The 15 Collier County seniors selected as 2024 Winged Foot Scholar-Athlete Award finalists

Collier County's Winged Foot Scholar-Athlete Award will be presented for the 35th time on Friday night.

The competition for the top prize grew this year as Aubrey Rogers High School and The Village School added student-athletes to the previous 13 from county high schools selected as finalists with the winner being announced during the Winged Foot Scholarship Banquet at the Naples Grande Beach Resort.

Former Florida Gators coach and TV college football analyst Dan Mullen will be the keynote speaker.

Graduating seniors from Collier County high schools are eligible for the award, which was first given in 1990 by the Collier Athletic Club. Each candidate was required to complete an extensive application process to be considered by their respective schools. Each school then determined its representative.

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The Winged Foot selection committee interviewed all 15 candidates, and the committee then chose a winner.

The Winged Foot Scholar-Athlete Foundation will give $5,000 to each of the finalists. The winner receives a $10,000 scholarship – $2,500 a year for four years. The other finalists receive one-time stipends.

Seacrest Country Day's Carole Ann Hussey, who signed to play volleyball at Newberry College, won the honor last year, becoming the first Stingrays athlete to garner the award.

Here are the 15 finalists for 2024 including highlights from their resumes, quotes from their interview with the committee, and a snippet from their letters of recommendation.

Darian Alvarez-Garcia

School: Aubrey Rogers

Sports: Football, Wrestling

Highlights: Darian was the student government president his senior year, was the football and wrestling team captain and was a band lieutenant as a baritone saxophone player. He is working on his private pilot license. He was a founding member and president of the Card Game Club and was a mock trial and Fellowship of Christian Athletes member. He was the National Football Foundation Leadership Award winner. He was a district champion and placed third at regionals at wrestling to qualify for state.

Quote about juggling sports and academics: "If I didn't do well, on the academic side, my mother would not allow me to do the sports side. But overall, I do think learning is fun. So after being around a similar group of people with a similar mindset and ideals, you kind of just push each other and you want, I don't want to say piggyback, but y'all help each other just, you know, put your best foot forward and just do better."

From the letter of recommendation: "When establishing a brand-new program, one of the most important things to do is to appoint a leadership team that will help build the foundation of the program and nurture it to success. For the Aubrey Rogers band, that team had to include Darian. While a member of the football team, student council, and band, his leadership skills have shown through all year. His determination to bring every group to success and encourage all those around him to achieve what they don't think is possible is inspiring even to the teachers and faculty at Aubrey Rogers. His fortitude and passion for the band and football teams have helped foster a strong relationship between both groups which has helped build school spirit throughout the school, not just limited to football games. As the student body president, his energy and school spirit trickles through the school as well, creating excitement and positivity whenever and wherever it is needed."

― Jason Jones, Aubrey Rogers Director of Band

Rebecca Van't Hoff

School: Barron Collier

Sports: Swimming, Basketball, Track and Field, Cheerleading

Highlights: Rebecca had a 5.57 GPA, taking 14 AP and 17 honors courses. During her senior year, she was the Type One Diabetes Club president and founder, a Special Olympics volunteer, and volunteered at Poinciana Elementary for children with special needs. She was a nanny to four children outside of school. Athletically she lettered in swimming, basketball, and track. She made it to state in three swimming events, was the basketball team captain, and was working to improve on her third-place finish in the javelin which she accomplished last season.

Quote: "I would say my biggest motivation is really my mom. She worked throughout my whole childhood. She's retired now. But she still found a way to be the present. Every single one of my sports events. I mean, you could ask anyone at Baron, they all know her and love her. She volunteers as much of her time as she can. She runs a couple of booster clubs at Baron and really kind of has shown me how important it is to not only apply yourself in one thing as being a mom or working, but also outside of your duties, like in volunteering that she has. I think I really look up to her and how she's how well rounded she is and still being able to like, be such a great mom to all of us."

From the letter of recommendation: "Rebecca is also a fierce competitor. She has made the State team as a swimmer every year. I will always remember how she demonstrated grit and determination at the FHSM State Championships. A teammate had achieved a time that warranted replacing Rebecca on a relay team. Their times were extremely close, so I determined what time Rebecca would need to achieve in her individual event to earn her spot back and challenged her to do so. She proceeded to do just that and then swam a personal best time for her relay team and helped them earn a medal."

