SCHOOL

Three Collegiate High School students selected as National Merit Semifinalists

Last month, the National Merit Corporation (NMSC) announced the names of over 16,000 high school students who have been selected as semifinalists in the 68th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Among those chosen were NWFSC Collegiate High School students:

• Aiden Black
• Alana Davis
• Serapia Silva

The NMSC is a non-profit organization that honors the nation’s scholastic champions and encourages the pursuit of academic excellence. With the support of 340 businesses, colleges, and universities, NMSC is granting nearly $28 million in scholarships to students wishing to pursue higher education opportunities. 

The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. As semifinalists, students will remain in the running to receive some of the 7,250 National Merit Scholarships that will be awarded next spring.

Merit Scholars are selected based on their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. To be considered as a finalist, the students must maintain an outstanding academic record and earn a superlative SAT or ACT score.

• Approximately 95% of the semifinalists are expected to advance to the finalist level, and 50% will win a National Merit Scholarship and the title of Merit Scholar.

“We are extremely proud of Aiden, Alana, and Serapia for this prestigious achievement, as it is a great indicator of their academic excellence and dedication to their studies. Regardless of the outcome, we are confident that our students will continue to succeed in their academic endeavors and achieve great things as they pursue their career goals,” said Northwest Florida State College President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “The Collegiate High School at NWFSC will continue to shape all of the bright individuals that walk its halls as it provides them with free tuition and books, specialized fields of study, transferrable college credits, and innovative programs that prepare them for a successful career after high school.”

GIVING BACK

Be the Magic Foundation Partners with Boy Scouts of America Gulf Coast Council

On Friday, October 7, 2022, Bit-Wizards’ Be the Magic Foundation announced its newest partnership endeavor at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber First Friday Coffee.

The Boy Scouts of America Gulf Coast Council serves the youth in four districts (Choctawhatchee, Lake Sands, Long Leaf Pine, and Pensacola Bay) that span 11 counties in Florida (Bay, Washington, Holmes, Gulf, Walton, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Escambia) and Alabama (Conecuh, Escambia, Monroe).

• The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to provide character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared For Life.” 

“In short, Scouting instills values and builds character: scouting changes and shapes lives,” said Vince Mayfield, CEO at Bit-Wizards. “Bit-Wizards and Be the Magic Foundation partnered with the Gulf Coast Council of the Scouts to invest in our children of Northwest Florida. I challenge every business owner on the Gulf Coast to make a similar investment, no matter how large or small. I promise you that your generous investment will pay dividends.”

During Friday’s presentation, the Gulf Coast Council received $55,000 total in monetary and skill-based funding. Through skill-based funding, Bit-Wizards will provide in-kind marketing and software development services to the Gulf Coast Council and provide Merit Badge Courses for their troops in STEM and Business Education.  

“The Gulf Coast Council is thrilled to be a new partner with Bit-Wizards and Be the Magic Foundation,” said Greg Voyzey, Scout Executive & Chief Executive Officer. “This partnership benefits thousands of youth in Northwest Florida and Southern Alabama by allowing Scouting to provide necessary resources for our volunteers for quality program delivery.”

• Voyzey says that partnerships like these are critical for local Scouting to continue to provide leadership development, character development, personal fitness, and citizenship training for our youth.

During his presentation on Friday morning, Mayfield said there are over 135 merit badges that teach skills from Aviation to Plumbing to Electronics. His 13-year-old daughter, who aspires to be an Eagle Scout like her dad, earned her Welding Merit Badge, which includes a basic understanding and hands-on experience doing MIG and TIG Welding.

“No matter where my daughter goes in life, she will have that experience and perspective,” he added. “The skills and character learned in progressing through the Scouting program and opportunities for leadership and community service benefit our children and positively impact and shape their lives.”

• “As an Eagle Scout myself, I learned leadership, work ethic, self-reliance, the duty to others, duty to family, duty to country, and reverence to God. The youth of today are our future community leaders. They are our future artisans. Their contributions will affect and inspire the future generations of our county and world.”

TRAFFIC

Okaloosa and Walton County Traffic Advisory

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Okaloosa and Walton counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Okaloosa County:

• State Road (S.R.) 20 (John Sims Parkway) Resurfacing Project – Drivers will encounter intermittent east and westbound lane closures from Edge Avenue to west of the Rocky Bayou Bridge Sunday, Oct. 9 through Thursday, Oct. 13, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for median widening and sidewalk construction activities.

• S.R. 85 (Ferdon Boulevard) Routine Utility Maintenance Between Goodwin Avenue and P.J. Adams Parkway in Crestview – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Oct 9 through Thursday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine utility maintenance.

