Winners of Lee County Supervisor of Elections Arts Vote contest announced
A North Fort Myers High School student is among the winners of the Lee County Supervisor of Elections eight annual Arts Vote contest.
The award for Most Creative Artwork went to Red Knight Elliot Barroso.
The Best Artwork went to Anabella Novellino and Most Original Artwork went to Quinnlyn Campbell , both of Cypress Lake High School.
The Lee County Elections Arts Vote contest showcases the artistic talent of local high school students and provides a platform for them to
express their creativity while promoting voter participation and civic engagement.
“My staff and I are continually inspired by the ways in which students channel their creativity to express their voices,” said Supervisor Tommy Doyle in a prepared statement. “We’re proud to acknowledge their talents and to foster a lifelong voting habit.”
Lee County Elections awarded the winning school and students certificates of appreciation and gift cards for their contributions. The recipient of the Best Artwork category received a $100 gift
card, while the Most Original and Most Creative category recipients each received a $75 gift card. As the winning school for Best Artwork, Cypress Lake High School was awarded a $500 check to further support the arts.
The 2024-2025 contest began on Nov. 5, 2024, and ended on March 28. This year, all Lee County art schools were invited to participate. Doyle and staff selected the winners from nine entries: four from Cypress Lake High School, four from North Fort Myers High School, and one from East Lee County High School.
PHOTO PROVIDED
North Fort Myers High School Joy Williams, Elliot Barroso and CESD Director Juan Diez.
Welcome summer!
The heat is on and so is Summer Splash Saturdays at the North Fort Myers Community Pool at 5170 Orange Grove Blvd. The North Fort Myers Civic association is again hosting free admission to the pool his summer from June 14 until Aug. 9.
All students and residents ages 8 through 18 are welcome to enjoy Saturdays at the pool courtesy of the NFMCA. A light snack will be provided. This year we also will be paying admission for seniors who wish to enjoy the pool.
July brings scholarship awards. Please attend
‘Thru the
By Sarah Richard
and help us honor not only three high school seniors but our adult continuing education scholarship award winner. The event will be held July 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the North Fort Myers Recreation center located behind the NFM Library at 2000 N. Recreation Way.
May brought speakers Matt Caldwell, property appraiser and Noelle Branning, tax collector to our meeting where they enlightened us on all things we need to know and understand about the appraisal and tax collection process. They answered all our questions as well.
Lens’ provides new perspective on
When most people think of art, they likely imagine beautiful oil paintings of scenic landscapes, or a hand-drawn illustration that brings them back to a beloved memory. Or perhaps they envision a colorful sculpture that represents a specific moment in time, or a work of art hung in a museum, long regarded as a masterpiece.
But of all the mediums we know and appreciate, photography is unique. Invented in the early 1800s, photography is regarded as a mechanical art form. While it may not appear as tedious as the act of painting a portrait or piecing together a stainedglass window by hand, photography is a medium that captures the most intricate details that may not even be noticeable to the naked eye.
Photography highlights the importance of perspective — two people can photograph the same subject, but the result depends entirely on their desired composition. Is one photographer closer to the subject? Is one photographing from a higher angle? What about the type of lens used? Technology can be a big help in capturing a stunning photo, but ultimately, it falls to the person behind the lens to create the art.
Appreciating all forms of art is something that Gulf Coast Village prides itself on. The community launched its ongoing partnership with the North Fort Myers Arts Association, “Gulf Coast Gallery,” in November 2024, and the duo has continued to host events that spotlight not just different mediums, but local artists. Some are Gulf Coast Village’s own resident artists, and some are the exceptionally talented members of the NFMAA.
The next gallery exhibit launches on June 25 and is entitled “Thru the Lens,” a tribute to the world around us through stunning photography. Cindy Cone, a photographer of remarkable talent, is the event’s featured artist.
Cone, a former educator of over three decades, began experimenting with photography in college. Summers
Civic meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the North Fort Myers Recreation Center.
the world around
us
found her backpacking in our national parks, Pentax SLR always in hand. She’s been exploring the nature that Earth has to offer since she was a senior in high school, when she adopted the hobbies of hiking and birding. Her passions are translated through her photos, which frequently feature birds and other forms of wildlife.
