Alongside them, eight college students are seeing their scholarships renewed, recognition for their ongoing efforts to bring empathy, inclusion, and kindness to their communities. These students have played a part in EOD’s Coexistence Clubs, leading projects and conversations that make their schools more welcoming places.

This year’s scholarship winners include Madelyn Francolini from Venice High School, who’s headed to the University of Pittsburgh to study applied developmental psychology. Madelyn spent over two years with the Coexistence Club, and she points to Venice Elementary School’s Bucket Fillers Reading Day as a turning point for her. She says moments like these taught her that being a “bucket filler” means stepping up, sometimes out of her comfort zone, to spread kindness in real ways.

Taylor Humphrey, graduating from Booker High School, is Florida International University-bound, where she plans to study nursing. After four years with her school’s Coexistence Club, Taylor credits the group with helping her connect with different people and building her confidence to turn good intentions into real action.

The third high school recipient, Abigail Lauber from Riverview High School, will study psychology at the University of South Florida. Abigail spent four years with her Coexistence Club and says she witnessed firsthand how a single act of kindness can change someone’s entire outlook.

These three new scholars join eight others who are continuing their college journeys with EOD’s support:

Bryson Day graduated from Venice High and is now a junior studying mechanical engineering at the University of South Florida. Bryson says he’s learned to respect others’ perspectives, and that staying true to EOD’s ideals shapes how he interacts with those around him.

Kennedy Flatch (Riverview High School) and Melissa Graham (Riverview High School) are both juniors at Florida State University, one pursuing marketing, the other in biological sciences. 

Max Hunter, a Venice High alum, is now a sophomore at FSU studying risk management.

Melora Saing from Booker High is studying biology as a sophomore at the University of Florida. 

Kasey-Huong Nguyen, another Venice graduate, is now a senior at UF, focusing on nutritional sciences.

Lucia Warren, from Booker, is a senior at USF majoring in marketing. Lucia says walking among EOD’s public art exhibits still reminds her how vital it is to try understanding experiences different from her own.

Finally, Mateo Rizzo, also from Booker, is a senior at UF studying aerospace engineering. He shares that embracing differences has become a way of life for him, a practice that’s made him a better teammate, leader, and person.

Patrick Arthur Jackson, EOD’s vice president of learning and engagement, says the scholarship program celebrates students taking action to make their communities more compassionate. He sees a real impact: “These students don’t just carry EOD’s values—they turn them into everyday habits. Watching them carry this forward into college and beyond, influencing the people around them, is what inspires us most.”

Coexistence Clubs now exist at many local schools, including Booker, North Port, Venice, Sarasota, and Riverview High School, Imagine North Port, Suncoast Polytech, and Woodland Middle School. These clubs anchor EOD’s educational programs, with students leading service projects, sparking dialogue, and building more inclusive communities.

For over two decades, Embracing Our Differences has centered its work around an outdoor art exhibition that voices messages of respect and acceptance. This annual event is the heartbeat of a slate of year-round programs, using art to inspire new thinking and bring people together.

Embracing Our Differences is a nonprofit that celebrates and uplifts our individuality and common humanity through art and education. Their annual juried art exhibition and educational initiatives give teachers, students, and the community tools to build understanding and acceptance. 

To learn more about Embracing Our Differences, visit their website or call 941-404-5710. More information is available at embracingourdifferences.org.

The post Embracing Our Differences Awards Scholarships to 11 Local High School and College Students appeared first on Englewood Review.

Her winning essay, “Free Speech: Our Right and Responsibility,” stood out in a contest that challenges students to reflect on the First Amendment, explore the importance of freedom of speech, and consider possible limitations, especially on social media. 

Besides being a scholarship winner, Annalise is also the designer behind Charlotte County’s 2024 presidential election “I Voted” sticker, which she calls a “fun accomplishment.”

Reflecting on her award, Annalise said, “I am very excited to see the Englewood community investing in the future of my classmates and me, and am truly grateful to have my essay selected by the Englewood Democratic Club.”

This year’s judges were Michael P. Haymans, a Punta Gorda attorney and host of “Building a Zoo”; Joyce Colmar, attorney, founder of the Dearborn Street Farmer’s Market, and board member of the North Manasota Key Association; and Linda DeMeritt, retired provost and Professor of German at Allegheny College, who remains active with the Symphonic Winds of Charlotte County.

To compete for the award, students submitted essays between 1,000 and 1,800 words on the significance of the First Amendment’s freedom of speech, their respect for their neighbors’ rights, and how or if they’d set limits, especially on social media. Annalise delivered, and now her voice joins a broader conversation about democracy and free speech.

