Boca Grande scholar graduates from USF

Boca Grande residents Tom and Susan Shaffer are pleased to announce the graduation of their daughter, Kelsey Marie Shaffer, from the University of South Florida in Tampa. Kelsey Shaffer earned her bachelor's degree in finance graduating magna cum laude with multiple honors, including the USF Director’s Award, Dean’s List recognition, and International Honor Society of Beta Gamma Sigma membership. Shaffer grew up in Boca Grande and graduated from Lemon Bay High School in 2008. She plans to pursue her master's degree in finance at USF this fall. FGCU graduates four from Gasparilla area Four residents from the Gasparilla Island area graduated this semester from Florida Gulf Coast University. The graduates and their degrees:

n Courtney Crowe of Placida, bachelor's degree in business;

n Megan McCoy of Rotonda West, bachelor's degree in education;

n Dean Merrill of Rotonda West, bachelor's degree in art; and

n Meghan Hennessy of Rotonda West, bachelor's degree in health.



Lemon Bay High School

senior posts 4.429 GPA

Ashley Kreher of Rotonda West, a Lemon Bay High School senior with a grade-point acerage of 4.429, was awarded a 2011 Leo Wotitzky Scholarship Wednesday from the Charlotte Community Foundation Board of Directors

Kreher's many achievements include: Florida State University pre-medicine program, United Nations model, LBHS Science Fair first place, Regional Science Fair honorable mention in chemistry, LBHS honors biology award, Grade A Honor Roll, LBHS High Academic Honors, LBHS Art Show first place and two honorable mentions, State College of Florida Dean’s List, FSU College of Medicine Summer Institute Best All-Around Award, Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors, Do the Right Thing Award, Soloist and Group performer at Moscow Ballet Production of the Nutcracker, Orange Bowl halftime show performer, Hold Medalist in group dance competitions, Lawton Chiles Leadership Corps and she established the Vineland Elementary Hideaway Bay Beach Club recycling program.

Her goal is to pursue a degree in medicine to “make a true impact” in people’s lives.