
Hopes and Dreams
SSTRIDE students share their hopes and dreams for their future.
The Collier County SSTRIDE Program is located in the rural town of Immokalee. Immokalee is a small community in Southwest Florida that is an agricultural hub, known as America’s “tomato capital”. Immokalee’s name is derived from the Mikasuki language, and means “our home”. Most of Immokalee’s residents are migrant farm workers. It is a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area. The patient population is made up of primarily Latinos, Haitians, and African Americans. Immokalee is situated approximately 30 minutes from Naples and Fort Myers. The SSTRIDE Program started in Immokalee in 2016 through a generous grant from the Naples Children and Education Foundation (NCEF), and currently resides in the Immokalee Middle and High School in partnerships with Collier County Public Schools as well as the FSU College of Medicine Immokalee Health Education Site.

Stephanie Robert
Stephanie was in the 11th grade when she was awarded. She has all A’s and near-perfect attendance at school. She has earned many awards for her hard work and dedication to SSTRIDE such as the SSTRIDE Academic Excellence award and SSTRIDE Outstanding student Award. Stephanie is able very involved with her high school. She is part of the Immokalee Foundation, Take Stock in Children, Youth Leadership Collier, Young Life Community Leadership Council, American College of Cardiology Youth Scholars, and CROP. Stephanie keeps busy while in and out of school staying involved in her community. She hopes to attend FSU and would like to become a Neonatal Nurse.

Alyssa Iraola
Alyssa was in 12th grade when she was awarded. She has all A’s and near-perfect attendance at school. Alyssa has earned numerous awards for her hard work and dedication, SSTRIDE Academic Excellence award, SSTRIDE Outstanding student award, and the National Beta Club silver medal of service. Alyssa not only is able to focus on her studies, but she is having been able to stay involved at the high school. She is an active member of the Beta Club and varsity cheerleading. She plans to attend FSU and would like to become a Pediatrician.

Dieulerne Deceus
Dieulerne was in 10th grade when she was awarded. She has all A’s and near-perfect attendance at school and in her SSTRIDE Chemistry Class. She volunteers at the Taste of Immokalee and participates in the afterschool Beta Club at Immokalee High School. She always has a smile on her face and steps in to help other classmates whenever needed. She plans to attend either FSU or USF and would like to become a Pediatric Surgeon.
Collier County SSTRIDE is funded by:
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