Enterprise Florida In ‘Wait And See’ Mode On Cuts
June 2, 2017
Florida’s business-recruitment agency is bracing to operate with less money from the state but has not outlined changes that might need to be made.
Nor are Enterprise Florida officials publicly expressing hope that negotiations between Gov. Rick Scott and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, will bolster the money available for the agency.
“We’re going to wait to see what the governor does,” Mike Grissom, interim president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, said in reference to how Scott handles the new state budget (SB 2500). “We’re privately planning. But we’ll wait and see.”
Leaders of the public-private Enterprise Florida, as they began a two-day meeting Thursday in Tallahassee, outlined plans to alter marketing but otherwise mostly expressed disappointment in the spending package lawmakers formally sent to Scott on Wednesday.
“Would I like us to have a bigger budget so we can do some very targeted marketing during certain specific times when you would do TV? We don’t have that, so we’re going to focus on digital and print,” said Eric Silagy, president and chief executive officer of Florida Power & Light and chairman of Enterprise Florida’s Marketing Committee. “We’ll leverage wherever we can. … It’s going to have to be very, very specific. But limited.”
A year after slashing operations by one-third, including eliminating nearly 30 positions, the agency is once again faced with having to make changes with the arrival of the new fiscal year on July 1.
There was no public talk Thursday of eliminating positions. And while the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors meets Friday at Florida State University, the board appears more likely to conduct conference calls later in the month — once Scott acts on the budget — to direct any changes.
Scott, who chairs the Enterprise Florida board, has expressed anger with the funding package but hasn’t indicated if he’ll sign the $82.4 billion budget before a June 15 deadline or detailed the extent of potential vetoes.
Scott proposed $85 million for Enterprise Florida to use for business incentives, but lawmakers did not provide any of that funding. Corcoran led opposition to Scott’s proposal, likening incentive programs to “corporate welfare.”
But ongoing negotiations may be in play that could increase the $16 million that lawmakers agreed to provide to Enterprise Florida for daily operations.
Senate President Joe Negron told The News Service of Florida he is aware of ongoing talks between Scott and Corcoran regarding a sweeping education bill — which contains a priority of the speaker — and Enterprise Florida.
“I know those are discussions between those two parties that are occurring. From the vantage point of the Senate, we have been supportive of the governor having the ability to compete for new employers to come to Florida as long as it’s done in a transparent and reasonable way,” Negron, R-Stuart, said, pointing out that the Senate funded Scott’s budget requests for Enterprise Florida and tourism-marketer Visit Florida. “I think the Senate’s track record in supporting the governor’s priorities speaks for itself. But I understand that there are discussions on possible ways to resolve some of these differences as the governor is now considering the entire budget.”
Corcoran, who did not immediately return a request for comment, wants to avoid a veto of a sweeping education bill (HB 7069) that he has made a priority. The education bill — opposed by groups such as the Florida School Boards Association and the Florida Association of District School Superintendents — includes money for such things as a charter-school expansion and pay bonuses for teachers and principals.
Enterprise Florida leaders said they’ve heard of such talks for weeks, but remain focused on the spending plan that lawmakers delivered to Scott. Along with rejecting Scott’s request for business-incentive money, the budget would reduce the agency’s funding for general operations from $23.5 million in the current year.
The state funding reduction is forcing the agency, which can still raise money from private donors, to scale-back its $8.5 million in marketing programs intended to make out-of-state and international business leaders aware of Florida’s business attributes.
The budget, however, allows Enterprise Florida to maintain its international offices and continue foreign trade missions.
Scott unsuccessfully asked for $250 million a year ago for incentives, and this year his request was for $85 million to fund the Quick Action Closing Fund.
“I don’t think we should be spending what New York is spending or California, and I don’t think we should be offering $100 million (incentive deals) or whatever people do. But I don’t think we should unilaterally disarm,” Silagy said. “We need to compete. You can’t go on the field — and to use a football analogy — you can’t go out on the field against the New England Patriots without pads. You’re going to get creamed.”
On May 9, a day after the budget was approved by the House and Senate, Scott told reporters in Panama City that Florida won’t be in the “game for economic development” due to the cuts to Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida.
“I hope everybody remembers that this is the day that for sure we start not being competitive,” Scott said.
Scott hammered a similar message later in May when announcing updated tourism and unemployment numbers.