Cone loves to travel, and her love for wildlife brings her to Kenya every few years, the home of one of her top memories: photographing the Wildebeest Migration, a moment that nature enthusiasts across the world hope to experience in their lifetimes.
Cone has certainly gotten up-close and personal with larger-than-life species, like coastal brown bears and giraffes, but when she retired in 2005, she focused on a much smaller specimen: birds. Given her longstanding history of birding and an
abundance of newfound time on her hands in Florida, she wanted to capture photos of the new birds she discovered and share those with the world. She remembers first being entranced by the Scarlet Tanager and Indigo Bunting.
Cone is continuously inspired by the need to protect Earth’s wild areas. “Because I’m lucky enough to get to these places and photograph these things, I hope I can share my experiences with others and inspire them as well,” said Cone.
Cone’s conservation and photographic interests expanded as she volunteered on Earthwatch Expeditions in Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica and Kenya. She completed an ornithology class at Cornell’s Laboratory of Ornithology, volunteered for the education program at Glacier National Park, completed Florida Master Naturalist classes, and attended as many workshops
and classes with professional nature photographers as she could.
Not only does she appreciate the subjects of her photos, but she constantly strives to enhance her craft. When asked what her favorite picture she’s taken is, Cone replied, “I don’t think I can choose a favorite. I always want to get something better.” But if she had to choose, she’d choose the results that come when she captures a photo and it turns out just the way she saw it in her mind’s eye, before she even clicked the shutter.
She’s received numerous juried awards and has been published in magazines, books and digital media. Her most recent award was for the reFocus 2024 Black and White Photo Contest: People’s Vote award for Wildlife “To the Sun.” The contest received over 5,000 entries from 49 countries.
There’s something magical about Cone’s photos – they make you feel as if you’ve been transported into the Serengeti, side-by-side with the tallest giraffe, or soaring through the gorgeous Florida sunrise with the mourning doves. Being able to capture those moments and getting them to translate the way she wants them to in that particular millisecond is what brings her joy.
If you’re interested in taking a trip through the wilderness, Gulf Coast Village will hold a “Thru the Lens,” reception at 2 p.m. on June 25, at 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd. Attendees will have the chance to meet Cone and the other exceptional artists featured in the exhibit, and they’ll even be able to cast a vote for their favorite photography while enjoying wine and cheese. The RSVP deadline for “Thru the Lens” is June 18. To check availability, visit GulfCoastVillage.org/Event/ArtistMeet-and-Greet-Thru-The-Lens.
About the author
Sarah Richard is the executive director of Gulf Coast Village. To learn more about Gulf Coast Village, visit GulfCoastVillage.org or call 239-5108712.
Toni Hill, President North Fort Myers Civic Association
PHOTO PROVIDED
Cindy Cone
ARC’s Casino Royale fundraiser rolls the dice for rescued animals
Story by Chuck Ballaro
Time for guys to pull out their tuxedos, women to select their favorite party dress and to note that martinis are shaken, not stirred.
The Animal Refuge Center will hold its 13th annual Casino Royale 007 fundraiser on Saturday, June 21, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Estero.
This James Bond-themed evening promises thrilling games of chance, exciting auction items including a trip to the Caribbean, and a mission to give the pets they care for a forever home. As far as we know, there will be no evil villains seeking to rule the world.
Rob Spicker, ARC vice president, said it will be a night of fun, no matter what your interests are.
“This is our second-largest fundraiser of the year. The tone is different from the Starlight Auction, which is more formal,” Spicker said. “This is more freewheeling, more fun. Something you can bring your friends to.”
Casino Royale usually raises between $25,000 and $40,000 for ARC. It costs around $1 million annually to keep the animal rescue shelter running through lodging, food, animal care and more.
As always, your favorite games of chance will be
played such as blackjack, poker, roulette, and craps. There will also be both a silent and live auction, as well as a few new attractions. There will also be a great selection of food available, as well as a fully stocked cash bar.
