LOCAL NEWS

SUNSHINE STATE SCHOLARS

Polk County Public Schools is proud to announce the Sunshine State Scholars for 2022. Congratulations to James Barrios from Bartow IB, Tavian Douge from Lake Gibson High and Harry Milam from Bartow High. Every year, Florida’s school districts select their top high school juniors in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for the Sunshine State Scholars program.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Winter Haven has a rich history of local black heroes who have made a marked impact in the local community. In 2021, a committee was formed to identify and honor local black heroes. This year’s local heroes each blazed new trails while demonstrating passion, dedication, and empathy or compassion for the community and includes: Lemuel Geathers, Larry D. Hardaway, Ulysses Johnson, and Ann Darby.

SCHOLARSHIPS TROPICAL DILEMMA

Residents still have time to apply for one of four $1,200 scholarships to be awarded by the Florida Supervisors of Elections (FSE) to Florida college students in 2022. Applicants must be: registered to vote in the State of Florida, a Citizen of the US, a full-time student in a senior college or university in FL, and majoring in Political Science/Public or Business Administration or Journalism/Mass Communications. Application is available at PolkElections.gov. The deadline is March 11, 2022. Exciting Brewery News from Grove Roots Brewery in Winter Haven. Tropical Deliemma has made it to Disney Springs at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’. This is the first time they will have cans out in distribution. Next time you’re at Disney Springs, stop in to enjoy a taste of your favorite local brewery. Congratulations to Joe, Lucy, and the entire staff.

ARTS & CULTURE GO NINJA GO THE HEARTH PROJECT WELCOME DARYL WARD

Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing (PCTSM) has announced that applications for fiscal year 2022-2023 arts, cultural and heritage event sponsorship (covering events taking place October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023) are now being accepted online and the final submission deadline is noon on Friday, April 15, 2022. Go to visitcentralflorida.org/ach-application to access the application. Beginnig April 1st, families can experience the LEGO® NINJAGO® universe like never before in one of twelve newly themed guest rooms at LEGOLAND Hotel. Guests can immerse themselves in rooms fit for families of five alongside artwork of popular LEGO® NINJAGO® heroes such as Kai, Nya and Master Wu. This “go ninja go” experience is now available for booking on: LEGOLAND.com/Florida. The Hearth Project is a longstanding organization that serves students who are homeless (or experiencing some degree of homelessness) in our district. One of Hearth’s many initiatives is providing Valentine’s Day cards to Polk elementary school students. Nearly 230 students received cards this year. The cards are typically donated by Polk County Public School employees, local residents and community organizations. Polk Arts Alliance (PAA), the designated Local Arts Agency for Polk County since 2004, is pleased to announce that Daryl Ward has accepted the position of Executive Director. Ward, a Polk County resident for over 40 years, assumes the position following the retirement of Meri Mass, the long-time leader of PAA. Ward holds multiple degrees, including a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction from USF and his most recent professional experiences include teaching as an adjunct professor of education at Florida Southern College as well as serving as principal at Harrison School for the Arts from 2013-2019.