IMMOKALEE — Thirty-four of Immokalee’s most driven and accomplished students are preparing to take their next steps toward higher education, earning more than $4.15 million in scholarships and grants through Guadalupe Center’s nationally recognized Tutor Corps Program.

The soon-to-be graduates were celebrated at Guadalupe Center’s annual Celebration Dinner on April 23, made possible with the support of sponsors including Seminole Casino, Wilson & Johnson, and Dee & Associates, CPAs.

Tutor Corps is a comprehensive college-preparatory program that combines academic support, mentorship, life skills development, and career exploration. Students also serve as paid tutors in Guadalupe Center’s After-school Program for grades K-2, gaining valuable leadership experience while helping younger students build a strong academic foundation.

“Every student in Tutor Corps has a story of perseverance, and it’s our responsibility to help turn that perseverance into possibility,” said Dawn Montecalvo, President & CEO of Guadalupe Center. “We’re not just preparing students for college. We’re helping them discover their potential, find their voice, and step confidently into a future they once may not have imagined.”

This year’s class continues a strong tradition of achievement, with a 100% college acceptance rate. All 34 students are first-generation, with most preparing to attend college and one pursuing service in the United States Marine Corps. Students have earned admission to selective institutions including Wesleyan University, Berea College, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Chicago.

Collectively, they have earned more than $4.15 million in scholarships and grants, including $438,000 from Guadalupe Center, and maintain an impressive 4.27 average weighted GPA. Together, they have earned 386 college credits, with nine students ranking in the top 20 of their class. The majority are also the first in their families to graduate high school, and one student was selected for the highly competitive Gates Scholarship, a prestigious national award recognizing exceptional, high-achieving student leaders.

For students like Mileyda, a member of the Class of 2026, the program has been truly life-changing.

“Stability was something I had to search for from an early age,” she shared. “Because of the challenges my family faced, I rarely felt grounded. That began to change when I joined Guadalupe’s After-school Program. It became more than a program. It became my foundation.”

Through mentorship, academic support, and opportunities like a summer experience at Saint Mary’s College, Mileyda discovered both confidence and purpose. Today, she serves as a Tutor Corps leader, president of her school’s Beta Club with more than 500 hours of community service, and a national champion in U.S. History.

“I’ve become the role model I once needed,” she said. “With the support Guadalupe has given me, I feel confident about the journey ahead.”

As they prepare to begin college this fall, the Tutor Corps Class of 2026 will pursue degrees in fields ranging from aerospace engineering to health sciences and the arts. They continue a path defined by resilience, purpose, and opportunity.

Support will not end at graduation. Tutor Corps continues alongside students through college, providing the guidance, mentorship, and resources they need to stay focused and succeed. Since 2004, more than 300 students have earned college degrees, with many returning as community leaders and mentors themselves.

Together, these achievements reflect not only individual success, but the strength of a community committed to investing in education and opportunity.

For more information about Guadalupe Center, please visit guadalupecenter.org.