Congratulations to Annalise Robbins, and enjoy reading her award-winning essay.

Free speech: Our Right and Responsibility

As citizens of the United States of America, our right to the freedom of speech is granted to us through the First Amendment of the Constitution which states that the legislative branch must refrain from “abridging the freedom of speech.” Freedom of speech is one of the fundamental liberties that our country guarantees to each of its citizens, but it is a right truly defined by each citizen through how they utilize it with respect to the rights of their fellow citizens. 

The primary reasoning for the framers of the Constitution ensuring freedom of speech is grounded in their experiences at the hands of other governments. The American colonists’ revolt against Britain to form a new union displayed to them the value of being able to stand independently for one’s own beliefs. Allowing for the uninhibited spread of beliefs and opinions allows for change to take place. This was especially significant to Americans around the time of the revolution because they were relying on new ideas to make dramatic changes in their government systems, but embracing the necessity of free speech also means comprehending the importance of respecting other people’s right to free speech as well. Placing value in the words of others allows for solutions to be discovered. If no debate could be had over decisions, the vast majority of the most valuable ideas could never even be suggested. The action of respecting freedom of speech for all people is an act of humility. It is the American citizen’s responsibility and action to sacrifice their pride in their own ideas and to listen to those of another. 

Despite these original intentions for the freedom of speech, modern day perceptions present it differently. Rather than using our right as a tool to find the most effective solutions, it is often used as a means of justifying ourselves. When someone receives some sort of criticism for a statement that they have made, their freedom of speech is often what they use to defend their remark. Through this tendency to lean on our right only as an argument for speaking to others in an uncivil manner, our freedom of speech has begun to appear more as an excuse than an opportunity. Perceiving it in this manner ignores the need for the right of others to be equally respected. Avoiding criticism and insisting to always be correct fails to display an understanding that respecting others’ ideas often allows us to reach stronger and wiser decisions. 

The limitations on freedom of speech have also become skewed. Although constitutionally speech must remain entirely free, during the course of our country’s history Supreme court rulings have allowed for the freedom of speech to be limited when it directly causes, or is meant to cause, danger or illegal actions in some way. More recently, the dispute over limiting freedom of speech has become significant in its relation to censoring social media.  Extreme censorship is viewed as a violation of the American citizen’s right to exercise their freedom of speech on these platforms. Alternatively, insufficient censorship is perceived as the government disregarding the limits placed on free speech that inspires crime or violence. Because of this modern and divided understanding of free speech, its limitations are less clear than they have been in the past. In this debate, what must also be considered is the role of the government compared to the responsibility of the social media platforms. Although social media is used to express free speech, it is not a government entity. Social media platforms are privately owned. Because of this, I would argue, the extent of free speech provided must be left up to the platform. Citizens are accepting these conditions through their use of the platform. The government should only overrule the platform’s decisions if the content incites danger, or if the limitations are disproportionate, meaning censoring one viewpoint to a greater extent than another. 

The greater issue is the fear of speaking our minds.  As technology advances and our ability to communicate with others becomes increasingly instantaneous, we have significantly more access to opposing ideas. This enhanced meshing of extreme opinions from every viewpoint creates a sort of tension in regards to self-expression. The harshly argumentative debates, public shaming, and “cancel culture” contribute to our tendency to subconsciously suppress our own freedom of speech. Though constitutionally, we are not restricted from participating in these discussions, our fear can be a powerful discouragement. This, more than legal restrictions, does not align with the freedom of speech that we have been granted. The true purpose of free speech depends, not only on respecting others’ freedom, but also regarding one’s own contribution as equally legitimate and valuable. Speaking despite substantial opposition is not a sign of failure or weakness. It is by this very action that our nation was formed and is improved over time. In order for our nation to achieve the full potential that free speech allows for, we must understand that as United States citizens it is both our right and our responsibility to  express our views, even when it is difficult to contribute.

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Water safety isn’t just for parents; it’s something everyone should care about. Family members, neighbors, community groups, everyone plays a part. The data speaks for itself: children between the ages of 1 and 4 face the highest risk of drowning in home pools, while older kids are more at risk in lakes and rivers.

That’s why DOH-Charlotte wants you to keep these water safety tips in mind:

— Always watch kids whenever they’re near water, including bathtubs, pools, or natural bodies of water.

— Never leave a child alone near water.

— If you can’t find your child, check the pool or any nearby water first.

