Guadalupe Center celebrates Tutor Corps Class of 2024

Immokalee high school seniors prepare for endless possibilities through higher education journey

NAPLES, Fla. (May 10, 2024)– From FGCU to the Ivy League, dozens of soon-to-be high school graduates from Immokalee are poised to begin their higher education journeys – and once again, Guadalupe Center’s Tutor Corps Class of 2024 can count on millions of dollars in financial support from community supporters, college partnerships and their own hard work.

The 31 Tutor Corps graduates collectively earned $4.3 million in scholarship and grant offers to attend institutions such as Florida Gulf Coast University, the University of Florida, Columbia, Northeastern, Stanford and more; one graduate is enlisting in the U.S. Marines Corps.

Since 2004, every Tutor Corps student has completed high school and been accepted to college, with 94% ultimately earning a college degree.

“This is my favorite night of the year,” said Guadalupe Center President and CEO Dawn Montecalvo. “As each student crosses the stage, it’s our future going by.

“Tutor Corps is not just a scholarship program,” she added. “It is a college preparatory program that focuses on life skills as well as career development.  And it doesn’t end tonight. We stay with them through college, not only ensuring that they can pursue a degree without incurring significant debt, but also continuing to provide the resources, support and encouragement throughout their time in college.”

Critically, Tutor Corps students work as tutors with younger students attending Guadalupe Center’s After-School Program for students in grades K-2, earning money to help pay their college costs while also paving the path forward for future generations, including younger siblings.

“They have always pushed me to keep going, to never give up, to be my best inside and outside the classroom,” said Geraldi Sanabria, who plans to study nursing at Roberts Wesleyan College. “Guadalupe Center has supported my family and me through every step of the way.”

Sanabria served as class speaker when the nonprofit celebrated its Class of 2024 at an April 26 commencement ceremony at Vineyards Country Club, with parents, mentors, community partners and staff assembled to recognize the seniors’ impressive accomplishments:

• Accrued Guadalupe Center Scholarship Funding: $426,000
• Total Scholarships and Grants: $4.3 million
• Average GPA: 4.14
• Percent Graduating High School: 100
• Students Earning College Credit: 30 of 31
• First-Generation College Students: 29 of 31

Come fall, Tutors Corps students will pursue majors in computer science, education, biochemistry, biology, business, psychology, accounting, health care administration, civil and mechanical engineering, forensic science, nursing, economics and other fields.

Some are electing to stay close to home, attending FGCU or Florida SouthWestern State College, while others will attend Florida State University, the University of South Florida and other public and private institutions within Florida.

In addition, several Tutor Corps students will enroll at some of the out-of-state institutions that have formal partnerships with Guadalupe Center: Arcadia University, Augustana College, North Central College, Roberts Wesleyan and Saint John’s University

For Stephanie Mendoza-Moreno, the dinner took place just days before her deadline to select a destination from among her top three choices: Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania and Northwestern University. The winner? UPenn.

Those three schools were among 18 elite institutions to admit Mendoza-Moreno, including Amherst, Duke, Notre Dame, Tufts and Washington University in St. Louis.

About Guadalupe Center
Established in 1984, Guadalupe Center provides high-quality, life-changing educational programs to more than 1,950 students annually. Recognized nationally as a model for nonprofits serving students from low-income, rural communities, Guadalupe Center is creating a cycle of prosperity through education for students and families in Immokalee. The organization offers three highly successful programs – the nationally accredited Early Childhood Education Program, After-school Tutoring & Summer Enrichment Program and college-preparatory Tutor Corps Program – that foster personal and academic success leading to economic independence. Platinum-rated by GuideStar, Guadalupe Center is generously supported by private donors, philanthropic organizations and community partners. For more information, please visit GuadalupeCenter.org or call 239-657-7711.