“Businesses and site selectors have taken notice of the Florida Legislature’s decision to turn their backs on the incredible return on investment economic-development programs like Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida have brought to our state,” Scott said in a prepared statement May 16.
The state can still offer tax rebates to businesses through programs such as the Qualified Target Industries, which typically requires a local government match.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Northview Presents Grade 9-11 Awards
June 2, 2017
Northview High School presented end of the year awards to students in grades 9-11 as follows:
11th Grade Reading Highest Academic Average — Rhayeshawann Davidson
11th Grade Reading Exemplary Student — Anna Belle Barberree
Advanced Guitar Highest Academic Average — Jude Parham
Advanced Guitar Exemplary Student — Tyler Wilson
Agriscience Foundations Exemplary Student — Raeleigh Woodfin
Agriscience Technology Highest Academic Average — Cole Hassebrock
Agriscience Technology Exemplary Student — Donnie Dixon
Algebra 1 Highest Academic Average — Jace Weber
Algebra 1 Exemplary Student — McKayla McConathy
Algebra 1A Highest Academic Average — Elana Marie Ward
Algebra 1A Exemplary Student — Kaitlyn Jane Respress
Algebra 1B Highest Academic Average — Charity Josephine Johnson
Algebra 1B Exemplary Student — Anthony James Harrelson
Algebra II Highest Academic Average — Findley, Clayton
Algebra II Exemplary Student — Chavers, Logan
Algebra II Honors Highest Academic Average — Beach, William
Algebra II Honors Exemplary Student — Carnley, Ashtyn
Anatomy and Physiology Highest Academic Average — Brianna Hardy
Anatomy and Physiology Exemplary Student — Jarrod Davison
Beginner Guitar Exemplary Student — Gracen Brook (9th)
Biology Highest Academic Average — Susannah Amerson
Biology Exemplary Student — Charity ” Joey” Johnson
Biology Honors Highest Academic Average — Lexxi Baggett
Biology Honors Exemplary Student — Logan Chavers
Culinary Arts 11th Grade Award Highest Academic Average — Anna Belle Barberree
Culinary Arts 11th Grade Award Exemplary Student — Jordan Parham
Culinary Arts 9th Grade Highest Academic Average — Kayla McKillion
Culinary Arts 9th Grade Exemplary Student — Lacie Carter
Culinary Arts Award for 10th Grade Highest Academic Average — Delaney Reynolds
Culinary Arts Award for 10th Grade Exemplary Student — Lydia Smith
Digital Design II Highest Academic Average — Tara Windham
Digital Information Technology (DIT) Highest Academic Average — Jace Weber
Digital Information Technology (DIT) Exemplary Student — Nicholas Trump
Earth Science Highest Academic Average — Cole Hassebrock
Earth Science Exemplary Student — Logan Doremus
Earth Science Honors Highest Academic Average — Alayna Brown
Earth Science Honors Exemplary Student — John Chivington
English 2 Highest Academic Average — Austin Adams
English 2 Exemplary Student — Jazmine Norman
English 2 Honors Highest Academic Average — Lexxi Baggett
English 2 Honors Exemplary Student — Hannah McGahan
English 3 Highest Academic Average — Dykota Wilson
English 3 Exemplary Student — Bria Hardy
English 3 Honors Highest Academic Average — Tara Windham
English 3 Honors Exemplary Student — Destiny Watson
English I Highest Academic Average — Lacie Carter
English I Exemplary Student — Diamond Brown
English I Honors Highest Academic Average — Ashlan Harigel
English I Honors Exemplary Student — Jace Weber
Geometry Highest Academic Average — Michico Abraham
Geometry Exemplary Student — Anna King
Girls weightlifting -10th Highest Academic Average — Lexxi Baggett
Girls weightlifting -10th Exemplary Student — Valen Shelly
Girls Weightlifting- 11th Highest Academic Average — Raeleigh Woodfin
Girls Weightlifting- 11th Exemplary Student — Myisha Syria
Girls Weightlifting -9th Highest Academic Average — Anna King
Girls Weightlifting -9th Exemplary Student — Destiny Cleckler
Honors Geometry Highest Academic Average — Ashlan Harigel
Honors Geometry Exemplary Student — Abigayil Mascaro
Intensive Language Arts Highest Academic Average — Addison Albritton
Intensive Language Arts Exemplary Student — Melissa Sunday
Intensive Language Arts (10th) Highest Academic Average — Charity “Joey” Johnson
