These outstanding students were recognized at City Council Meeting earlier this week for their leadership, courage, and commitment to doing what’s right. We’re proud to celebrate their positive impact in our community!

Kataleya Zuniga & Mariana Gonzalez - Gulf View Middle School
Kataleya and Mariana stepped up when it mattered most. When an 8th-grade student was being harassed on the bus, they took turns blocking the seat so she felt safe and encouraged her to come forward. Their courage, maturity, and willingness to do the right thing without hesitation show incredible character.

Lucy Bustamante - Saint Ann School
Lucy Bustamante, an 8th grader at Saint Ann, is making a difference with heart and compassion. Alongside her older sister, she visits children in the Pediatrics Unit at NCH to offer free tutoring and handmade crafts funded through donations from family and friends. Together, they proudly call themselves the “Academic Angels,” bringing learning, creativity, and smiles to children when they need it most.

Jonathan Herrera Rodriguez - Boy Scout Troop 2 / Moorings Presbyterian Church
Eagle Scout Jonathan’s "Project Reverence" made a lasting impact at Rosemary Cemetery. For his Eagle Project, Jonathan restored and honored Plot N, a historic African American burial site in Naples, by placing custom headstones, installing a historical marker, and adding a bench and fencing to improve accessibility and appearance. He raised $20,000 and rallied volunteers, historians, and local organizations to ensure the site serves as a respectful, long-term educational space. His efforts helped secure the land’s designation as a historically protected site - an incredible legacy of service and reverence.