Every year, Lee County high schools nominate male and female student-athletes who have excelled in the classroom and their respective sports for the annual Rotary South Scholar Athlete Banquet.
Here are the 42 nominees for the 40th annual banquet, which will be held on Tuesday May 26, 2026, at the Bell Tower DoubleTree. The top male and female athletes will be named, and additional student-athletes will be awarded Service Above Self Award scholarships, for a total of $31,000 in scholarships given to local seniors by the Rotary Club of Fort Myers South.
The college of each nominee, if available, is listed as well as their honors and accolades, and the grades in school in which they were achieved.
Lila Dinkel
School: Bishop Verot
College: University of Florida
Sports: Soccer, Basketball, Flag Football, Track and Field
Athletic Honors: Varsity Soccer Captain (10, 11); News-Press All-Area Second Team Soccer (10, 11); Varsity Flag Football Captain (11, 12); News-Press All-Area First Team (11); Southwest Florida Flag Football Player of the Year (11); ECNL All-Conference Second Team (10, 11)
Activities and Awards: Mu Alpha Theta President (12); SGA Junior Vice President (11); SGA Vice President (12); Summa Cum Laude (9-12); Scholar’s Academy (9-12); National Honor Society (10-12); AP Scholar Award with Distinction (11)
Joey Lawson
School: Bishop Verot
College: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Sports: Baseball
Athletic Honors: News-Press All-Area First Team (10, 11); Southwest Florida Baseball Player of the Year (11); Varsity Baseball Captain (11, 12); Perfect Game All-American
Activities and Awards: Class of 2026 Committee Leader (11, 12); Class of 2026 House Leader (9-12); National Honor Society (11-12); Habitat for Humanity Volunteer (9-12); Fort Myers Humane Society Volunteer (9-12)
Brianna Shanblatt
School: Bonita Springs
College: Florida SouthWestern State College
Sports: Flag Football, Cheerleading
Athletic Honors: Varsity Cheer Captain (11, 12); Varsity Flag Football Captain (11, 12)
Activities and Awards: Collegiate Academy Student; Dual Enrollment at FSW; National Honor Society; SGA; FCA
Travis Holappa
School: Bonita Springs
College: Southeastern University
Sports: Baseball
Athletic Honors: News-Press All-Area Honorable Mention (10); Perfect Game All-Tournament Team; Perfect Game Preseason Underclass All-American
Activities and Awards: TV Production Program; Dean’s List at FGCU
Kali Young
School: Canterbury
College: Palm Beach Atlantic University
Sports: Soccer, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball
Athletic Honors: Varsity Soccer State Champion (12); Varsity Soccer MVP Award (10); Varsity Soccer Captain (8-12); News-Press All-Area Girls Soccer Honorable Mention (8, 9, 12); News-Press All-Area Girls Soccer Second Team (10); News-Press All-Area Beach Volleyball First Team (10); News-Press All-Area Volleyball Honorable Mention (11)
Activities and Awards: Canterbury Prefect Program (9-12); Canterbury Literary Magazine Editor (9, 10); National Honor Society (10-12); Science, English, and Spanish Honor Society (10-12); Gigi’s Playhouse (12)
Brenden Daller
School: Canterbury
College: University of Southern California
Sports: Football, Lacrosse, Wrestling
Athletic Honors: Varsity Football Captain (10-12); Varsity Football Cougar Award (10); Varsity Wrestling Captain (12); Varsity Wrestling Takedown Anytime Award (10)
Activities and Awards: Student Body Vice President (12); Founder/President of XĒD Wellness (9-12); National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, English National Honor Society, Chinese National Honor Society, and Math National Honor Society; Brown University Book Award (11); Cum Laude Society; 350-plus Community Service Hours
Kadence Holcomb
School: Cape Coral
College: Ringling College of Art and Design
Sports: Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Cross Country
Athletic Honors: Varsity Volleyball Captain (12); Varsity Beach Volleyball Captain (11, 12); Varsity Beach Volleyball Coach’s Award (9, 10)
Activities and Awards: International Baccalaureate Program (9-12); National Art Honor Society (12); AP Scholar Award; Florida Department of Environmental Protection Earth Day Art Contest District Winner (9); Fort Myers Art Festival Chalk Competition Sunny & Sparkle Award (11); Janet Sams Art Studio (9-12)
Reily Rountree
School: Cape Coral
College: University of South Florida
Sports: Cross Country, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field
Athletic Honors: FHSAA District Champion Diver (2025); FHSAA Regional Champion Diver (2025); Two-Time FHSAA State Swim Meet Qualifier; Two-Time FHSAA State Cross Country Meet Qualifier
