SISTER ACT

FOR UPPER KEYS SIBLINGS, GIGANTIC NAUTICAL FLEA MARKET IS MORE THAN SCHOLARSHIPS

Coral Shores High School graduate Anna Langley is finishing up her last year at the University of Florida in Gainesville. She’ll graduate in May with a degree in environmental engineering.

Anna's sister, Madeline, who graduated from Coral Shores last year, is in her first year at UF and is studying finance.

Both sisters volunteered every year at the Gigantic Nautical Flea Market and both received scholarship money raised at the hugely popular Upper Keys Rotary Club event.

"My education is pretty much completely paid for with scholarships. I have Florida Prepaid for tuition, but on top of that, Bright Futures, and all of the local scholarships pretty much cover all of my other expenses," said 18-year-old Madeline.

"The Keys community is so generous in all the scholarships they give out every year, all the organizations, not just Rotary," added 22-year-old Anna.

The Langley sisters both excelled in academics at Coral Shores and were student athletes, having both pitched for the Coral Shores’ softball team all four years.

Dad Jeff Langley says his daughters never missed an opportunity to volunteer at the Gigantic Nautical Flea Market. "They knew they gave college scholarships and were definitely looking for that," he said.

Madeline would collect tickets at the front gate and Anna would interact with customers on the shuttle bus to the event.

"Anna was riding on the bus from the school parking lot to the flea market and giving talks about it. I couldn't believe that was my daughter," Jeff said with a laugh, adding the experience was a confidence booster for both daughters.

Upon graduation in May, Anna Langley plans to work for KimleyHorn in its West Palm Beach office. She interned with the engineering company over the summer and was offered a full-time position.

Both sisters plan to drive down from Gainesville and volunteer again at this year's Gigantic Nautical Flea Market.

"My education is almost completely paid for with scholarships. I have Florida Prepaid for tuition, but on top of that, Bright Futures, and all of the local scholarships pretty much cover all of my other expenses."

Madeline Langley

Anna says the scholarships she received from the Upper Keys Rotary Club and several other community organizations made her college experience that much more rewarding.

"It means so much to me," explained Anna. "I have so much time to focus on my classes and extracurriculars because I don't need to spend all of my time at my job. I've had so much support from the community and Rotary."