― Matt Nelson, Barron Collier Swimming Coach and AP/Honors Biology Teacher

Nikki Ferrante

School: Community School of Naples

Sports: Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Volleyball

Highlights: Nikki has been an honor roll student every semester as well as a member of The CSN Human Performance Scholars, Rho Kappa National Honor Society, English National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and holds an AP Capstone Certificate. She serves in the CSN Student Government, as both a representative and the Athletic Committee Chair. Nikki, who will attend Boston College, was selected for the Youth Leadership Collier program and is president of the Youth Red Cross and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She was the soccer and lacrosse captain in her senior year, helped guide the lacrosse team to the state semifinals in her sophomore and junior seasons, and was a US Lacrosse Academic All-American.

Quote on being a team captain: "I think it's hard dealing with people focusing on like their own needs rather than the team. I think, for me, it's easy to see, especially, I play defense in both sports, so it's not really like, stats, stats, stats. And I've always sort of been like a more defensive-minded person. But I think it's hard for people, especially on offense, to see like, like, if they would sort of just gel with the team and try to work with the team more it would show in their stats and everyone's."

From the letter of recommendation: "Without any reservation, I am awarding Nikki with my AP Economics award at the academic awards ceremony in April. She was the clear favorite. Nikki always is studiously taking her notes and paying attention. This maturity and leadership have translated into her stellar grades in all four quarters this year. She has comfortably maintained a solid A all year. If an underclassman asked me how to behave in a classroom setting and how to succeed academically, I would say, "Be more like Nikki Ferrante"."

― Craig Schwerin, AP Art History & AP Economics Teacher

Katherine Collins

School: Everglades City

Sports: Softball, Volleyball

Highlights: A three-year member of Incubate Debate, she was the only student invited to be an Incubate Debate Washington D.C. fellow, where she lived and worked in Washington after her sophomore year to help plan the logistics of Incubate Debate. She was the student government president and served on the FHSAA's Student Athlete Advisory Council as a junior and senior. She was a softball captain as a senior.

Quote: "I felt like living in Everglades City made me feel like I had to prove something to the rest of the world. And I feel like I got to do that in high school. So that's something I'm really grateful for Everglades is that, you know, students can have the opportunities that other students do not have."

From the letter of recommendation: "Katie single-handedly revitalized competitive debate in Southwest Florida, something that I thought impossible just 2 years ago. She hosted all-day no-cost workshops for novice students to work with them hands-on and always made herself available to take questions from her peers. In doing so, Katie personally welcomed over 100 new and unique students to Incubate Debate from Collier, Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Charlotte counties."

― James T. Fishback, Founder and Executive Director, Incubate Debate

Avery Erickson

School: First Baptist

Sports: Soccer, Track and Field

Highlights: A soccer captain as a senior, Erickson helped lead her team to a district title and the regionalchampionship game. She has competed on the varsity track team since sixth grade in sprinting, middle distance, hurdles, and all jumping events. She has placed in the state track meet five times. She's a Pep Club member, a volunteer for the Beacons soccer camp and Educational Pathways Academy, and a teacher's aid with school's athletic coordinator.

Quote on being dyslexic: "I mean, compared to everyone in my class, I was five steps behind, and I had to work hard every single day. And it was nice. It was relieving to know, hey, this is why and, you know, FBA has been so gracious to me, and they have provided student services, which has been incredible. And I think all the teachers are super understanding, and honestly, just to be open and honest with them and say, 'Hey, this is not my strong suit. And I have to work harder than everyone else here.' And not them necessarily giving me a free pass, but seeing my hard work and understanding where that is coming from and helping me grow."

From the letter of recommendation: "The first quality that comes to mind is her determination. Avery has a steady, quiet, but also fierce determination to conquer any challenge she is faced with. As a student freshman year, she gained confidence by seeking extra help both in and out of the classroom. I don't think math was ever her "favorite subject" but she became very good at it and quickly jumped into the honors track. She has never looked back. ... I've been teaching for over 25 years and every few years a special student comes along. Avery is one of those students. She brightens your day. Her smile and sweet spirit will light up a room. She's the girl you want your daughter to be friends with because she is kind and trustworthy."

