Spring 2023 President's Perspective

SPRING 2023

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

VOLUME 7, NO. 02

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WINS THE 2023 NJCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

The NJCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship trophy is headed back to the campus of Northwest Florida State College. The Raiders claimed the national title on Monday, March 27 against Trinity Valley Community College in a gutsy 66-63 victory at the Rip Griffin Center. The 2023 Championship marks the Raiders’ thirteenth national tournament appearance and second national title in program history. The Raiders won its first national tournament championship title in 2021.

Down by 10 in the first quarter, the Raiders mounted a furious comeback with stifling defense and stellar execution on offense. Sophomore Sakima Walker scored 23 points to lead the Raiders with Destiney McPhaul, Zayla Tinner, and Celia Riviere close behind. The Raiders’ rebounds (42) and assists (14) also aided in the team’s win over the Lady Cardinals.

Walker was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2023 NJCAA DI Women’s Basketball Championship. Walker recorded 80 points and 42 rebounds throughout the national tournament.

Dr. Devin Stephenson remarked after the win, “I couldn’t be prouder of the Lady Raiders and coach Bart Walker. It is an outstanding achievement and a testament to our commitment to excellence at Northwest Florida State College. The best truly is our standard.”

As we close out the Spring semester, I want to take a moment to thank our students, faculty, and staff on the many College achievements of the past few months. This issue of the President’s Perspective recognizes those in the College community who exemplify what it means to be part of the Raider family.

These accomplishments include our Lady Raiders National Championship victory in Lubbock, our Student Advisory Board traveling to Tallahassee for the Florida College System Student Government

Association Conference, 10 NWFSC students named to the All-Florida Academic Team, and much more!

When I reflect on our achievements, I am reminded of so many who have dedicated their work to the development and training of students. I am thrilled for you to read about these accomplishments and for you to learn more about what is in store for the College as we approach the summer term.

The best truly is our standard, and I can confidently say that the College has lived up to that motto this past semester. I challenge you to

step into the future with confidence and make a difference in our community, improving the quality of life in Northwest Florida.

As always, thank you for your support and for playing an important role in our Raider family.

Dr. Devin Stephenson #TheBestIsOurStandard

TOP STORIES

35TH ANNUAL MATH BOWL

Eight high school teams from the Northwest Florida region gathered at the Niceville campus on March 3, 2023, to compete in the 35th annual Math Bowl. This year’s competition was sponsored by Lockheed Martin and Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI).

The competing schools were divided into three classes: smaller schools were in Class X, mid-size schools were in Class Y, and larger schools were in Class Z. Teams spent the day completing written exams and ciphering matches, and students celebrated the individual and team winners at an awards ceremony following the competition. The top three individual winners received a gift card. The schools that participated include Collegiate High School, Escambia High School, the Magnet Innovation Center, Niceville High School, Pensacola Catholic High School, Rickards High School, Rocky Bayou Christian School, and Seacoast Collegiate High School.

“I am pleased that the College continues to host this longstanding event for our area’s high school students,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “The participants performed well and made the College and the other participating institutions proud.”

CHS ROBOTICS TEAM WINS LOCAL FIRST TECH CHALLENGE

The Collegiate High School’s Radical Raiders robotics team placed first in the FIRST Tech Challenge’s FL AeroCoast League Tournament.

The CHS Radical Raiders competed against eight teams from the panhandle area at Northwood Elementary School on Saturday, Jan. 28 for a spot in the statewide competition. After spending hundreds of hours on creating and programming its robot, crafting its engineering notebook, and participating in community outreach events, the team’s efforts culminated in its successful showing on Saturday, Jan. 28.

The team placed first among the competition and earned the Inspire Award for best embodying the challenge of the program. This award is given to teams that inspire others, act as positive ambassadors of FIRST programs, and maintain professionalism in all aspects. The team also received the second-place Alliance Captain award in the game competition.

“I am immensely proud of our Radical Raiders who represented our institution’s standard of excellence at the AeroCoast League Tournament,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson. “These students earned this victory and should be proud of their significant achievements.”

PRESIDENT’S SPEAKER SERIES

This year’s President’s Speaker Series featured Kayleigh McEnany and Dr. Ben Carson at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. The speakers met with local representatives, community leaders, and special guests before presenting keynote speeches on the MKAC mainstage.

TEN NWFSC STUDENTS NAMED TO PHI THETA KAPPA 2023 ALL-FLORIDA ACADEMIC TEAM

The Florida College System announced that 10 NWFSC students are members of the 2023 AllFlorida Academic Team. The students were selected by the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society and were recognized at an awards ceremony on Friday, March 31 in Orlando, Florida.

Students are nominated to the All-Florida Academic Team competition by their respective colleges in recognition of their academic achievement, leadership, and service to the community. This year’s team consists of 150 students, and NWFSC has the fifth-highest number of students named to the team out of the 28 institutions in the Florida College System. Additionally, NWFSC has the top ratio of team members to total enrollment.