Intensive Reading Highest Academic Average — Dellie Roberts
Intensive Reading Exemplary Student — Cody Edwards
Liberal Arts 1 Highest Academic Average — Alexandra Carter
Liberal Arts 1 Exemplary Student — Dillan Sasser
Liberal Arts 2 Highest Academic Average — Aubree Love
Liberal Arts 2 Exemplary Student — Natasha Walker
Math for College Readiness Highest Academic Average — Bailey, Joshua
Math for College Readiness Exemplary Student — Senior
Naval Science 1-4 Highest Academic Average — Cadet Keaton Brown
Naval Science 1-4 Exemplary Student — Cadet Orelbis Rodriguez
PE -10th Highest Academic Average — Dalton Hamilton
PE -10th Exemplary Student — Aaliyah Tucker
PE -11th Highest Academic Average — Catie Clayton
PE -11th Exemplary Student — Beau Bryan
PE -9th grade Highest Academic Average — Brianna White
PE -9th grade Exemplary Student — Melissa Sunday
Personal Fitness Highest Academic Average — Kinzie Rackard
Personal Fitness Exemplary Student — Keviana Brown
Physical Science Highest Academic Average — Lacie E. Carter
Physical Science Exemplary Student — Destiny Cleckler
Physical Science Honors Highest Academic Average — Kayla McKillion
Precalculus Honors Highest Academic Average — Windham, Tara
Precalculus Honors Exemplary Student — Barberee, Anna Belle
Sociology Exemplary Student — Kinzie Rackard
Spanish 1 Highest Academic Average — Jace Weber
Spanish 1 Exemplary Student — Will Beach
Spanish 2 Highest Academic Average — Rebecca Dunn
Spanish 2 Exemplary Student — Maggie Lane
Theater Exemplary Student — Evan Till (11th)
U.S. History Highest Academic Average — Jarrod Davison
U.S. History Exemplary Student — Anna Belle Barbarree
U.S. History Honors Highest Academic Average — Destiny Watson
U.S. History Honors Exemplary Student — Tara Windham
World History Highest Academic Average — Crystalyn Daly
World History Exemplary Student — Margaret Lane
World History Honors Highest Academic Average — Ashtyn Carnley
World History Honors Exemplary Student — Valen Shelly
World Music Exemplary Student — Hannah McGahan (10th)
Ascend Names Technology Center After Retired CEO
June 2, 2017
The technology building at Ascend Performance Materials in Cantonment was renamed the “Frederic M. Poses Technology Center” during a ceremony Thursday in honor of Fred Poses, the company’s first CEO. The ceremony included remarks from Phil McDivitt, Ascend’s current CEO, and Escambia County Commissioner Stephen Barry.
Thursday’s events also coincided with Ascend’s eight year anniversary in Cantonment.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Showband Director Mike Philley Accepts New Job In Santa Rosa County
June 2, 2017
Tate High School Showband of the South Director Mike Philley has announced that he is stepping down from the Tate band.
Philley has accepted a position as the new band director at Avalon Middle School in Santa Rosa County, a position that he said will provide him more time with his family and to work on his Master’s degree.
“I’ve spent the past nine years in a wonderful program at Tate High School,” Philley wrote in a public social media post. “I will certainly miss the families and friends that I’ve encountered during that time. You’re a part of who I am and always will be.”
The Tate Showband earned numerous accolades under Philley’s leadership, including straight superior ratings from the Florida Bandmasters. Last December, the Showband performed in Hawaii on the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
The Tate Showband has had just four directors since 1956.
Pictured top: Students and parents react in October 2015 as Tate High School Showband of the South Director Mike Philley announced an upcoming performance in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. (Courtesy image.) Pictured below: The Tate Wind Ensemble performs during December 2014 during the Pearl Harbor ceremony aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Devour Jumbo Shrimp 5-2
June 2, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos right-hander Luis Castillo’s second win of the season against his former team came nine starts, and 49 days since his first one in his second start of the season on April 13.