― Jennifer Lines, Math Teacher

Johnny Charles

School: Golden Gate

Sports: Football, Wrestling

Highlights: A football and wrestling team captain, he helped lead the Titans football team to its first district title, compiling tallied 87 tackles with four sacks at outside linebacker, and earned a district championship at 215 pounds while compiling 30-9 record in wrestling and qualified for regionals. Charles volunteered for the Naples Hurricanes Pop Warner program and the Special Olympics and started his own business, a mobile car detailing company called JC Mobile Detailing.

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Quote about volunteer work: "I have to give credit to Coach Tommy (Kleinmeyer), he's one of my coaches. He's another mentor that I've known since I was a little boy. But he's helped me a lot. And he's always talking about character and becoming a man because he always says he does not really care about the sports aspect of things, but he wants us to just be decent human beings and men. So he always encouraged us to just help and give back. And as someone in high school, whenever I was that age, the Pop Warner age, I always wondered like someone that can show me the roopes and what to do and how to grow. That's what I want to do for these young men."

From the letter of recommendation: "I am particularly impressed by Johnny's entrepreneurial spirit and initiative. Despite the demands of his academic and athletic commitments, Johnny has successfully launched his own mobile detailing business. His ability to balance the responsibilities of entrepreneurship with his academic and athletic endeavors speaks volumes about his organizational skills, time management abilities, and entrepreneurial acumen."

― Thomas Kleinmeyer, Golden Gate Football and Wrestling Coach

Kali Cleary

School: Gulf Coast

Sports: Basketball, Lacrosse, Swimming

Highlights: The University of South Florida signee scored her 200th carer goal for the Sharks lacrosse team as a senior and was the 2023 Southwest Florida Lacrosse Player of the Year. She was captain of the swim and lacrosse teams in her senior year. Kail is the student government president, a Student-Athlete Leadership Team, and a Mindset Matters Club member.

Quote on Mindset Matters Club: "It is kind of like a mental health but also mental resiliency club. My best friend actually created it. But we have public speakers come in and we just talk about how the transition from high school to college can be difficult. How college admissions for upcoming juniors, like how to get prepared for college, how sports can just be a difficult thing, and how to deal with other people and really just be more positive and help each other out."

From the letter of recommendation: "Clearly a special player, Kall plays lacrosse at a much higher level than everyone else on the field. When you watch a Gulf Coast High School girls' lacrosse game, it Is evident that her physical skills coupled With her exceptional field awareness sets her apart from all other players. The team rises to the level of expectations that she sets. Our team is faster, stronger, and more confident because of Kali. She has elevated the play of the game not only at Gulf Coast High School but In Southwest Florida."

― Lynn Garrison, Gulf Coast Lacrosse Coach

Genesis Turrubiartez

School: Immokalee

Sports: Volleyball, Wrestling

Highlights: Turrubiartez placed second in the district, third in the region, and 8th at state at 140 pounds wrestling as a senior and had a 34-13 record. She was a member of student government, the National Beta Club, The Immokalee Foundation, and the Best Buddies organization. Turrubiartez, who will attend Florida in the fall, is also a member of the SSTRIDE, an outreach effort of the FSU College of Medicine to identify students who have an interest in pursuing a career in science, engineering, mathematics, health, or medicine. The dual-enrollment student has accumulated 46 college credits before graduating high school.

Quote on how she started wrestling: "I actually did it when I was younger. Like, when I was like in first or second grade because I'd seen my older brothers doing it and I was like, 'OK, I want to try too.' But I was kind of forced to stop because not enough girls were joining. And then my coaches were like, you know, we love having you, but... I guess the whole decision was like, it has to just be boys because you're gonna get hurt."

From the letter of recommendation: "Genesis is one of the most hard-working students I've ever had in class. She never procrastinates and tackles any assignment given head-on. Her incredible work ethic and remarkable Intelligence is overshadowed by no other part of her life be it athletics, service, student government, or family. Every part shines equally brightly."

