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Good morning!
Here’s what we’re covering today:
- Eglin’s waterways face new access restrictions requiring visitor passes, while Fort Walton Beach High School brings back the Miss FWBHS pageant after a hiatus. Destin Chamber ends its 12-year Paddle at the Park tradition, the Law Enforcement Torch Run prepares to return, and Niceville plans a health expo for senior residents.
SCHOOL
Fort Walton Beach High School brings back the ‘Miss FWBHS’ pageant
by Ashley Armacost
Fort Walton Beach High School (FWBHS) is bringing back the ‘Miss Fort Walton Beach High’ pageant on Feb. 26-28. It’s been at least a decade since the Vikings have held this event, and this year, it’s all to help raise funds for the theatre department.
- The pageant will kick-off on Wednesday with Talent Night, where each contestant will have three minutes to showcase their unique talent. On Thursday, each contestant will have an interview with the judges that will last approximately five minutes.
Formal and finals night for the pageant will be held on Friday evening, where each contestant will walk on stage in their formal gown. The judges will then narrow it down the ‘Top 10’ contestants that will move on to the final portion of the competition, which will consist of answering an on-stage question to determine the winner.
Fifteen students from FWBHS will compete in this year’s pageant. To meet the requirement for participation, each contestant has to be a member of either a club or sports team at the high school.
The pageant is being organized and put on collaboratively by FWBHS’ theatre director, Ronald Morse and school nurse, Mindy Cleveland.
- Cleveland, who has been the school nurse for the past 5 years, has also held the title of Director of Miss Okaloosa County Pageants since 2019, which encompasses seven different pageants around the area.
The idea for the pageant came about when Cleveland and Morse were having a conversation about how to raise money for 13 students that have qualified for the State Thespian Competition, as well as raising money for all of the things that need to be done to improve the theatre department for the students.
“Going to state costs a lot of money,” said Cleveland, “And the way I know how to raise money is through pageants, so I offered to help him put it on.”
Since the announcement and leading up to the pageant, the student body has been excited and has even come up with creative ways to spur interest and get other students involved. In one instance, students had a photo booth set up during lunch with pageant-themed props.
- Students also came up with the idea to put QR codes on clothespins to pin on girls they thought would be interested in participating, which resulted in several signups.
“The students themselves are interested in it because not a lot of them have much experience with pageants,” added Cleveland. “They just hear ‘pageant’ and they think ‘oh, it’s just a beauty thing’, but it’s absolutely not. We don’t even have a beauty score.”
In order to raise funds to benefit the theatre department, each contestant was tasked with selling an ad to a local business which will be displayed in the programs being sold at the pageant, as well as the high school’s social media.
“I think that the girls are going to do a great job,” said Cleveland, “Pageants are a passion of mine, and theater is another passion of mine, so I’m very grateful that I’m able to help the theatre in this way. And to also see the girls shine on stage in maybe a way that they haven’t before.”
The overall ‘Queen’ will win the title of ‘Miss Fort Walton Beach High School’, as well as receive a $500 cash scholarship.
- Titles will also be given to the following: Miss Freshman, Miss Sophomore, Miss Junior, Miss Senior, Miss FWBHS People’s Choice, Miss Congeniality, Miss Talent, Miss Formal and Miss Interview.
“It’s just wonderful that we’re bringing something back that used to be such a big tradition here at the Fort,” added Cleveland. “I’m excited to see how it all turns out and hopefully we’re able to do this every year.”
Tickets for Friday are $10. Those interested in purchasing tickets to attend the pageant and support their efforts may do so by visiting https://gofan.co.
Proceeds from this pageant will benefit the high school’s theatre department as a whole, as well as benefiting the students who qualified for the State Thespian Competition.
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EVENTS
Destin Chamber cancels Paddle at the Park after 12 years
The Destin Chamber of Commerce has announced the end of Paddle at the Park after a 12-year run, citing declining participation and logistical challenges.
- The paddleboard event, originally created to attract tourists and promote the sport in partnership with local manufacturer BOTE, drew nearly 175 participants in its early years.
However, after being canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19, attendance never recovered, with only 52 paddlers participating in 2024.
“This was not an easy decision for the board of directors,” said Jenni Brunson, Chairman of the Board. “During the years, this event became a staple of our community. We are thankful for the outstanding partners and sponsors who contributed to its success.”
