Scholarships

MARCO ISLAND SHELL CLUB
EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

The Marco Island Shell Club, a 501 ( c )(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the study, conservation, science, history, and appreciation of seashells and mollusks in all their forms, has awarded $30,000 to deserving undergrad and graduate students who are studying marine sciences as well as notable non-profits who further our mission to educate and inform our community including the Bailey National Shell Museum, Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center and Hideaway Beach’s Buddy Day.

The Marco Island Shell Club raises money for these scholarships through donations and the sale of unique shell art both at in-person events and our website www.marcoislandshellclub.com .

If you are interested in applying for a scholarship for the 2026-2027 school year, please fill out an application which can be found by clicking on the Scholarship Application link. Our awarded scholarships are available for the 2026-2027 academic year. It is possible to renew this annually if all criteria levels are maintained. To be considered for a Marco Island Shell Club scholarship, a major in Marine Science, Environmental or Water Science, or an area that will impact mollusk and sea life is required. Please submit the application and all requirements listed on the Scholarship Application Cover Letter by February 1, 2026, either by mail (Marco Island Shell Club Scholarship, P . O. Box 633, Marco Island, Florida 34146) or by email at marcoislandshellclub34145@gmail.com. Scholarship submissions are closed at this time but check by later in the year for more information.

If you are interested in applying for a 2026 grant, please refer to the Grant Application Cover Letter and complete the Grant Application and submit both by February 1, 2026 either by mail (Marco Island Shell Club Grants 2026, P. O. Box 633, Marco Island, Florida 34146) or by email at marcoislandshellclub@gmail.com. Grant submissions are closed at this time but check by later in the year for more information.

The Marco Island Shell Club has announced its 2025 Scholarship and Grant recipients, awarding $20,000 to support students dedicated to marine sciences and conservation.

Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships: Marco Island Shell Club has two endowed scholarships at Florida Gulf Coast University.   An additional $2,000 was added this year to each of the endowment amounts. Isabel Kacprowski received the undergraduate scholarship for her studies in Marine Sciences, while Celina Ceballos was awarded the graduate scholarship to pursue a Ph.D. focused on endangered species research. 

• Isabel Kacprowski: Isabel is a senior studying red tide and organic contaminants. She also takes care of the invertebrate tanks at the Water School. She plans to continue to a master’s degree in marine sciences and intends to remain in Florida.

• Celina Ceballos: Celina has been studying Diamondback Terrapins, Gopher Tortoises, and Sea Turtles, starting in New Jersey and now in Florida. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. with the goal of advancing the preservation and understanding of endangered species and ecosystems through research, education, and science communication.

• $5,000 Scholarships: Two additional $5,000 scholarships were awarded to Zoe Szabo, who aims to use underwater photography for marine conservation, and Macy Noll, who is studying coral creatures and creating educational materials for children. 

  • Zoe Szabo: Zoe is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Sciences. She plans to use underwater photography to help people understand the importance of protecting and conserving marine life. She is also working with Collier County on their Sea Turtle Research Project.

  • Macy Noll: Macy spent time as a child on Marco Island with her grandparents, exploring in and out of the water. She has a double major in Art and Biology and is a Research Assistant for Vester Field Station studying tiny coral creatures. She has created a color and activity book focused on coastal ecology for children.

  Grants for Research and Education:

  • Mollusks on the Move: This program from Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum brings live mollusks directly to students. A grant of $2500 will bring this program to four Fifth grade classrooms at Manatee Elementary School

    The Marco Island Shell Club, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, is dedicated to the study and conservation of mollusks and seashells and to encourage shell related interests such as shell collection and Shell Art.   Shell Art produced by our members and sold at two major Shell Art Sales provides the funds to support our educational endeavors.

Please contact us to make a donation toward future scholarships.

Scholarships Awarded for Next Year

Supporting the Next Generation of Marine Science Leaders

One of the main philanthropic activities of the Marco Island Shell Club is providing scholarships and grants to college students to help offset the rising cost of tuition. In today’s climate of inflation, pursuing higher education often means committing to four—or more—years of increasingly expensive schooling.

By offering scholarships to students majoring in marine sciences, The MI Shell Club is investing in the future of Florida’s waters, its marine ecosystems, and the animals that depend on them. This year, we received the largest number of applicants we have seen in recent years, and their achievements are truly remarkable. The high GPAs, internships, club involvement, volunteer work, and athletic participation these students maintain while excelling academically demonstrate extraordinary dedication and discipline. Through these scholarships, the Marco Island Shell Club proudly supports not only exceptional students, but also the long-term health and stewardship of Florida’s marine environment.

