Valerie’s House is grateful to Florida Weekly and reporter/photographer Casey Bradley Gent for covering one of the most inspiring days of our year—our 2026 Valerie’s House Scholarship Ceremony.

This year, Valerie’s House awarded $70,000 in college scholarships to 34 students who have participated in Valerie’s House peer support groups or received one-on-one counseling through our licensed mental health therapists. The scholarships recognize students who have shown resilience, determination and hope while pursuing higher education after the death of a parent, sibling or caregiver.

Scholarship awards range from $1,500 to $5,000 and are renewable for up to three additional years based on academic performance. Several recipients are continuing their education through graduate programs, including master’s degrees in mental health-related fields, allowing them to one day support others facing difficult life experiences.

We are incredibly thankful to Casey Bradley Gent and Florida Weekly for helping share these students’ stories with the Southwest Florida community and for shining a light on the importance of supporting grieving children and families long after their loss.

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Press Release

The following is the official Valerie’s House press release distributed on July 7, 2026.

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Valerie’s House Announces $70,000 in College Scholarships for Local Grieving Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 7, 2026

Contact:
Justin LaVerdiere, Communications Manager
Valerie’s House
239-460-6974
justin@valerieshouse.org

Valerie’s House has awarded $70,000 in college scholarships to 34 students who have demonstrated resilience, determination and hope while navigating the loss of a loved one, helping support their pursuit of higher education and future career goals.

Now in its fifth year, the scholarship program offers awards ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 per student, with each renewable for up to three additional years based on academic performance. The Valerie’s House scholarship program is funded through generous community contributions and private donations.

This year, a committee of Valerie’s House board members carefully reviewed each scholarship application, including personal essays in which students shared their grief journeys and reflected on how their loss shaped who they are today and who they aspire to become.

First-Time Scholarship Recipients

• Allison Smith — Naples — Florida Gulf Coast University
• Day Paris — Coral Springs — Florida Gulf Coast University
• Caleb Wells — North Fort Myers — Florida SouthWestern State College
• Gianna Gorman — Cape Coral — Florida Gulf Coast University
• Hailey Tharpe — Fort Myers — Florida SouthWestern State College
• Isabella Marulanda — Babcock Ranch — Florida Gulf Coast University
• Isaiah Thomas — Fort Myers — School choice pending
• Jackson McKee — Fort Myers — New College of Florida
• Kay Hayward — North Fort Myers — School choice pending
• Kayla Hagood — Cape Coral — Florida Gulf Coast University
• Kevin Plascides-Martin — Lehigh Acres — School choice pending
• Liana Feliz — Lehigh Acres — Florida SouthWestern State College
• Marley Mejia — Naples — Florida Gulf Coast University
• Milo DeJesus — Ruskin — Hillsborough Community College
• Nicolos Dang — Naples — Florida Gulf Coast University
• Rebekah Martin — Fort Myers — Florida Gulf Coast University
• Samantha Taylor — Fort Myers — University of Central Florida
• Ivy McHugh — Fort Myers — School choice pending

Renewal Scholarship Recipients

• Abigail Dotzler — North Port — University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
• Alexis Dehetre — Fort Myers — University of North Florida
• Anthony Pham — Fort Myers — Florida State University
• Brooke Burg — Fort Myers — Florida Gulf Coast University
• Kitty Hughes — Fort Myers — Florida SouthWestern State College
• Coral Morley — Naples — Florida Gulf Coast University
• Emely Calderon Villatoro — Fort Myers — Florida Gulf Coast University
• Gabriel Dang — Naples — SUNY Erie Community College
• Jessica McKee — Fort Myers — New College of Florida
• Jordan McKee — Fort Myers — Fort Myers Technical College
• Joseph Aaron Stenza — Naples — Florida Atlantic University
• Kealey Calderon Villatoro — Fort Myers — Florida SouthWestern State College
• Melanie Parra — Lehigh Acres — Florida Gulf Coast University
• Molly Flynn — Fort Myers — Florida SouthWestern State College
• Samira Ali — North Fort Myers — University of South Florida
• Talia Hall — Lehigh Acres — Valencia College

“Investing in our young people is one of the most meaningful ways we can honor their resilience and help them build bright futures,” said Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin Churchill. “The students receiving these scholarships have faced profound loss, yet they continue to demonstrate remarkable strength, determination and hope as they pursue their goals. One of our core messages at Valerie’s House is that loss does not have to limit your dreams.”

Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, books, supplies or other educational expenses during the school year. Community members interested in supporting future students may donate to the 2027 Valerie’s House Scholarship Fund.

Valerie’s House opened its first location in Fort Myers in 2016 and has served more than 7,000 children and families across Southwest Florida. Through peer support groups, counseling and community outreach, Valerie’s House helps children and families work through grief together and go on to live fulfilling lives.