken to a new level when it comes to Tyler and Bill’s relationship. Tyler’s younger sister, Tiffany, is currently in the program as well. Her mentor is no other than Bill’s wife, Nena.

“Tiffany is a senior right now and we try to meet once a week, once every other week,” said Nena Beynon. “It’s kind of exciting to be together, knowing that it’s Tyler sister, and because they are family as well. It’s an exciting future. We’re having a good time.”

With Tyler’s encouragement, Tiffany applied for Champions For Learning and was accepted. When Tiffany’s original mentor had to step down due to an illness, Nena jumped right in.

“Because I already knew of Bill through him being Tyler’s mentor, it kind of felt like Nena and I already knew each other a bit. She really pushes me to do my best. She’s a really great influence. She’s helped me a lot through the college process and getting through high school,” said Tiffany.

Bill and Nena have been involved with Champions For Learning for years! The couple first became part of the organization about 17 years ago after being introduced to Champions For Learning through one of Bill’s former business partners.

Both Bill and Nena have been mentoring high school students for about 12 years. Combined, they have now mentored six students.

“I love the opportunity of getting to go into the schools and meeting new kids and working with them,” said Nena. “People always ask, ‘Is it a long process? I’m thinking about doing it. What do you think?’ Really, it’s just like an hour of your time during the week.”

Bill and Nena have been involved with Champions For Learning over the years in more ways than mentoring. Both have given their time serving on various committees as well as Bill being on the Board of Directors for four years. They have also generously given financially to Champions For Learning.

“We are so blessed and lucky to live here and have our businesses here. We feel it’s a responsibility to give back,” said Bill. “We’re very selective in the organizations that we participate in. Champions does such a good job. They’re a wonderful steward of the financial resources provided to them and the impacts that they’re providing in the work that we see and the results coming from that work are really meaningful.”

Today, Tyler works for his mentor Bill as an associate at Capital Wealth Advisors.

When asked why others should get involved with Champions For Learning, Bill responded, “It will impact you in such a positive way that you won’t even realize it. Not just the financial impact and seeing the outcomes and seeing where your dollars go but getting an opportunity to build relationships and seeing the impact you can have on others is just so rewarding.”

Watch Bill and Nena’s story here!