— Put up barriers such as fences or self-latching gates, and secure doors with alarms to prevent kids from wandering into water.

— Keep a phone nearby in case of an emergency.

— Don’t swim with open cuts or wounds. Bacteria in the water can enter the body through breaks in the skin.

— If you get a cut while swimming, clean it right away with soap and running water and cover it with a dry, clean bandage.

When swimming at the beach or lake, remember that open water comes with extra risks. Even strong swimmers can run into trouble. 

Stick to these guidelines:

— Always swim with a buddy, and pay attention to safety flags and posted signs.

— If you have a weak immune system, an open cut, or nobody to swim with, stay on shore.

— Steer clear of animals living in or near the water. And avoid swimming, wading, using watercraft, or even touching water where you see visible algal blooms like red tide or blue-green algae. For the latest updates on these blooms, visit Protecting Florida Together or check out the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Algal Bloom Dashboard.

Want more information? Call DOH-Charlotte at 941-624-7200.

About the Florida Department of Health:

The Department, accredited nationally by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works statewide to protect, promote, and improve the health of everyone in Florida through partnerships at all levels: state, county, and local community.

For more information, head to FloridaHealth.gov.

The post May Is National Water Safety Month: The Department of Health Urges Everyone to Play a Role in Water Safety appeared first on Englewood Review.

Operation Red Light

Operation Red Light was a sweeping crackdown on human trafficking and prostitution in Lee County, Florida. The Southwest Florida INTERCEPT Task Force, working with local police, the State Attorney’s Office (20th Judicial Circuit), and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, carried out the sting.

In April 2026, officers hit eight locations in one morning: four homes and four businesses spread across Fort Myers and Cape Coral. They didn’t arrive by chance; some brothels tried to hide in plain sight. They set up shop inside ordinary-looking storefronts, with no flashy signs or clues, just part of the scenery, just steps from a children’s daycare.

Ten people landed in jail after the operation, now facing charges like RICO conspiracy, money laundering, and making money from prostitution.

The Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Naples helps survivors, but the sheer scale of the problem is overwhelming. They have discovered a staggering number of girls that were put up for sale on the website right here in Southwest Florida, with pages of girls put on this website for sale daily.

Law enforcement tries to keep up. Lt. Wade Williams from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office leads the Intercept Task Force, a coalition of 14 agencies stretching from Naples to Cape Coral. The rise in child exploitation cases is a shocking 2,309% jump since 2015. The task force’s first big bust centered on Jeremy Mannerberg, a 27-year-old who allegedly tried to sell a two-year-old child for sex on a dating site. 

The digital age makes it easy for traffickers. With escort websites like Alligator Escort, Skip the Games, Mega Personals, and CityXGuide, these sites are ground zero for modern trafficking operations. The traffickers even price their services based on when traffic peaks: lunchtime, morning, after work, times when people can slip away unnoticed.

The task force has made headway, shutting down 17 sex trafficking businesses in Naples last year, including brothels that hid in plain sight among strip malls and neighborhoods up and down the coast. In a recent raid, they arrested 10 suspects connected to these brothels.

Between the numbers and the headlines, the story is clear. Sex trafficking thrives in the shadows, and sometimes, the only thing standing between safety and disaster is vigilance, especially with kids glued to their screens, home and seemingly safe, but potentially only a few clicks away from danger.

Click here for the website to Operation Red Light. 

For more details, check out the official press release on the State Attorney’s Office website.

The post Operation Red Light Uncovers Hidden Sex Trafficking Ring Across Lee County appeared first on Englewood Review.

Maybe you’re hustling through work deadlines, losing track of the calendar, and responding to school notes at midnight. It’s a messy stretch, but making a few small tweaks can help your family keep things together, finish strong, and start the summer with a little less stress. Here are ten ways to ensure you and your kids sail through the finish line.

1. Stick to Your Daily Routine

Longer days tempt us to push bedtime later, let homework slide until after dinner, or skip usual habits. Resist the urge, as routine matters. If your child’s used to hitting homework after practice and getting to bed by 9, stick with it. It saves morning drama and keeps the kids focused. Consistency now makes the last week a lot easier.

2. Set End-of-Year Goals

Yes, summer’s almost here, but you can still set short-term goals. Maybe your child wants to pull up a math grade, tackle a certain number of books, or wrap up with no missing assignments. Take a few minutes together to set one realistic goal. Even a small win feels good, and following through teaches persistence.

