Student achievements, donations and more: Good news in Ocala/Marion County for June 5, 2022

Ocala Star-Banner
·5 min read

Area students excel in higher education

University graduates

Ashley Smith, Ocala, Bachelor of Science degree, Equine Studies: Industry and Management, University of New Hampshire

Jennifer Lynn Chapin, Ocala, Bachelor of Science degree, Medical Laboratory Science, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Jamauri Bennett, Ocala, Eastern New Mexico University

Brandon Smith, Silver Springs, Eastern New Mexico University

President’s List

Hiten Patel, Ocala, Tallahassee Community College

Brittany Jorif, Ocala, Tallahassee Community College

First Santiago As2 Santiago, Ocala, Tallahassee Community College

Josue Mato, Ocala, Tallahassee Community College

Dean’s List

Emalee Edmisten, Ocala, Tallahassee Community College

Emily Stodghill, Ocala, Tallahassee Community College

Dawson Villella, Ocala, Tallahassee Community College

Ashley Carbajal, Citra, Tallahassee Community College

Caleb Waller, Ocala, Tallahassee Community College

Nicole Maybaum, Ocala, Tallahassee Community College

Kayla Jackson, Silver Springs, Tallahassee Community College

Shyenne Jacobs, Ocala, Tallahassee Community College

Kali Tucker, Ocala, Tallahassee Community College

Easton William Wheatley, Ocala, Southern Arkansas University

Leah Wilcox, Ocala, Georgia State University

David Sheilley, Ocala, Union University

Katherine Ross, Ocala, University of Notre Dame

Honor Roll

Anissa Nau, Ocala, University of Mississippi

School Board honors student essayists

The Marion County School Board honored student essayists during its May 24 meeting, according to an email from Delphine Herbert. The essayists from Marion County middle and high schools participated in the fourth annual essay contest sponsored by The

Bridges Project of Ocala-Marion County. The theme was bullying in local schools.

High school honorees:

First place: Karlee Sexton, grade 9, a student of John Gibbs at Lake Weir High School

Second place: Yahir Reyes, grade 9, a student of John Gibbs at Lake Weir High School

Third place: Catherine Bare, grade 9, a student of John Gibbs at Lake Weir High School

Honorable mentions: Savannah Delgado, grade 9; Jaylyn Wesley, grade 9; and Kite Little, grade 10; all students of John Gibbs at Lake Weir High School

Middle school honorees:

First place: Kaeleigh Golightly, grade 7, a student of Kimberly Harac and James Heruth at Liberty Middle School

Second place: Kaleb Lopez, grade 6, a student of Pamela Earnest at Howard Middle School

Third place: Alexander Hernandez, grade 6, a student of Pamela Earnest at Howard Middle School

Honorable mentions: Armeen Shirazi, grade 8; Robert Way, grade 7; and Sherry Zhu, grade 7; all students of Pamela Earnest at Howard Middle School

Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band announces scholarship recipient

The Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band recently announced Michael Jagiello as the recipient of the third annual, and newly renamed, Les and Marcia Muncaster Scholarship, according to a press release from Libby Morgan, treasurer of the Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band.

Michael Jagiello is this year’s Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band scholarship recipient.
Michael Jagiello is this year’s Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band scholarship recipient.

Michael is a 17-year-old senior at Forest High School. He began playing trumpet in 6th grade at Howard Middle School, and he joined the Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band when he was in 8th grade. He recently celebrated his fifth year as a member of the band.

Michael also is principal trumpet player in the Alachua County Youth Orchestra and has been with the ensemble for three years. He has played in numerous honor bands, including the Marion All-County Band, District 19 All-District Band and Jazz Band, the Florida All-State Band, and the NAFME All-National Band. Michael also performs at Solo and Ensemble each year, and each year has received a Superior at District, as well as a Superior with Distinction at State level three times.

He plans to attend the University of Florida in the fall and pursue a double major in music and computer science.

Dunnellon Community Thrift Shop donates $2,000 to Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches

Dunnellon Community Thrift Shop volunteers Valerie Schaem and Leslie Roy recently presented a $2,000 check to Dennis Kellenberger, donation relations officer for the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, Inc., according to a press release from Joann McCullough, publicity officer for the thrift shop.

Dunnellon Community Thrift Shop volunteers Valerie Schaem and Leslie Roy (left to right) are pictured presenting a $2,000 check to Dennis Kellenberger, donation relations officer for the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, Inc.
Dunnellon Community Thrift Shop volunteers Valerie Schaem and Leslie Roy (left to right) are pictured presenting a $2,000 check to Dennis Kellenberger, donation relations officer for the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, Inc.

The ranch runs several summer camps in Florida. The $2,000 will pay for eight children from the greater Dunnellon area to spend a full week’s session at Camp Caruth in Inglis, the release said.

GFWC Woman's Club of Ocala honors and donates to local charities

The GFWC Woman's Club of Ocala held a luncheon to celebrate mothers and to honor several organizations in the community, Debby Ivey said in an email.

The club gave Project Hope of Ocala a donation check for $1,500, and gave it handmade gift bags with journals and pens for their 22 mothers. One of the mothers gave her testimony at the luncheon. The club also took the teen mothers to Hands of Mercy Everywhere in Belleview.

The GFWC Woman's Club of Ocala honored and donated to local charities recently at a luncheon.
The GFWC Woman's Club of Ocala honored and donated to local charities recently at a luncheon.

Donna Quinn received a check for $300 from the club for the Police Advocacy group for Domestic Violence.

The club collected spiral notebooks and pens to give to Don Scott from Lost and Found Recovery for its clients.

Dunnellon High School's JROTC Color Guard performs at graduation

Dunnellon High School's JROTC Color Guard members played an essential role in presenting the nation's colors during the school's graduation ceremony, which was held at the World Equestrian Center on May 27, Cadet Grant Brown said in an email.

The precision and skill required to perform in the Color Guard unit take hours of practice every week, Brown said in the email.

Dunnellon High School's JROTC Color Guard members present the nation's colors at the Dunnellon High School graduation.
Dunnellon High School's JROTC Color Guard members present the nation's colors at the Dunnellon High School graduation.

“The Color Guard unit serves as a stark reminder of military members' sacrifices to keep our country safe,” Brown said. “Dunnellon High School's Color Guard did an incredible job this year serving with honor. From Cadet Yashi Hernandez's memorial services to DHS Graduation and Award Ceremonies, sporting events, parades, and

presentations in the community, the team has served with honor and represented DHS in front of over 20,000 people."

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This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Good news list in Marion County, Florida includes donations, graduations