Castillo, the Miami Marlins Pitcher of the Year last season for Jacksonville, led the Blue Wahoos as he tied his career-high strikeouts with 10 in the, 5-2, victory Thursday over the Jumbo Shrimp in front of 3,998 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
After giving up a solo home run and two singles in the first inning, Castillo hit a batter, walked one and allowed a double over the next four innings. The right-hander, who MLB Pipeline.com ranks as the Cincinnati Reds No. 7 prospect, also tied his career-high with 10 strikeouts in five innings of work, striking out the side in the fourth inning.
After five no-decisions and three losses, Castillo improved to 2-3 with a 3.00 ERA on the season. He said pitching against his former team and in front of seven executives from the Cincinnati Reds organization, including GM Dick Williams, put a little extra juice in his fastball that consistently hits the high 90-mph range.
“It is definitely more significant to play my former team,” the Dominican Republic prospect said through interpreter catcher Adrian Nieto. “I know how hard they work and it makes me bring my A game.”
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said there was talk over the winter about putting Castillo in the bullpen. But coaches have been working with him to improve his slider.
“He has been working so hard on his slider,” Kelly said. “As a three-pitch pitcher, he has a chance to be a starter. Starters are more valuable than relievers.”
He said despite Castillo being 6-2, 195 pounds, he is solid, which allows him to have a plus-fastball.
“In the fifth inning, he was throwing his best fastball,” Kelly said. “He’s a skinny little guy at 195 pounds but he’s a lot stronger than people think.”
Castillo said he hopes Thursday’s performance sparks more wins for him.
“It feels great to turn things around,” he said. “I’m hoping to continue to win a couple of ball games and pitch a couple of good outings in a row.”
Jacksonville second baseman KC Serna smoked his second homer in two games in the first inning to put the Jumbo Shrimp ahead, 1-0. He now has three homers in 31 games.
Pensacola tied it up, 1-1, in the bottom of the first on back-to-back doubles by left fielder Tyler Goeddel and Gabriel Guerrero.
Blue Wahoos catcher Joe Hudson smacked a one hop double off the left field wall to drive in second baseman Angelo Gumbs, putting Pensacola in front, 2-1, in the second inning. With two outs and runners on second and third base, Guerrero hit a bases-clearing single to left field that drove in shortstop Blake Trahan and Hudson to put Pensacola on top, 4-1.
Guerrero was 2-4 — his 20th multi-hit game of the year — and drove in three of the Blue Wahoos five runs Thursday.
“He has a nice two-strike approach,” Kelly said. “In the past, he was more of a free swinger. He’s trying to put the ball in play. He’s not worried about power. He’s not trying to hit home runs.”
The Jumbo Shrimp, who came back from five runs down and again from four runs down the previous game to win, added a run in the sixth inning on Pensacola reliever Alex Powers when right fielder John Norwood crushed a triple that rolled to the fence in the right center gap and scored when left fielder Cal Towey hit a shot to center to cut Pensacola’s lead to, 4-2.
In the very next inning, Jacksonville loaded the bases with two outs to chase Powers from the game. Pensacola reliever Geoff Broussard entered and earned two quick strikes on Norwood and then threw three balls for a full count. After two foul balls, Broussard struck Norwood out to end the scoring threat.
Kelly said Broussard was tired after throwing 1.1 innings of relief the game before.
“That’s the ballgame. There was no room for error,” Kelly said.
Herget, who also pitched Wednesday and gave up the game-winning homer, earned his Southern League-leading 14th save Thursday.
“It’s good for them,” Kelly said about pitching in consecutive games. “That’s what they are going to have to do in the big leagues.”
Pensacola did add an insurance run when first baseman Angelo Gumbs scored for the second time in the game on a passed ball in the bottom of the eighth inning for a, 5-2, Blue Wahoos lead.
The Blue Wahoos lead the series, 2-1, over the Jumbo Shrimp. The club is 30-23 and in first place in the Southern League South Division where they’ve been in all but six days this season.
Pensacola reliever Domingo Tapia was called up Thursday to Triple-A Louisville Bats. In one start and 14 relief appearances, Tapia posted a 2-2 record with one save, 2.86 ERA and 36 Ks in 28.1 innings.
Inmate Serving Life For Murder Assaults Century Correctional Officer
June 1, 2017
Saturday, a close custody inmate serving a life sentence assaulted a correctional officer at Century Correctional Institution, according to information recently released by the Florida Department of Corrections.
David Coleman assaulted the officer at approximately 7:35 a.m. Coleman kicked the officer in the leg. Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued.
