Do you know a young professional that has shined during these trying times?
The Young Professiols of Osceola County want to give you the opportunity to nominate an individual for their Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Award! This Award recognizes individuals under 40 that live or work in Osceola County who go above and beyond in their acts of service, both professionally and for the community.
The Young Professionals launched the Tomorrow's Leaders Today Awards in 2018. That year, eight remarkable under-40s were honored. In 2019, ten honorees were chosen. Over the next few weeks, the Young Professionals will be highlighting previous winners of this award on their Facebook page. Be sure you are following them on Facebook to meet these past winners and to stay up-to-date as this year's awards progress.
In past years, award recipients were honored at a cocktail reception in a room full of their relatives and coworkers. With an in-person event not possible this year, winners will be recognized at an online event on a TBD date.
In May the Chamber was excited to announce that the Downtown Kissimmee Area Council had donated $1000 to Osceola REDI and then encouraged the other area councils to make their own contributions. To get up to date, and learn about Osceola REDI's current goal, read our blog on the first round of area council donations.
We are now excited to share that, throughout the month of June, our area councils continued to make financial commitments to support Osceola REDI as they aim to raise $100,000 for our local food banks.
Celebration Area Council Will Not Be Left Out
Shortly after our first blog ran, the Celebration Area Council held their monthly board meeting and made the committment to donate $500. A generous board member offered to match the funds and the CAC was ultimately able to make a $1000 donation.
The Young Professionals of Osceola County Are All-In
The Young Professionals of Osceola County did not want to be left out of the challenge and also made a $500 commitment. Two of their board members then stepped in with additional contributions, bringing the YPs' total donation to $650.
Osceola Resort Area Council Commits to Out-Donating the DKAC
As part of their initial challenge, the Downtown Kissimmee Area Council specifically called out ORAC in hopes that they would jump on the challenge. They weren't wrong. With the tourism industry and its employees most-adversely affected by COVID-related job loss, ORAC was determined to take part in the Osceola REDI challenge. They were also determined to top DKAC's donation of $1000 after being called out directly by the other council. Their board has decided to fundraise throughout the month of June, and match up to $1000 with their own funds. So far, they have amassed $2100 including the $1000 from the council.
The Four Corners Area Council and Small Business Council Make Contributions
Even amid their own significant financial commitments, the Four Corners Area Council and Small Business Council managed to make contributions of $100 each. The Four Corners Area Council has significant fundraising goals of their own in support of their Four Corners, One Vision project, and the SBC understandably focuses its attentions largely on Small Business aid and education. However, understanding the importance of feeding our community at this difficult time when many are out of work, they chose to support to the extent that they could. Thanks guys!
You or your business or organization can join the challenge as well and donate to Osceola Redi at OsceolaRedi.org or FeedingOsceola.org. Help them reach their goal of $100,000 by the end of the summer!
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.
