GIVING BACK

FWBHS Engineering Teacher receives “Thank A Teacher” Award, his students honored for life-changing project

In a heartwarming ceremony at Fort Walton Beach High School, Engineering Teacher Frank Schwandt was honored with the “Thank A Teacher” award from HCA Florida Healthcare.

• The surprise event, held around 10:00 am, was attended by students, faculty, and district staff who gathered to celebrate Schwandt’s dedication and positive impact on his students.

Erika Williams, a faculty member at the high school and parent of a former student, nominated Schwandt for the award. Her son Kaden Williams, who was once a student of Schwandt’s, is now pursuing engineering at UCF. 

Caroline Burris, Chief Operating Officer at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, presented Schwandt with a plaque and a $250 award after reading the nomination.

Here’s what Ms. Williams wrote:

“Mr. Schwandt has inspired a lot of students with his teaching to pursue engineering post high school, which includes my son. After 4 years in Mr. Schwandt’s class, my son went to UCF to further his engineering knowledge.

Mr. Schwandt has dedicated much of his time to the program, a robotics building team, and helping make each student successful. Recently, he led one of his classes in building not 1, but 2 electric mobility chairs for a local handicap student.

He is a coworker that doesn’t look for praise and does things to create successful engineering students. He constantly asks about former students and is always sending them positive words.”

Immediately following Schwandt’s recognition, his Senior Engineering class received a surprise of their own. 

Earlier this year, the students had worked on a special Capstone Project, utilizing their engineering, mechanical, and 3D Design skills to modify a motorized vehicle for a special needs student at Destin Elementary. 

• The project was a collaboration between the student’s teacher, the child’s Occupational Therapy Teacher, and Schwandt, who worked together to secure a grant for the vehicle.

On February 22, 2024, the students presented the modified motorized vehicle to the elementary student.

The impact of their work was significant, as Fort Walton Beach High School Principal Lindsey Smith noted, “Because of this new motorized vehicle that the students worked on, the elementary student was able to participate in his first-ever field day this year.”

In recognition of their efforts, Assistant Superintendent John Spolski surprised each Engineering student with a District Challenge Coin. 

“The coin says that ‘everyone is important’ and what you all did together as a group made that little fella experience things he had never done before,” said Spolski to the students. “It is my honor to present this to you from Superintendent Marcus Chambers. You can keep this close to you, and when you see it, know the good work that you’re capable of and the things that you do to change people’s lives.”

Superintendent Chambers was able to visit the students’ classroom while they were working on the project earlier this year.

“I am so proud of these high school students as they are thinking beyond their own needs in order to help another person,” Chambers said. “This is going to be life changing for everyone involved and I can’t wait to see the student using the vehicle to get around at school and home.”

The students who helped make this happen were all part of Thursday’s CTE Signing Day and include:

• Elijah Campbell
• Williams Willis
• Reeve, Dwyer
• Alex Porter
• Sophie Wunschel
• Jalen Floyd
• Edwin Ramirez
• Landon Tryon
• Pablo Rogers
• Jesse Watkins
• Liam Pohl
• Alexander Doyle

As the surprise event concluded, Principal Smith addressed the students, saying, “Mobility is something we all take for granted every day. It is the most independent and freeing thing to allow somebody to be able to get around on their own, and he would have never been able to do that until he was older and stronger. You guys figured out a way to adapt, and it’s really impressive work. You guys are awesome.”

Click here to see pictures of the motorized vehicle the students built.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Walton Sheriff’s Office to suspend beach access for large crowds and unaccompanied teens

In an effort to maintain order during the busy Spring Break season, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) has announced plans to suspend beach access from County Road 283 S east to the Bay County line starting at 7 pm until further notice.

• The decision comes in anticipation of a large influx of teenage crowds expected from April 1st through April 5th.

Sheriff Michael Adkinson emphasized the importance of preventing situations from escalating during the busiest week of Spring Break, as Atlanta residents make their way down. The WCSO will target large groups of unaccompanied minors and prohibit them from congregating on the sand in Santa Rosa Beach.

