A $5,000 scholarship for youth basketball players at Key West High School in honor of Dexter Butler will be awarded to a student for the second year in a row.
“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to once again award this scholarship to a deserving student,” said Ira Leesfield, Founder and Managing Partner of Leesfield & Partners and Chairman of The Leesfield Family Foundation.
The scholarship, first awarded last year to Dylan Martinez — a University of Central Florida student and member of Key West High School’s Class of 2025 — serves as a tribute to the life and legacy of Butler, a beloved teacher and coach at the school who passed away in 2024. Best known for fostering a sense of community and setting an example of kindness for his young students, the Dexter Butler College Scholarship will be awarded to an athlete who lives out the example he left behind.
Partner Justin B. Shapiro, Anita Butler, Dylan Martinez and Ira Leesfield posed for a photo
“The Butler family has done many great things for the Key West community, and this is one way that we can honor them and pay tribute to their son,” Leesfield said.
For Martinez, the scholarship has had a meaningful impact on his transition into college and, he said, it has allowed him to fully focus on his studies.
“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. “Knowing that this support comes from a foundation rooted in Coach Dex’s values made it even more powerful. It reminded me to stay grounded, resilient, and committed to helping others, even in a new environment.”
For the first recipient of the scholarship, Martinez said that its significance is far more than financial.
“It reflects what Coach Dex stood for: resilience, kindness, and lifting people up when they need it most,” he said. “It has helped me start college with confidence and the motivation to carry forward the same sense of service and perseverance that Coach Dex inspired in so many of us.”
Click here for further instructions on how to apply or email Sanchez@Leesfield.com.
Contact Lydia Estenoz at Key West High School for additional questions.