Activities and Awards: Student Government; National Honor Society; International Baccalaureate Student; Class Rank: 11 of 492; 100-plus Service Hours; Patriot Elementary tutoring and special needs volunteer work
Rory Farrell
School: Cypress Lake
College: Lees-McRae College
Sports: Swimming, Cross Country, Soccer, Flag Football, Lacrosse
Athletic Honors: Cypress Scholar-Athlete Award; Coach Farrell Award; News-Press Girls Soccer Honorable Mention (2023, 2024); Soccer Captain (2025-26); SWFL Soccer All-Star Participant (2026)
Activities and Awards: Yearbook Staff Editor (12); National Honor Society (11, 12); Top 5% of Class; AICE Cambridge Diploma Candidate; Girl Scouts Silver Award Recipient (2024); Hurricane relief volunteer efforts
Daniel Johnson
School: Cypress Lake
College: University of Florida
Sports: Football, Lacrosse
Athletic Honors: All-Area Football Second Team (12); All-Area Football Honorable Mention (11); All-Area Lacrosse Honorable Mention (11); Football Captain (12); Lacrosse Captain (11, 12); Rotary All-Star Game Participant (12); Football Scholar Athlete Award (12)
Activities and Awards: National Honor Society (11, 12); Be A Buddy (9-12); Read Across America (9-12); Panther Pack (12); Church youth group and kids ministry volunteer
Yozeline Lesha Garius
School: Dunbar
College: University of South Florida
Sports: Volleyball, Weightlifting, Softball
Athletic Honors: Varsity Softball Captain (10, 12); Varsity Softball MVP (11); News-Press Softball Honorable Mention; MaxPreps Top 20 in Florida for Steals (11); Girls Weightlifting Regional Qualifier (11)
Activities and Awards: HOSA President (12); Student Government Association Representative (11, 12); National Honor Society (11, 12); International Baccalaureate Career Programme Student; College Board National African American Recognition Award (2024); CARSS Scholarship Recipient (2026)
Kobe Johnson
School: Dunbar
College: Florida A&M University
Sports: Track and Field, Football
Athletic Honors: Track and Field State Champion (12); Track and Field Regional Champion (11); Track and Field District Champion (11); SWFL All-Area Track Team (11); Adidas Track Nationals All-American (11); Varsity Track and Field Captain (10-12); Track and Field MVP (11)
Activities and Awards: Autodesk Fusion 360 and Inventor Certifications; Titans of CNC Titan 1-M and Titan 5-M Certifications; A/B Honor Roll (10-12); Class Rank: 8 of 388; Middle and high school track meet volunteer; Church camp instructor
Lexzani Ponce
School: East Lee County
College: Florida SouthWestern State College
Sports: Soccer, Cheerleading, Track and Field, Flag Football
Athletic Honors: Soccer Captain (2024-25); Cheer Captain (2025-26); East Lee County Defensive Player of the Year, Soccer (2024-25); East Lee County Scholar Athlete Award, Cheer (2024-25)
Activities and Awards: A/B Honor Roll (9-12); Peewee cheer assistant coach; Church volunteer
Marlon Jesus Medina Bello
School: East Lee County
College: Florida Gulf Coast University
Sports: Football, Wrestling, Weightlifting
Athletic Honors: Wrestling Team Captain (12); Three-Time Wrestling Regional Qualifier; Four-Year Varsity Football and Wrestling Athlete; JV Wrestling Tournament Coach and Mentor
Activities and Awards: AVID Program; Model Men; Homecoming King; Multiple AICE Courses; Athletic trainer volunteer; School event and concession fundraiser volunteer
Kaitlyn Mancini
School: Estero
College: Florida State University
Sports: Soccer, Golf, Lacrosse
Athletic Honors: Girls Soccer Player of the Year (10, 11); Girls Soccer Outstanding Leadership Award (10, 11); School Record for Assists in Soccer (10); Lee County Student Athlete of the Month (12); Girls Golf MVP (12)
Activities and Awards: AICE Diploma; National Honor Society; Dual Enrollment; Full Bright Futures Scholarship; Interact Club (2 years); 100-plus Community Service Hours; Hurricane Ian relief volunteer
Parker Seluk
School: Estero
College: Florida Atlantic University
Sports: Swimming
Athletic Honors: Varsity Swimming Team Captain (12); FHSAA State Qualifier (9-12); Swimming News-Press All-Area First Team (9-12); District Champion in 500 Freestyle (11, 12); Estero High School Record Holder in two relay events
Activities and Awards: Straight A Honor Roll (9-12); Top 10 in Senior Class; Rotary Club Academic Student of the Month (11); Volunteer at Special Olympics Swim Meet; Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk participant; Publix employee
Nalah Smith
School: Evangelical Christian
College: Brown University
Sports: Basketball, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Beach Volleyball
Athletic Honors: News-Press Girls Basketball Player of the Year (2025, 2026); First Team All-Area (2024-26); FACA Class 2A Player of the Year (2025, 2026); Queen of Palms MVP; ECS Female Athlete of the Year (2025); Varsity Basketball Captain
