BUSINESS

TeCMEN: Gulf Coast’s leading expo for Technology, Manufacturing, and Engineering is back

One Okaloosa EDC is hosting the 6th annual TeCMEN Industry Day on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  

Initially launched in 2017, TeCMEN Industry Day (TID) brings together a broad spectrum of companies and industry representatives from across the Gulf Coast region and beyond for a full day of networking and educational content. As the Gulf Coast’s leading one-day Technology, Manufacturing, and Engineering expo, TeCMEN Industry Day combines robust and relevant content with meaningful networking opportunities.

The 2023 TeCMEN Industry Day will feature more than 50 exhibitor booths in the event’s Technical Showcase.  While attendance at TeCMEN Industry Day is open to representatives of all industry sectors, TID Technical Showcase exhibitors are required to be in the technology, manufacturing, engineering, aviation, aerospace, defense, education or workforce development sectors.  

“Not only do we have some of the most dynamic technically-oriented companies from throughout northwest Florida confirmed to be with us again this year, but we also have several companies joining us from out-of-state,” said Nathan Sparks, One Okaloosa EDC Executive Director. “What a wonderful way to introduce them to the many opportunities and partnerships found in our area” 

In addition to the Technical Showcase, TeCMEN Industry Day attendees will once again be treated to an impressive line-up of speakers and panelists.  Col David Hoffman, Commander of the 96th Cyberspace Test Group at Eglin Air Force Base will serve as the luncheon Keynote Speaker.  

Additional topics to be spotlighted throughout the day include:

• A Conversation With Northwest Florida’s Autonomous Systems Leaders
• Producing More Talent for the Manufacturing Industry 
• Advanced Manufacturing and Industry 4.0
• Federal Contracting

The event’s closing panel – titled “Federal Contracting” – will be moderated by Jason Monroe, Director of Solution Consulting at Bit-Wizards, and comprised of current and former Federal contracting officers and professionals. This panel will delve into the status of locally managed contracting programs while also discussing best practices for private sector industry partners. 

• With annual procurement contracts valued in excess of $22 billion being attributed to local military installations, including Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field, Federal contracting translates to big dollars for the local, regional and state economy. 

Registration for the 2023 TeCMEN Industry Day closes on May 7.  

For more information or to register please visit www.tecmenindustryday.com.

COASTAL RESOURCES

Local beach cleanup draws hundreds of volunteers, 3,000 cigarette butts removed

On Saturday, April 29, 2023, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism and Saltwater Restaurants teamed up to host a community-wide Earth Day Cleanup event. 

• From 8-10am, hundreds of volunteers from local businesses, government agencies, communities, and families came together to clean up trash and debris from six popular beach locations.

With the goal of removing as much litter as possible from local beaches, the cleanup took place at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, The Crab Trap/James Lee Park, The Surf Hut, Norriego Point, Clement Taylor Park, and Henderson Beach State Park. People of all ages participated in the event, working together to preserve the beauty and health of our coastal ecosystem.

Marine debris is a serious issue for our local environment, posing threats to seabirds and coastal marine life. Last year, during the International Coastal Cleanup, volunteers collected 1,000 pounds of garbage and over 8,000 cigarette butts, according to county officials.

Jessica Valek, Coastal Resource Coordinator at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism, emphasized the importance of such events: 

• “The Earth Day Cleanup is a great way to bring the community together and do good for the environment. Removing trash and debris not only protects the environment but also the health of our communities and local wildlife. Although the Earth Day Cleanup is held only once a year, we should treat every day like Earth Day to ensure future generations have a clean and safe home.”

This year’s Earth Day Cleanup featured an exciting new addition: the Keep Florida Beautiful BeBot. This solar-powered beach cleaning robot sifts small pieces of debris from the surface layers of sand, making the cleanup process more efficient and effective. The BeBot was donated to Keep Florida Beautiful by Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation and was hosted for this event by the Keep Okaloosa Beautiful affiliate.

Around 300 participants gathered at The Boardwalk, with approximately 200 more volunteers spread across the other five locations. Final numbers on all items collected are still being tallied, but the results of the cigarette butt competition are in: 

• Volunteers removed 3,000 cigarette butts, a significant decrease compared to previous years.

SPORTS

12 athletes from Choctawhatchee High School sign with colleges across the country

On Friday, April 29, 2023, Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach celebrated the accomplishments of 12 graduating senior athletes. The school’s gym was filled with excitement as family, friends, and coaches gathered to witness the signing day ceremony.

The 12 athletes, who have shown incredible dedication and hard work in their respective sports, signed their letters of intent to play for various colleges across the country. Among the athletes was Hayley Boyle, who will be joining Barry University, and Alyssa Crawford, who will be attending Brewton-Parker College.

• Blake Garland will be taking his talents to Spring Hill College, while Terryon Harris will be playing for Coastal Alabama CC. Witt Kessler has committed to Huntingdon College, and Donovan Monsees will be joining Blake at Spring Hill College.

• Morgan Nowell will be playing for Coastal Alabama CC, and David Pettway has signed with Ellsworth CC. Ryan Smith will be heading to Warner University, while Eric Speed will be playing for Daytona State College. Rounding out the list, Johnnie Susko will be joining Bluffton University, and Kiel Webb will be playing for Ridgewater College.

