This summer, students in grades 9 through 12 have an opportunity to gain real leadership experience, and rack up volunteer hours, all while having a great time, building skills that will benefit them for a lifetime. 

Working as a summer camp counselor does more than beef up your resume; it shapes you. Counselors-In-Training build leadership and empathy, learn how to solve problems on the fly, and figure out how to work with a team. You’ll mentor younger kids, guide them through new adventures, and handle unexpected situations. All this responsibility? It pushes you to be more confident, independent, and patient. 

The program runs from June 1 through August 7, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding June 19 and July 3). Each week is just $25, but space is tight, so don’t wait.

Applications are open until April 30. Submit yours in person at the Morgan Family Community Center or the George Mullen Activity Center. Interviews happen the week of May 4. Download the application at NorthPortFL.gov/CIT and get started. Your future self will thank you.

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The new K–12 Imagine School campus in North Port will open for the 2026–2027 academic year. Based on standard Florida school opening schedules, this typically indicates a start date in early-to-mid August 2026. 

Spanning 139,500 square feet and built for 1,500 students, this modern campus will bring together the current upper and lower schools under one roof, offering upgraded sports facilities, two gyms, two cafeterias, a playground, and a full athletic field with a track.

The campus design features two main buildings: a two-story wing for grades K-5 and a three-story section for grades 6-12, all set on a 20-acre parcel just about two miles from the existing campuses. 

Everyone celebrated the start of construction, with students, staff, and local leaders gathered and cheering while the Imagine Young Marines marched in to start the ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance. You could hear construction noises in the background, tangible evidence of progress.

Imagine Upper Campus Principal John Halcomb took to the podium, reflecting on how Imagine School has grown since it opened in North Port back in 2008. “We’re thriving,” he told the crowd. The school boasts an A-rating, and Halcomb gave credit to faculty, parents, students, and the wider community, with a special nod to North Port Police.

“This is the future,” Mark Pedro, president of the Imagine Governing Board, declared. He thanked everyone who worked to turn the vision into reality. “We’re on a tight schedule and can’t wait to open.”

Lower Campus Principal Aleischa Coover was visibly moved. “I really can’t believe we’re standing here right now,” she said. She recognized students and staff, some of them Imagine graduates, then pulled out a piece of paper from a January 2018 board workshop, when the idea for a unified campus first appeared. “We have been talking about this for years. It is surreal to be standing here today,” she said.

Standing before the crowd, Coover pointed out that what was once a vision: one campus, one central office, now exists. “Well, you are standing in that shared office right now,” she told everyone.

Upper Campus Assistant Principal Tony Graham chimed in, echoing the sense of excitement: “It’s a great time to be a Shark!” Plans for the $50 million facility are solid. The school sits about 1.7 miles from Toledo Blade Boulevard and will draw students from the rapidly growing North Port area.

Currently, the Toledo Blade divides the existing campuses. Soon, they’ll unite in a U-shaped campus designed for learning and growth. Drop-off and pickup will be easier thanks to a dedicated car-stacking loop. The athletic facilities, playgrounds, and classrooms will serve students from kindergarten through high school, all in one place.

North Port’s city leaders formally approved the development in June. Imagine Schools, the nonprofit network behind this project, operates 54 public charter campuses nationwide and serves around 32,000 students. With this new campus on the horizon, the future looks bright for Imagine and for North Port.

Click here for more information on Imagine Schools.

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This event isn’t just a gathering, it’s a push for real change. All proceeds go straight to the Manasota ASALH Scholarship Program, fueling opportunities for students and driving academic excellence forward. 

This year’s luncheon carries the theme “An Unusual Emphasis on Scholarship: Carter G. Woodson, Omega Psi Phi, and the Power of Black History.” It’s a nod to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the visionary behind ASALH and the architect of Black History Month, and a tribute to the impact of education. 

Dr. Maurice Hobson, professor of Africana Studies at Georgia State University and lead historian for Omega Psi Phi’s latest history book, will give the keynote address. Afterward, Dr. Hobson sits down with Dr. Jim Stewart, a respected economist, Black history scholar, professor emeritus at Penn State, and past president of Manasota ASALH, for a lively conversation about how scholarship shapes communities, preserves history, and inspires the next generation.

“More than a celebration, this luncheon is a call to action,” says Jada Wright-Greene, executive director of Manasota ASALH. “With support from our community, we’re opening doors to education, lifting up talented students, and making sure opportunity keeps reaching the leaders of tomorrow.”

