Carol Reed awarded five graduating girls with a scholarship provided by the Marathon Elks Lodge. The recipients are Samantha Bonilla, left, Zamaira Ricart, Jinett Rodriguez, Brandi Spalten and Savannah Rodamer.
An astounding amount of awards were handed out on Tuesday to Marathon High School graduating students on Class Night. The evening began with a symbolic capping of the seniors by family members. Then the scholarships started flowing: Take Stock in Children scholarship recipients included 13 students from MHS, receiving a total of $422,000 in tuition and housing grants. The Marathon Business and Professional Women handed out $15,000, Zonta gave $4,000. Among the other strong supporters of Marathon students were the Marathon Rotary Club, Marathon Chamber of Commerce, Organized Fishermen of Florida, Keys Fishermen, the Guides Trust Foundation, and many, many more.
Zach Perry and Zamaida Ricart receive the Alpha Delta Kappa Scholarship, presented by a teacher group to students interested in pursuing a career in education.
The D’Ascanio brothers, Franco and KRISTEN DO YOU KNOW THE OThER ONE? present John Galganic with a scholarship in memory of Palmerino D’Ascanio. It was awarded to a student with a special understanding of work ethic and family values.
Liam Griffin, left, Ashley Anderson, Zoe Caldwell and Arianna Arce receive a scholarship for their culinary skills earned in the school’s professional kitchen.
Samantha Bonilla’s graduation camp is forgotten at her feet as she turns to embrace her brother. He surprised her during the capping ceremony
One of the best reasons for the Marathon Seafood Festival is to support the college dreams of fishermen’s children and close relatives. Elizabeth Prieto, left, and Paul Lebo present awards to Alondra Rodriguez, Samantha Bonilla, Savannah Rodamer and Brandi Spalten.
Eric Myrmel of the Middle Keys Marine Association presented awards to Jamine Guo, left, Aaron Grube and Brandi Spalten.
Marathon’s Rotary Club handed out seven $1,000 scholarships to Kevin Zheng, left, Brandi Spalten, Liam Griffin, Jesenia DeLaCruz, Samantha Bonilla, and Arianna Arce. Marathon City Manager Mike Puto did the honors.
Liam Griffin, left, Arianna Arce, Jamine Guo, Jesenia DeLaCruz and Aaron Grube receive a gift from the Marathon Chamber of Commerce.
Several of the grads were surprised by siblings who flew in especially for the ceremony. Here, Aaron Grube and sister Acacia share a moment. Samantha Bonilla was also surprised by her older brother in uniform.
The Marathon chapter of the Business and Professional Women Club handed out $15,000 in scholarships to Kevin Zheng, Brandi Spalten, Jinett Rodriguez, Savannah Rodamer, Jennifer O’Toole, Tommy Lancaster, Jamine Guo, Aaron Grube, Liam Griffin, Jesenia DeLaCruz, Mairel Brenes, Samantha Bonilla and Ariana Arce. The grads are flanked by Past President Charlotte Quinn, left, and President Becky Shifflett.
Jinett Rodriguez, Brandi Spalten, Samantha Bonilla, Savannah Rodamer, Zonta representative Katrina Wiatt, Zamaida Ricart, Yesenia DeLaCruiz, Mairel Brenes, and Laura Valenzuela share $4,300 in scholarships money from the Zonta Club of Marathon.
The big winners of the night are the Take Stock in Children graduates: Samantha Bonilla, Dayle Labarada, Rosie Parrada, Kylie Platt, Sharon Rodriguez, Nelson Rojas, Laura Valenzuela, Ashley Anderson, Zoe Caldwell, Alvaro Fregoso, Robi Garcia, Taja Hidalgo and Jinett Rodriguez. The award was presented by Katrina Wiatt, right.
A new softball tournament in memory of John ‘Pops’ Stiglitz is a boon to these eight student athletes. They are Alex Mejia, left, Arianna Arce, Samantha Bonilla, Yesenia DeLaCruz, Jamine Guo, Kevin Zheng, Brandi Spalten and Aaron Grube. The award was presented by Pops’ son-in-law and Bambi Kuck.
Freshman Jordy Mejia, left, caps his older brother, ‘Meja,’ at the ceremony.
Marathon Community Theater’s Devin Clark, center, said it was an honor to share the stage in previous theater productions AND present Zach Perry and John Galganic with scholarships.
This scholarship is awarded to students who have spent time in the English as a Second Language program. Both Melany Menendez Lopez, left and Dayle Labrada have mastered the English language.
Thomas Lancaster celebrates with Assistant Principal Liz Logan upon learning he earned the $8,000 Voices for the Florida Keys Children Carol Parker Scholarship.
Carol Reed awarded five graduating girls with a scholarship provided by the Marathon Elks Lodge. The recipients are Samantha Bonilla, left, Zamaira Ricart, Jinett Rodriguez, Brandi Spalten and Savannah Rodamer.
Marathon High School teacher Christina Belotti, right, presents Ashley Anderson, Arianna Arce and Rebecca DeBlackmere with the E.C.M.C. Marathon Angle Scholarship, an award for those who have a humitarian’s heart.