Remembering Mr. Nick Bryant

Thomasine and I offer our prayers and love to Miss Ginger, Alice, Beverly, and their entire families on the passing of a true Citrus County legend, Mr. Nick Bryant.

Mr. Nick was a formative individual for so many of us. Ever the teacher, whether he was in the classroom, on the field, serving as a commissioner, or simply sharing a story, he carried the heart of an educator in all he did. He had a gift for teaching through his words, his actions, and his example.

I always loved hearing his great old Citrus County stories, tales that connected our community’s past to the present, often with humor, wisdom, and a little sparkle in his eye. He loved our nature, the water, fishing, hunting, and the simple joy of being outdoors. But for anyone who knew Mr. Nick, one thing stood above all else: his love for his family. He was deeply proud of them, and especially of his beloved Ginger.

While I first knew Miss Ginger when she taught alongside Thomasine at Crystal River Middle School, I truly got to know Mr. Nick while serving with Ginger on the School Board. He was always there beside her, steadfast, supportive, and kind.

Our hearts and prayers are with Miss Ginger, Beverly, Alice, and their families during this time. I can’t help but smile picturing Mr. Nick walking through the pearly gates, fishing pole in hand, already scouting out the best spot.

God bless you, Mr. Nick. Your legacy of service, faith, and love for others will continue to ripple through this community for generations to come.

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Educational Donation Strengthens Citrus County’s Connection to Underwater Discovery

Since 1967, the Citrus County School District’s Marine Science Station (MSS) has served as a beacon of discovery, innovation, and environmental education. Nestled along the Gulf Coast, the station provides thousands of students each year with hands-on learning experiences that reach far beyond the classroom. From studying estuary ecosystems to learning about marine technology, MSS continues to shape how students engage with science, and a recent generous donation will help advance that mission even further.

Senior Chief Maurice Perine, United States Navy (Retired), a former Crystal River High School Naval JROTC instructor, has made a significant educational donation — through the Citrus County Education Foundation — to the Marine Science Station, valued at more than $5,000. His gift includes brand-new STEM kits, tool bags, underwater cameras, and ten advanced underwater robotics kits, a combination of SeaPerch and SeaGlide units.

Marine Science Station Supervisor Earnie Olsen and Marine Science Station Teacher Josh O’Leary were on hand to receive the donation on behalf of the school district. Olsen shared, “This generous gift will have an immediate and lasting impact on our students. These robotics tools will allow them to experience real-world applications of science and technology while exploring the marine environment right here in Citrus County.”

This contribution not only enhances the Station’s capacity for STEM learning but also strengthens the district’s growing commitment to robotics and underwater exploration. Today, robotics clubs exist at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in Citrus County Schools, where students actively compete in statewide competitions. Both the Academy of Environmental Science, a public charter school, and Crystal River High School’s Naval JROTC program now offer scuba operations, further connecting local education with the underwater world.

Inspiring Discovery Through Robotics

The SeaPerch and SeaGlide programs are nationally recognized for engaging students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through hands-on, project-based learning.

SeaPerch introduces students to the fundamentals of engineering and marine science by guiding them through the process of building a tethered Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) from a simple kit. Along the way, they learn essential concepts such as buoyancy, circuitry, tool safety, and propulsion systems. Once assembled, students test and maneuver their ROVs through obstacle courses and underwater challenges, developing critical problem-solving and teamwork skills.

SeaGlide, the more advanced counterpart, takes learning to an even deeper level. Instead of using propellers, SeaGlide vehicles move through the water by adjusting buoyancy and pitch, simulating how real autonomous underwater gliders operate. Students learn to code and calibrate an Arduino microprocessor, applying advanced principles of programming, fluid dynamics, and data collection. This project introduces them to real-world technologies used in ocean research, exploration, and naval operations.

Together, these programs do more than teach science; they inspire innovation. Students build confidence in engineering design, strengthen collaboration, and gain hands-on experience that prepares them for potential careers in marine technology, oceanography, and naval engineering.

