DeSoto County Education Foundation

09/04/2026

Thank you to DeSoto County High School for coordinating and hosting this event and welcoming all the colleges, businesses and foundations to discuss the students’ aspirations and help turn them into actions!

DeSoto High School welcomed more than 45 colleges, universities, trade schools, and local agencies to campus for its College and Career Fair, coordinated by Erica Smith, Dean of Assessment and Student Success. Every junior and senior had the opportunity to attend, moving through the fair by class...

09/04/2026

✨ September RISE! Above Award Nominations are OPEN ✨

With school back in full swing, now is the perfect time to let a teacher know just how much they are appreciated.

Do you know a DeSoto County teacher who is going above and beyond for their students, school, and community?

Help us celebrate the educators who continue to rise above and make a difference every single day.

A special thank you to our September RISE! Above Award Partner, Gopher Roofing, for helping us recognize and celebrate our incredible teachers. 💙

📲 Submit your nomination today:

https://forms.gle/JHEuKY7tRiA1nDsA6

09/03/2026

🎓 𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥? 𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚!🧐

💙 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟭 𝗢𝗙 𝟯: 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗨𝗦 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗦💙

Junior year is the time to start exploring — not deciding.

Before senior year brings applications, deadlines and decisions, take some time to visit a few college campuses. A campus visit can help students discover what matters to them: campus size, location, academic programs, student life, residence halls — and simply whether a school feels like a place they could call home.

💙 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟭 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝗜𝗚!

If your student wants to experience a larger university campus, consider scheduling a visit to one of these Florida public universities:

🐊 University of Florida | Gainesville
https://admissions.ufl.edu/visit-and-events/
🍢 Florida State University | Tallahassee
https://visit.fsu.edu/
⚔️ University of Central Florida | Orlando
https://www.ucf.edu/admissions/undergraduate/visit/
🤘 University of South Florida | Tampa
https://www.usf.edu/admissions/visit/
🐾 Florida International University | Miami
https://admissions.fiu.edu/experience-fiu/campus-tours/
🦉 Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton
https://www.fau.edu/visit/

📍 𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗢𝗡𝗘. 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗘 𝗔 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥. 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗨𝗦. 𝗔𝗦𝗞 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦.

You don’t have to know where you want to go yet. That’s exactly why you visit.

💙 The DeSoto County Education Foundation encourages our students and families to DREAM BIG, ASK QUESTIONS and EXPLORE!

Coming next: Part 2 — Exploring Florida’s Smaller Universities!

09/03/2026

🎓 Scholarship Spotlight

Congratulations to Livia Evans, recipient of the Bodacious Memorial Scholarship.

Named in memory of James "Bodacious" Chancey, this scholarship honors a young man whose determination and perseverance inspired everyone around him. It recognizes students who have overcome challenges while remaining committed to their education and future goals.

💙 A special thank you to the Chancey family for sharing Bodie's story and creating opportunities for students facing adversity. Your generosity reminds us that perseverance can overcome even the greatest obstacles.

09/01/2026

🎓 Scholarship Spotlight

Congratulations to Coen Chastain and Anna Hernandez, recipients of the Bobby & Barbara Mixon Scholarship.

Established in honor of Barbara Mixon, this scholarship celebrates a lifetime of service, generosity, and dedication to helping others. Barbara's work with students and Bobby's lifelong commitment to agriculture continue to inspire future generations.

💙 A special thank you to the Mixon family for honoring Bobby and Barbara's legacy through this scholarship. Your generosity helps students pursue their educational goals and build brighter futures.

08/27/2026

This is a wonderful opportunity for any senior working out their next step plans!

08/27/2026

🎓 Preparing for what comes after high school starts with knowing your options! Opportunities like this help ensure every senior and their family has access to the information they need to plan for the future.

Our LCAN (Local College Access Network- Elevate Desoto!) is presenting this Pre-FAFSA Parent Night to help everyone learn more about the financial aid process, ask questions, and better understand the resources available to help make education after high school possible.

💡 Remember—financial aid isn’t just for traditional four-year colleges. FAFSA can help eligible students access financial assistance for technical and trade schools, certificate programs, colleges, and universities.

📅 Wednesday, September 16
⏰ 6:30–8:00 PM
📍 Louis and Gloria Flanzer Club, Arcadia

Empowering families. Elevating futures. 💙💚

08/27/2026

🎓 Scholarship Spotlight

Congratulations to Addison Croy and James Nedley, recipients of the Arcadia Rodeo Association "Kayo Welles" Memorial Scholarship.

Since 1928, the Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo has been committed to supporting the advancement of our community. This scholarship honors Kayo Welles and reflects the Rodeo Association's long-standing dedication to creating opportunities for local students.

💙 A special thank you to the Arcadia Rodeo Association for investing in education while preserving a tradition that has been part of DeSoto County for generations.

08/26/2026

💙 September 1: Nominations open for RISE! Above recognitions 💙🩵

08/25/2026

🚌Driving a school bus is a BIG job, and DeSoto County School District drivers, dispatchers and maintenance make that a safe journey for our students every day! Thank you to all of them from the DeSoto County Education Foundation!!💙✏️🚌