CFK Foundation celebrates scholarship recipients and honors donors at the 13th annual Scholarship Social

KEY WEST, FL, October 8, 2025— The College of the Florida Keys Foundation honored both scholarship donors and recipients at its 13th annual Scholarship Social in the Tennessee Williams Theatre on the Key West Campus. For the academic year 2024-25, the CFK Foundation awarded 289 scholarships totaling $245,297. 

Beyond the numbers, the highlight of the event was when students shared personal stories about life-changing opportunities that the CFK Foundation scholarships made possible:

For Wendy Behler, a CFK Culinary Management student and recipient of a Key West Woman’s Club Scholarship, it’s a story of pursuing her culinary education with a heartfelt mission: to build a baking business alongside her daughter, Rebecka. While homeschooling Rebecka, Wendy discovered their shared passion for baking, especially apple pies. Wendy realized this was the foundation for a meaningful future they could create together where they could bake, serve their community, and share love through their culinary creations. The scholarship is helping Wendy gain the professional training and business knowledge needed to make the dream come true and build a path forward that celebrates Rebecka’s unique gifts and bright spirit.

“I want my children to be happy every day,” Behler declared. “Rebecka wakes up happy every morning and loves everyone. If she can live a life of baking and giving love to others through this, I think that will be a wonderful life that we can do together.” ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

For Leandro Macias, a CFK Nursing student, it’s a deeply personal story of when a doctor abandoned him and his mother as she succumbed to cancer. That heartbreaking moment gave Leandro purpose to dedicate his life to helping those in need so others would not be left helpless like he was.

“Receiving a scholarship is more than financial help; it shows me that people believe in me and in the nurse I will become,” shared  Macias, recipient of scholarships from the Rotary Club of Key West, Hemingway Look-Alike Society, Dr. Kevin Mallinson and Robert Hansen (Julie Eckard Nursing Scholarship), Key West Masonic Lodge, Ed Hummell, and the late Dr. William Seeker (Sue and Albert Seeker First Generation in College Scholarship). “Because of scholarships, I can continue to follow my dream and prepare to give back to others, just as I have been supported.”

Kaitlyn Mears, a CFK Associate of Arts student and member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society since freshman year, shared her dream to earn a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. As the recipient of the Board of Trustees Scholarship, Mears shared her gratitude and her drive to live her best life.

“This scholarship has allowed me to pursue experiences that help me grow academically and personally,” said Mears. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you for investing in me and so many others. Your belief in us fuels our ambition and helps turn our dreams into realities.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​”

For more information about opportunities to support student scholarships and programs at the College, contact Dr. Lana Gaspari, CFK Vice President of Advancement and CFK Foundation Executive Director, at 305-809-3214 or [email protected]. Gifts to the CFK Foundation are tax-deductible.

Scholarship opportunities for the spring semester are available and applications are due by November 2, 2025. Details about CFK scholarships can be found on the College’s website at https://www.cfk.edu/discover/cfk-foundation/scholarship-info/.
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For assistance with scholarships, contact Shania Duarte-Vera, CFK Coordinator of Scholarships and Donor Relations, at 305-809-3153 or [email protected].