This week’s Lee County High School Student of the Week is junior Callie Sousa from Fort Myers High School.
In a highly competitive race, Sousa emerged victorious with 39% of the votes cast. Bishop Verot’s Thomas Eichten finished as the second-place candidate with 35% of the votes. Together, the seven nominees this week received nearly 50,000 votes.
On Monday (September 29), another poll will be released featuring a fresh list of nominees for the Lee County High School Student of the Week. The voting period will remain open until 5 p.m. on October 2.
Here’s a more detailed view of this week’s Student of the Week, Callie Sousa, through her nomination:
Callie Sousa – Fort Myers High School
Fort Myers High School wishes to submit,Callie Sousaas Student of the Week.
Callie is a Varsity Cheerleader who represents the essence and heritage of being a Greenie. She is kind and polite to everyone she encounters. She is part of the IB program at Fort Myers High School and participates in various extracurricular activities. She is also very athletic and has played soccer for 10 years, both at the school and club levels. She is on the Varsity team at FM. Callie is quiet and modest but is strongly loyal when it comes to her friends, family, and personal values. Callie is a junior at Fort Myers High and aspires to attend a university in Florida. She is highly intelligent with a 4.42 GPA and has been a significant contributor to FMHS as a representative of the Student Government Association for three consecutive years and is an active member of the Santa Claus Society. Callie has been attending the “Future Greenies” cheer clinic since she was three years old. It’s truly a full circle moment to see her thriving at Fort Myers. Go Greenies!
Here are the other notable nominees:
Thomas Eichten-Bishop Verot High School
Senior Thomas Eichtenthis week’s standout nominee from Bishop Verot High School. Recently honored as a National Merit Commended Student, Thomas is also an accomplished member of the school’s elite Scholars’ Academy. Admission into this program demands exceptional results in standardized tests, grade point average, and course difficulty—and Thomas has chosen the most demanding academic path available. His AP Capstone project,St. Kateri’s Kits, focused on gathering unused medical supplies and distributing them both locally and internationally. He will receive an AP Capstone Diploma upon graduation. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Science National Honor Society, and Spanish National Honor Society. Within Bishop Verot’s Community/House system, Thomas was selected as one of two Heads of Family through a demanding selection process. He continues to stand out in this role through his leadership, example, and faith. A committed athlete, Thomas has participated in track and cross country for four years, contributing to his team’s state championship win in cross country last year. He now serves as team captain. In addition to athletics, he has been a student representative on the Student Life and Catholic Identity Committee since his freshman year and co-founded the school’s Spikeball Club. Thomas also has a passion for service, regularly using his abilities and talents for various organizations. He truly reflects the words of Bishop Verot’s patron saint, St. Francis de Sales:Be yourself and do it thoroughly.
Ava Laffey-Evangelical Christian School
Ava Laffeyis a Senior at Evangelical Christian School (ECS). She is a dedicated student who prioritizes her education as well as time spent with her family and friends. Ava is part of the National Honor Society (NHS) and went to Paris with ECS’s International Leadership Group. She has been on ECS’s Swim & Dive Team since her high school years and has finished first and/or second in every swim meet event she has participated in this academic year! As a result, she has helped the ECS Girls Swim Team win consecutive Private 8 Titles! Ava is thrilled to be nominated, as she has also been nominated for theNews-PressAthlete of the Week in 9th grade!
Sebastian Jeanpierre-North Fort Myers High School
Sebastian’s commitment to learning and development has led to significant achievements. He is currently ranked 2nd among 513 students in his senior class, maintaining a GPA of 5.52. He has received prestigious accolades such as the AICE Diploma with Distinction and AP Scholar With Distinction. He is also among the top 1% of NMSQT/PSAT test-takers nationwide and has been named a National Merit Semifinalist. He is expected to advance to the finalist stage in February 2026.
In addition to his studies, he is engaged in numerous clubs and groups. Last summer, he attended the Young Leaders Summit at Princeton and conducted biochemistry research through the Summer Science Program at Purdue University. He is also a skilled saxophonist in both classical and jazz styles. He has received numerous awards, including five Superiors at district and state Solo and Ensemble competitions, as well as serving as Principal Chair in six all-county ensembles and honor bands at the University of Miami and UCF.
He also serves as the President of the Tri-M Music Honors Society at North, President of the Science National Honors Society at North, Low Saxophone Captain and Soloist in the North Marching Band, Vice President of the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honors Society, and Secretary of the National Honors Society. Beyond school, he has volunteered with the Environmental Education Organization in Lee County at Echo Farms and works part-time as an Instructor at Mathnasium.
In the future, he plans to study Chemical Engineering, possibly at the University of Florida. He aims to engage in research and build a professional path connected to agriculture and nutrition.
Nico Pattelli-Canterbury School
Nico Pattelliis a senior at Canterbury School in Fort Myers. A diligent and committed student, Nico performs exceptionally well academically and has taken on an intense academic schedule, including fourteen AP courses. He is part of several honor societies, such as Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society, demonstrating determination in all areas of study, always striving for excellence. A quiet but sharp learner, Nico likes to participate in the Chess Club and our academic decathlon team, The A-Team, where his passion for strategy and trivia becomes evident. He also enjoys being outside playing pickleball and cycling with family and friends. Hailing from New York City, Nico has adapted well to the warm climate of Southwest Florida and all it provides. He intends to major in English in college, potentially following a pre-law path. We are proud of you, Nico! Go Cougars!
Dalten Angles-Oasis High School
Dalten AngelsOur nominee for this week’s News-Press Student of the Week is Dalten. He is a junior at Oasis High School and a top-performing student in the AICE program, consistently achieving academic success and maintaining high personal expectations. His solid work ethic and upbeat demeanor make him a valuable member of our school community.
In addition to his academic achievements, Dalten has demonstrated outstanding leadership. A year ago, he established the Oasis High School Investing Club, which centers around stocks and financial investment. Serving as team captain, he is currently participating in the Wharton Business School Global Investing Competition, allowing his classmates to showcase their skills on a global level. His ambition and drive have provided valuable experiences for students and added long-term benefits to our school.
Dalten is also a dedicated student-athlete who is part of our basketball team. Juggling the demands of AICE classes with sports, he shows dedication, perseverance, and honesty both on and off the court. He serves as an example for his classmates, embodying the finest traits of a student leader. Weighted GPA 4.60.
Faith Leconey – Ida S. Baker High School
Baker’s nomination this week is a first-term member,Faith Leconey.
Faith is a remarkable first-year student who has begun high school with a 4.04 GPA, showcasing exceptional academic performance from the very beginning. She arrives in class each day prepared to learn and consistently puts in her maximum effort, even when the subject matter is difficult. Her perseverance, upbeat attitude, and desire to challenge herself make her a joy to have in the classroom and an excellent example for her classmates. We are delighted to have Faith at Baker and can’t wait to witness all that she will achieve in the coming years!
Vote Now! Lee County High School Student of the Week
This piece first was published in the Fort Myers News-Press:Congratulations! A junior from Fort Myers High School has been named Lee County Student of the Week.