The COVID-19 Pandemic did not stop the Poinciana Area Council from awarding four Poinciana-area students with their annual PAC Scholarship Award. For over a decade, the PAC has hosted this event at Poinciana High School, where their board of directors and other attendees were always welcomed by the amazing PHS culinary students. A tasty lunch and great hospitality were always a welcome side-perk of this inspiring event. This year, with the pandemic making it impossible to gather together at PHS’ Eagle’s Kitchen, the presentation was held via Zoom on May 26.
Attendees and recipients heard words of encouragement from Chamber President/CEO John Newstreet, School Board Member Tim Weisheyer, and Valencia College Poinciana Campus Executive Dean Jennifer Robertson. Thanks to a generous donation from Riviera Spa Massage, PAC was able to award four $1000 scholarships. Recipients of the scholarship this year came from three different Osceola County schools, and each was introduced by a representative from their school. They then shared, in their own words, their academic and career goals, and how they hope to use their talents in the community of Poinciana.
Poinciana High School Principal Jeffrey Schwartz enthusiastically introduced Stephany Mania, who immigrated from Venezuela at age 13 and now looks forward to earning a degree to become a physician’s assistant and eventually a doctor. Next, Karen Gill, College and Career Counselor at Osceola County School of the Arts, introduced us to Jordon Green, and noted that Jordan worked very hard to choose the college that would be the best fit for her. Jordan is a drama major at OCSA and shared an essay about her love of the arts and making and difference both on and off the stage. Bruce Mulford, College and Career Counselor at Liberty High School, then welcomed Julie Bone. Julie shared her excitement about pursuing a career in the field of optometry, and her desire to use her talents to serve the Poinciana community. Finally, Mr. Mulford introduced a second scholarship recipient from Liberty, Tiffanie Crumbie. Tiffanie will attend Valencia in the fall and then move on to UCF to pursue a career as a biomedical engineer who designs and tests medical devices.
This very accomplished group of girls represent a fascinating sample of the interests and talents of students here in Osceola County. It was truly inspirational to learn about their very specific, and very diverse college and career goals, and about the volunteer, extra-curricular, and academic work they have pursued while in high school. It is very clear why they were chosen for this award, and we wish them the best as they each embark on the next phase of their lives.
Check out the video below to see some highlights from the 2020 PAC Scholarship Awards and to get to know these four amazing girls! Hopefully next year attendees at this inspirational scholarship event will once again be back at Poinciana High School for a fun luncheon. For now, we say “Congratulations!” to these four exceptional ladies and the class of 2020.
The Coronavirus pandemic put a bit of stall on the Downtown Kissimmee Area Council’s Downtown Beautification Awards, but this week they awarded Osceola Arts, the City of Kissimmee, and Experience Kissimmee for the three new murals that have been added Downtown. Marilyn Cortes-Lovato, Visual Arts Director at Osceola Arts, received the letter of recognition Monday morning, and the a-frame sign will be displayed at Osceola Arts through June and July.
The murals are part of the “The Time for Art is Now” project, which saw four murals crop up around Downtown Kissimmee last year. The hope is to expand the project into other parts of Osceola County next year. According to Cortes-Lovato, "'The Time for Art is Now’ murals program is about bringing the community together through the arts and inspiring conversation and positive dialog.” All of the murals were designed and painted by local artists.
If you haven’t been to Downtown Kissimmee to see the new murals yet, be sure to check them out. Start at Broadway Pizza, where The Florida Panther now decorates the side of the restaurant.
The Snowy Egret can be found above Lanier’s Antiques on Broadway.
The Koi Fish can be found on the side of Uniform Cottage facing the Toho Square Parking Garage.
The Bengal Tiger, the site of the Beautification Award presentation, appears at the corner of Darlington and Broadway.
The Downtown Beautification Award is warded to businesses and entities that work to make physical improvements to Downtown Kissimmee. These murals are a perfect example of that, and just what the community needs right now. As Cortes-Lovato put it, "Come down...it's free! Look around, buy local, dine out, and a enjoy a wonderful stroll through these eight murals!"
Osceola Redi, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is a coalition of governmental agencies, faith-based and non-profit organizations, businesses, and individuals dedicated to assisting victims of disasters, from hurricanes to the current COVID-19-related fallout, by pooling our community's collective resources. "Redi" stands for "Recovery from Emergency Disaster Initiative," and as such, the organization provides a comprehensive and integrated approach as Osceola County prepares for, responds to, and recovers from disasters that impact our community.
Side effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have seen many of our county's residents out of work and struggling to provide for their families. Osceola Redi is currently challenging our community to collectively raise $100,000 to support our local food pantries.
The DKAC Accepts Osceola Redi's Challenge
At their recent board meeting, our Downtown Kissimmee Area Council heard this challenge and made the decision to donate $1000 to the cause. They want to challenge other organizations in our community to donate within their means as well. Watch below as DKAC Chairman Brianne Stefek speaks about Osceola Redi and the DKAC specifically challenges the Hospitality and Tourism Council to follow in their footsteps.
https://youtu.be/ZMoXMtommOU
PAC Responds to the DKAC's Challenge
The Poinciana Area Council heard that the DKAC was encouraging other organizations to make donations to Osceola Redi. They eagerly accepted the challenge and have now donated $1000 as well! Go PAC! Watch below as they accept the challenge:
Parkways Business Council Joins the Challenge
Wait, it doesn't end there! Not wishing to be left out the Parkways Business Council has also joined the Osceola Redi challenge with a donation of $500! Who will be next?
You can donate to Osceola Redi at OsceolaRedi.org or FeedingOsceola.org. Help them reach their goal!
