SCHOOL

Northwest Florida State College selects Dr. Cristie Kedroski as interim president

Dr. Cristie Kedroski has been unanimously selected by the Board of Trustees to serve as the interim president of Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) effective July 6, 2024.

• The decision reflects the board’s confidence in Dr. Kedroski’s ability to lead the institution with integrity and vision.

With over 20 years of experience in community, economic, and higher education, Dr. Kedroski has a proven track record of success in academic administration, student services, grant management, and community outreach, according to the college.

She has been instrumental in developing innovative academic programs, enhancing student retention and graduation rates, and overseeing enrollment management strategies that have led to seven consecutive semesters of increased enrollment at NWFSC.

“I am honored to be selected as the Interim President of Northwest Florida State College,” Dr. Kedroski stated. “I look forward to working closely with our dedicated faculty, staff, and community partners to continue our mission of providing exceptional educational opportunities and fostering a supportive and innovative learning environment for all students.”

As interim president, Dr. Kedroski will focus on maintaining the high quality of educational and student support services provided by the college while stewarding its strategic initiatives.

• Lori Kelley, Chair of the Board of Trustees, extended her congratulations to Dr. Kedroski, stating, “Dr. Kedroski’s experience and dedication to this institution make her the ideal candidate to guide the College during this transitional period. The Board had thorough deliberations, ensuring we chose an Interim President who embodies the College’s values.”

Dr. Devin Stephenson, the current president of NWFSC and president-elect of Florida Polytechnic University, also congratulated Dr. Kedroski on her selection, noting her unwavering commitment to the mission and vision of the college and her strong leadership skills.

“My congratulations to Dr. Cristie Kedroski on her selection as Interim President of Northwest Florida State College,” remarked Dr. Devin Stephenson. “I look forward to observing the continued innovation and advancement of the institution under Dr. Kedroski’s leadership.”

PARKS+REC

Okaloosa County to honor four more women veterans with bronze statues at Veterans Park

On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the addition of four new bronze statues and plaques to Veterans Park on Okaloosa Island.

• The statues, which will cost $372,255, will be created by Jon Hair Monumental Sculpture, LLC, the same artist who created the park’s first eight statues.
• The funding for the statues and plaques is budgeted in the Tourist Development Council (TDC) as part of the approved larger budget for Phase II of the park.

In September 2023, the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve Phase II of the Veterans Park project, allocating $1.65 million to further develop the site.

• The project includes the addition of these four new statues, expanding the trail system, and honoring more women who served in the U.S. armed forces. Phase II builds upon the existing memorial wall, flags, statues, and walking trail that opened in November 2021 as part of Phase I.

The approval comes after the county’s 2nd Annual Women Veterans Day ceremony on June 12, 2024, at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center. The event celebrated and recognized the service of women who have served in the U.S. military, featuring keynote speaker Col. Allison Black, USAF Ret., and a special presentation to Lt. Gen. Gordon Fornell.

Veterans Park, which was unveiled in 2021, features life-sized bronze statues of women who served in combat during various U.S. military conflicts. The statues are placed along a quarter-mile path, surrounded by native wildlife, including a nearby great blue heron rookery.

The four new honorees, as proposed by the Women’s Veteran Monument Advisory Committee, represent conflicts and branches of the military that had not been previously recognized in the park. They include:

1. Iroquois Woman Warrior from the War of 1812
2. Linda Bray, who served in Panama during Operation Just Cause
3. Florence Ebersole Smith Finch, who served in the Coast Guard during World War II
4. Nicole Gee, a Marine who served during the evacuation of Afghanistan

The Iroquois Woman Warrior represents Native American women who served as cooks and in combat during the War of 1812. Records indicate that at least five Native women, including Polly Cooper, Susan Jacob, Dinah John, Julia John, and Dolly Schenandoah, received military pensions for officially serving as “cooks” in regiments of Indian volunteers.

Linda Bray, a Captain in the U.S. Army, led her company during a firefight in Panama in 1989 and was recently awarded the Bronze Star with V Device for her actions. At the time, it was illegal for women to engage in combat, but Bray took action when the situation deteriorated.

Florence Ebersole Smith Finch, who was half Filipino, worked with the Philippine underground to smuggle supplies to POWs during World War II. After being imprisoned and tortured by the Japanese, she joined the Coast Guard in 1945 and was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon and the Medal of Freedom.

Nicole Gee, a Sergeant in the Marines, assisted with the evacuation of Kabul in 2021 and was known for her caring and compassionate nature towards Afghan women and children. She was killed by a suicide bomber along with 17 other U.S. service members on August 27, 2021.

• The addition of these four statues is part of Phase II of the Veterans Park project, which also includes a new paved trail section, lighting, cameras, design, permitting, and fees. The statues are expected to be ready for Women’s Veterans Day in 2025.

During the meeting, Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel expressed her gratitude and hopes for the future of the park, stating, “We do hope to have an additional four statutes after this. That would be 16 statues. That would pretty well cover the 21.5 acres that we have there, which would preserve the land and continue the beauty of this area.”