- Brunson added that after considering the ongoing decline in participants, “the value to continue wasn’t there for our sponsors, our partners, and the chamber.”
The event required significant organization and volunteer support, which became difficult to justify with the reduced participation levels, according to the Chamber.
“It’s sad to see it go,” said Shane Moody, President and CEO of the Chamber. “But sometimes organizations such as ours have to look at the things we are doing, evaluate the value those events are bringing to the business community, and make decisions based on that evaluation.”
The Chamber indicated that discussions are underway about creating a new experience to replace the event.
Despite the cancellation, the Destin Chamber affirmed it will continue its mission of “Advocating for Businesses, Strengthening our Community.”
SPONSORED
Origin Bank opens new location in Fort Walton Beach
Origin Bank has expanded its presence with a new financial center in Fort Walton Beach.
- Operating from a temporary building at 212 Racetrack Road NW (the intersection of Denton Boulevard NW), the center offers comprehensive banking services including small business and personal banking, home loans, and financial support.
The location currently operates Monday through Friday, with the drive-thru open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and appointments available by calling (850) 904-8613. For more information, click here.
GIVING BACK
Law Enforcement Torch Run returns to Okaloosa County on March 12
Corrections officers and other law enforcement agencies in Okaloosa County will participate in this year’s Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on March 12.
- The event features two separate routes through the county.
The north county leg begins at 9 a.m. at the Publix at Northcrest, located at 1355 North Ferdon Blvd. in Crestview. Participants should gather at 8 a.m. to sign waivers before the run. The route will travel down Industrial Boulevard and continue south for 1.5 miles to Stillwell Boulevard, then turn left on Stillwell Boulevard and finish at the Crestview Police Department parking lot.
For the south county leg, participants will gather at 11 a.m. at the Publix located at 610 Eglin Parkway NE at the corner of Racetrack Road in Fort Walton Beach. This portion of the run will begin at approximately 11:15 a.m., proceeding south on Eglin Parkway, and will conclude at the City of Fort Walton Beach Brooks Landing City Park at noon.
- Lunch and bottled water will be provided at the park for participants in the south county run.
The Okaloosa event is part of a larger statewide effort involving over 300 Florida agencies, including police departments, sheriff’s offices, Florida Department of Corrections, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, FBI, DEA, U.S. Customs, Air Force Police and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Each year, more than 5,000 officers carry the torch on a 1,500-mile relay through all 67 Florida counties. The intrastate torch relay will start at the end of March and culminate at the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics Florida State Games, where officers from around the state bring the Flame of Hope into the stadium.
- Funding comes through contributions from individuals and businesses along the route and through sales of Torch Run T-shirts and caps.
THINGS TO DO
Niceville Senior Center to host free health expo for residents 55+
The Niceville Senior Center Foundation will host its 5th Annual “Passport to Health” event on Thursday, March 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Niceville Senior Center.
- The free event aims to promote health and wellness for adults age 55 and older through presentations and educational materials from more than 30 organizations and community partners.
Located at 201 Campbell Drive, the Senior Center event creates a supportive environment for older adults to learn about health promotion and prevention strategies.
“The goal of this event is to empower older adults to achieve their highest level of well-being,” said Julie Mooney, Senior Center Director.
Attendees can enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks while visiting the various health and wellness exhibits. Door prizes will be awarded throughout the event to participants who are present at the time of drawing.
- One participant will win a grand prize of $300, with no requirement to be present at the time of the drawing.
For more information about the “Passport to Health” event, contact Julie Mooney at jmooney@nicevillefl.gov.
MILITARY
Eglin waterways now considered restricted, visitor passes required
Military officials have designated waterways surrounding Eglin Air Force Base as restricted areas, limiting access to ID card holders and their guests with visitor passes.
The security change affects six specific waterways:
- Eglin’s main shoreline
- North and south sides of Santa Rosa Sound (Hurlburt Field and Santa Rosa Island respectively)
- Camp Pinchot shoreline
- Poquito Bayou housing area shoreline
- Wynnhaven Beach
According to base officials, the 96th Test Wing commander implemented the restrictions due to “identified emerging air and waterborne threats against defense installations.” The new measures align the waterways’ security posture with that of Eglin’s land areas.
Visitors can obtain passes from the Visitor Control Center at the Air Force Armament Museum between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Outside these hours, sponsors can secure base passes from Airmen stationed at the gate.
The new restrictions took effect Feb. 24.
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