Tickets are $75, which includes $2,000 in play money to enjoy games throughout the evening. Guests can purchase additional play money at the event.
Spicker said ticket sales have been strong. As far as sponsorships, Spicker said they are always looking for those right up to the day of the event.
“Sponsors are always a great way to get involved. You get tickets and advertising on our website,” Spicker said. “We’re hoping for more ticket sales. That people see it and buy a ticket. Dress in your finest or dress down.”
And of course, no ARC fundraiser would be complete without a few beloved shelter residents
making a special appearance —reminding everyone of the night’s true purpose.
This year’s Casino Royale is presented by Pet Dental Center of Estero.
The Animal Refuge Center is Southwest Florida’s largest no-kill shelter. Its mission is to shelter, adopt, and educate . Its philosophy ensures that once an animal is accepted, it will not be euthanized to make room for another.
Every dollar raised goes directly toward caring for animals in need, organizers said.
Spicker said it has been a great year regarding dog adoptions, which is up 60 percent as they have increased the training of the animals. Cat adoption numbers are also up.
For more information, go to www. animalrefugecenter.com.
FILE PHOTO
Guests at Casino Royale played the night away at the craps, blackjack and poker tables or tried their luck at roulette at the Animal Refuge Center’s 10th Annual Casino Royale.
Michael Pape receives teacher-of-the-year honor
Story by Meghan Bradbury
Afirst-year teacher at North Fort Myers Academy of the Arts has received the Dr. James A. Adams Teacher of the Year for Law Related Education.
“Receiving the Dr. James A. Adams Teacher of the Year for Law Related Education meant the absolute world to me,” said Michael Pape, a middle school social studies teacher at North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts. “I had been waking up every morning with the goal of making the difference in the life of at least one student every day, and, to me this award let me know that I achieved that goal. My administration saw it, and wanted to recognize that, also showing me that all the hard work I had putting in was paying off.”
The award was provided through the Lee County Bar Association during its annual Law Week Awards and Luncheon, at the Riverside Community Center in Fort Myers.
“This award was a complete surprise to me. My
principal, Mr. Andrew Miller, had just told me that our school was going to this event to represent the district, and that the school district wanted him to bring a social studies teacher. I had no idea I was there for any other reason until Mr. Miller took the stage,” he said. “Education is my passion; I am so beyond grateful to have received this award. It shows me that what I am doing, and the effort that I put in, is making a difference.”
In addition, the award has given him the opportunity personally to reflect on what has gone well this year.
“Often, it is easy to be overcritical of yourself, causing you to be hard on yourself for mistakes you have made. I myself am guilty of this, but this award let me truly acknowledge the things that I did that had an impact,” Pape said.
He is an eighth-grade world history teacher.
“I started out the year as a STAR intern from Florida Gulf Coast University and graduated in December,” Pape said.
The growth of each and every student, both as learners and as people, is what he enjoys most about teaching.
“Watching a student’s abilities grow firsthand is the most satisfying part of teaching. In the end
our goal is to help them learn and improve, so being able to measure this and observe it gives me a reason to wake up and be the best teacher I can be every day,” he said. “Also, being a teacher is more about teaching academics, it’s about teaching them how to be better people and how to be successful members of society. Teaching them lessons about being better people, how to manage their time, and how to interact with their peers are all parts of being an educator that I love.”
Pape’s lesson plans aim at more than just remembering information, but to think critically through engagement of a topic beyond the surface.
“I have done lessons in an attempt to reach every student’s preferred learning style, that also keeps their brains and bodies active. The lesson that has stood out to me this year, that I feel had the highest level of engagement and impact, was my mock trial of Odysseus. We used our own legal system. Studied the courts and researched the roles of each member of the court room.
This lesson was a mix of learning about Ancient Greece, important literature, and the U.S. legal system,” he said.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Michael Pape, a first-year teacher at North Fort Myers Academy of the Arts, has received the Dr. James A. Adams Teacher of the Year for Law Related Education. He is congratualted by Principal Andrew Miller and School Board member Debbie Jordan.