The Women’s Veteran Memorial Advisory Committee has put in countless hours to narrow down the list of honorees, ensuring that the statues represent a diverse range of conflicts and military branches.

• The selection of the honorees is a key task on the critical timeline in the production of the statues, and the county is working to keep the project on track for completion by Women Veterans Day in 2025.

A MESSAGE FROM COX COMMUNICATIONS

Cox Mobile survey reveals alarming link between kids’ location sharing and stranger danger

Cox Mobile, Cox Communications’ mobile phone service, recently announced the results from their first survey, Generation Screen: Parenting and Mobile Safety. The survey uncovered an alarming correlation between location sharing and “strangers” communicating with kids and teens through their mobile devices. 

• 56% of parents said their children’s location sharing is turned on, making their location publicly accessible across several mobile apps.  
• 31% said their children have been contacted by a stranger on their mobile device. 
• Nearly one-third (28%) said the stranger referenced their child’s location.  

“Parenting today’s tech-savvy kids can be challenging. Many get their first phone between the ages of 10 and 14, much earlier than other generations,” said Cam Johnson, manager of public affairs for Cox. “While providing kids with greater access to technology enables many positive connections and benefits, the reality is that real dangers can exist just one tap or swipe away. As the Emerald Coast’s trusted connectivity provider, we’re encouraging digital literacy, educating families on the potential risks, and promoting safer, informed use of these incredibly powerful connectivity tools.”

Some Good News: A large majority of parents surveyed said they prioritize their children’s phone safety and have frequent conversations about risk prevention. 

• 65% of parents discuss mobile device safety with their children several times a week. 
• 75% check screen time and text messages daily to a few times a week, along with phone calls their children received (73%). 
• 73% of parents are friends with their children on social media, and 64% interact with them through those channels. 

Other Key Findings: 

• More than half of parents believe the use of social media apps elevates safety risk for kids, yet 60% say their child has them on their phone. 
• Cyberbullying is among the top three things keeping parents up at night.  
• Parents are most concerned about their children encountering predatory or inappropriate behavior (39%) and content (23%) on their phones.  

For more data points from Generation Screen: Parenting and Mobile Safety, a Cox Mobile Survey, and tips and resources for parents, visit www.coxmobilesafety.com

Want to know more about Cox Mobile? Visit the Cox retail store in Crestview or Fort Walton Beach to find out how much you can save on your internet and mobile phone bill, or visit Cox Mobile online for more information on devices and plans.

NEWS

NWFSC dedicates Congressman Robert L. F. Sikes Museum at Crestview campus

Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) dedicated the Congressman Robert L. F. Sikes Museum on its Crestview campus Monday, honoring the late representative’s legacy.

• The ceremony, attended by distinguished guests and community leaders, highlighted the museum’s displays chronicling Sikes’ significant contributions to the local community and the nation.

“Monday, we celebrated the profound impact of Congressman Sikes, a visionary whose work has been instrumental in shaping Northwest Florida,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson, President of NWFSC. “The museum not only serves as a repository of his remarkable career but also as an educational resource that will inspire future generations.”

The museum, located at NWFSC’s Crestview campus, features interactive exhibits, personal memorabilia of the congressman, and a detailed account of his advocacy for military and educational advancements in the region.

• Open to the public, the museum aims to foster a deeper understanding of regional history and the pivotal figures who have shaped it.

For more information on the Congressman Robert L. F. Sikes Museum, please contact J. Wren Supak, Director and Curator for the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries, at supakj@nwfsc.edu.

BUSINESS

First McDonald’s in Santa Rosa Beach brings 60+ jobs to South Walton

Costa Family McDonald’s celebrated the grand opening of their first restaurant in Santa Rosa Beach on Thursday, June 13, 2024.

• The new 4,000-square-foot location, situated at 2010 US Highway 98 adjacent to Publix, marks a significant milestone for the company and the community.

The restaurant boasts a spacious parking area, drive-thru, and ample dine-in space. Notably, this location introduces kiosks that allow customers to pay cash for their orders, a first for the market. The opening has also created over 60 new jobs in the area.

“For years we have been looking for the right locations in Santa Rosa Beach and we are so excited to finally be able to bring a McDonald’s to South Walton,” said David Costa, Jr., owner and operator of Costa Family McDonald’s.

The grand opening began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m., attended by the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce. The Costa Family presented $500 checks to South Walton High School, South Walton Fire District, and Walton County Sheriff’s Office, with David Costa personally doubling each donation to $1,000.

• As the restaurant officially opened to the public at 10 a.m., the first 50 customers were rewarded with free Big Macs or Happy Meals for a year, redeemable only at Costa Family McDonald’s locations.

“Opening the restaurant with 61 employees has been a true dream to watch our new team come together as we welcome residents and guests alike into our new restaurant,” Costa shared.

This opening marks the first of two planned Santa Rosa Beach locations for Costa in 2024, with the second set to open across from the Walmart in west Santa Rosa Beach. The company aims to give back to the local community, schools, and charities surrounding each restaurant in Walton County.

• Local artist Lindsay Tobias is currently working on a 14′ x 8′ mural that captures the nostalgia and family bond associated with McDonald’s.