Men’s Club Makes Scholarship Awards

Serving as Master of
Ceremonies for the event was RMCCC Board Member Rev. Dr. Ed Brandt

At its June 5 breakfast meeting at the Naples Hilton, The Right Men’s Club of Collier County (RMCCC) presented scholarship awards to four graduating Collier County high school seniors. The event was attended by 64 members and guests.

The Club has awarded scholarships to Collier County students since 2017. The program is designed to recognize and encourage students who have demonstrated both academic excellence and a strong commitment to their communities.

What distinguishes these scholarships from many others is an essay requirement. Applicants must submit an essay expressing their views on a current issue involving the rights and responsibilities of citizens under the U.S. Constitution.

This year, applications were received from students representing two traditional public high schools—Naples High School and Barron Collier High School—as well as two public charter schools—Mason Classical Academy and Marco Island Academy.

Each scholarship provides $2,250 per year for up to four years, for a potential total award of $9,000 per student. With the addition of these four recipients, the Club will support 12 college students during the 2026–2027 academic year.

RMCCC Scholarship
Committee Member Dr JB Holmes presents a scholarship to Naples High School grad
Cooper Kummer

The 2026 scholarship recipients are: Nathan Edwards, a graduate of Naples High School, who will attend the University of Notre Dame and major in Civil Engineering. Julia Berger, a graduate of Marco Island Academy, who will attend Belmont University and major in Nursing. Cooper Kummer, a graduate of Naples High School, who will attend University of Florida and major in International Business. Fitan O’Keefe, a graduate of Barron Collier High School, who will attend Carnegie Mellon University and major in Engineering.

In addition to these scholarships, the Club supports a student at Florida Gulf Coast University through an endowed scholarship fund established by RMCCC.

The Club also presented an award to Immokalee Technical College (iTech), a state-of-the-art technical training center that provides career and technical education programs for both high school students and adults.

The funds will be used to provide gap funding for financially needy students who require assistance purchasing tools, equipment, uniforms, certification fees, or other training-related necessities. Aaron Paquette, Director of iTech, attended the awards ceremony and accepted the award on behalf of the institution.

Barron High School grad Fitan O’Keefe receives award from RMCCC Treasurer Mike Nadolski

The Club’s total scholarship commitment for 2026 exceeds $32,000. All awards are being made through the newly formed Men’s Club of Collier County Foundation, Inc.

In addition to student scholarships, the foundation also contributes annually to groups providing services to Veterans.

Their main fundraiser is the annual “Salute to Veterans” event. See event details here.

Learn more about The Right Men’s Club here

Marco Island Academy grad Julia Berger accepts award
from RMCCC Board Member Glenn Brown

Naples High School grad Nathan Edwards with RMCCC Scholarship Committee Member Ed Thompson