Giving Thanks for the People Who Lift Us Up

As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting on the many blessings woven throughout this past year. Life moves fast. We rush from responsibility to responsibility, often without pausing to recognize the people who help lift us, steady us, encourage us, challenge us, and inspire us. This season offers a needed reminder to slow down and say thank you. Gratitude is one of the simplest gifts we can give, yet one of the most powerful. It strengthens relationships, softens burdens, and reminds us that we never walk through life alone.

I am deeply grateful for the many people in my world who consistently work to improve the community around us. Some serve quietly, never asking for recognition. Others step into leadership roles, helping guide vision and direction. Many simply show up each day with a kind word, a solution to a problem, or a willingness to help. Each one makes a difference, whether they realize it or not.

This year, I want to acknowledge some of the individuals who have touched my life in meaningful ways: Shaunda, Darrick, Cliff, Tim, Ralph, Kathy, Andre, Danielle, Arnie and Diane, Ashley and Mechelle, Nick, Amy, Mark, Earnie, Scott, David and Angel, Clarine and Bob, CCEF, Tom and Chris, Debbie, Nancy, Mike, Lori, Patrick, Joelle and Henri, Holli, Andrea, TGH, Adele, Donnie, Shawn, fellow School Board members past and present, Danielle and Dan, Annaliese, Blaise, Kim, Al, Chuck, Harold, Bill and Carole, Linda, Torry and Dianne, Bobby, SCST, Mom and Paul, Mike, JJ, Nikki, Wes, Amy, and Mike. The list could continue for pages because my life is filled with generous and caring people. To each of you, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. Your presence, your support, and your encouragement have shaped my days in more ways than you know. I pray for each of you and thank God for the blessing you are in my life.

While I am grateful for many, I want to offer a special word of thanks to my family, the foundation that steadies me. My wife, Thomasine, deserves the highest praise for her patience, grace, and endurance. She puts up with my work, my passions, and what I often call my lifelong IEP. Truthfully, that IEP should have her name as lead educator at the top because she deserves the credit for navigating it. She keeps me grounded, focused, and humble. She helps me be a better version of myself. I am thankful for her every single day.

My son Ethan brings joy wherever he goes. He has never met a stranger because everyone he encounters becomes a friend. His heart is wide open, and the world is brighter because of people like him. Savannah, my soon to be daughter in law, is talented, intelligent, steady, and a beautifully perfect match for our Ethan. Watching the two of them grow together has been one of the great joys of this season of life.

My daughter Genevieve continues to amaze me. She is a devoted nurse with a genuine love for caring for others. What she does not realize is that she cares for her parents as well, sometimes without even knowing it. She brings comfort, laughter, and encouragement into our lives. G’s Adam supports her, strengthens her, and makes her world better each day. He adds kindness and warmth to every room he enters.

Thanksgiving reminds us that gratitude is not only something we feel. It is something we express. It is something we practice. It is something we choose. When we pause long enough to recognize the blessings around us, we discover that joy grows, relationships deepen, and our hearts soften toward one another.

This year let us commit to being a people who notice and appreciate the good. Let us be thankful for one another. Let us offer grace generously. Let us choose love in our actions, in our words, and in our daily interactions. Gratitude does not erase life’s challenges, but it does help us carry them with renewed perspective. It allows us to see the strength in those around us and the hope that comes from walking together.

As we gather for Thanksgiving and move into the holiday season, may our homes be filled with warmth, may our conversations be filled with kindness, and may our hearts be filled with peace.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

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A Heartfelt Thanksgiving Celebration at Central Ridge Elementary

Attending Thanksgiving celebrations at our elementary schools is always a delight, and I was especially pleased to be at Central Ridge this week for their annual holiday dinner. Events like this are among the most cherished traditions in our district. In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, and even into the holiday season, many of our schools open their cafeterias so families can share a holiday meal with their children during the school day. The atmosphere is warm, lively, and filled with the kind of joy that comes from bringing a community together around good food, good company, and the excitement of students eager to show their families a special part of their school life.

Central Ridge Elementary carried this tradition forward beautifully. This year, more than 700 families purchased tickets to join their students for the meal. That number alone speaks volumes. It reflects the value families place on spending time on campus, the reputation of the event itself, and the love and connection the school fosters every single day. From the moment I walked into the cafeteria, it was clear that this was not just a meal but a cherished experience. Long tables were filled with parents, grandparents, guardians, and students sharing stories, laughing, and enjoying plates filled with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, and all the familiar favorites that remind us of the season.

While the food is central to the event, the heart behind it is what makes the day truly special. These celebrations require an enormous amount of planning, coordination, and hard work. Our district food services team plays a critical role in bringing these meals to life. On this day at Central Ridge, members of the team lined up behind the serving tables, greeting families with smiles and plates ready to fill. Their presence shows the pride they take in serving our students and families.

Food Service Director Roy Pistone and his leadership team were right there in the middle of the action. Their hands-on support is a major reason events like this run smoothly. They help ensure every detail is covered, from preparation to serving to keeping the line moving so families have time to enjoy their meal together. Their commitment is evident not only at Central Ridge but across the entire district during this season of school-hosted holiday meals.

Educational Services staff and district team members were also present to lend support wherever needed. It is always inspiring to see people from different departments come together for a shared purpose. These gatherings remind us that our schools are more than classrooms and hallways. They are communities held together by people who care deeply about students and families.

I left Central Ridge Elementary feeling grateful. Grateful for the families who showed up in such impressive numbers. Grateful for the staff whose efforts make these moments possible. And grateful for a district that continues to value traditions that bring us closer. Events like this capture the spirit of the season and reflect the very best of who we are.

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Honoring Service and Patriotism: The Inverness Veterans Day Parade

This morning, I had the distinct honor of once again joining the annual Veterans Day Parade in Inverness, walking alongside my fellow school board members, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Scott Hebert, and his executive team to honor the brave men and women who have served our nation. The streets of downtown Inverness were lined with gratitude as students, families, and community members gathered to celebrate the true meaning of Veterans Day.

It is always to inspiring to see such a strong turnout from our schools. Students from Pleasant Grove Elementary, Inverness Elementary, and participants from every JROTC unit and band representing our middle and high schools proudly marched in tribute. Their enthusiasm and respect remind us that patriotism is alive and well in Citrus County’s next generation.

Citrus County Schools takes great pride in honoring those who have served. As the nation’s first Purple Heart School District, with every school designated as a Florida Purple Star School, we reaffirm our ongoing commitment to veterans and military families. These distinctions represent more than titles; they embody our shared promise to remember, to respect, and to teach.

Through efforts like the Veterans Day Parade and our “Veterans in the Classroom” initiative, we weave patriotism into the fabric of education. Our students do not just read about civic duty; they witness it, live it, and pass it on.

We owe a special thank you to all the veterans’ groups and volunteers who made this parade possible. I want to personally recognize our district and school volunteers, as well as their families, for their dedication behind the scenes. A heartfelt thanks goes to Darrick Buettner, who marshaled the vehicles, along with Chuck Dixon, Dr. Al Balk, Diedra Newton, Tracy Buettner, Brian Donovan, Jessica Price, and Chuck Price. Your leadership and teamwork ensured another meaningful and memorable event.

Today’s parade was far more than a community tradition. It was a celebration of unity, gratitude, and national pride. Together, we honored our heroes and strengthened the values that define us as Americans.

God bless our veterans, and God bless the United States of America.

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