Activities and Awards: Hoops on Mission outreach involvement; Church-sponsored youth volunteer programs; Mentor to younger students; Leadership through team prayer and outreach initiatives
Brayden Saari
School: Evangelical Christian
College: Wabash College
Sports: Baseball, Swimming
Athletic Honors: Varsity Swim MVP (11, 12); Varsity Swim Captain (12); Top 10 State Placement in individual events (11, 12); Nationals Futures Time Cut qualifier; News-Press Athlete of the Week (12)
Activities and Awards: National Honor Society (11, 12); Dual Enrollment at Southeastern University; 155 Community Service Hours; Leader at First Assembly Church
Maggie Pocklington
School: Fort Myers
College: Florida State University
Sports: Cross Country, Track and Field
Athletic Honors: Cross Country and Track Team Captain; Multiple-time state qualifier; LCAC and District champion honors; School record holder in the 1500m; Varsity Cross Country MVP
Activities and Awards: International Baccalaureate Program; FCA Bible Study Club Leader; History Fair District Champion and State Qualifier; Inducted into four honor societies; Top 5% GPA in senior class; Student Leadership Program at Next Level Church
Kael Seneca
School: Fort Myers
College: U.S. Naval Academy
Sports: Wrestling, Lacrosse
Athletic Honors: Wrestling State Champion (12); Third Place at State Championships (11); Varsity Wrestling Captain (10-12); Four-Time State Qualifier; Regional Wrestling Champion (11, 12); County Wrestling Champion (9-12)
Activities and Awards: Student Government President; Unified Club leader; AP Scholar with Distinction; IB For All Student; Founder of Stocking Hope for Heroes fundraisers; Youth wrestling coach and referee
Mary-Jane Torres
School: Gateway
College: Florida Gulf Coast University
Sports: Basketball, Lacrosse
Athletic Honors: Varsity volleyball captain; All-Conference volleyball recognition; team leadership award recipient
Activities and Awards: AVID Program student; National Honor Society; student leadership involvement; active community service volunteer
Jeramie Hicks Jr.
School: Gateway
College: Undecided
Sports: Football, Weightlifting, Track and Field
Athletic Honors: Varsity football captain; regional qualifier in track and field; Scholar Athlete recognition
Activities and Awards: AVID Program; academic honor roll student; leadership and mentorship involvement; community service participant
Esha Blanc
School: Gateway Charter
College: Florida A&M University
Sports: Volleyball, Cheerleading
Athletic Honors: Varsity Volleyball Team Captain; Cheer Team Captain; Club Volleyball National Champion; FCC Impact Cheerleading Competition Winner; Regional Conference Champion
Activities and Awards: Senior Class President; Student Government Association Representative; National Honor Society; Cambridge AICE Diploma Recipient; Musical Theater lead vocalist/cast member; BigFuture Ambassador; Beach clean-up and senior living volunteer work
Elijah Dantley
School: Gateway Charter
College: Undecided
Sports: Basketball, Cross Country
Athletic Honors: Varsity basketball captain; All-Area basketball selection; team MVP; key contributor to district and regional postseason runs
Activities and Awards: National Honor Society; student leadership involvement; community service volunteer; recognized for academic achievement and leadership on campus
Katherine Castaneda
School: Ida Baker
College: University of Central Florida
Sports: Cross Country, Track and Field, Wrestling
Athletic Honors: District Champion in wrestling at 120 pounds; LCAC wrestling champion; three-time wrestling captain; two-time cross country captain; two-time track and field throwers captain; Wrestling MVP; Cross Country MVP; Wrestling Regional Qualifier; Athlete of the Year nominee
Activities and Awards: AICE Diploma recipient; National Honor Society; Criminal Justice Academy student; Junior Leadership Cape Coral participant; 160 volunteer hours at HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital
Ivan Roman
School: Ida Baker
College: Undecided
Sports: Track and Field, Cross Country, Soccer
Athletic Honors: Track & Field MVP; school record holder in the 600m; multi-sport varsity athlete in track, cross country, and soccer; track and soccer team captain; certified youth soccer referee
Activities and Awards: Scholars Club member; youth soccer coach and referee; organizer of youth group nights; participant in charity runs, including the Sandoval 5K
Rylynn Gaddis
School: Island Coast
College: Cape Coral Technical College
Sports: Cheerleading, Softball, Tennis
Athletic Honors: Two-time UCA All-American; varsity cheer captain; Varsity Softball Most Versatile Award recipient; Varsity Softball Rookie of the Year; Varsity Cheer Showmanship Award; Varsity Cheer Love of the Sport Award
