is a EustisHighSchool

McKenzie O’Hara is a Eustis High School graduate who took classes at Lake-Sumter State College during her sophomore year. In December, she will graduate from Southeastern University in Lakeland with a degree in marketing. She feels that being a high school volleyball player played an instrumental role in her academic success.

“My coaches were adamant that school came first and that participating in the sport was a privilege. I felt that way too. I always felt like practice was a way to release stress and tension. I feel having sports in my life was a blessing. There are so many opportunities to get into trouble, but I didn’t have those opportunities because I had to go to practice or travel to a tournament. It was awesome!”

B.E. Thompson is a lifelong Eustis resident and currently serves as director of development for LifeStream Behavioral Center. He says participating in local activities is beneficial for both physical well-being and mental development.

“I was involved in YMCA sports, but I think there’s also value in taking part in community activities like Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs and even the town’s festivals and celebrations at an early age,” he said.

“It helps kids become well-rounded adults who have a strong sense of belonging to the community, and that keeps them coming back home after college instead of moving away.”

Tips For Parents

Kids emulate parents; you exercise, they exercise.

• Plan fun family activities that encourage moving, such as hiking, swimming or tennis.

• Make the family room the exercise room with videos that encourage movement.

• If you enjoy binge watching shows as a family, plan outdoor games between shows.

• Support and encour age your students’ extracurricular activities at school. Celebrate small victories with as much enthusiasm as bigger victories.

• Teach children to win with sportsmanship and accept loss as part of the game.

• Use this time to help your child develop essential life skills like problem solving, conflict resolution, a desire to do his or her personal best and the tolerance to help and encourage all team members.

Received his Osteopathic Degree from the College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, Michigan.

He completed his residency at Mount Clemens General Hospital in Mount Clemens, Michigan.

In August of 1996 he began a partnership with Mid Michigan Surgical Associates in Big Rapids, Michigan. In August of 2002 after relocating to Florida with his wife Ann and their 3 children Clayton, Cara and Conner he began his practice of South Lake Surgical. Then in January 2002 merged with the practice of Jorge L. Florin M.D. together they formed Mid-Florida Surgical Associates. The group consists of five general surgeons all board certified now serving the communities of Lake, Sumter and West Orange Counties. Their offices are located in Clermont and Ocoee.

He serves as an active staff member of South Lake Hospital and Health Central Hospital. Dr. Johnson is also active in the community. He has served as chief of staff at South Lake Hospital

Clermont

for the past several years and previously served as chief of surgery. He is a member of The Florida Medical Association, The American Osteopathic Association, Lake Sumter Medical Society, the American Society of Breast Surgeons, American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, Americas Hernia Society and the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association.

Dr. Johnson was the first surgeon to perform a robotic procedure in South Lake County. He remains a strong supporter of minimally invasive procedures and stays abreast on the latest techniques. He serves as a proctor for the robotic procedures which is the most current technology available in general surgery today.

Dr. Johnson’s surgical interest are in minimally invasive robotic procedures and robotic single site surgery. His interest include colorectal, bowel, biliary and hernia surgeries. He also provides care for patients with breast and endocrine diseases.

In 2014, there were 12 million families in the U.S. headed by a single parent. Of those families, 83 percent were led by single mothers.

Source: singlemotherguide.com/single-mother-statistics/