Page 50 - LIN March-2023 50-84-sent

Immokalee Foundation Business
Management & Entrepreneurship
Pathway student Lionisia Calmo

The Immokalee Foundation
Celebrating Our Student Role Models

“My pathway teaches me what it takes to start a business—but I now understand
what it means to create goals and the effort it takes to achieve them.”
by Noemi Y. Perez, President and CEO
ifteen years ago, when I began as a student Liliana Salazar-Juarez, a proud member of the Class of 2023,
F joined The Immokalee Foundation in 2016 and is now an active part
advocate at The Immokalee Foundation, I
of our Healthcare Pathway.
could not have imagined the expansion of
student services that lie ahead—and would continue Liliana spoke with gratitude about her life-changing internship at
to be our hallmark for years to come. Physicians Regional Healthcare System. Hands-on experience at this
This success is thanks to the collective of selfless level is often reserved for postsecondary students; however, Liliana
supporters throughout the years who have helped and ten other Foundation interns were provided the opportunity as
change the narrative for thousands of young lives — from "I wish" rising high school seniors.
to "I will." And finally, there's Daniel Trejo Garcia—who wisely joined The
After thoroughly exploring career options in middle school, Immokalee Foundation in middle school. When the Foundation
Foundation students immerse themselves in one of four Career launched the Career Pathways program in 2019, Daniel jumped
Pathways in high school. These include Business Management & at the chance to be part of the Engineering and Construction
Entrepreneurship, Education & Human Services, Engineering & Management Pathway.
Construction Management or Healthcare. In fact, Daniel was a critical part of the team that built the first
I recently had the honor of hearing four students speak at our house at The Learning Lab, our 18-home subdivision in Immokalee
annual Charity Classic Gala. With their passions and dreams on that teams industry professionals with career-minded students.
full display, I found myself thinking about the 31 years of dedicated A sophomore in the Construction Management program at
donors and supporters who had made it all possible. Florida Gulf Coast University, Daniel works part-time as
This quartet of remarkable Career Pathways students was a an estimator for BCB Homes who is partnering with us at
shining example of a successful program that didn't even exist four The Learning Lab.
years ago—a reminder of how far innovation and creative thinking I congratulate these four extraordinary student role models who,
can and will take us in the years ahead. through perseverance and commitment, are changing the world one
For example, 15-year-old Lionisia Calmo follows our Business dream at a time.
Management & Entrepreneurship Pathway. She dreams of As Daniel so appropriately stated, "Education and income are
attending Florida State University, majoring in business, and such a great combination!"
becoming an operations manager. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why I am still here, cheering
Lionisia spoke of participating in WHAT'S YOUR PITCH— for the very deserving students of my beloved hometown of
The Immokalee Foundation's annual Shark-Tank-themed event. Immokalee …and you.
"My pathway teaches me what it takes to start a business—but I
now understand what it means to create goals and the effort it takes About The Immokalee Foundation
to achieve them." For more than 30 years, The Immokalee Foundation has been
Next, we heard from future attorney Kevin Luis Hernandez, a preparing the next generation of leaders through a 100% focus on
high school sophomore who joined The Immokalee Foundation education, career readiness, and professional development for students
in 2018. He follows the Education & Human Services Pathways in Immokalee—from kindergarten to postsecondary education. To learn
curriculum. more about The Immokalee Foundation, become a mentor, signature
Kevin shared that he will have five certifications from the events, volunteer as a career panel speaker or host, donate, or include the
Florida Department of Children and Families by the time he Foundation in your estate plans, please call 239-430-9122 or
graduates high school. These credentials will not only help Kevin visit immokaleefoundation.org.
secure a job and/or receive scholarships, but they assure that he will
stand out in a crowded field of college hopefuls.
50 Life in Naples | March 2023