In May, the Punta Gorda Elks and Elkettes presented a total of 23 scholarships totaling $26,000 to students from two local high schools. The lodge presented 15 $1,000 scholarships, the Past Exalted Rulers Association presented two $1,000 scholarships, and the Elkettes presented six $1,500 scholarships. On May 14, the lodge held a luncheon to honor their Top Student of the Year, Lucia Rivadeneira, who received a scholarship from the Elkettes. The lodge had three scholarship winners from the Elks National Foundation as well. Shea Cencula and Summer Peterson each won a Legacy Scholarship which will give them $1,000 per year for four years. Erik Courtney won a Most Valuable Student Scholarship which will also give him $1,000 a year for four years.
Erik Courtney is pictured receiving his $4,000 Legacy Scholarship from Bud Bell, Elks National Foundation Scholarship Lodge Chair, Bud Bell, and Tom Shoecraft, Exalted Ruler. Lucia Rivadeneria is pictured receiving her $1,500 scholarship from Judy Schall, representing the Elkettes.