― Michael Caruso, Mathematics Teacher

Michael Distel

School: Lely

Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Tennis

Highlights: Distel was the captain and No. 1 player for the tennis team his junior and senior years and a four-year varsity runner for cross country as well as a senior captain. He was secretary of the Spanish National Honors Society, National Honors Society treasurer, a representative of DECA, and an officer of the Superintendent Advisory Board. He also plays the piano and plans to major in business in college. He has a 4.9 GPA and has taken 25 honors classes.

Quote: "My dad would not let me do any of the sports if my grades didn't meet what he wanted them to be. So in my head, I always thought school's first. I mean, I love sports, but I feel like in the future, I never really thought I was gonna go pro level. I always try to get my grades first, and then sports. So that's what kind of motivated me to always finish my schoolwork and always do that and then have time for sports afterwards."

From the letter of recommendation: "I have seen Michael achieve a tremendous amount over the last few years. He has been extremely active in our extracurriculars here at Lely High School. He has been part of our running program, tennis, basketball and National Honor Societies. In addition to being part of these programs he has also obtained a leadership role in many of them. Michael over the year has found his voice and when he speaks he commands the room. This is evident by the respect he has from his peers and from his teachers.

― Sander Langebeeke

Collette Combs

School: Marco Island Academy

Sports: Cheerleader, Track

Highlights: Combs is a two-time football cheer captain, a three-time lead cheer/dance choreographer and a two-time basketball team captain. She was vice president of student government, homecoming queen, a member of Key Club, the History & Culture Club, and the Marco Island Dance Academy. She's also a National Honor Society inductee, High Honors recipient, and Science National Honors Society inductee. She's appeared in ads, Hallmark movies, and has modeled.

Quote on future plans: "I believe that starting a business would be really fun. Just I think teaching kids I'd like to start a business where maybe a dance studio. I've danced my whole life so like getting to see the kids grow and learn and being like the one that is in that power position. It would be really, really fun and or a CEO, if the time comes, I'll be a CEO."

From the letter of recommendation: "Collette is a natural-born leader and is a positive role model at Marco Island Academy (MIA). Her effervescent smile and cheerful attitude are the first things you notice, but in the years at MIA, I have seen so many other sides to her. In the halls of the school, she is kind and caring to her classmates. On the sidelines of the fields and courts, her enthusiasm is contagious as she leads the cheer team. She is strong and determined as she sprints down the track. During community volunteer opportunities she is dedicated and responsible. At the same time, she stands out among her peers with her academic achievements in the classroom. She is an all-around outstanding student."

― Jane Watt, Board Chair, Marco Island Academy

Luke Walker

School: Naples

Sports: Football, Soccer, Track

Highlights: The National Football Foundation Collier County Chapter George and Joanne Downing Scholar Athlete of the Year Award recipient was a Golden Eagles captain as a senior and was named the team's best all-around player and teammate. He recorded 86 tackles, 16 for loss, 5 sacks, and 24 quarterback hurries his senior season. Walker has a 4.90 GPA, having taken 8 AP and 15 Honors courses, and will attend Columbia University in the fall. He's a volunteer for the Collier County Sheriff's Office, a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, interim vice president for the National Honors Society, a Unified Sports Special Olympics Field Day group leader, a football ambassador to Lake Park Elementary, and a board member of TOM's Club (A Naples High philanthropic club designed to serve the less fortunate).

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Quote on leadership skills: "I attribute a lot of it to my dad. He works for the Sheriff's Office, he's captain of patrol, and he's always kind of pushed onto me that the best types of leaders are not the people that tell you what to do, but they're the ones that get after it and do it and people will follow through that. So that's the No. 1 thing. And also just being an athlete and a student and a kid with parents you know, you don't like to be talked down to and yelled at you have to be encouraged and lifted up and things that you do good told about them and encourage you to do other things well."

From the letter of recommendation: "Luke has earned superior grades in both of these advanced courses and completed additional projects to enhance his understanding of the various topics studied. His insight and critical thinking skills are extraordinary and his ability to analyze literature exceeds that of his peers. As a former department chair of the English department and experienced teacher of thirty three years, I can honestly say that Luke is one of the most cooperative and respectful young men that I have ever worked with throughout my career. I admire his efforts both in and out of the classroom as he is an accomplished football, track and soccer player who received individual and team awards throughout his high school career."