A Legacy of Exploration and Service

This donation also carries deep symbolic meaning, linking today’s students to Citrus County’s proud legacy of ocean exploration. The Marine Science Station is home to the Barry L. Cannon Memorial Museum and Aquarium, named in honor of Aquanaut Barry Cannon, a Citrus County native, Navy veteran, and marine pioneer.

Cannon served as part of the Navy’s historic Sea Lab II and III projects in the 1960s, helping advance humanity’s understanding of underwater living and deep-sea operations. His life and sacrifice continue to inspire generations of students who pass through the Marine Science Station.

By supporting MSS with this gift, Senior Chief Perine honors Cannon’s legacy and reinforces the connection between education, service, and exploration. Through these new resources, students will be able to study the same principles of underwater engineering and scientific curiosity that defined Cannon’s remarkable career.

Extending the Reach of Marine Science

Each year, the Marine Science Station serves approximately 2,500 students from across Citrus County Schools. Its immersive, field-based learning environment provides the perfect setting to introduce and integrate these new robotics tools.

With guidance from the District Science Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) and collaboration across school programs, these resources will reach well beyond the Station itself. Elementary and middle school students who begin exploring robotics early can continue developing those skills through high school, where programs such as robotics clubs, NJROTC, and the Academy of Environmental Science offer advanced, hands-on applications.

This layered approach, from early STEM exposure to specialized high school programs, creates a clear pathway for students to progress from curiosity to career readiness. It ensures that every student in Citrus County has the opportunity to explore the connections between science, technology, and the natural world.

Investing in the Future

Senior Chief Perine’s generosity goes beyond the dollar value of the equipment. It represents an investment in discovery — one that may spark a lifelong passion for science or open doors to future careers in engineering, environmental research, or public service.

For Senior Chief Perine, this gift is deeply personal. As a former Crystal River High School Naval JROTC instructor, he remains deeply connected to the students and citizens of Citrus County. “I know the children in Citrus County will appreciate the underwater robots, SeaPerch and SeaGlide,” he shared. Supporting students’ educational growth and expanding their opportunities in STEM, underwater exploration, and marine science is close to his heart.

While serving as a Naval Science Instructor at Crystal River High School, Senior Chief Perine established the school’s NJROTC Scuba Initiative, allowing cadets to become NAUI-certified Open Water Scuba Divers. This legacy of leadership and opportunity continues to impact students today.

His commitment reflects a broader truth about education: meaningful learning happens when curiosity meets opportunity. These new tools will give students that opportunity to explore, to innovate, and to imagine what lies beneath the surface.

The Marine Science Station continues to serve as a vital resource for teachers and students across the district, bridging traditional science education with the excitement of real-world exploration. With this donation, MSS is better equipped than ever to cultivate the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators who will carry forward Citrus County’s proud tradition of curiosity, courage, and community spirit.

Bravo Zulu, Senior Chief Perine, for your service, your generosity, and your unwavering dedication to the future of our students. Special thanks to the Citrus County Education Foundation for facilitating this generous donation and ensuring it directly supports our programs and students. Because of your collective efforts, Citrus County’s connection to the sea remains as strong and inspiring as ever. Exciting new adventures in underwater exploration and STEM learning now await our students.

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From Beginners to Olympian: The Head of the Henderson Showcases ROCCS’ Rowers

For more than 15 years, the Rowing Organization of Citrus County Students, better known as ROCCS, has been shaping athletes, building community, and opening the world of rowing to people of all ages in Citrus County. Founded to make rowing accessible to everyone, ROCCS has grown into a regional organization with international reach, with two rowers, brother and sister Nicolas and Celine Pokusa, currently competing on the Czech national team, balancing recreation, competition, and lifelong fitness.