Activities and Awards: Competitive cheerleader and varsity tennis athlete; mangrove restoration volunteer; aspiring veterinary assistant with plans to open her own veterinary clinic
Kennari Shorter
School: Island Coast
College: Loras College
Sports: Football, Track and Field
Athletic Honors: Four-year varsity football player; Coaches Football Award recipient; Honorable Mention Football selection; varsity track and field athlete
Activities and Awards: Television Production and Yearbook staff member; Aeronautical Team participant; A/B Honor Roll student; Homecoming Court selection; 100-plus volunteer hours coaching youth football and assisting at athletic events
Jose-Nertrude Cadeus
School: Lehigh
College: Florida International University
Sports: Track and Field, Cross Country, Wrestling
Athletic Honors: Three-sport athlete in track and field, cross country, and wrestling; respected for leadership and consistency across multiple programs
Activities and Awards: Dual Enrollment student; Honor Roll recipient; active in Theatre, Thunder Choir, Bella Voce Choir, Youth Alive, and LLA; tutor for Creole-speaking middle school students
Wilton Larame
School: Lehigh
College: Ave Maria University
Sports: Football, Track and Field, Wrestling
Athletic Honors: Varsity football and track athlete; team leadership recognition; standout multi-sport competitor
Activities and Awards: Student leadership involvement; academic honor recognition; community service participation; mentor and role model for younger students
Kelsi Longabardi
School: Mariner
College: Florida Gulf Coast University
Sports: Soccer, Flag Football, Golf
Athletic Honors: Multi-year varsity and club soccer athlete; multiple MVP awards; district and regional champion; recognized by MaxPreps, News-Press, and Cape Coral Daily Breeze for soccer accomplishments
Activities and Awards: National Honor Society; National Technical Honor Society; Student Advisory Council; Peers as Partners; TOPS Soccer volunteer; Gulf Elementary volunteer; hurricane relief and cleanup efforts; student mentor and classroom assistant
Ryan Hunter
School: Mariner
College: Undecided
Sports: Tennis, Bowling
Athletic Honors: Varsity Tennis MVP; two-year varsity tennis captain; district champion in bowling; state tournament qualifier in bowling
Activities and Awards: National Honor Society Treasurer; Mu Alpha Theta math tutor; HOSA and FFA member; Cambridge AICE Diploma recipient; Top 10 in class; veterinary assistant intern with 300-plus hours; Quality Life Center volunteer and summer camp counselor
Gabriella Sergi
School: North Fort Myers
College: Fire School
Sports: Volleyball, Wrestling
Athletic Honors: AAU State Champion; LCAC MVP and champion; district champion; multiple invitational champions; two-time state placer in girls wrestling; regional runner-up; over 100 career wins
Activities and Awards: Dual Enrollment; Honor Roll student; school event and wrestling fundraiser volunteer; employed throughout high school; active in Vacation Bible School and community events
Meyer Erickson
School: North Fort Myers
College: University of Florida
Sports: Soccer, Football
Athletic Honors: Varsity Soccer MVP; All-Area soccer selection; three-year soccer captain; football captain and Special Teams MVP; Top 50 Soccer Players to Watch selection
Activities and Awards: National Honor Society; Interact Club; Youth Alive Club; leadership roles in school and club athletics; plans to attend the University of Florida
Jazlyn Forbes
School: Oasis
College: University of Florida
Sports: Cross Country, Track and Field, Soccer
Athletic Honors: Cross Country and Track & Field All-American; multiple-time district and regional champion; Florida State University 3200m Champion; state championship medalist in cross country and track; Oasis record holder in seven events; nationally ranked cross country runner; team captain and MVP in both cross country and track
Activities and Awards: National Honor Society; AICE Student Union; Oasis Recycling Club; Oasis Elementary Robotics Competition; Fleet Feet Big Run Guide; International Coastal Cleanup
Zach Poskon
School: Oasis
College: Rollins College
Sports: Swimming
Athletic Honors: Three-time varsity swimming MVP; multiple-event school record holder; three-time News-Press All-Area First Team selection in boys swimming and diving; two-time FHSAA Class 1A state qualifier; Class 1A state finalist; two-time district champion in the 200 individual medley; varsity swimming captain
Activities and Awards: Cambridge AICE Program student; Cambridge AICE Diploma recipient; Principal’s List all four years; Top 10% class rank; Brightest and Finest Award recipient; community involvement included Hurricane Ian clean-up efforts and the Tyson Food Drive
