Rylee Bright and Aelina West, both eighth grade students at The Village School of Naples, have earned honors for the 2025 Artis-Naples button design contest.
As the first-place winner, Bright’s artwork has been chosen as next season’s button; given to visitors of the Artis-Naples Baker Art Museum throughout the 2025-26 season.
West’s design earned an honorable mention and will be produced and given out at the art museum’s 2026 Spring Community Day.
The Artis-Naples annual button contest is available to all students (K through 12) in Collier County, with thousands of students competing for the honors.
The actual buttons will be produced and made available around the start of the next school year.
Naples Pathways Coalition launches fundraising campaign
Naples Pathways Coalition recently announced the launch of a fundraising campaign to support their mission “to create a safe, bikeable and walkable community.”
Naples Velo Cycling Club has pledged a matching donation of $24,000 to help double the impact of every dollar raised.
The fundraising campaign aims to generate funds for ongoing initiatives such as the Paradise Coast Trail, planned to be a 100-mile multi-use trail that will connect Naples to Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Ave Maria and other communities across Southwest Florida and Hands-Free Florida, their coalition and campaign to end distracted driving.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Naples Velo in this effort,” said Michelle Avola-Brown, Executive Director of Naples Pathways Coalition. “Their matching donation challenge is a powerful incentive for our supporters. Every contribution—large or small—will now go twice as far in building a safer and more connected Collier County.”
Naples Velo President, Angela Quinsey added, “Our club is proud to stand behind Naples Pathways Coalition and the transformative work they’re doing that helps keep our club riders safe on the road. The matching challenge reflects our shared commitment to improving infrastructure for cyclists, runners, and all who value outdoor recreation and active transportation.”
The matching campaign will run through Aug. 31.
For more information, visit naplespathways.org. Donations can be made at naplespathways.org/donate.
Immokalee Foundation receives $40,000 grant
The Immokalee Foundation recently announced it has received a $40,000 grant from the Women’s Foundation of Collier County. The money will be used to support middle school girls participating in the Foundation’s afterschool Career Pathways education and workforce development program.
The Women’s Foundation awards grants through a “competitive application and review process.”
This is the fourth consecutive year the Women’s Foundation has supported the Immokalee Foundation’s 6th, 7th and 8th-grade girls.
The Career Pathways program offers a broad curriculum for Immokalee middle and high school students to place them on pathways to “well-paying, in-demand careers in Southwest Florida” in four sectors: Engineering and construction management, education and human services, healthcare, business management and entrepreneurship.
“The Women’s Foundation of Collier County’s ongoing support has already had a huge impact on our ability to proactively prepare even more young people — specifically young women —f or Southwest Florida’s growing workforce,” said Noemi Y. Perez, president and CEO of The Immokalee Foundation.
“Foundation students and their parents first learn about career options in middle school. The Career Pathways program introduces career choices to middle school girls at a very impressionable time in their lives.”
The Immokalee Foundation’s students often come from lower-income families.
“It’s inspiring to see the impact of both the Foundation’s efforts and the community’s investment as the young girls gain the tools and confidence to pursue their dreams,” said Althea Irving, Women’s Foundation of Collier County Board Chair. “Together, we are building a brighter future—one fearless young woman at a time.”
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Now You Know: Village students have designs chosen by Artis-Naples; NPC fundraiser
Reporting by Will Watts / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
