JUNO BEACH, Fla. — When Samuel Dorcelus-Cetoute arrived for his first day as an intern at Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) this summer, he was walking into a company that had already helped shape his path.

Years before joining FPL as a civil engineering intern, Samuel received a NextEra Energy Scholarship for students participating in SECME (science, engineering, communication, mathematics and enrichment) programs. Today, he is one of more than 200 interns participating in NextEra Energy's 2026 Summer Internship Program, building on the support he received as a student through hands-on experience in the field.

He first learned about the scholarship from a teacher at Royal Palm Beach High School, who encouraged him to apply based on his involvement in STEM programs and FIRST® Robotics. At the time, he had never received a scholarship before.

For Samuel, receiving the award was more than financial support—it was validation that his hard work and dedication could open new doors.

"Receiving this scholarship gave me the determination to keep pushing forward and continue applying for new opportunities," Dorcelus-Cetoute says.

The scholarship also helped cover essential expenses while he pursued his education.

"Every time the scholarship helped pay for my rent, food and books, it reminded me that someone believed in me," he says. "Now, it feels like I have the opportunity to give back to the company that supported me."

At the University of Florida, Samuel is pursuing a degree in civil engineering and preparing for a career focused on infrastructure sustainability. Growing up in South Florida, where hurricanes can reshape entire communities, he developed a passion for designing resilient infrastructure that can withstand those impacts and serve future generations.

In May, Samuel joined the company as an engineering and operations support services civil fleet intern. The experience, he says, has already broadened his understanding of how engineers contribute to the energy industry.

"These programs empower students to chase their dreams and explore paths they may not have realized were there," Dorcelus-Cetoute says. "As a living testimony to that mission, I've been given newfound hope for my career aspirations and a goal to help serve the community that poured into me."

Funded by the NextEra Energy Foundation, a corporate foundation of NextEra Energy, Inc. and FPL, the merit-based SECME scholarship supports high-achieving, college-bound students who have participated in SECME programs and demonstrated financial need. Each year, 10 graduating high school seniors receive scholarships worth up to $20,000 to support their undergraduate education. Since 2021, the program has awarded scholarships to 41 students, investing approximately $820,000 in the next generation of STEM leaders.

What has stood out most during his internship, Samuel says, is the culture.

"A lot of companies talk about their values, but what separates FPL from others is the way employees live those values every day," he says.

As he continues learning alongside employees across the company, Samuel is building on the support he first received as a student.

"It's truly a full-circle moment," he says.

The 2026 recipients of the NextEra Energy Scholarship for Students in SECME will be announced this summer.