3. Keep School a Top Priority

When spring sports and sunny evenings arrive, schoolwork slides to the back burner. There’s a temptation to fill up the calendar, but don’t overload your child with activities. Keep weeknights manageable. They’ll need time and energy for homework and a proper night’s sleep. Academics still count, especially now.

4. Don’t Let Homework Slide

It’s not summer yet. End-of-year grades shape report cards, class placements, and sometimes summer school recommendations. Encourage your child to keep giving their best right to the end. Staying consistent with homework builds discipline, and those habits stick. Remind your child to do the work, even on days when motivation dips.

5. Plan for Summer Learning

Review report cards and teacher feedback. Where’s your child struggling, or just barely holding steady? Reach out to teachers now, before school lets out, and ask what might help your child over the summer. Maybe they need a reading challenge or some math practice. A little preparation pays off.

6. Explore Summer Enrichment Programs

Spring’s the prime time to sign up for camps and workshops, since spots fill fast. There’s something for everyone: academic boosters, drama, art, STEM, and more. If your child could use extra help in math or reading, consider a program that targets those skills. Maybe your kid could benefit from a drama camp to build social confidence. Think about what suits your child best and get signed up early.

7. Prepare for School Changes

Is your child switching schools in the fall? Moving buildings or districts triggers nerves and excitement. Help them adjust by touring the new school or showing up for open houses and orientation events. Even a quick drive-by or a stroll through the halls eases anxiety and builds familiarity, so the first day feels less intimidating.

8. Request Classroom Placement If Possible

Spring is when schools start assigning students for the next year. Some districts let parents submit teacher preferences or share details about what kind of learning environment works for their child. If you have insights, such as your child thrives with a quieter classroom or a hands-on teacher, speak up. Follow school policy; you probably won’t get a specific teacher, but describing the ideal type helps administrators match your child thoughtfully.

9. Encourage a Summer Job or Volunteer Role

Older kids benefit from working or volunteering in the summer. Babysitting, helping at a cafe, volunteering at a local shelter, or interning with a vet builds responsibility and offers a taste of independence. Encourage your teenager to brainstorm options. Hands-on experience teaches life skills and gives one a sense of purpose.

10. Saying Goodbye to Friends and Teachers

Goodbyes, especially for younger kids, are tough. Your child might feel sad about leaving friends or teachers, even if summer’s exciting. Help your child say goodbye meaningfully: write a thank-you note, pick out a small gift, or trade contact information with classmates. Plan a summer hangout if possible. Celebrating the year helps your child wrap things up emotionally.

Endings are messy, but they’re also a chance for a fresh start. Give yourself and your child permission to take things one day at a time. If something goes a little off plan, don’t stress about perfection. With a bit of planning and a steady routine, your child will close out the year feeling confident and supported, and ready for whatever’s next.

The post 10 Tips to Help Parents of Students Start Summer Strong appeared first on Englewood Review.

Peace River Elementary School

Baker/Pre-K Center

The Academy

Neil Armstrong Elementary School

Kingsway Elementary School

Meadow Park Elementary School

Port Charlotte Middle School

Murdock Middle School

The loss comes down to eligibility shifts. The schools that don’t make the cut still have students getting help from other federal nutrition programs, but they’re out of the CEP.

On top of that, meal prices are jumping for students who pay. The school board just approved the district’s first price hike in over a decade. Breakfast is going from $1.20 to $2.50. Elementary students will pay $3.75 for lunch, up from $2.40. Middle and high school lunches both rise to $4.15; they’d been $2.60 and $2.80. That’s more than a dollar per meal, per day, for every paying student.

The reasons behind the change are food costs, equipment, and delivery expenses keep climbing, and losing federal free meal funding in twelve schools hit the budget hard. The district emphasizes it isn’t profiting; they’re trying to keep prices below what the federal government reimburses.

If your child’s school is losing free meal status, it’s time to act. After July 1, 2026, families need to fill out a Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application in the Focus Parent Portal. That’s the surest way to keep help with school meals on the table, even as the old rules disappear.

For more information, click here to go to the Charlotte County Public Schools website.

The post Charlotte County Ends Universal Free School Meals, Approves First Price Hike In A Decade appeared first on Englewood Review.

The Artist Colony checks everything over, does repairs when they can, then donates working instruments to L.A. Ainger and Lemon Bay High School. 

Instruments beyond repair get new life as art, which will be up for auction next season. You won’t make anyone famous doing this, but your donation puts instruments right where they belong: in the hands of young talent.

