Lecanto High School Class of 2023 Senior Awards

Lecanto High School Class of 2023 Senior Awards

The Lecanto High School Class of 2023 Senior Awards was a night to remember as the seniors were celebrated for their success and accomplishments. It was heartwarming to see the students and their families come together to share in the joy and pride of this momentous occasion.

LHS seniors were awarded approximately $230,000 in local scholarships and $6.5 million in potential scholarships and grants. This demonstrates the commitment of the school and the community to support and invest in the future of these young students.

The event was made possible by the dedication and hard work of the students, who are supported by our educators, leaders, staff, and community. It is a reminder of the importance of teamwork and collaboration in achieving success. Congratulations to the LHS seniors and their families for their well-deserved recognition and the bright future ahead.

Showing off WTC

Showing off WTC

Today, Debra Stanley, the Director of Career & Technical and Adult Education, and I had the great pleasure of giving Karin Hoffman, a CTE innovator and member of the Southern Regional Education Board, and TC Wolfe, the FSBA’s Federal Relations Representative, a tour of Withlacoochee Technical College. We started our tour with the new Industrial Machinery Control Technician program, where Karin and TC were impressed by the state-of-the-art equipment and the level of expertise demonstrated by the students. The program’s instructor provided insight into this emerging field of motor control technology and the industry’s job outlook, emphasizing the high demand for skilled problem-solving technicians. During our visit, I had the opportunity to congratulate Thomas Hauter, one of my former high school swimmers, on his graduation from the program. I was delighted to learn that Thomas and other graduates from the program have secured positions and will be relocating to Jacksonville to begin their new careers.

After an enlightening visit to the Industrial Machinery Control Technician program, we moved on to visit some of the construction programs. The students there were working on various projects, including electrical wiring and systems. Karin and TC were impressed by the students’ attention to detail and the quality of their work. It was a fantastic visit, and I was pleased to showcase the exceptional programs and talented students at Withlacoochee Technical College to Karin and TC.

Congratulations to our 2023 Golden Citrus Scholars!

Congratulations to our 2023 Golden Citrus Scholars!

It is with great pleasure that we extend our sincere congratulations to these students who have worked incredibly hard and achieved outstanding accomplishments. We couldn’t be more proud of each and every one of them.

We also want to express our gratitude to Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Senator Blaise Ingoglia, and State Representative Ralph Massullo for their special personalized letters of congratulations to the Golden Citrus Scholars. Their encouragement and support mean so much to these deserving students and to our community.

Thank you to all the school and district selection teams, including the Citrus County Schools Research and Accountability Department for their hard work in identifying the top students in our community. We appreciate their dedication to this important task, which is no small feat.

Our heartfelt gratitude also goes to the Citrus County Education Foundation for their continued support of this great event. Their community partners and unwavering commitment to education in our community is truly inspiring, and we are grateful for all that they do.

To the 2023 Golden Citrus Scholars, we applaud you for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. Your achievements are a testament to your resilience and determination, and we have no doubt that you will continue to succeed in all your future endeavors. Congratulations again, and best wishes for a bright and prosperous future.

Read the complete coverage of the Citrus Golden Scholars: https://www.chronicleonline.com/news/education/golden-citrus-scholars-celebrated-with-bus-tour-full-of-gifts/article_214a5ea5-aa5b-51cb-b53c-abc0c0a805fd.html

School District Crowell and Blair receive Chamber Pillar Awards

School District Crowell and Blair receive Chamber Pillar Awards

Congratulations to our Citrus County School District leaders, Amy Crowell and Lindsay Blair, for both receiving awards at last evening’s Citrus County Chamber of Commerce Pillar Awards.

Amy Crowell, Director of Research and Accountability was awarded The Altrusa of Citrus County Mamie L. Bass Award, and Lindsay Blair, Public Information Officer and Communications Officer, won The Lillian Smith Leadership Citrus Award.

Amy is a remarkable and talented educator, leader, visionary, and advocate for students. Her work as Director of Research and Accountability and the impressive team of professionals she has assembled are recognized around the state. Lindsay Blair’s experience in media, communications, and public relations is second to none. Citrus County Schools, its students, families, and staff benefit every day from Lindsay’s experience in ways they may not always appreciate.

Both of these ladies are graduates of Citrus High School and have committed their talents to the students and families of our great community. I am blessed to work alongside them, and Citrus County is better because of them.

Congratulations, Amy and Lindsay!

Upward Bound Awards

Upward Bound Awards

Had the honor of attending the quarterly Ray Darling Upward Bound Rotary Awards this week! It’s always a privilege to support this great event that recognizes outstanding students from grades 4 through 12 in Citrus County. Each year, approximately 500 students are selected by staff from Citrus County Schools, both public and private, for their academic achievement, leadership skills, and community involvement. Huge thanks to the Citrus County Rotarians and Rotary Clubs of Citrus County for making this event possible and for their commitment to education.

The College of Central Florida Debbie Ressler Nursing Program

The College of Central Florida Debbie Ressler Nursing Program

I wanted to share some great news about the College of Central Florida (CF). The CF District Board of Trustees recently honored an amazing individual named Deborah “Debbie” Ressler by renaming the nursing program after her. The newly named College of Central Florida Debbie Ressler Nursing Program is a wonderful tribute to Mrs. Ressler’s lifelong dedication to nursing, education, and community service.

Mrs. Ressler is a Registered Nurse who earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida Southern College (Go Mocs!). With over 30 years of experience in multiple nursing specialties, she worked at several hospitals, including St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, H Lee Moffitt, and Tampa General Hospital. Her commitment to nursing and patient care is truly inspiring.

Mrs. Ressler has also made a significant impact through her dedication to family and community service. She helped create the Citrus County Community Charitable Foundation board and has been actively involved in organizations like the Citrus County Education Foundation and Citrus County Blessings. Her contributions to the community and students have been widely recognized.

The newly named nursing program will carry on Mrs. Ressler’s legacy by providing high-quality nursing education and preparing students for successful careers. The CF nursing program is well-known for producing compassionate and competent nurses who provide exceptional care to their patients.

It’s wonderful to see Mrs. Ressler’s dedication and contribution to nursing and education being recognized in such a meaningful way. The CF Board of Trustees’ commitment to honoring individuals who make significant contributions to the college and community is truly commendable.

The newly named College of Central Florida Debbie Ressler Nursing Program is a fitting tribute to Mrs. Ressler’s lifelong commitment to nursing, education, and community service. This program will continue to inspire and educate future generations of nurses who will carry on Mrs. Ressler’s legacy of excellence and compassion in nursing. Congratulations to Mrs. Ressler and CF for this well-deserved recognition!