Key West Scholarship Honors Beloved Coach for Second Year

When Dylan Martinez received the first Dexter Butler College Scholarship last year, he gained more than financial support for his studies at the University of Central Florida.

The $5,000 award honored the memory of his late coach, a beloved Key West High School teacher who passed away in 2024. Now the scholarship is opening applications for its second year, continuing Butler's legacy of uplifting young people.

"We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to once again award this scholarship to a deserving student," said Ira Leesfield, founder of Leesfield & Partners and chairman of The Leesfield Family Foundation. The foundation established the scholarship to recognize Butler's profound impact on the Key West community.

Butler became known for fostering a sense of belonging among his students and leading by example with acts of kindness. The scholarship seeks youth basketball players at Key West High School who live out these same values.

For Martinez, the award transformed his college experience. "I have come to discover that college is a full time job, and this scholarship has given me the freedom to put my best foot forward in every one of my classes without the stress of financial burden," he said.

Why This Inspires

The scholarship creates a living tribute that extends Butler's influence beyond the basketball court and classroom. Martinez discovered that carrying forward his coach's values made the transition to college more meaningful than he expected.

"It reflects what Coach Dex stood for: resilience, kindness, and lifting people up when they need it most," Martinez explained. The financial support gave him confidence, but the connection to his coach's legacy gave him purpose.

Students interested in applying can email Sanchez@Leesfield.com or contact Lydia Estenoz at Key West High School for more information. The Butler family's commitment to their community continues through each student who receives this opportunity to pursue their education while honoring a teacher who made kindness his calling.