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“T
                                                                                                                                                        “Thehe BEST EVENTS are on the  are on the WATER!””






















        Immokalee Foundation student                   The Class of 22's Eloy Anzualda III       Immoklaee Foundation graduate
        Stephanie Robert as the student                represents The Immokalee Foundation       Lizbeth Huapilla
        speaker at The Immokalee                       in an interview with WINK News.
        Foundation's inaugural CEO Summit.


      For Immokalee Foundation students, high school graduation is just the beginning


       by Noemi Y. Perez, President and CEO                          Lizbeth Huapilla is on her way to Florida SouthWestern State                    Beach Shelling, Afternoon & Sunset
                              s a society, we understandably place a lot  College. Ten years from now she wants to run her own business while
                              s a society, we understandably place a lot  College. Ten years from now she wants to run her own business while
                              of emphasis in the thrill of high
                              of emphasis in the thrill of high        giving back to people in need.                                         Sightseeing, Sunset Dinners, Hors D’oeuvres
                                                                       giving back to people in need.
                                                                          "Th  e Immokalee Foundation has changed my life in many ways.
                              school graduation. I am happy for
                       A school graduation. I am happy for                "Th  e Immokalee Foundation has changed my life in many ways.
                       any student who can successfully               Th  ey taught me to get out of my comfort zone, be independent, and                      Private Charters, Specialty Cruises,
                                                                      Th  ey taught me to get out of my comfort zone, be independent, and
                       make it to the high school fi nish                     never give up. And I did, and I am, and I won't."
                                                                              never give up. And I did, and I am, and I won't."
                       line, but in Immokalee, that                              Ketnise Pierre is off  to Sante Fe College—the fi rst
                                                                              step on her journey to become a nurse practitioner.
                       achievement can be a bit sweeter.                      step on her journey to become a nurse practitioner.                                Weddings & More also Available!
                         Many in Th  e Immokalee                                "I would say the words that best describe me are outgoing
        Foundation's Class of '22 are the fi rst in their family to        and patient—and I am willing to take a risk."
        Foundation's Class of '22 are the fi rst in their family to
                                                                           and patient—and I am willing to take a risk."
        graduate high school—and as we're on the cusp of another          Stephanie Robert
        graduate high school—and as we're on the cusp of another
                                                                          Stephanie Robert is going to the University of Florida to
        school year—they are often the fi rst family member to go to   study nursing.
                                                                      study nursing.
        school year—they are often the fi rst family member to go to
                                                                        "Th  e Immokalee Foundation has changed my life in ways I could not
        college.                                                        "Th  e Immokalee Foundation has changed my life in ways I could not
           Th  e challenges in Immokalee are widely reported. Th  e irony   have imagined. Th  e Foundation allowed me to become the young woman I
        is that, as an agricultural community, Immokalee's working class   am today—through their Career Pathways program, mentor meetings, class
        essentially feeds millions of people, yet parents often struggle to   trips, seminars, and so on. Th  e Immokalee Foundation has helped me form
        meet their family's basic needs.                          strong relationships that will continue to impact me for the rest of my life."
           For over 30 years, Th  e Immokalee Foundation has focused on   Th  ere's no limit to what all our graduates can achieve. And our
        education, career-readiness, and professional development for an   highly supportive Foundation team and community volunteers will be
        extraordinary group of students ranging from kindergarten to   alongside them as they pursue their dreams.
        postsecondary education.                                     For more information on Th  e Immokalee Foundation's
           At Immokalee High School, Foundation students represented   transformational work and to stay connected with our student's stories,
        12% of the 2022 graduating class. Out of our 39 high school   visit: immokaleefoundation.org.
        seniors, 18 graduated in the top 20% of their class and six of the
        top 10 graduates are Immokalee Foundation students.          About    e Immokalee Foundation
           As part of our celebration, here is a snapshot of our exceptional   For more than 30 years, Th  e Immokalee Foundation has been preparing
        Class of 22—a blend of tenacity, commitment, kindness and   the next generation of leaders through a 100% focus on education, career
        passion. If you're looking to be inspired, look no further.   readiness, and professional development for students in Immokalee--from
           Eloy Anzualda III, one of our promising young scientists, is   kindergarten to postsecondary education. Th  e Immokalee Foundation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           m
        headed to the University of Florida with the goal of becoming a   off ers new pathways to success and fi nancial independence through   N NaapplleessPPrriinncceessssCCrruuiisseess..ccoomm  2 23399..664499..22227755   miissssNNaapplleessBBooaatt..ccoomm
        shark biologist.                                          robust programming that prepares students for well-paying, in-demand
                                                                                                                                               Also available at:
           "I hope to conduct leading research on various species of sharks to   professional careers in Business Management & Entrepreneurship,
        give better insight into their lives, how we can interact with them, and   Education & Human Services, Engineering & Construction Management
        how we can use their gifts to better our world."          and Healthcare. For additional information call 239-430-9122                                                deck & tritoon  Paddleboards Fishing Charters
                                                                                                                                                                                Boat rentals                   Kayaks                 & gift shop!
                                                                  or visit immokaleefoundation.org.
     52                                                                                        Life in Naples | August, September, October 2022  Life in Naples |  August, September, October 2022                                                             53
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