― Robert Prange, English/Communications/Reading Instructor and Soccer Coach

Kaden Darwin

School: Palmetto Ridge

Sports: Football, Track, Wrestling

Highlights: With a 55-1 record, Darwin was dominant in the 285-pound weight class this season. His hardware included CCAC, district, regional, and state titles in Class 3A. A football team captain, he was chosen the Bears' National Football Foundation Collier Chapter Scholar Athlete. He volunteered at the Collier County Fair, at the CME, QBE, and Chubb golf tournaments, and as a Naples Bears wrestling referee.

Quote on wrestling: "Because when you walk onto the mat, you know, it's you versus this one person, you mentally have to know that no one else is behind you. But then that's where the team comes in. My team, we always are mat side, we're always cheering for you. You could hear us on every video, we're screaming and yelling and making sure you know that we're there even though you're by yourself on that mat, that we're always by your side. That we always got your back."

From the letter of recommendation: "Throughout the years I had seen him do well both in his classes academically as well as in his sports. Kaden is an active participant in class discussions and constantly provides his peers with positive support. His compassionate nature allows him to work well with others in a team setting and be an example for his teammates individually. Kaden is thoughtful and has the unique ability to respect others' opinions even when they differ from his own. Over the years while he was in school, I had the pleasure of watching Kaden develop as a model student and as an athlete."

― Justin Rodriguez, Assistant Wrestling Coach, ESE Inclusion Teacher

Brooke Spurgeon

School: Seacrest Country Day

Sports: Beach Volleyball, Volleyball

Highlights: Spurgeon has been a member of the three-time state-champion Stingrays volleyball team. The Nova Southeastern-bound Spurgeon did just about everything in her final season, finishing with 310 kills, 233 digs, 49 aces, and 33 blocks. Off the court, she's the student government vice president, Key Club vice president, on the Entrepreneurship Club leadership team, and a peer mentor.

Quote on winning a third state title: "This past year is definitely my favorite just because of how many challenges we overcame throughout the season. It was a five-set match, even though our first year was a reverse sweep this one just there was a lot of passion behind it. And we had a huge target on our backs, and we knew it, and it was really just gonna come down to a mental game. So seeing the mental strength in not only myself but the girls around me and seeing how everyone was able to come together. I think that was some of the best volleyball that I've seen my girls play and I just could not have been more proud of all of them."

From the letter of recommendation: "I have been even more impressed by how Brooke conducts herself as a student and as a member of our community. Brooke is tireless. She works incredibly hard to earn exceptional grades in all of her classes, including the two AP English classes in which I have taught her. She is a leader in the community as evidenced by her involvement in NHS, student government, Peer Mentoring, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Entrepreneurship Club, and Key Club. She is the type of person to whom younger students look up. This includes on the court, in the classroom, at the lunch table, or even in Brooke's interactions with the youngest members of our community."

― Matt Diapella, English Teacher

Sophia McCartney

School: St. John Neumann

Sports: Basketball, Swimming

Highlights: The Army signee was a double-double machine on the basketball court, recording 22 while averaging 17.3 points and 14.6 rebounds per game, and adding 2.7 assists and 2.7 steals per contest. The 2023-2024 SFABC Miss Basketball winner, she was a captain for the basketball and swimming teams. She compiled more than 200-plus hours of volunteer work as a senior as part of the Neumann Tech Squad (volunteer organization that attends nursing homes and aids the residents in their technology needs) as well as a VA Cllnlc volunteer, assistant coach for Coach Brandon Dean's travel basketball program, Habitat for Humanity builds, Christmas Cards for troops and Grace Place Food Distribution. She's also in Key CLub, Pro-Life Club and a student body leader.

Quote on being a team captain: "I was really blessed, they made it very easy to be a captain. Because we all just got along so well. And there was never any drama on the team. And I think part of it was due to before every game, we would have a talk in the locker room. And we'd go around, and everyone would say one thing that you wanted to do for that game, or maybe one thing that you wanted to fix or work on. And I think that really helped us to be able to like open up with everyone on the team. And we would listen to music and dance. And it was honestly just really easy."

