Calusa Garden Club of Marco Island is pleased to announce the four recipients of the Club’s college scholarships for 2024: Gordon Davis, Hudson Dixon, Emily Reisinger and Katelin Reisinger. The criteria for the Calusa Garden Club scholarship includes living on or graduating from a high school on, Marco Island, plus a demonstrated interest in the environment, horticulture or gardening, and plans to pursue a degree related to biological science, the environment, or conservation, including studies not only in the pure sciences but also in such areas as city planning, environmental law, marine biology and landscape design.
Gordon Davis graduated from Marco Island Academy and plans to major in microbiology at University of Georgia. He received a $1,000 scholarship award. Gordon has shown in interest in protecting the environment through working on the conservation of Otter Mound, volunteering as a shore bird steward, and working as an intern with Collier County Solid and Hazardous Waste Management. Gordon is pictured with Calusa Garden Club members Opi DeFalco, president Kimberly Korb Porter, scholarship chairperson Marianne Foley, and the two other Marco Island Academy award recipients Katelin Reisinger and Emily Reisinger at Marco Island Academy Awards Night on May 21.
Hudson Dixon graduated from home schooling while also earning an additional Associate’s Degree from Liberty University. He received a $1,000 scholarship award. Hudson plans to attend University of Florida to pursue a degree in business administration, and continue his education with law school. His career interests are real estate and environmental law, and his interest in gardening was formed through his family’s vegetable and fruit garden. Hudson is pictured in Leigh Plummer Park where the club awarded his scholarship with his family in attendance on May 22. Hudson is fourth from right in the photo, along with his parents, siblings, grandparents and Calusa Garden Club members.
Emily and Katelin Reisinger are both graduates of Marco Island Academy. Emily and Katelin each received a $2,000 scholarship award. During their elementary school years at Tommie Barfield Elementary School, they both participated in Calusa Garden Club’s Junior Gardeners program. Currently, Emily and Katelin volunteered to assist the garden club in maintenance of the garden in Leigh Plummer Park. Emily Reisinger plans to attend Florida State University and major in civil or environmental engineering. Katelin Reisinger plans to attend University of South Florida and major in marine biology. The Reisingers are pictured with Gordon Davis and the Calusa Garden Club members at Marco Island Academy Awards night.
Calusa Garden Club of Marco Island is a Section 501(c)3 organization and is a member of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. Membership is open to persons interested in horticulture, floral design and environmental matters residing 5 months or more in Collier County.
Calusa Garden Club of Marco Island meets the second Monday of each month, October through April at Rose Hall at the Marco Island Branch Library. If you are interested in membership, please contact the Garden Club at calusagardenclubcommunication@gmail.com. For updates and information, please visit the Garden Club’s website, calusa.org, or visit the Club’s Facebook page Calusa Garden Club.