DEECREATOR
School where she earned a 5.28
In the classroom, on the diamond, Abigail
Hynes shines
ANorth Fort Myers High School student-athlete will head to Saint Leo University, a division 2 school, in the fall to play softball and study biological sciences and computer programming.
“I love the competitive atmosphere of it,” Abigail Hynes said of softball, which she began playing at age 6 for a 12-year total. “You are not only competing as a team, but competing individually at the same time.”
Over the years she has played all infield positions with her favorite being third base.
“It keeps you in the game more because you are scared to death they are going to hit the ball at your face,” Hynes said.
Hynes has unmatched talent on the diamond.
The senior batted .609 this past season — a school record. She also set the record for singleseason home runs in Red Knight History with 13.
She started her high school career on varsity as North Fort Myers High School did not have the numbers to create a JV team. She also honed her skills on a travel ball team in the fall and summers and she will play again this summer before embarking on her college career at Saint Leo.
KEIRA LANE INSTA:KEIRAPHOTOGRAPH
Abigail Hynes stands ready at the plate.
Story by Meghan Bradbury
Abigail Hynes is heading to Saint Leo University after a stellar academic and sports career at North Fort Myers High
grade point average and excelled in softball, batting .609, a school record.
Hynes also is a standout in the classroom.
With a 5.28 grade point average, she received a Tommy Bohanon Foundation Scholarship and the Cape Coral Mayors Scholarship.
“I was really happy and very surprised,” she said of receiving the Tommy Bohanon Foundation Scholarship at a ceremony held on April 11. “The people that won it, they are all going to really prestigious academic schools. It chose me more for my personality because I had to do an interview for the scholarship. When I got the email that I got the scholarship, I actually cried.”
The Cape Coral Mayors Scholarship ceremony was held May 6. Hynes said she was very surprised to have received that scholarship as well.
At North, Hynes took a number of AICE classes, as well as Advanced Placement classes.
She also participated in the school’s HOSA chapter, Future Health Professionals, where she competed.
“This year I competed in prepared speaking and got third place for regionals,” she said.
She chose Saint Leo University for the culture and atmosphere of the campus.
“Everyone is very supportive of one another. I have been around a lot of toxic teams for travel ball,” Hynes said. “Right now, they are going to be hosting regionals for the college world series.”
She said she is excited to explore a new chapter of life and step up to a new challenge.
TOP:MARK CLIFFORD; BELOW: ROKBALLER
Abigail Hynes was among the Breeze Newspapers Athletes of the Week. In an LCAC Tournament win over Fort Myers, Hynes hit two solo home runs, adding a triple, to lead the Red Knights (16-6) at the plate. The senior was tops on the team in batting average, home runs, and other many other categories. The North Fort Myers Red Knights softball team was named the Breeze Newspapers 2024-2025 Team of the Year. Below: Abigail Hynes makes contact with the ball.
Brightwater Lagoon holds opening festivities
Story by Chuck Ballaro
For those inland of Southwest Florida’s famous Gulf beaches, Brightwater Lagoon offers a trip to the shore without the 25-mile drive to get there.
Representatives for Metro Lagoons and Brightwater along with local
new Brightwater Lagoon in North Fort Myers. The community amenity
The clear, blue waters of the amenity in North Fort Myers have been quietly open since November and have given residents and visitors the feel of beach life without the long drive or parking hassles.
The companies that built the Brightwater development and the lagoon held a ribbon cutting on May 30 to make the opening of the completed venue official, with local officials, a mermaid and even hula dancers taking part.
Brightwater Lagoon is more than six acres of clear, blue water, complete with a blow-up obstacle course, a VIP area, floating cabanas, shaded cabanas on the shore with a bar, splash pad, waterslide, kayak and paddleboard rentals and
much more.
Jim Bavouset, president of Metro Development Group, said the reception from the locals has been amazing in the short time they’ve been open, calling the lagoon a “vacation where you live.”
“This is an extension of our lagoon program that we started in north Florida and carried to Southwest Florida,” Bavouset said. “We’re seeing visitors from Miami and Orlando coming to visit after a couple months of activity.”
Jimmy Cruz, general manager, said the ribbon cutting was the culmination of years of work.