Coleman will receive a disciplinary report for the assault. The FDOC did not release any information about the correctional officer’s condition or need for outside medical care.
Colman was sentenced in September 2013 to life in prison on a Hillsborough County conviction of second degree murder.
Byrneville Elementary School Votes To Change Charter Status
June 1, 2017
The Byrneville Elementary School Board of Directors officially voted Thursday afternoon to change the school’s charter status and relationship with the Escambia County School District.
Byrneville has been a “conversion charter” school since 2002 when the Escambia County School District closed the existing Byrneville Elementary School and converted it into charter school operated under its own board of directors. Funding for the school was still provided by the state and local government, with the local school district providing the campus and major maintenance services.
Now, Byrneville has officially voted in support of becoming a full charter school, taking over building ownership and becoming eligible to construct a a new permanent building to replace numerous portables.
The next step will be the presentation of the status change to the Escambia County School District for mutual approval.
Once completed, the school will be in control of its own property and buildings, allowing the desired building project to move forward.
The charter school is considering the construction of a new multi-million dollar modern building containing 8-10 classrooms, likely a cafetorium and possibly even a small gym. The largest building on the current Byrneville campus was build in 1941 and contains five classrooms, plus offices and a cafeteria.
Pictured: Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan and Byrneville Elementary Board members Michelle Driskell, Jeremy Hawsey, Tammy Jo Smith and Melanie Killam. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Woman Claims $78K Prize For Winning Fantasy 5 Ticket
June 1, 2017
A Century woman has claimed her prize for a winning lottery ticket sold Saturday at a local store.
The Florida Lottery says the May 27 Fantasy 5 ticket worth $78,166.19 was sold to Annie M. Cottrell of Century. She purchased the ticket at the Korner Kwik Stop at 8360 North Century Boulevard. It was one of three winning tickets sold for Saturday night’s drawing. Other winning tickets matching all five numbers were sold in Hileah and North Miami Beach.
The 303 tickets matching four numbers won $124.50 each. Another 10,347 tickets matching three numbers are worth $10 each, and 101,382 ticket holders won a Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
The winning numbers for May 27 were 15-17-18-22-25.
Fate Of Budget Now In Scott’s Hands
June 1, 2017
With a narrowing deadline and an uncertain outcome, Florida legislative leaders on Wednesday sent the new $82.4 billion state budget to Gov. Rick Scott, as education leaders urge a veto of all or major parts of the spending plan.
Scott has not tipped his hand. But the Republican governor remains angered over the Legislature’s decision to slash spending for economic development and tourism incentives, as well as rejecting his call for $200 million to repair the Herbert Hoover dike around Lake Okeechobee.
“I have a lot of options,” Scott said Tuesday in Orlando. “I can veto it. I can veto a section or any line. I’m still reviewing it.”
One certainty is that a new budget must be in place by the July 1 start of the fiscal year or Florida will face some type of a government shutdown, with agencies, ranging from schools to prisons, being forced to operate on an emergency basis.
With the 451-page appropriations bill (SB 2500) delivered to Scott at 12:09 p.m. on Wednesday, the governor has 15 days to act on the legislation.
He may not need the full review period, as he and his budget staff are very aware of what is in the bill and Scott could act quickly. It took him only four days to act on the 2015-16 budget bill, after lawmakers broke an extended deadlock by passing a budget on June 19.
If Scott takes the full 15 days and issues substantial vetoes, it would give lawmakers little more than two weeks to pass a new or revised budget before the start of the fiscal year. And that period would be further narrowed by a required 72-hour “cooling off” period before lawmakers can vote on an appropriations bill.
The budget outcome is complicated by a series of related bills, which are not yet in the governor’s possession. Part of the mix includes a key education policy bill (HB 7069) that includes $419 million in charter-school incentives and pay bonuses for teachers and principals but is opposed by major education groups.
Here are some of the possible budget scenarios that could play out in the next month:
— THE NUCLEAR OPTION: Scott could veto the entire $82.4 billion bill and call lawmakers back into a special session to pass a new budget. It would give Scott a chance to renew his pitch for $85 million in economic-development incentives and $100 million for tourism-marketer Visit Florida. In the budget passed May 8, lawmakers did not provide money for economic-development incentives and included $25 million for Visit Florida.