Wright-Greene has a clear goal: raise $50,000 for the Manasota ASALH Scholarship Program. Since 2000, the program has awarded over $701,000 to 333 students in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Many of these scholars have earned top grades and gone on to study at some of the nation’s most prestigious universities, including Ivy League schools and HBCUs.

At the 2025 Scholarship Awards Ceremony, Manasota ASALH gave $45,000 in scholarships to 17 local students. On top of that, they provided another $10,000 to help returning scholars continue their college journeys—a strong sign of their commitment to seeing students reach graduation and long-term success.

“These students bring determination and purpose into everything they do,” Wright-Greene says. “Our job is to break down financial barriers so they can keep moving ahead.”

About Manasota ASALH

Manasota ASALH is the local branch of the National Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), founded in 1915 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History Month. Since 1995, the Manasota Branch has worked to research, preserve, interpret, and share the rich history and culture of people of African descent, both at home and globally. Their programs make an impact, like the Manasota ASALH Freedom School, which offers K–12 students a powerful and honest education about African and African American history. The branch also drives academic achievement through its scholarship program, supporting high school students from Sarasota and Manatee counties who are heading to college. In the past 23 years, Manasota ASALH has awarded more than $701,000 in scholarships to 333 local scholars. For more information, visit www.asalh-manasotafl.org.

Manasota ASALH Inaugural Black History Month Scholarship Luncheon  
Friday, February 6  
Marie Selby Botanical GardensTickets are $125, and there are options for sponsorships and tables. To grab a ticket or learn more, reach out at info@asalh-manasotafl.org or visit www.asalh-manasotafl.org.

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Applicants have until 4:59 p.m. December 31, 2025, to apply online at charlottecf.org/scholarships. One application covers all available awards. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $6,000, and a total of $263,000 will be distributed for the 2026–27 academic year.

A significant portion of the scholarships is designated for working adults. CCF leaders say this focus supports Charlotte County’s economic development by helping residents upgrade their skills for the changing job market.

CCF Board Member Deelynn Bennett, a 40-year veteran of Charlotte County Public Schools, chairs the Scholarship Committee and works alongside CCF Scholarship Coordinator Carolyn Gorton. Nearly half of all scholarships support health care studies, and CCF is seeking additional volunteer reviewers with health care experience. Interested community members can email scholarships@charlottecf.org. Volunteer service begins in mid-January 2026.

Scholarships Honor Community Donors

Many scholarship funds honor local residents. The largest is the Brooks Scholarships Fund, established in memory of Betty Conley Brooks and Robert Charles Brooks. It provides 30 awards to students pursuing technical certificates, two-year degrees, and four-year university degrees.

The CCF Scholarship Fund for Charlotte County: Supporting Future Local Leaders Like Leo Wotitzky serves as the foundation’s general scholarship fund. It accepts gifts of any amount to expand support for Charlotte County Public Schools graduates who demonstrate hard work, service, and commitment to the community, reflecting the leadership of CCF’s founding member and first chairman.

More information about applications and giving opportunities is available at charlottecf.org, including details on contributing to “The CCF Scholarship Fund: Supporting Future Leaders for Charlotte County like Leo Wotitzky.”

The Charlotte Community Foundation is a philanthropic organization dedicated to improving quality of life in Charlotte County. Supported by volunteers and a small professional staff, the foundation connects donors, community needs, and long-term charitable funds. Now under new leadership, CCF continues its mission to foster philanthropy across Charlotte County to strengthen the community for generations.

The post New CCF Scholarship Opportunities for Charlotte County – Apply Now appeared first on Englewood Review.

RSVP: https://supenglewood.com/coffee-conservation/

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Participants will learn how Vertical Oyster Gardens improve local water quality and then build one during this hands-on session. This unique field event takes place at Don Pedro Island State Park. Please bring closed-toed shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, and a lawn chair.

Complimentary coffee provided by The Dearborn Coffeehouse & Bakery.

RSVP: https://supenglewood.com/coffee-conservation/

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The initiative strengthens community-school connections by bringing local leaders into classrooms to experience the daily activities that shape students’ education. Englewood Elementary’s participation demonstrates its commitment to collaboration and innovation in public education. Residents can follow EnglewoodSCS on Facebook for more stories about community partnerships that support local schools.

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These hands-on activities highlight the school’s commitment to engaging STEM education, fostering curiosity and scientific thinking among Englewood’s youngest learners across all grade levels. The STEM lab provides valuable experiences for the community’s future scientists. For more insights into Vineland Elementary’s educational programs, follow their Facebook page.

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