“We had a chance to do a soft opening late last year for the residents. Since then we’ve slowly put things together, get more things open, and now
CHUCK BALLARO
officials cut the ribbon for the
is open to the general public.
Jim Bavouset, president of Metro Development Group, speaks during the ribbon cutting for Brightwater Lagoon in North Fort Myers.
we’re where we have the entire place open.”
Todd Faison, director of operations at Metro Lagoons, said this first lagoon in Southwest Florida represents an opportunity to take advantage of the untapped potential in the area.
“We can take some of the tourism from Miami and have them come here. We get a lot of people from there to go to our northern properties,” Faison said. “We thought this would be a good opportunity to get some of that.”
Local officials also had a lot of good things to say about the venue. Wendy Murray, executive director of the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, said this was a muchanticipated event.
“It’s unbelievable that we have something this amazing right around the corner from us,” Murray said.
“It’s terrific for seniors, local residents
and kids and we’re happy the ribbon cutting is this morning.”
“It’s great. It’s a great tropical paradise for the community. It’s great people have options for places to live in Southwest Florida,” said Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass. “It’s another amenity where people don’t have to travel to go to the beach or waterpark.”
“You’ve seen the renderings, but to see it in person is truly a great addition to North Fort Myers,”
Commissioner Brian Hamman said.
“I can’t wait to bring my kids here the bring them to the inflatable obstacle course. I know they will wear me out.”
Brightwater Lagoon is one of four MetroLagoons locations in Florida and the first in Southwest Florida. It is at 8630 Sunny Page Lane in North Fort Myers.
Ticket prices vary depending on activities and amenities selected.
a
a VIP area,
The facility is cashless, accepting most major credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. For more about the lagoon, including hours and special events days, and to purchase tickets, visit www.metrolagoons.com.
—NFMNL
Brightwater Lagoon is more than six acres of clear, blue water, complete with
blow-up obstacle course,
floating cabanas, shaded cabanas on the shore with a bar, splash pad, waterslide, kayak and paddleboard rentals and much more./PROVIDED
North Fort Myers High School Graduation ’25
Story by Meghan Bradbury
More than 400 students from North Fort Myers High School walked across the stage on May 17, concluding their high school career and stepping into the next chapter of their lives.
North Fort Myers High School Principal Debbie Diggs said graduation was absolutely fantastic for the 436 seniors.
“The program was flawlessly facilitated, and our seniors were excited, thankful, and just a joy to be around,” she said.
Diggs described the 2025 class as hardworking, driven, collaborative, involved, caring and just overall, great human beings.
“Collectively, our 436 seniors have an average weighted GPA of 4.06; 236 kids have a GPA above a 4.0, that’s over half, 99 of them have earned a 5.0 or higher, that’s over 20% of the class, and two students earned a 6.0 or higher,” Diggs said.
The highest grade point average was earned by Katrina Placencia who earned a 6.14.
During the high school’s senior awards night there was $201,000 given out in scholarships.
“This doesn’t include any that students are getting directly from their college, or private scholarships. With all of those, including Bright Futures, it would be in the millions,” Diggs said.
Almost all of the seniors in the 2025 class took at least one Advanced International Certificate of Education course during their high school career.
“Of the graduating class, 96 of our seniors have already earned their Cambridge AICE diploma with several others who we are confident will after this final round of AICE exams. Of those 96, 45, so again over half, achieved a scholar, merit or distinction award, meaning multiple higher scores, and four students earned an AICE Diploma of Distinction, which represents super high scores. This ranks North 21st for all high schools in the Entire North American Region, that’s all of the U.S. and Canada, for AICE Diplomas,” Diggs said.
In addition, 317 students earned some kind of acceleration credit from an industry certification, passing an AICE, or AP exam and, or getting a C or higher in a college dual enrollment course.
This hardworking group of seniors also included 11 students who earned their college Associate of Arts degree before earning their high school diploma. In addition, collectively, the senior class logged more than 13,000 community service hours while in high school.
ALL PHOTOS BY LAURA HOWARD
North Fort Myers High School held graduation for the Class of 2025 on May 17.
CASH PAID