From the letter of recommendation: "Socially, both faculty and peers adore Sophia as she is the embodiment of a positive attitude. As well as committing herself to a challenging academic workload, she Is the secretary of the National Honor Society and spends countless hours tutoring her peers; she is able to instruct her fellow students without drawing envy or making them feel inferior, a true gift. She also dedicates herself to community service, achieving hundreds of hours helping others; Sophia's character is truly golden in the area of service, especially at tutoring fellow classmates. As a college advisor I am concerned with students and their grades; I always send them to Sophia for tutoring as she will guide them while validating their intelligence."

― Denise Szedelvi, English Teacher/Dept. Chair/Director of Advisory

Isabella Adams

School: The Village School

Sports: Cheer, Cross Country, Track

Highlights: Adams placed sixth in the district, sixth at the regional meet, and capped her senior cross country season with 48th place in Class A with a time of 20:36.4. She's run PRs of 2:19.20 in the 800 and 5:16.50 in the 1600 heading into the district track meets this spring. The Tulane commit is a member of the National Honor Society, a National AP Scholar with Honors Award winner, and earned a National Hispanic Recognition Award. She's president of student government and is a member of the show choir and theater group.

Quote: "My biggest inspiration for my entire life has always been my dad. I love my dad. He's just the best. With running specifically, so my dad has a handicap so he cannot walk. So I think from the very beginning when he first got me into running, it was like sixth grade, I was always motivated by him because I thought I'm kind of like the legs that he doesn't have, you know, so I think that's something that's always been pushing me since the very beginning. I mean, on my spikes I even have written "For Dad", and I always pray for my dad on every starting line of every race."

From the letter of recommendation: "From a coach's perspective, Bella is one of my favorite athletes. She is coachable, receptive to input, and an active participant in her training. She asks great questions and is communicative with her coaches and trainers. She is one of the only high school athletes I know who keeps a running log. She is a fierce competitor who trains with the same passion she competes with. It's something that is uncommon in athletes her age. Bella leads by example; she is the first to show up and has never missed a practice. Bella will do whatever is asked of her and is completely unselfish. She provides a shining example of what a good teammate should be."

― Audra Bidwell, Girls Track and Field Coach

Winged Foot Scholar-Athlete Award Winners

1990 — Terry Dean, Barron Collier

1991 — Rich Hill, Barron Collier

1992 — Danny Bond, Naples

1993 — Ryan Krzykowski, Lely

1994 — Jean Bonnici , Naples

1995 — Lynn Miller, Naples

1996 — Ethan Altaratz, Naples

1997 — Jacki Haar, Lely

1998 — Carissa Johnson, Immokalee

1999 — Kelly Roloff, Barron Collier

2000 — Lars Grimm, Community School

2001 — Shannon McGregor, St. John Neumann

2002 — Eric Beights, Lely

2003 — Alyssa Van Gemert, Barron Collier

2004 — Ingrid Schumacher, Naples

2005 — Wiselet Rouzard, Immokalee

2006 — Lee Campbell, Gulf Coast

2007 — Samantha Milne, Palmetto Ridge

2008 — Kelsey Assarian, Barron Collier; Jack Swanson, Naples

2009 — Taylor Burfield, Community School

2010 — Ryan Iamurri, Naples

2011 — A.J. Prokop-Ervin, Naples

2012 — Brett Clark, Barron Collier

2013 — Danielle Avery, Naples

2014 — Ryan Celano, Community School

2015 — Michael Walker, Naples

2016 — Stephanie Paul, Community School

2017 — Emily Browne, Barron Collier

2018 — Paula Gomes, Gulf Coast

2019 — Jensen Jones, St. John Neumann

2020 — Malaya Melancon, First Baptist

2021 — Trace Davidson, Gulf Coast

2022 – Lane Calkins, Naples

2023 ― Carole Ann Hussey, Seacrest

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: The 15 Collier County seniors selected as 2024 Winged Foot Scholar-Athlete Award finalists