Student achievements, donations and more: Good news in Ocala/Marion County | Sept. 4, 2022

Ocala Star-Banner
·2 min read

Area student excels in higher education

Dean’s List

Ashley Caceres, Ocala, Northern Vermont University

Ocalan is a Junior Teen pageant finalist

Serena Coulton of Ocala has competed as a Florida state finalist for the Junior Teen National American Miss Pageant, according to an email from her mother, Cristina Ballenger.

Celia Rose Jeffreys, left, presents the first place Heart of Service Award to Serena Coulton of Ocala, a Florida state finalist in the National American Miss Junior Teen pageant. Celia, also from Ocala, was the 2021 National American Miss Florida Junior Teen.
Celia Rose Jeffreys, left, presents the first place Heart of Service Award to Serena Coulton of Ocala, a Florida state finalist in the National American Miss Junior Teen pageant. Celia, also from Ocala, was the 2021 National American Miss Florida Junior Teen.

Serena won first place for Heart of Service and qualified to compete at the National All-American Miss pageant in Orlando in November.

Coming soon: Beagles rescued from substandard Virginia facility soon available for adoption in Ocala

'Right man for the job': Local veteran Jason White is part of Mr. & Ms. Military Pageant contest

'Summer' 2022 is over: Did Ocala/Marion break any heat or rainfall records? We have the stats.

Dunnellon Community Thrift Shop donates to Voices For Children

The Dunnellon Community Thrift Shop recently presented a $1,000 check to Voices for Children Director Sue Carpenter, Joann McCullough, donations/publicity officer for the thrift shop, said in a press release.

From left: Dunnellon Thrift Shop volunteers Jody Boyd and Barbara Maldanado present a $1,000 check to Sue Carpenter, the director of Voices for Children.
From left: Dunnellon Thrift Shop volunteers Jody Boyd and Barbara Maldanado present a $1,000 check to Sue Carpenter, the director of Voices for Children.

VOC is the fundraising branch of the Guardian Ad Litem Program of the 5th Judicial Circuit, which covers Marion, Citrus, Hernando, Sumter, and Lake counties.

The volunteer guardians act as advocates in court proceedings for children who are under court protection following removal from their homes, often due to allegations of neglect or abuse. Last year the guardians spoke up for more than 2,300 children, the release said.

First female Eagle Scout in Marion County

Brooke Griffey became the first female Eagle Scout in Marion County on Aug. 17, according to an email from Eddie Nelson, Eagle Representative for the Five River District of the Five Rivers District Training Committee.

Brooke Griffey became the first female Eagle Scout in Marion County on Aug. 17.
Brooke Griffey became the first female Eagle Scout in Marion County on Aug. 17.

An Eagle Board of Review confirmed that she had completed all the requirements and showed the leadership to become an Eagle Scout. Griffey completed this achievement with 31 merit badges within three years.

She is from Troop 9-692 of St. Paul's Methodist Church led by Scoutmaster Teresa Lanning and Assistant Scoutmaster Krystle Hance. Griffey will now plan her Court of Honor to receive the accolade.

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This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: List of good news in Ocala, Florida includes Eagle Scout announcement