Emilee Cato is 18 years old and now a high school graduate. Emilee was born in Gainesville, FL, but has grown up in Cape Coral, moving here with her family when she was 7 years old. Emilee attended Cape Elementary, then Trafalgar Middle, before spending her high school career at Canterbury.
She is the oldest of three children; her 16-year-old brother David attends Canterbury and her ten-year-old brother Andrew attends Trafalgar Elementary. Living in Cape Coral, Emilee has taken advantage of what Southwest Florida offers, participating in numerous activities both in and out of the classroom.
Whether Emilee is spending time with friends, going to the beach, boating and scuba diving with her family, volunteering in the community, or participating in various other activities, Emilee displays a passion to help others and make the most of life experiences. Some of her favorite experiences and our favorite memories include: competing in the Captiva Triathlon, vacationing every June with her family in the Keys, a trip with her mom and 8th grade French class to France and Italy, family ski trips to Colorado, and enjoying the Southwest Florida waterways via boats and kayaks.
An active member of the community making a difference, we are so proud of Emilee’s efforts throughout her youth. She has volunteered in numerous community activities: she has volunteered her time at Cape Coral Hospital; Special Olympics Florida 4 years running with her dad, both at state and local events; Food Pantry; environmental clean-up; served as a school ambassador; and the United Way, among many others activities. Emilee has also participated in the Florida State Senate Page program with Senator Benacquisto, interned in Senator Nelson’s office, and was a member of the Junior Leadership Lee County program where she was selected for the Leadership award by her peers.
Emilee has also been extremely active in school related activities outside the classroom, both on and off the field. She trained in martial arts (Tang soo do) for six years of her youth, earning a junior black belt and competing in many competitions. Emilee earned a four year letter in cross country and was captain her senior year. (They competed at the state championships the last two years.) Emilee also earned a four year letter in Lacrosse, helping her team to two undefeated regular seasons, two years in a row, and winning two district championships.
As exciting as the athletic accomplishments are, Emilee is even more accomplished with her clubs and activities. Her participation includes, but is not limited to Mock Trial, Model United Nations, Environmental Club, Independent Science Research, Book Club, National Honor Society, French National Honor Society, Prom Committee, Student Government, and the Honor Council. She has also held various leadership positions while participating in these clubs and activities, including as a senior co-chair of the Honor Council, President of the National Honor Society, and Vice President of the Environmental Club.
Inside the classroom, Emilee has been focused to perform and excel at the highest level. She has been extremely fortunate to have been taught and mentored by some of the best teachers in our community at all grade levels and her teachers have had a powerful impact on her life. Emilee has earned many awards and recognitions throughout elementary, middle, and high school. She has won many science fair awards at the school and regional level, earning recognition and honors as a top student of her graduating 8th grade class, and earning recognition as a top student of her senior class, including being selected as one of eight seniors at Canterbury to be inducted into the Cum Laude Society. Other recognitions and awards include being recognized as a National Merit Scholar Commended, Brown University Book Award, Rochester University Social Science and Humanities Award, and a recipient of the Cape Coral Mayor Scholarship.
As parents, we are so proud of all of Emilee’s accomplishments, but what makes us most proud is her desire to strive to become a better person and make a difference each day. Emilee is getting ready to embark on her next exciting chapter in life, attending college where she plans to study public health policy as an undergraduate, with plans to continue to medical school. She is in the process of selecting from some great choices which school she will attend, but we know from our experience with our daughter that she will make the most of her next opportunity and continue to make a difference!
Emilee, your family is so proud of you and we can’t wait to see what you will accomplish in the future. Congratulations on all that you have accomplished so far and best of luck with all of your future endeavors!
Submitted by proud parents Dave and Teresa Cato
