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Education Briefs | June 12

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Barrett, Gonzalez named to Spring 2026 Dean's List at Point Park University

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Point Park University congratulates more than 1,300 students who were named to the Spring 2026 Dean's List. To be named to the Dean's List, a student must have a 3.5 GPA for the semester.

Among those named to the list were Jordyn Barrett and Mia Gonzalez of Cape Coral.

Point Park University, located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, enrolls nearly 3,700 students in over 100 undergraduate, master's and doctoral programs offered through its Conservatory of Performing Arts (School of Dance and School of Film, Theatre and Animation), Rowland School of Business and schools of Arts and Sciences, Communication and Education.

Visit PointPark.edu to learn more.

Cape resident Calixte among

National Merit Scholarship recipients

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recently announced more than 2,500 winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities.

Among the recipients was Cape Coral resident Ambrielle Calixte of Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers. Her probable career field is sports/entertainment law.

Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among the finalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution. These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship. An additional group of scholars will be announced in July, bringing the total number of college-sponsored Merit Scholarship recipients in the 2026 competition to approximately 3,500.

This year, 138 higher education institutions are underwriting Merit Scholarship awards through the National Merit Scholarship Program. Sponsor colleges and universities include 69 private and 69 public institutions located in 42 states and the District of Columbia.

For more information, visit nationalmerit.orgFSW sends acceptance letters to thousands of recent high school graduates in Southwest Florida

For thousands of recent Southwest Florida high school graduates, a simple trip to the mailbox or click of the word ‘inbox’ this month could mark the beginning of their college journey. Florida SouthWestern State College is sending provisional acceptance letters to graduates across FSW's service area for fall 2026.

Additionally, FSW now automatically requests transcripts for Florida public high school students who choose to move forward with their provisional acceptance by completing the application. These enhancements help simplify enrollment and have contributed to 87% of FSW applicants being admitted the same day they apply.

The initiative aims to remove perceived barriers to higher education by helping public high school seniors understand that students who earn a standard high school diploma meet the academic requirement for admission to FSW, making college more attainable, affordable, and close to home. Students who receive the letter can also apply free of charge by using a special application fee waiver code, "2026Grads."

The letters highlight FSW's wide variety of academic pathways, including associate and bachelor's degree programs, workforce training, online learning opportunities, and transfer options to Florida's state universities. The letters also emphasize the College's affordability and scholarship opportunities, noting that 78% of FSW students graduate debt-free.

In addition to academics, the letters introduce students to FSW's active campus life, including student organizations, activities and NJCAA athletic programs in basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball.

Students can learn more and complete their application by visiting fsw.edu/admissions.

Cape Coral For The Children awards 2026 scholarships

Cape Coral For The Children has announced the recipients of the 2026 Scholarship Program. These awards recognize outstanding students who have demonstrated exceptional achievements.

This year, scholarships have been awarded to:

•  Isabella Appleby, Oasis High ---- attending FGCU

•  Ayiana Hays, Island Coast High ---- attending FGCU

•  Dorothy Vilmeus, Mariner High ---- attending FSW

•  Natalie Lee, Cape Coral High ---- attending USF

•  Natalia Obando, North Nicholas High ---- attending FSW

•  Jimary Paz Ortiz, North Nocholas High ---- attending Fort Myers Technical College

•  Erika Robinson-Kirkendall, Ida Baker High ---- attending FSW

•  Joseph Schlitten, Ida Baker High ---- attending FSW

•  Rachel Piloto, Ida Baker High ---- attending FSW

•  Kilee Royster, Ida Baker High ---- attending UCF

•  Tyler Hart, Ida Baker High ---- attending USF

•  Laila Farley, Ida Baker High ---- attending FGCU

•  Christopher Wilkins, Ida Baker High ---- attending Fort Myers Technical College

Students from Cape Coral on Dean's List for Spring 2026 at Lee University

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Lee University congratulates students who earned Dean's List honors during the Spring 2026 semester. Dean's List recognition is earned by full-time, undergraduate students with a semester grade point average between 3.7 and 4.00.

Among those earning Dean's List recognition were:

•  Gavin Wiens of Cape Coral

•  Zoe Wiens of Cape Coral

Lee University is a private, Christ-centered university located in Cleveland, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. With an enrollment of more than 3,800 students, the university, which was founded in 1918, offers 52 undergraduate majors. For more information, visit leeuniversity.edu.

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