The Fort Walton Beach Vikings and Choctaw Big Green Indians aren’t usually seen side by side, but on a recent morning at Silver Sands School, the rivals came together for something bigger than football.
- Fort Walton Beach High School Principal Lindsey Smith and Choctaw High School Principal Michelle Heck visited Silver Sands School dressed in full mascot gear to fish with students and promote the school’s annual fish fry fundraiser.
The principals joined Silver Sands Principal Kristin Gilmore and students at the school’s aquaponic greenhouse, where the tilapia for the fundraiser are raised.
“We fully support the Silver Sands programming and the things that they are doing here with the students in Okaloosa County,” Smith said. “We just wanted to help come together because on October 24th, about a block away, there’s going to be a big game at Steve Riggs Stadium. So you need to come get your fish and then head on down to the game.”
The fish fry is scheduled for Oct. 24 from 5 to 6:30 p.m., timed perfectly before the Fort Walton Beach-Choctaw rivalry game.
- “That night, Fort Walton Beach Vikings, Choctaw Big Green Indians are playing in what will be the big game of the year,” Heck said. “So again, come by Silver Sands, support their programming and our students in Okaloosa County, grab some fish, a great dinner, and then head over to the big game.”
Silver Sands School serves about 100 students with disabilities. The fish come from the school’s Growth House, an aquaponic greenhouse where students plant seeds, maintain the system and harvest both fish and vegetables as part of learning life and job skills.
Students will compete in a fishing rodeo before the fish fry, with trophies awarded in elementary, middle and high school divisions.
Dewey Destin Seafood will fry the fish along with hush puppies and french fries for $10 per plate. All proceeds support the school’s programming.
