Eight Scholarships Awarded to Dependents of City Employees

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This year, the City’s Employee Dependent Scholarship Program awarded a total of eight $1,000 scholarships for the 2014 - 2015 academic year.

Following Hurricane Charley in 2004, an endowment fund was established with the Southwest Florida Community Foundation to provide scholarships for dependents of City employees. This year, there are multiple sources contributing to the City’s Employee Dependent Scholarship Program. The Charitable Foundation of the Islands contributed $2,816.17; the Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club contributed $1,000; the Southwest Florida Community Foundation endowment will grant $3,167 in scholarship awards; and $1,016.83 in proceeds from City vending machines, for a total of $8,000 in scholarship awards for academic year 2014 - 2015. 

The following dependents of City employees will receive scholarship awards:

Courtney Chaipel is currently pursuing her Law Degree, specializing in family and child law, from Stetson University. A 2010 Mariner High School graduate, Courtney obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from the University of South Florida in 2013. 

This is Courtney’s second year in the Employee Dependent Scholarship Program. Courtney is the daughter of Steven Chaipel, Finance Department, who has been employed by the City for one 1 year.

Emily Wesserling Cobian is currently pursuing her Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing at Edison State College, with plans to enroll in Florida Gulf Coast University’s CRNA Program. A 1995 North Fort Myers High School graduate, Emily obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of South Florida in 1999. 

This is Emily’s second year in the Employee Dependent Scholarship Program. Emily is the daughter of Laura Wesserling, Building Department, who has been employed by the City for 18 years.

Hayden Cummins is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Florida Gulf Coast University. Hayden graduated from Fort Myers High School in 2012.

This is Hayden’s second year in the Employee Dependent Scholarship Program. Hayden is the son of Terri Cummins, Planning Department, who has been employed by the City for 15 years.

Allison Eicher is currently pursuing an Associates in Arts Degree from Edison State College. Allison graduated from Ida S. Baker High School in 2013.

This is Allison’s second year in the Employee Dependent Scholarship Program. Allison is the daughter of John Eicher, Police Department, who has been employed by the City for nearly two years.

Andrea Wesserling Galician is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at Hillsborough Community College. Andrea obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of South Florida in Communications in 2002. This is Andrea’s fourth year in the Employee Dependent Scholarship Program.

Andrea is the daughter of Laura Wesserling, Building Department, who has been employed by the City for 18 years.

Christopher Larsen is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Marketing from Florida Gulf Coast University. Christopher is a graduate of Estero High School and a Marine Corps veteran. 

This is Christopher’s first year in the Employee Dependent Scholarship Program. Christopher is the son of Sandra Larsen, Public Works Department, who has been employed by the City for 25 years.

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Kyle Palmer graduated 10th in his class from South Fort Myers High School in 2014, with an impressive 4.78 GPA. This fall, he will attend the University of Florida, where he will pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

This is Kyle’s first year in the Employee Dependent Scholarship Program. Kyle is the son of Larry Palmer, Public Works Department, who has been employed by the City for 19 years.

Connor Tomlinson graduated in the top 6% of his class from Fort Myers High School in 2014, with an impressive 4.78 GPA. This fall, he will attend the University of South Florida where he will pursue a degree in Civil Engineering. 

This is Connor’s first year in the Employee Dependent Scholarship Program. Connor is the son of Bill Tomlinson, Police Department, who has been employed by the City for 27 years.

Published June 4, 2014 by The City Of Sanibel