More than 3,400 students graduated as members of the Collier County Public Schools Class of 2026, marking an important milestone in their academic journeys and collectively earning more than $40 million in scholarships.
“You solidified the standard of excellence and distinction for future classes to follow,” said CCPS Superintendent Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli while addressing graduates. “This world does not need more people with perfect resumes. It does, however, need people with good hearts, strong character, and the courage to leave things better than they found them. Congratulations, graduates!”
The Class of 2026 will continue their education at some of the nation’s most respected colleges and universities, including Harvard University, Yale University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Penn State University, the University of Florida, and many other institutions across Florida and the United States.
Among the many opportunities available to CCPS students is the Harold P. Bovenkerk Scholarship for Engineering and Natural Sciences, an exclusive scholarship program only available to students enrolled in CCPS. Public school students in Collier County benefit from this generous and thoughtful scholarship endowment totaling more than $25 million, with annual awards funded through the endowment’s investment earnings…