JROTC students donate to project at Ocala veterans park: Good news in Ocala/Marion County – Ocala
Members of the North Marion High School Air Force JROTC program recently gathered at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park to present a $1,113.10 donation toward a major park upgrade that is now underway.
The upgrade includes pouring a 4,000-square-foot concrete pad and walkway to connect the Florida Plaza and Medal of Honor Plaza and the removal and replacement of 50 flagpoles so that each state flag can fly within the concrete pad. This is the Eagle Scout project for candidate Logan Catalanotto,17.
The project is being completed in cooperation with park officials, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners and Friends of Marion County’s Veterans Park Foundation, which is a park support group.
The NMHS JROTC cadets collected the funds by parking vehicles at seven football games. Members also earned 378 service hours.
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JROTC instructors Col. Keith Cunningham and Master Sgt. Jennifer Richardson were on hand for the presentation of the donation check, which was made at the site of the project at the east section of the park.
The park project has a total estimated cost of about $32,000, of which about $18,000 has been raised. For more information or to donate to the project, visit https://www.marionvetpark.com/
Dean’s List
Sydney Mickel, Belleview, Palmer College of Chiropractic’s Florida campus, Port Orange
Other Accolades
+ The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines, recently initiated Ariana Rosamond, Dunnellon, Florida International University; and Taisha Pacheco Hernandez, Ocala, Florida International University.
+ The following students were accepted for enrollment for the spring 2022 quarter in the doctor of chiropractic degree program at Palmer College of Chiropractic’s Florida campus in Port Orange:
The Ocala Marion County Honor Guard was presented $1,000 by GFWC Greater Ocala Woman’s Club, according to an email from the club. The guard was instrumental in the opening ceremonies of the Heart of Hero fundraiser, which the club sponsored. The money is designated toward a new van, which will carry flags, rifles, and the guard members, who represent various branches of the military.
The Marion Rotary third annual Duck Derby was held at Tuscawilla Park in February, according to a press release.
With proceeds from the event, organizers were able to award the Discovery Center Foundation $14,450. Other local charities shared $7,500. They included Take Stock in Children, International Ministry, Ocala Silver Springs Rotary Foundation, Hospice Grace Hall, Creative Services and Ocala Jeep Club, the release said.
Joshua and Mary Worthy Robinson of Citra celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on March 19, according to an email from Braylon Bradshaw. They were married on March 13, 1959 in Ocala. The Robinsons have six kids, 19 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, the email said.
Two College of Central Florida student publications were honored at the Florida College System Publications Association’s annual conference, held April 1 in Ybor City, a press release from CF said.
The college’s In the Write Mind literary magazine, published annually by students at the Citrus campus, took second place in the Poetry Magazine competition. Three student writers were recognized for their contributions: Katherine Egge for “Unbound,” Jaden Matthew for “2020” and Jeilanie Polania for “One Thought.”
The publication also won a third place Art Magazine award for Kaitlyn Pace’s art
submission, “Psychedelic Garden at Night,” the release said.
The Patriot Press, CF’s online student newspaper, earned an honorable mention award. Former Editor Lauren Gillyard received the Best Arts Review award for her review of the Appleton Museum, and Lexia Thomas, current co-editor, placed second in the editorial category for her piece on Bright Futures scholarships. Sarah Toms, co-editor, received
a third place award in the on-site photo contest, the release said.
During the conference, Zack Cote, CF communications instructor and adviser for Imprints, the Ocala campus literary magazine, was elected incoming FCSPA president.
The College of Central Florida Marketing and Public Relations Department was honored with a bronze award at this year’s National Council for Marketing and Public Relations Paragon Awards, according to a CF press release.
The bronze award recognizes CF’s website, CF.edu, for outstanding achievement in design and communication in this national competition for community and technical colleges, the release said.
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