Student achievements, donations and more: Good news in Ocala/Marion County | July 3, 2022

Ocala Star-Banner
·4 min read

Area students excel in higher education

University graduates

Brian Epstein, Ocala, Bachelor of Science degree, Mechanical Engineering, with Highest Honors, Georgia Institute of Technology

Diego Lavieri-Sosa, Ocala, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Arts, Mercer University

Meghan Morgan, Ocala, College of Pharmacy, Doctor of Pharmacy, Mercer University

Landon Smith, Summerfield, Bachelor of Science degree, Criminal Justice, Valdosta State University

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'It’s not compatible': Marion board doesn't want rental community near On Top of the World

Ocala/Marion housing crisis?: More inventory needed to quell rising home values, rent costs

President’s List

Carter Gibb, Ocala, College of Charleston, Spring semester

Dean’s List

Ja'Quces Mathis, Ocala, Alvernia University

Erriz Cacucciolo, Ocala, Hollins University

FFA programs capture state and national honors at annual convention

Several Marion County Public Schools’ Future Farmers of America programs recently competed in individual, team and overall program events at the 94th Florida FFA Convention and Expo, according to a press release from Marion County Public Schools. More than 100 FFA students from 14 local schools attended the week-long event in Orlando.

The following students captured first place awards in their respective competitions for the state, thus qualifying them for the national competition:

  • First Place, Division Six Agriscience Fair Contest, Social Science: Amanda Padgett and Ben Chase Ritten, North Marion High School

  • First Place, Extemporaneous Public Speaking Leadership Development Event, Ashlynne Neal, Vanguard High School

2022 Lake Weir High School graduate Tyler Laib was elected as the Area 3 Florida State vice president. FFA state officers are new high school graduates; they hold their elected position for one year.

North Marion High School received the National Chapter Award, which is the gold standard for FFA programs. The award recognizes FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization, the release said.

FAMU Rattlers to hold annual Round-Up

The Florida A&M University National Alumni Association, Marion County chapter, will hold its annual Rattlers Round-Up on July 9, according to a press release from the chapter. This event is for all Rattlers: Those who attended, graduated, those who just love FAMU, students home for the summer and those headed to the

university.

The Round-Up is spearheaded by the membership committee of the association to serve as the annual membership drive, the release said.

The Round-Up will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., in the cafetorium of the Howard Academy Community Center. There will be music, entertainment, games and refreshments

For further information contact Loretta Pompey Jenkins at 352-351-0824

or lorettajenk@aol.com.

HOSA students compete in International Leadership Conference

The West Port High School Health Occupation Students of America team recently competed at the International Leadership Conference, according to an email from Cecily Gleason, HOSA adviser/teacher at West Port. The conference was held in Nashville from June 22-25, with contestants from around the world.

“Our students competed in six competitions and did very well,” Gleason

said in the email.

  • Public Service Announcement: First Place, Kayla Anthony, Tyler Pinkowski, Luis Castenada

  • HOSA Bowl: First Place, Mauricio Gonzalez, Avneesh Saravanapan, Vivek Sandrapaty, Sujay Jullo

  • Community Awareness: Third Place, Angela Trinh, Anjali Murali

  • Health Career Photography: Third Place, Eesha Reddy

  • Health Education: Raziya Harroon, Mohammed Zaqzouq, Kaitlin Koviack

  • Prepared speaking: Eryka Salta

Stuffing the bus

Members of the Marion County Veterans Council and the Kingdom of the Sun Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, organizers and sponsors of the Stuff the Bus program, joined volunteers from the On Top of the World Veterans Club and On Top of the World Lions Club on June 25 to fill backpacks with school supplies for children in need for the 2022/23 school year.

Retired U.S. Army Col. Craig Ham and his grandson Brady Collins, 11, wrap up a volunteer session for the Stuff the Bus program in southwest Ocala on June 25.
Retired U.S. Army Col. Craig Ham and his grandson Brady Collins, 11, wrap up a volunteer session for the Stuff the Bus program in southwest Ocala on June 25.

About 12 volunteers filled 634 backpacks with school supplies, from pencils to rulers, for distribution to counselors at all Marion County public and charter elementary and middle schools. The counselors will in turn present the filled backpacks to students in need.

Ham said last year 1,071 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed beginning July 2021. Plans are to fill at least an equal amount  in the 2022 program, Ham indicated.

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This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Good news in Ocala, Florida includes student achievements and donations