WEEK OF JULY 30 2025 FLIER INSIDE
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PINEISLAND-EAGLE.COM
VOLUME 49, NUMBER 12
Perez overcomes obstacles, builds bright future By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
After being born in Fort Myers, for a time Armando Perez grew up on Pine Island. He attended Pine Island Elementary School until the third grade when his family left to go back to Mexico because of the recession, he said. “I only finished middle school in Mexico. It was tough there. It’s expensive to go to high school,” Perez said, adding that many families there need help. Many of the children there don’t have the same opportunities as the kids here, and often don’t go to school anymore because of all of their other obligations in their lives, he said. He recalls that he watched much of the natural talent among his classmates go to waste as it was too
costly for many of them to go to school, and they opted not to go instead. Early in 2016, just after turning 18, Perez came back to the United States by himself. He said he never expected to go back to school. His plan originally was just to get back here and go to work, at what he calls a regular job, such as construction. “I was just going to go to work as any other regu-
lar person — just showing up to work every morning,” Perez said. He stayed on Pine Island and had roommates to help make ends meet. He said he got his GED in 8 months and applied for any scholarship that he was aware of on Pine Island, including one from the Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Foundation, which he received and said it will go toward college tuition. In fact, he qualified for every scholarship offered on Pine Island. Perez has since obtained an associate’s degree from Florida SouthWestern State College and is close to completing his bachelor’s degree at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Armando Perez
See BRIGHT FUTURE, page 10
Mary Lou Martin retires Feeling the heat from Beacon of HOPE Southwest Florida experiencing extreme triple-digit heat indexes By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Mary Lou Martin has been helping people through the Beacon of HOPE to obtain their general equivalency diploma (GED) or to learn the English language (ESOL) for a long time now. Although she credits former Beacon Executive Director and Board Member Betsy Haesemeyer for the beginnings of both programs, Martin has filled her shoes successfully until it was time for her own retirement. “Betsy retired and I took over the program. My talent is in keeping kids in school and encouraging them,” Martin said. Even though she is supposed to be retired, Martin said, she expects to continue working with those who’ve contacted the Beacon of HOPE in regards to earning their GED. Her other hope is that everyone who feels they may need to learn English will sign up for classes at the Beacon, although she said jokingly that she’s been kidded that the reason ESOL class sign-up is lower than it should be is that she’s trained everyone on Pine Island. At heart, she knows that’s just a joke and said she does not know the reason more people have not signed up for ESOL classes, but truly wishes they would. Martin admits submitting this part of her life to helping others reach their goals has been nothing short of wonderful for her. “The greatest thrill is when I go to their graduation, and I get to see these kids walk across the stage and get their diploma. All the teachers usually go and we all holler when they go across the stage. I can’t tell you the thrill it is to have a student go through the class and get their diploma,” Martin said of those she’s helped. Some students go farther with their education, such as a recent graduate who went on to enroll in school as a dental hygienist, Martin said, saying even though they do not all go that far, they have their GED opening options for their own futures that no one can take away. Many adults have spoken to Martin, saying they would love to obtain their GED but simply do not have
PHOTO BY NANCY COTE
Mary Lou Martin, who guided numerous students through the GED and ESOL programs at the Beacon of HOPE, has retired. the time necessary to dedicate to studying for preparing for the test. “I can still help,” she said, not wanting to give up on anyone who has an interest in furthering their own future. See MARTIN, page 10
Living in Southwest Florida, residents are no strangers to warm days and high temps. But over the last week, it’s been hot. Really hot. The National Weather Service late last week issued heat index advisories for all of the Sunshine State, with values topping out at a blistering 115, and with temps in the high 90s to triple digits. Friday saw the NWS’ HeatRisk map showing an “Orange 2” level for most of Southwest Florida. Orange 2 is described as “moderate – affects those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without cooling/hydration, and some health systems and industries.” The potential heat risks on Saturday was projected to jump to “Red 3,” or “major – affects anyone without cooling/hydration as well as health systems and industries.” Southwest Florida was expected to stay in the “red” Saturday, through Tuesday, with a high of 92 to 95 degrees. NWS Tampa Bay on Friday stated that the max heat index from Friday through Tuesday ranges from 101 to 111, increasing each day in that time frame. “Temperatures and heat index values will increase this weekend and through the first half of next week, with dangerous heat forecast each afternoon from Sunday through at least Tuesday,” NWS Tampa Bay officials stated. “If possible, limit your exposure to the heat, protect yourself from the sun, and stay hydrated to minimize the danger.” It’s not just Florida that’s experiencing these high temps, either. Widespread heat levels on the east coast are expected Friday and Saturday. On Friday, nearly all of the east coast was in the “Orange - 2” level on the heat risk map, with a large chunk of states in “Red - 3.” “Unusual heat and humidity remain in place from the Middle Mississippi/Ohio Valleys through early next week, while building across the Southeast and MidSouth this weekend,” wrote NWS Meteorologist Mussie Kebede in a Friday update. “Heat will be most persistent See HEAT INDEXES, page 11
Beat......................11 Fishing Column.................9 Local Tides.......................12 INSIDETODAY Bridge Dolphin Tales.....................6 Kittens of the Week..........13 SJCCA Update...................6
Classifieds & Obituaries