Take “Rock on the Track, Jack!” for example. Dennis Bialek built, and Joy Carol painted this piece. It spent April at the Punta Gorda Art Center and is now headed to Chophouse285 on Dearborn. Jack’s not for sale, but keep an eye out next season for more: another sax player, some tropical birds, and guitar sculptures will be available.

If you have a spare instrument or old equipment lying around, donations are tax-deductible. The Artist Colony is especially on the lookout for professional brass sousaphones so high schoolers can finally replace their aging equipment, three of them to be exact.

Everything they do supports art and the performing arts in the community. If you want to help, or maybe sponsor a program or event, reach out to Sydney at i2garden@yahoo.com.

The post From Dust to Debut: The Artist Colony Resurrects Your Old Instruments appeared first on Englewood Review.

The FIRST Championship draws the world’s best robotics teams, and this year the Golden Fish returned for their seventh appearance in 14 years, which is no small feat. Competing in the DECODE event, they took their place on the global stage. The event split teams into six divisions, each packed with 56 challengers. Golden Fish battled in the Ross Division, pushing through 10 tough qualification matches over several days. They finished 29th; not at the very top, but with enough grit and skill to keep them in the running during alliance selections.

Things got interesting after the qualifying round. Golden Fish caught the eye of DeSoto Technix from Mississippi, the third-ranked alliance captain, and joined forces with them and Israel’s SciFighters. Together, the alliance charged through the playoff rounds and made it all the way to the Division Finals. That run ended at the hands of the event’s top-scoring alliance, but the accomplishment stands: for the first time, a Charlotte High School robotics team went home from FIRST Championship with a playoff trophy, a Division Finalist plaque and medals.

Golden Fish’s offense stood out all week. Their offensive power rating (OPR) hit 147.17, ranking them 15th in their division and 123rd out of over 8,600 teams worldwide, a mark of their international competitiveness.

This year’s team:
Chris George, mentor and teacher
Leif Bretan, human player and coach
Chanley Brown, driver
Jacob Robin Lope, driver

Coach Chris George didn’t hide his pride: “I’m very proud of our Golden Fish team that competed at the FIRST Championship. They did an amazing job, and the results were outstanding. We went there confident that our robot would post big scores and really compete. The team should be proud of all they accomplished this season and look forward to next year.”

Charlotte County Public Schools remains committed to expanding STEM education, giving students the chance to work on real-world projects that hone their problem-solving, collaboration, and technical skills, just what they need for the future.

The post Charlotte High’s ‘Golden Fish’ Robotics Team Shines at World Championship, Ranks Among Top Teams Globally appeared first on Englewood Review.

Bring the whole family to 6961 San Casa Dr, Englewood, for a jam-packed morning of games, a scavenger hunt, face painting, bounce houses, and a food truck loaded with treats. Kids and adults alike will love the hands-on activities and the lively atmosphere that the REC2U Mobile Programming Unit brings to the park. 

Be sure to catch the special presentation on local wildlife, fun, interactive, and full of surprises. It’s all free for everyone, so come out, explore, and make some memories with Charlotte County Parks and Recreation.

Click here for more information.

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The CEP helps schools in low-income areas serve meals at no cost to every student, with no paperwork required. Since 2022, after Hurricane Ian, every CCPS school has been part of CEP, and all students have received free meals. That’s about to change. The federal government has updated the rules. Now, only schools with enough students directly certified for assistance programs like SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid can qualify. Some schools no longer meet the cutoff.

For the next four years, these eight CCPS schools will continue to provide free meals to every student:

Peace River Elementary School 
Baker/Pre-K Center 
The Academy 
Neil Armstrong Elementary School 
Kingsway Elementary School 
Meadow Park Elementary School 
Port Charlotte Middle School 
Murdock Middle School

The rest of the schools are coming off the CEP program for the next four years. Here’s the complete list:

Deep Creek Elementary School 
East Elementary School 
Liberty Elementary School 
Myakka River Elementary School 
Sallie Jones Elementary School 
Vineland Elementary School 
Charlotte Harbor Center 
L.A. Ainger Middle School 
Punta Gorda Middle School 
Charlotte High School 
Port Charlotte High School 

Lemon Bay High SchoolIf your child attends a school losing CEP eligibility, you’ll need to fill out a Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application starting July 1, 2026. You can do this in the Focus Parent Portal as part of your regular enrollment process. Approval depends on your household income, and if you qualify, your child can still get free or reduced-price meals. If you need help with the application or have questions, call CCPS Food and Nutrition Service at 941-575-5400 or click here.

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