Olivia Znotens
School: Riverdale
College: Florida Gulf Coast University
Sports: Volleyball, Beach Volleyball
Athletic Honors: Three-year varsity volleyball captain; two-time District 5A Player of the Year; three-time First Team All-Area selection; school record holder for career kills and digs; first player in program history to reach 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs; ranked third in Florida in kills as a sophomore; Lee County All-Star
Activities and Awards: National Honor Society; Student Council; IB Diploma Program student; A/B Honor Roll; organized beach cleanups; worked concessions at home games; IB docent for prospective students
Lovensky Blanchard
School: Riverdale
College: Stetson University
Sports: Football, Track, Weightlifting
Athletic Honors: FACA and Rotary All-Star football selection; All-Area Football First Team; two-time All-District selection; Team MVP; Battle of the Bell Offensive Player; All-State selection; Top 50 Juniors and Top 50 Seniors honoree; No. 1 rusher and touchdown scorer in Florida; 3,600-plus career rushing yards; three-year team captain
Activities and Awards: JROTC; Marketing; 2D and 3D Art studies; Law and Law Debate studies; Early Graduation; A/B Honor Roll; helped elderly residents with hurricane preparation and housework; Next Level Church hurricane relief volunteer; youth flag football coach and football trainer for younger students
Jerzi Nace
School: South Fort Myers
College: Florida Gulf Coast University
Sports: Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Softball
Athletic Honors: Varsity Volleyball MVP; Varsity Softball MVP; varsity captain in volleyball, softball, and weightlifting; 150-season digs milestone in volleyball; multi-year varsity letter winner in volleyball, softball, weightlifting, and wrestling; Cape Coral Volleyball Academy and Florida Conquer Volleyball Club athlete
Activities and Awards: National Honor Society; HOSA; Veterinary Academy; Cambridge AICE Program; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; All-Inclusive Club; active in school spirit events and multiple varsity programs
Joshua Raphael
School: South Fort Myers
College: Undecided
Sports: Football, Track and Field, Basketball
Athletic Honors: Rotary All-Star Football Team selection; varsity football captain; News-Press Football Honorable Mention (10, 12); four-year varsity football and track athlete; regional qualifier in track and field; 3A District and LCAC 4×100 relay champion; South Fort Myers Invitational winner; school record holder for four touchdowns in a game; Football Pride of the Pack and Most Improved Player recipient
Activities and Awards: National Honor Society; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; AVID Program participant; Homecoming King; Homecoming Court (11, 12); Honor Roll student; Minnesota Twins event volunteer; Hurricane Ian cleanup volunteer; Harns Marsh Elementary volunteer; employed at Brexotic Detailing
Raegan Schenone
School: SFCA
College: Undecided
Sports: Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Track and Field
Athletic Honors: Varsity volleyball athlete; varsity beach volleyball athlete; varsity track & field athlete; club volleyball player for four years; ACSI Distinguished Christian High School Award recipient for athletics
Activities and Awards: Student Government; Student Leadership Academy and Council; National Honor Society; National Society of High School Scholars; Dual Enrollment student; Mission 3:16 participant; Academic Excellence Award; Scholastic Honor Award; ACSI Distinguished Christian High School Award recipient for academics and leadership; First Assembly Youth social media team; Riverside Church Kids Ministry volunteer; middle school and elementary volleyball camp coach
Connor Watermeier
School: SFCA
College: University of Central Florida
Sports: Football, Wrestling, Track and Field, Weightlifting
Athletic Honors: Varsity football, basketball, and baseball athlete; football team captain; All-District football selection; Rotary All-Star Football Team selection; basketball leadership award recipient; baseball postseason contributor; multi-sport varsity letter winner throughout high school
Activities and Awards: National Honor Society; student leadership involvement; active in church and community service programs; volunteer mentor for younger athletes and students
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or via email: amartin@usatodayco.com. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Meet the 42 Lee students up for 2026 Rotary South Scholar Athlete awards
Reporting by Alex Martin, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
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