• “Our team is in the final stretch of Spring Break,” said Sheriff Adkinson. “It is imperative that during our busiest week – Atlanta – we prevent a situation from getting out of control. We are trying to get ahead of this now.”

The release serves as a warning to teenagers planning to visit the beach in groups and encourages parents to avoid allowing their children to go to the beach unsupervised. Anyone found trespassing on private property to access the beach will face charges accordingly.

The WCSO clarifies that this effort will not hinder families from enjoying the beach but is specifically aimed at minors without adult supervision. The department appreciates the patience and understanding of residents during this time.

Despite the announcement coinciding with April Fools’ Day, the WCSO assures the public that this is not a joke. “As far as we are concerned, the real joke is that the start of Atlanta week is April Fools Day,” the release stated.

SCHOOL

Ruckel Middle School to host first annual ‘RAM JAM Color Run’ fundraiser in Niceville

Ruckel Middle School is gearing up for its First Annual Ruckel RAM JAM Color Run, set to take place on Tuesday, April 23 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 

• The event aims to raise funds for upgrading and enhancing student engagement through technology in the school’s classrooms, with a goal of equipping every classroom with a SMART Board interactive whiteboard.

A color run is a fun and engaging event where participants run or walk a designated course while being showered with colored powder at various stations along the route.

The event will kick off at 5:00 PM with food trucks, concessions, a DJ, and more. The main attraction, a 5K fun run, will begin at 6:00 PM. Students, parents, siblings, friends, and community members are all invited to participate in the color run event.

Registration for the event is now open, with a fee of $20 for students and $25 for friends and family. Participants who register and meet the initial donation/pledge goal by April 14 will receive a color run T-shirt. Fundraising will remain open through the date of the fun run on April 23.

• Student Registration Link: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/ruckelstudents
• Community Registration Link: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/ramjamcommunity

Prizes will be awarded to the top student fundraisers of each grade level, as well as overall top fundraising winners. The school hopes to raise $30,000 through this event, with 100% of pledges raised beyond the registration goals directly contributing to Ruckel’s technology growth goal.

Ruckel Middle School is located at 201 Partin Dr N, Niceville, FL 32578. The school encourages everyone in the community to participate and support this fundraising effort to enhance the learning experience for its students.

THINGS TO DO

Destin City Council approves 10-day ‘fair and food festival’ at local church

The Destin City Council approved a temporary change of use permit for a 10-day fair and food festival hosted by FaithCoast Church, subject to conditions proposed by city staff.

• The decision came during the Council’s regular meeting on Monday, April 1, 2024, with a 5-1 vote in favor of the event.

The festival, set to take place at 726 Legion Drive from April 4-14, 2024, will feature amusement rides, inflatables, food service tents, workshops, interactive games, and an entertainment stage with a sound amplification system. The event is expected to attract up to 1,000 attendees per day.

Council-member Kevin Schmidt was the lone dissenting vote, citing concerns about the festival’s impact on the surrounding neighborhood. Schmidt initially proposed limiting the event to a four-day period, from Thursday to Sunday, but his motion failed to gain support from other Council members.

City staff had previously identified several inconsistencies between the festival application and the Land Development Code (LDC), including issues with parking, traffic flow, and potential noise disturbances. However, the Council ultimately decided to approve the event with the conditions recommended by staff, such as limiting festival hours and sound amplification, ensuring adequate ADA parking, and obtaining necessary permits and approvals.

• The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has expressed concerns about the short notice for providing (paid) off-duty deputies to assist with security at the festival. Captain Jason Fulghum acknowledged that while it may be challenging to secure last-minute staffing, it is not impossible.

FaithCoast Church, in collaboration with PL Media, believes the festival will foster community unity and pride in Destin. With the City Council’s approval, the organizers will now work to ensure compliance with the stipulated conditions and coordinate with local law enforcement to address security needs.