• S.R. 85 Improvements from S.R. 123 to Hospital Drive- Drivers will encounter intermittent outside southbound lane closures on S.R. 85, between Goodwin Avenue and P.J. Adams Parkway, Sunday, Oct. 9 through Thursday, Oct. 13 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., for utility relocation work.

• S.R. 85 Improvements from U.S. 90 to Commerce Drive – Drivers will encounter the following nighttime intermittent lane closures on S.R. 85 (Ferdon Boulevard) Sunday, Oct. 9 through Thursday, Oct. 13 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., as crews reconstruct portions of existing sidewalk, sidewalk ramps, curb, and gutter.
  • S.R. 85 southbound outside travel lane, from U.S. 90 to 8th Avenue.
  • S.R. 85 northbound outside travel lane, from U.S. 90 to Prospect Road.

• Brooks Bridge Replacement Project – Drivers may experience the following traffic impacts Sunday, Oct. 9 through Saturday, Oct. 15, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform geotechnical investigations and utility work. 
  • U.S. 98 east and westbound alternating and intermittent lane closures between Perry Avenue and Pier Road.  
  • Santa Rosa Boulevard east and westbound alternating lane closures from east of Amberjack Drive to Ross Marler Park.  
  • Intermittent shoulder closures on Brooks Street, between Perry Avenue and Florida Blanca Place, and on Business Access Road.

Walton County:

• U.S. 98 Widening from Emerald Bay Drive to Tang-O-Mar Drive – This week, drivers will encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound, between 8:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. These closures are required to place thermoplastic striping and complete work list items. One travel lane in each direction will remain open at all times.

• U.S. 98 Widening from Mack Bayou Road to County Road 30A – This week, drivers may encounter intermittent eastbound outside lane closures from 7:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.  These closures are required while crews perform grading activities.

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing Project from Village Road to East of U.S. 331– Drivers may encounter intermittent closures of the U.S. 98 east and westbound outside shoulders to allow crews to widen existing turn lanes between Village Road and U.S. 331.  Additionally, shoulder closures will continue as crews construct the new U.S. 98 westbound turn lane at Don Bishop Road. The speed limit has been reduced to 35 mph in the area. The turn lane construction is expected to continue through Fall 2022.

• U.S. 331 Routine Maintenance South of Interstate 10 – Drivers may encounter intermittent closures Tuesday, Oct 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for striping operations.

All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

GIVING BACK

Eglin Federal Credit Union donates $6,000 to adopt all 17 classrooms at Silver Sands School

Also during the FWB Chamber’s First Friday Coffee was another check presentation from Eglin Federal Credit Union to Silver Sands School in the amount of $6,000.

• EFCU is adopting all 17 classrooms at Silver Sands School for the academic year through the EFCU CARES program.

“Our faculty at Silver Sands School are so appreciative of the support from EFCU,” said Silver Sands Principal Stephanie Wheat said. “This funding will go directly into the individual classrooms and will provide each teacher with the resources that they need to support the specialized student learning that is provided daily. We are honored that EFCU chose to partner with our school in this way to support our students with special needs.”  

Silver Sands School in Fort Walton Beach serves a unique population of students with significant special needs. It is a Special Day School which provides educational services to students who, because of their mental functioning levels, require services beyond those offered by other special educational programs in regular schools.

• Silver Sands School serves approximately 130 students with disabilities ranging in age from 3 to 22 from Okaloosa and Walton counties.

“Eglin Federal Credit Union is very proud to sponsor all 17 classrooms at Silver Sands School this academic year,” said President/CEO Jerry Williams. “Silver Sands can use these monies to go toward medical supplies and equipment, technological speech devices, educational software programs and every day classroom needs.”

Williams said they recently took a tour of the facility and was impressed by the thoughtfulness and detail that went into creating such a special learning environment.

• “Eglin Federal Credit Union is grateful for all that Silver Sands does to educate those children with special needs in our community, and we couldn’t be happier to help support their efforts,” he added.

FISHING

349.6-pound Warsaw grouper caught during Destin Fishing Rodeo

On Sunday, October 9, 2022, Charter Boat Special K landed a 349.6-pound Warsaw grouper during the Destin Fishing Rodeo.

• According to Capt. Kyle Lowe, while it was one angler who fought the fish, it took 5 people to get it into the boat. It is also a new record for the boat.

Congrats to Captain Kyle Lowe and the crew on Charter Boat Special K. The Destin Fishing Rodeo runs all month long, with scales open from 10am-7pm at AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar on the Destin Harbor.