At its core, ROCCS is about opportunity. Its competitive flagship, the High School Rowing Team, trains year round on Lake Henderson in Inverness. Here, student-athletes learn discipline, teamwork, and resilience while competing successfully at regional and state regattas. Many have gone on to row at collegiate and national levels, with some earning scholarships to continue their sport while pursuing higher education. This is a remarkable accomplishment for a community of Citrus County’s size.

ROCCS is not just for elite athletes. The organization emphasizes accessibility, offering programs for middle schoolers, high school students, and adults. Rowing is unique because it can be intensely competitive or entirely recreational, making room for every kind of athlete. Unlike running or contact sports, it provides a full-body workout with minimal joint impact, something participants can enjoy well into later life. This fall, ROCCS proudly features rowers ranging from 11 to 80 years old.

The upcoming Head of the Henderson Regatta, scheduled for October 4, showcases this diversity. Already a signature tradition, the event draws competitors from across the Southeastern United States. A “head race,” in rowing terminology, is a long-distance endurance race and this one tests crews over a grueling 5,000-meter course. Open to middle school, high school, and adult rowers, it highlights the full spectrum of the sport.

This year’s regatta promises to be the largest yet, with 16 clubs traveling from around the region and 350+ entries across multiple races, as many athletes procrastinated in registering. Crews will arrive with trailers and tents at Wallace Brooks Park, filling the lakefront with activity and turning the area into a lively festival of sport. But it is more than just racing. Visiting teams often call the Head of the Henderson the friendly regatta because of the warm, welcoming spirit of ROCCS’ volunteers, parents, coaches, and the Citrus County community.

“ROCCS works tirelessly to provide top quality crew programs for Citrus County students and adults in collaboration with the fantastic local leadership at the City. Inverness has become a premier training and competition destination, shining a light on the sport of crew, our community, and our student athletes,” Regatta Director Jodi Zakaria said.

Volunteers are central to ROCCS’ identity. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization is run entirely by volunteers, including certified coaches and board members who donate countless hours to keep programs thriving. Five-day-a-week training, including early Saturday mornings, gives student-athletes structure, accountability, and purpose. For some teens, being part of ROCCS is a cornerstone that helps them stay on track academically and personally.

ROCCS’ influence extends far beyond Citrus County. The lake’s calm, wide waters and favorable weather have made it a nationally recognized winter training destination for top rowing programs. Division I universities such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have trained here, and the Green Racing Project, a New England-based feeder program for Olympic rowers, makes the area a recurring winter home.

The program’s reach continues onto the world stage. ROCCS alumni include Olympian Ben Davison and Debbie Brazill, who recently won two gold medals at the World Rowing Championships in Spain. About a dozen alumni have gone on to row at the collegiate level, carrying Citrus County’s name to universities across the country.

Beyond accolades, rowing builds more than strength. It fosters perseverance, time management, and teamwork. Every rower must pull in exact rhythm with their teammates, and success comes only through unity and trust. These lessons carry far beyond the water.

Still, ROCCS never loses sight of its mission to make rowing available to anyone who wants to try it. Recreational programs for youth and adults allow newcomers to discover the joy of the water. For some, rowing becomes a hobby; for others, a lifelong passion. The diversity of ROCCS athletes, from middle school beginners to retirees, reflects that mission.

As October 4 approaches, excitement is building for the Head of the Henderson. The regatta will test the endurance of 350+ athletes while spotlighting Citrus County as a rowing hub. Residents are encouraged to visit Wallace Brooks Park to cheer on competitors and experience the energy of one of the world’s oldest and most elegant sports. For rowers, it is another opportunity to embrace the hospitality that has earned the event its reputation as the friendly regatta.

Fifteen years on, ROCCS stands as proof that a community united by vision and persistence can achieve extraordinary things. What began as a way to give local students access to rowing has blossomed into an organization that trains champions, hosts major events, and promotes healthy living for people of all ages. Whether on the world stage or right here on Lake Henderson, ROCCS continues to pull together, stroke by stroke.

To learn more about ROCCS and the Head of the Henderson competition, visit www.crewroccs.com.

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