The approved festival hours are:

• 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays, with music ending at 7:00 p.m.;
• 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays, with music ending at 9:00 p.m.;
• and 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sundays, with music ending at 9:00 p.m.

A MESSAGE FROM CINCO BAPTIST

Cinco Baptist Church hosts BBQ Plate Lunch Fundraiser for Summer Camps

Cinco Baptist Church is organizing a BBQ Plate Lunch Fundraiser on Friday, April 5, to support their Kidz and Student Summer Camps 2024. The event will take place at the church’s Kidd Street Center, located at 290 Kidd Street in Fort Walton Beach, from 10 AM to 1 PM.

The fundraiser offers a delicious BBQ plate lunch for $10 per plate, which includes a generously sized pulled pork sandwich, chips, cookies, an apple, a bottle of water, and Sonny’s BBQ Sauce.

• To place an order, interested individuals can call the Church Office at 850.243.7656 or email spowell@cincobc.org by noon on Wednesday, April 3.

Orders can be picked up at the Kidd Street Center, and delivery is available for local businesses. Businesses have the option to pay at the time of delivery with cash or check. For convenience, payment can also be made by credit/debit card by clicking this link or by visiting the Church Office to pay with cash or check.

• All orders must be placed and paid for by noon on Wednesday, April 3.

The proceeds from the fundraiser will directly benefit the church’s Kidz and Student Summer Camps 2024, providing support for the programs and activities planned for the children and youth of the community.

Cinco Baptist Church invites the community to participate in this fundraiser and enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch while supporting a worthy cause. For more information or to place an order, please contact the Church Office.

SCHOOL

First high school Health Academy opens on HCA Healthcare campus in Fort Walton Beach

HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and the Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the Health Academy of Northwest Florida, the first high school health academy to be housed on an HCA Healthcare hospital campus in the country.

• The academy, a joint partnership between the hospital and OCSD, provides high school students interested in healthcare careers the opportunity to earn industry certifications and gain the skills needed to enter the workforce or continue their post-graduate studies.

“Our team is honored and excited to have the Health Academy of Northwest Florida open and teaching the next generation of healthcare providers,” said Zach McCluskey, CEO of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. “The health and wellbeing of our community is our top priority, and this partnership allows us to address growing healthcare needs while helping students connect with a rewarding career path.”

The two-year practical nursing program teaches students the foundational principles of basic nursing and medical skills needed to provide care to patients. Eligible students from Choctawhatchee High School, Fort Walton Beach High School, and Niceville High School can participate in the program through the Career and Technical Education Department of OCSD.

• During their senior year, students receive hands-on clinical training at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital.

Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to earn a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT), and/or Electrocardiogram Technician (EKG) certification. Juniors who complete the program will have the opportunity for dual enrollment in the LPN program at Okaloosa Technical College during their senior year, getting a head start on earning their required course hours toward an LPN license.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital for their continuous support in bringing the Health Academy of Northwest Florida to fruition,” said Marcus Chambers, Superintendent of the Okaloosa County School District. “This facility will provide our students with practical nursing training, enabling them to earn industry-recognized certifications and creating a direct path from high school to employment in leading local hospitals or other medical facilities.”

HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital provided a 6,375-square-foot space to OCSD for the Health Academy of Northwest Florida, which includes two classrooms and two practical labs.

• Students who successfully complete the practical nursing program will have job placement opportunities throughout HCA Florida Healthcare, and tuition reimbursement will be available for those wishing to continue their education while employed by an HCA Florida Healthcare facility.

“We are grateful for this pioneering collaboration, alongside the invaluable support and funding provided by Triumph Gulf Coast for this program,” said April Branscome, OCSD Career and Technical Education Program Director. “This marks a historic milestone as the first initiative of its kind nationwide, ushering in a transformative era in healthcare education. Together, we embark on this journey of innovation, poised to redefine the future of healthcare education.”