These young athletes have put in tireless effort to achieve their goals, and their determination has been rewarded. The signing day ceremony showcased their hard work and commitment, as they now embark on the next chapter of their lives.

ART+CULTURE

Okaloosa students showcase their artistic talents in the 14th Annual OAA Poster Contest

The Okaloosa Arts Alliance recently held their 14th annual OAA Okaloosa County School Poster Contest where local students submitted artwork.

• This year’s theme was “What art means to me,” and a total of 105 entries were submitted by students from various schools, including Crestview High School, Rocky Bayou Christian School, Silver Sands School, Shalimar Elementary, Edge Elementary, Kenwood Elementary, Meigs Middle School, Plew Elementary, Liza Jackson Preparatory School, and Homeschool students.

Although not all entries could be crowned as winners, OAA has displayed all 105 entries at Enlightened Studios, located at 142 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548, until May 6, 2022. For those who can’t make it to the studio, a photo gallery of the contest entries is also available online.

Eglin Federal Credit Union generously donated gift cards for the winners of the contest. Each first-place winner received a $75 gift card, second-place winners received a $50 gift card, and third-place winners received a $25 gift card. The winning entries and honorable mentions are as follows:

Elementary (K5-4)

• First Place, Hannah Leitheiser, 4th Grade, Liza Jackson Preparatory School
• Second Place, Lisa Velazquez, 4th Grade, Kenwood Elementary School
• Third Place, Nora Wohlin, 4th Grade, Kenwood Elementary School

Middle (5-8)

• First Place, Genevieve Rocca, 8th Grade, Homeschool
• Second Place, Oly Stephens, 6th Grade, Rocky Bayou Christian School
• Third Place, Sunnee Hipp, 5th grade, Edge Elementary School

High (9-12)

• First Place, Breanna Enright, 10th Grade, Crestview High School
• Second Place, Johnmichael Irani, Silver Sands School
• Third Place, Chance Bollinger, 9th grade, Crestview High School

Congrats to all of the students who participated!

MILITARY

Forever Warriors launches ‘OperationTDY’ at Rocky Bayou Christian School to support military children

On Monday, May 1, 2023, Forever Warriors launched #OperationTDY at Rocky Bayou Christian School in Niceville, Florida. #OperationTDY is aimed at ensuring military children always feel welcomed and a part of the school’s community, no matter how far they travel in support of America’s military. 

• The initiative was unveiled with signage at Rocky Bayou Christian School at 2pm on Monday.

The unveiling of the #OperationTDY signage was a touching moment for everyone involved, as it featured an American Flag design that beautifully represented the branches of the military. 

The stripes on the flag represented each branch of the military. What made the signage even more special was the addition of stickers, which were added to each stripe by the students at Rocky Bayou Christian School. 

• Each sticker represented the branch of the military that the students’ families serve in, creating a unique and personalized touch that made the signage even more meaningful.

According to Tiffany Orner, Military Engagement Manager at Forever Warriors, the initiative has been on her mind for years. Being 3rd Generation Military, 2nd Generation Air Force, and soon-to-be Military Mamma, Orner knows firsthand the challenges faced by military families. 

“I’ve always wanted to highlight the sacrifices our babies make once we raise our right hand,” said Order. “These military children are so resilient and relocate every 2 – 3 years.”

Orner believes that #OperationTDY will help create a community of support for military children, ensuring that they feel a part of the Rocky Bayou Christian School community no matter where they move.

• “I want the Florida Panhandle to be their absolute favorite location in which they live,” she added. “Ensuring they have their own tribe, among other military children is the goal of #OperationTDY.”

Christy Rowney, Director of Marketing & Development at Rocky Bayou Christian School, believes that the initiative is essential for military families. As a military family herself, she is aware of the challenges that military families face. 

She explained that the signage may seem like a small gesture, but it is a powerful symbol of belonging and purpose that is essential to families that are always on the move. “This display means that these military kids will always be a part of the Rocky family no matter where they may move,” Rowney said.

Dr. Michael Mosely, Superintendent of Rocky Bayou Christian School, knows firsthand the challenges of being a military child. As a military dependent, he attended nine different schools in his 13 years of K-12 schools. 

• “I keenly felt the difficulty of moving often, leaving friends and family, and the burdens inherent for the family when your parent constantly deploys,” said Dr. Mosely. “I am honored to be able to minister to those students and help them navigate these and other challenges so that their parents can rest assured that their child’s school is doing everything possible to help them flourish.”

The partnership between Forever Warriors and Rocky Bayou Christian School is a step towards ensuring that military children have the support they need to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. 

Forever Warriors (powered by Step One Automotive Group) is a nonprofit organization that provides specialized resources to support the well-being of service members, veterans, and their families. Through initiatives like #OperationUpstream and #OperationTDY, Forever Warriors aims to create a tribe that provides tangible support in times of crisis and upholds the profound sense of pride that comes with serving our country.

• “As we all can attest to, having a group of close-knit friends that act as a family, that have experienced similar lifestyles including the struggles, obstacles, and opportunities strongly influences emotional stability aka mental health,” added Orner.