The Marco Island Shell Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and we host two major fundraisers each year to support our scholarship and grant programs. The Holiday Shell Art Sale is held annually on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and the Spring Expo and Shell Art Sale takes place during the second weekend in March. Both events are hosted at the New Life Community Church on Marco Island and feature unique shell art along with educational opportunities for the community. We use money raised at these two major events to help fund our scholarship and grant initiative. For more information about these events, as well as educational seminars held throughout the season, please visit our website at www.marcoislandshellclub.com or follow us on Facebook at MarcoIsland_ShellClub.

Our five selections being awarded scholarships for the upcoming school year are: Matea Denisen, Rylie DiSarro, Macy Noll, Lauren Shea, and Madeline Strauss.

Matea Denisen is pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies from Florida Gulf Coast University, combining her love of journalism with her passion for nature. She is a writer for Coastal Breeze News, where she frequently interviews environmental organizations and deepens her understanding through hands-on field experiences. She completed a six-month internship with the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research and has also studied abroad in Costa Rica, where she learned about mangrove forests and marine conservation practices like those in Florida. In addition, she has applied to the Gulf Scholars Program which offers research projects, internships, and collaborative opportunities with environmental organizations. After earning her BS from FGCU, she plans to apply to graduate school.

The Club depends upon the proceeds from the Holiday Sale in late fall and the Spring Expo & Shell Art Sale in March to underwrite other educational programs and grants. Because of very successful sales the past few seasons, we are able to expand our philanthropic activities.

Our grants require applicants to focus on activities that promote the study, conservation, science, history, and appreciation of seashells and mollusks in all their forms.

They are available to teachers and educators working with children from PreK through high school.  A grant application will soon be available here on our website.  We ask for information about your activity, who will benefit from the activity, materials needed for your activity, and a breakdown of costs for those materials. 

Zoe Szabo

Macy Noll

Lauren Shea is pursuing a degree in Marine Science at Florida Gulf Coast University. She recently presented her research on organic contaminants in southwest Florida coastal waters following Hurricane Ian at two conferences, earning a Second-Best Presentation Award for one of her presentations. In 2024, Lauren presented a project at her university’s largest student Expo, where she received the Best Sustainability and Environmental Awareness Award for her work on sustainable seafood. She also works in a marine science laboratory alongside graduate students conducting red tide research and was selected as a student researcher for a shark-tagging event in 2024. Lauren’s goal is to earn a master’s degree in marine science, and through her minor in Political Science, she hopes to gain insight into the policies that help protect and sustain marine ecosystems.

These outstanding applicants reflect the very best of academic excellence and community involvement, making our investment in their education both meaningful and impactful. By investing in these dedicated students today, we are helping to ensure a knowledgeable, passionate generation of leaders committed to protecting our oceans tomorrow.

Rylie DiSarro is pursuing a degree in Marine Science and will begin her studies at Florida Atlantic University in the fall. An accomplished athlete, she has earned multiple varsity letters and, beyond athletics, serves as Regional President of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is also actively involved in community service through various programs. Rylie has experience as a Registered Marine Guide and has participated in Outward Bound. She plans to pursue a career in Marine Biology, where she hopes to make a positive impact on marine ecosystems through research, conservation, and education.

Macy Noll is pursuing a degree in Biology and Art, also from Florida Gulf Coast University. This year, she participated in the Environmental Education Alliance Conference as both a breakout facilitator and keynote speaker, delivering the presentation “Coming Home: A Pedagogy of Environmental Artmaking.” She recently completed a two-year research assistantship with the Vester Marine and Environmental Field Station, where she studied Kimberly’s Reef, and she now mentors students who are continuing that work. In addition, Macy serves as an instructor for the Scientific Diving class, helping others take their research underwater. She plans to continue her research pursuits in graduate school next year.

Madeline Strauss is pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University. She is a first-year sophomore planning to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Ecology and Environmental Assessment. Madeline is also interested in pursuing a master’s degree in Sustainable Urban Planning, with the goal of developing sustainable communities that preserve and protect the planet and its inhabitants, particularly in coastal regions. She has been a member of the National Honor Society, Science Olympiad Team, and Biotechnology Pathway, and has earned multiple awards recognizing her volunteerism and achievements as a Miss Rhode Island Teen.