Links2Success

05/30/2026

We were thrilled to celebrate the graduation of our 12 senior Student Ambassadors! Congratulations to the DeSoto County High School Class of 2026!

05/30/2026

We are excited to highlight our 2026 graduating Student Ambassadors! Today, we celebrate Nanzy Ramirez Moreno! 🎓

Nanzy graduated with an Associate of Arts degree from South Florida State College, ranked in the top 10% of her class, and was named a Selby Foundation Scholar. This fall, she will attend the University of South Florida, where she plans to study Elementary Education. Congratulations, Nanzy! We are proud of your dedication, hard work, and all you have accomplished. 👏

Our Student Ambassador Program is a college and career readiness program designed to help students build personal, academic, and professional skills while preparing for success after high school. This free program is made possible thanks to the support of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, United Way Suncoast, Lighthouse United Methodist Church of Boca Grande, Suncoast Credit Union, and many community partners.

05/30/2026

We are excited to highlight Links to Success’ 2026 Student Ambassador graduates! Today, we celebrate Nataly
Ramirez Moreno! 🎓

Nataly will be attending the University of Central Florida, where she will study Psychology. She has already earned an Associate of Arts degree from South Florida State College, is the Salutatorian of her class, and is also a Selby Foundation Scholar. Congratulations, Nataly! We are proud of your dedication, hard work, and all you have accomplished. 👏🎓

Our Student Ambassador Program is a college and career readiness program designed to help students build personal, academic, and professional skills while preparing for success after high school. This free program is made possible thanks to the support of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, United Way Suncoast, Lighthouse United Methodist Church of Boca Grande, Suncoast Credit Union, and many community partners.

DeSoto County School District
DeSoto County High School
William G. and Marie Selby Foundation

05/29/2026

Congratulations to the DeSoto County High School Class of 2026! 🎓

Tonight, seniors will walk across the stage and celebrate years of hard work, perseverance, and achievement. We are especially proud of our 12 graduating Student Ambassadors who will be taking their next steps into college, technical training, military service, and other postsecondary opportunities.

These incredible students have dedicated themselves to personal growth, leadership, academic success, and preparing for bright futures. We know they will continue to make a positive impact wherever life takes them.

We are deeply grateful to the donors, community partners, and supporters who make these opportunities possible for our students. Your investment in our youth is changing lives and strengthening the future of DeSoto County.

Congratulations, Class of 2026! We are cheering you on every step of the way. 🎉🎓

Links to Success 2026 Graduating Seniors:
Alexa Albor-Ortiz
Alyrika Bailey
Jaliyah Luther
Janet Segura Olvera
Jesus Castillo
Kaira Castro
Nanzy Ramirez Moreno
Nataly Rami­rez Moreno
Nayeli Lopez
Richard Coone
Yarely Hidalgo-Ibarra
Zuleyma Barragan

05/29/2026

We are excited to highlight Links to Success’ 2026 graduating Student Ambassadors! Today, we celebrate Richard Coone III! 🎓

Richard will be attending Florida Gulf Coast University, where he plans to study Resort and Hospitality Management. Congratulations, Richard! We are proud of your dedication, hard work, and all you have accomplished. 👏

Our Student Ambassador Program is a college and career readiness program designed to help students build personal, academic, and professional skills while preparing for success after high school. This free program is made possible thanks to the support of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, United Way Suncoast, Lighthouse United Methodist Church of Boca Grande, Suncoast Credit Union, and many community partners.

DeSoto County School District
DeSoto County High School

05/29/2026

We are excited to highlight Links to Success’ 2026 graduating Student Ambassadors! Today, we celebrate Jaliyah Luther! 🎓

Jaliyah will be attending Louisiana State University (LSU), where she plans to study Psychology and Pre-Law. She has already earned an Associate of Arts degree from South Florida State College and is graduating in the Top 10% of her class. Congratulations, Jaliyah! We are so proud of your hard work and accomplishments! 👏

Our Student Ambassador Program is a college and career readiness program designed to help students build personal, academic, and professional skills while preparing for success after high school. This free program is made possible thanks to the support of Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, United Way Suncoast, Lighthouse United Methodist Church of Boca Grande, Suncoast Credit Union, and many community partners.

DeSoto County School District
DeSoto County High School

05/28/2026

We are excited to highlight our 2026 graduating Student Ambassadors! Today, we celebrate Jesus Castillo!

Jesus will be attending the University of South Florida to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering. He is graduating in the Top 10% of his class. Congratulations, Jesus! We are cheering you on every step of the way! 🎓👏

Our Student Ambassador Program is a college and career prep program designed to help students build personal, academic, and professional skills while preparing for success after high school. This free program is made possible thanks to Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, United Way Suncoast, Lighthouse United Methodist Church of Boca Grande, Suncoast Credit Union and many community partners.

DeSoto County School District
DeSoto County High School

05/28/2026

Free family movie nights in DeSoto this summer!!

🎬🍿 Looking for something fun to do this summer in Arcadia? 🍿🎬

The Turner Agri Civic Center is hosting FREE Sunday Movie Fun Days throughout June and July! Families can enjoy classic favorites and newer family friendly films every Sunday from 2–4 PM.

📍 Turner Agri Civic Center
2250 NE Roan St., Arcadia, FL

🗓 Sundays in June: 7, 14, 21, 28
🗓 Sundays in July: 5, 12, 19, 26
⏰ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

✨ Free admission
🍿 Concessions available for purchase
👨‍👩‍👧 Children under 14 require adult supervision

Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
DeSoto County Library
DeSoto County School District
Nocatee Elementary
The Patterson Foundation
Aspirations to Actions
The City of Arcadia, Florida
DeSoto County Education Foundation
DeSoto County, FL

05/28/2026

Today, the Links to Success team had the opportunity to give back to DeSoto families in a different way by volunteering at All Faiths Food Bank. Together, our team packed 200 bags of dry goods and 200 bags of fresh produce that will help support families throughout our community.

We are grateful to United Way Suncoast for making this volunteer opportunity possible and for continuing to invest in organizations working to strengthen and support local families.

We are also excited to help spread the word about All Faiths Food Bank’s SummerEats Card program, which provides eligible families with $120 per child to help purchase groceries this summer.

At Links to Success, we know student success is deeply connected to family well-being, and we are proud to partner alongside organizations helping meet critical community needs every day.

Apply for SummerEats Card Program: https://form.jotform.com/261123387708055 #:~:text=Need%20help%20putting%20food%20on,stay%20nourished%20all%20summer%20long

05/28/2026

Across DeSoto County, young people are doing incredible things, not only pursuing their passions but also giving back to the community that supports them. In the DeSoto Digest, we’re spotlighting two local youth who are using their talents, creativity, and drive to make a meaningful impact...