But a full budget veto is a rare maneuver, last carried out by Gov. Lawton Chiles in 1992.
A budget veto could prompt calls for an override, which would require two-thirds votes by the House and Senate. That last occurred in 1970 when lawmakers overrode Gov. Claude Kirk’s veto of the annual budget bill.
And although the new budget bill passed overwhelmingly, an override could be blocked by Senate Democrats, who control 15 of 39 currently occupied seats and could use their leverage to increase spending on public schools.
— EDUCATION VETOES: Upset by a budget that includes a small $24.49 per-pupil spending increase, the Florida Education Association, the Florida School Boards Association, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents and a number of school boards are urging Scott to veto the $20 billion-plus portion of the budget related to school financing.
If he vetoes the K-12 budget, it would force lawmakers back into session and essentially open up the entire budget, as lawmakers would have to find additional funding for the schools.
A K-12 budget veto last occurred in 1983, and then-Gov. Bob Graham was successful in using his veto power to force lawmakers back into session to increase education funding.
State college advocates are also asking Scott to veto their $1.2 billion portion of the budget, with the hope it would force lawmakers to restore a $30 million cut in remedial-education funding for the 28-school system.
— LINE BY LINE: As he has done with the six prior annual appropriations bills, Scott can use his line-item veto power to reject individual projects and spending items. Last year, he cut $256 million from the budget, with his record of $615 million in line-item vetoes set in 2011, his first year in office.
If Scott exercises his line-item veto power, it would not prompt the need for a special session. The new budget, with its reductions, would take effect on July 1.
The downside for Scott in such a scenario is that eliminating budget line items does nothing to restore funding for his priorities, including economic incentives, tourism and public education.
— LET’S MAKE A DEAL: Not surprisingly, lawmakers and Scott are already negotiating on a way to bring the 2017-18 budget in for a landing. The challenge is finding a path for the governor, the House and Senate to each claim a win, or at least, a partial victory.
Scott has clearly outlined his priorities. House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, wants the bill with charter schools (HB 7069) to become law while still opposing economic incentives and supporting a reduced tourism-promotion budget. Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, wants to defend his state university initiatives in the budget as well as a related policy bill (SB 374).
Additionally, legislative leaders have said they would use a special session on the budget to try to resolve an impasse over legislation enacting the November constitutional amendment on medical marijuana.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger and Dara Kam The News Service of Florida
Escambia County Take Stock In Children Graduates Celebrated
June 1, 2017
Take Stock in Children and the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships recently. The event honored 19 graduating seniors who received tuition scholarships and a laptop computer.
The 2017 Take Stock in Children graduates are:
- Escambia High: Juliana Cunningham:
- Escambia Virtual Academy: Myiesha Pitts;
- Northview High: Chase Olsen, Alston Wiggins;
- Pensacola High: Ronald Coro, Terrie Pointer, Darin Redick;
- Pine Forest High: Mariaestella Silva, Meghan Hermance, Quadell Evans;
- Tate High: Angeliyah Osuna;
- Washington High: Ebony House, Si’Miah Johnson, Deonna Lewis, Selena Williams, De’Aja Woods;
- West Florida High: Jervae Cannon, Taylor Lopes, Kaitlyn Negron.
Take Stock in Children was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization in Florida that provides a unique opportunity for deserving low-income students to escape the cycle of poverty through education. Students receive college scholarships, caring volunteer mentors, college readiness skills, and hope for a better life. Students are selected through a need-based application process in middle school and comprehensive services continue through high school and include the students’ transition into college. Each student is matched with a volunteer mentor who meets with the student weekly at school.
Scholarships are funded through a unique public-private fundraising model in which local scholarship donations are matched by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation when scholarships are purchased each year. Laptops were donated through a program coordinated by Paul Snider and Ana DeCesare.
Pictured: Representative Clay Ingram, Quadell Evans, Si’Miah Johnson, Chase Olsen, Kaitlyn Negron, Alston Wiggins, Juliana Cunningham, Ron Coro, De’Aja Woods, Terrie Pointer, Deonna Lewis, Mariaestella Silva, Meghan Hermance, Angeliyah Osuna, Selena Williams, Taylor Lopes, Myiesha Pitts, Jervae Cannon, Darin Redick, Representative Frank White. Not pictured: Ebony House. Photo courtesy Rodney Cammauf Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.