Posted on December 3rd, 2022 by
Thomas E Kennedy
77th Annual Joint Conference a huge success
Citrus County Schools’ students take center stage
The 77th Annual Joint Conference is complete, and I walk away as Florida School Board Association President with optimism and excitement for the work ahead in education in Florida for students, families, teachers, staff, schools, and communities. This is arguably the largest joint conference of education leaders and local education policymakers. This event included no less than six different education associations including the lead association of FSBA, with FADSS, FELL, FERMA, FSBAA, and SUNSPRA playing strong roles. For five days we represented Citrus County and the State of Florida to the nearly 500 school board members, superintendents, and school leaders from throughout Florida. We welcomed 84 of the 92 new school board members to our new school board member academy. It was such an honor and pleasure to meet these new representatives as they learned of the work ahead of them.
The most special personal moment for me as president was being able to select and bring students from our own Citrus County. Crystal River High School Naval JROTC set a distinguished beginning with the Opening General Session when their Color Guard marched into a full-capacity audience who rose in silent respect to the great flags of our United States and the State of Florida. Upon reaching the main stage Citrus High School junior Hailey Kell sang our National Anthem. As she finished, we heard CRHS junior NJROTC Color Guard Cadet Chief Petty Officer William Wallace lead out the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience joined in and it gave me goosebumps to hear one of the loudest, most awe-inspiring pledges I have ever heard. Once the Pledge ended I took the podium to introduce to the State of Florida our own Citrus High School’s talented ensemble Breez’. These young singers performed three songs and from the moment they started to sing, the entire audience was engaged due to the awesome talent of these young people. However, it was their third song that captured and set the tone for the entire week when Breez’ sang the song “We’re All in This Together”. By the end of the song the entire audience of over 500 were on their feet swaying and singing the chorus “we are all in this together” in unison! Right in the front center of the audience were our Superintendent Himmel, Chief Officer Dr. Scott Hebert, and our entire School Board standing as tall and proud as could be as they led the audience. It’s likely no surprise to many of you to learn that I begin to choke up with tears running down my face. What could be more inspirational than students leading and reminding all of us the goal of our week: to become better school board members and to continue to keep our focus on students. There were some very powerful moments throughout the week including having Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr., speak to the entire audience, as well as listening to presentations from other legislators, state education leaders, nationally known authors, and even our own Citrus County Schools Assitant Superitnent Jonny Bishop, Chief Academic Officer Dr. Scott Hebert, and Rick Manager Steven Baumer. However, none had the profound impact as our students from Citrus County. Throughout the week, anyone that saw me stopped to tell me what an impact those students had on them and to thank me for bringing them to open the main assembly. Thank you to CRHS NJROTC Warrant Officer Elizabeth Rivera, CHS Breez’ Director John Edel, and everyone that traveled to support our students to be there, but most especially thank you to Shaunda Burdette and the Citrus County Educational Foundation, along with their amazing community partners, who sponsored the students traveling to represent at this event.
There is so much that has been happening in the world of politics and in public education over the last number of years, but I walk away from this week proud that I represent one of the greatest counties in this great State and Nation, and while we have still much work ahead of us, “we’re all in this together“ and I am grateful for the small role I get to play, and I thank you all for your continued support of our students!
God bless our students, God bless Citrus County and God bless our State of Florida and our Nation.
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