Florida Power and Light (FPL) awarded Choctawhatchee High School with a $50,000 classroom makeover grant Wednesday, aimed at enhancing the school’s aviation and aerospace education programs.

• The grant was presented to Lt. Col. Eric Lazenby, a second-year teacher who leads the school’s Air Force ROTC program and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University classes. FPL representatives, local elected officials, and Okaloosa County School District staff gathered during Lazenby’s third-period class for the surprise announcement.

“This is a pivotal day for our cadets,” said Principal Michelle Heck, who kicked off the morning event. “This is an opportunity to take aviation aerospace education, not only at Choctawhatchee High School but in Okaloosa County, to the next level.”

Bernard Johnson, Regional External Affairs Manager for FPL, explained that the grant is part of the company’s 100th anniversary celebration. While FPL typically awards five classroom makeover grants, this year they expanded to 20 grants, with Choctawhatchee being the only recipient in Okaloosa County.

“We value our partnership with Okaloosa County Schools,” Johnson said. “Anytime we have an opportunity to invest in students and teachers, we definitely want to do that. We believe that quality education fuels Florida’s growth and economic opportunities.”

Lazenby, who joined the teaching profession after a long Air Force career, has quickly made an impact at Choctaw. Principal Heck noted that it’s extremely rare for a second-year teacher to secure such a substantial grant.

• “No one is awarded this kind of money in the second year of a teaching career,” Heck said. “I needed him to know how special this was.”

Lazenby expressed his vision for using the funds to address critical shortages in the aerospace industry.

“Our nation is in an aerospace crisis right now,” Lazenby told the audience. “We don’t have enough pilots, maintainers, air traffic controllers, or support personnel. These funds are going to help solve that problem because the activities and experiences that I’ll be able to provide our cadets will be part of a bigger solution.”

The grant will support four main upgrades to the AFJROTC program: 

• Transforming the classroom into a university-style lecture hall.
• Purchasing an FAA-certified Basic Aircrew Training Device with future VR capability.
• Installing a 10-by-6-foot LED display for academics and simulator operations.
• Aesthetic updates including murals and aviation-themed wall art.

These improvements directly align with Lazenby’s grant proposal, titled “Advancing AFJROTC’s Aerospace Education: Grant for Developing Future Aviation Professionals in Support of National Security Strategy,” which highlighted the need to provide immersive, hands-on aviation experiences for students.

The school already boasts impressive aviation facilities, including a BD-5 light aircraft suspended from the ceiling of their classroom, which helps spark students’ passion for aviation.

Lazenby aims to transform what he calls a “first-class facility” into a “world-class facility” with the grant money. The advanced simulator will particularly benefit Choctawhatchee High School’s diverse student population, where 43% are minorities and 52% are classified as economically disadvantaged.

• “I’m incredibly grateful for the funds,” Lazenby said. “These funds, and the cadets they support, will play a crucial role in addressing our nation’s current aerospace crisis. The academics and experiences we’re able to provide will ignite the spark that fuels the future of our nation’s aerospace industry.”

According to the grant proposal, the program expects to improve cadets’ STEM proficiency by 25% and increase the number of students pursuing FAA certifications by 40% within the first year. The initiative will serve over 230 diverse cadets annually, aged 14-18, with a focus on increasing diversity in STEM fields.

The Choctaw JROTC program has been active throughout the community, with cadets earning scholarships to aviation camps and participating in learning opportunities at nearby Hurlburt Field.

“These cadets are everywhere already with aviation and aerospace learning,” Heck said. “This is the future for aviation and aerospace learning.”

Superintendent Marcus Chambers thanked Florida Power & Light and the NextEra Energy Foundation for their generous support of the aerospace education program.

• “This is more than just a simulator—it’s a gateway to high-skill, high-demand careers and a powerful example of how public-private partnerships can transform student outcomes,” he said. “Thank you, FPL, for helping us create meaningful pathways to success for our students.”

Local community leaders, including the newly-elect Mayor of Fort Walton Beach Nic Allegretto and County Commissioner Chairman Paul Mixon, attended the presentation to show their support for the program.

Mixon, a Choctawhatchee High School alumnus, spoke about the significance of the grant for his alma mater.

“As a proud Choctaw alumnus, it’s inspiring to see this investment in our JROTC program. Colonel Lazenby exemplifies the caliber of leadership we need to prepare our students for careers in aerospace and military service,” said Mixon. “This $50,000 grant will help ensure that Choctaw students have access to state-of-the-art resources that prepare them for successful careers in military service or the civilian aerospace sector — both of which are critical to our region’s future.”