“Our Phi Theta Kappa students have earned this recognition with their exemplary service, leadership, and academic achievements,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson. “I am proud of our students for representing our institution as members of the 2023 All-Florida Academic Team.”

Congratulations to Yvonne Anderson, Ashley Andrews, Sean Arbuckle, Jackson Brazill, Gwendolyn Law, Lillian Nguyen, Jazlyn Polanco, Allyson Singer, Danielle Tomlin, and Christopher York!

LEGISLATORS VISIT NWFSC

FL Representative Joel Rudman hosted a press conference at the Niceville campus to announce his filing of HB 517, a bill that will pave the way for veterans with combat-medic experience to receive credit toward nursing degrees for their service.

Congressman Matt Gaetz and FL Representative Michelle Salzman visited the Aviation Center of Excellence in January to tour the facility and learn how its professors are preparing students for future careers in aviation.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

SAB STUDENTS TRAVEL TO TALLAHASSEE FOR FCSSGA CONFERENCE

The NWFSC Student Advisory Board (SAB) attended the Florida College System Student Government Association’s legislative conference. On Feb. 21, the students went to Tallahassee Community College and attended seminars on advocating for bills and being professional and knowledgeable about the proposed bills. They also attended workshops where they could network with Student Advisory Boards from other institutions and speak about different ideas and events they hold.

On Feb. 22, the SAB students headed to the state capitol to meet with our elected representatives. They met with Representative Shane Abbott, Representative Patt Maney, and Senator Jay Trumbull. They advocated for bills related to education and spoke on topics that Northwest Florida State College is currently advocating for. This was an excellent learning experience for the SAB students.

COACH DEMEO NAMED TO FCSAA MEN’S BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME

The Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) announced that Steve DeMeo will be inducted in the Men’s Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2023. DeMeo is the head coach for the Raiders men’s basketball team and was recognized at the FCSAA/NJCAA Region VIII Men’s Basketball Tournament at Raider Arena.

Spanning three decades and across all levels of the college game, DeMeo’s achievements are well-known throughout the greater basketball community. In 2015, he took NWFSC to a national title and was named the Spalding NJCAA National Coach of the Year. Under DeMeo’s direction, the Raiders turned in a six-year record of 170-27 (.863), earned an additional berth in the 2017 NJCAA Final Four, and advanced to the Elite Eight in 2016, 2018, and 2019.

With DeMeo at the helm, the Raiders captured the Panhandle Conference Championship five-straight years (2015-19) and earned four FCSAA State Tournament Championships in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019.

“I am extremely proud of Coach DeMeo for earning this recognition as an inductee of the FCSAA Men’s Basketball Hall of Fame,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson. “His integrity, passion, and decision-making skills make him one of the best, and this recognition is well-deserved.”

FORENSICS TEAM EXCELS AT FIFA AND FCSAA TOURNAMENTS

The College’s Forensics team competed at speech-and-debate tournaments held by Florida Intercollegiate Forensics Association (FIFA) and the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA). The team’s performance earned multiple accolades at both tournaments at the individual and team levels.

At the FIFA Tournament, the team earned first place in the Limited Entry Individual Events Sweepstakes. Isaiah Taylor was the Top Novice, Persuasive; Lola Sennett was the Top Novice, Informative; and Aleksandria Herr was fifth place, Persuasive.

At the FCSAA Tournament, the team earned second place in the Individual Events Sweepstakes and the Overall Tournament Sweepstakes. Isaiah was second place in Persuasive and fourth place in Impromptu; Lola Sennett was second place in Informative; and

Aleksandria Herr was sixth place in Persuasive and in the International Public Debate Association (IPDA) format.

“Our forensics team showcased the excellence of our students at the FIFA and FCSAA tournaments,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson. “Their hard work and dedication have made a tremendous impact at the state level, and I am proud of their achievements.”

ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Bart Walker, NJCAA National Coach of the Year

Sakima Walker, NJCAA Player of the Year

Men’s Basketball wins FCSAA Region VIII Championship and Panhandle Conference Championship.

SAKIMA WALKER The Women’s Basketball National Player of the Year

KASEAN PRYOR Men’s Basketball First-Team AllAmerican

FOUNDATION

ISLANDER’S SURF & SPORT

An Emerald Coast staple since 1980, Islanders Coastal Outfitter is a proud member of 1% For The Planet, a global community of organizations and individuals that support environmental nonprofits around the world. Islanders has committed to giving back at least 1% of every sale and, as a part of their commitment, Islanders supports the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance. Since 2021, Islanders has given nearly $35,000 towards the CBA’s mission of promoting swimmable, fishable waterways in our local community. “We feel like it is our responsibility to give back. By taxing ourselves with donating at least 1% of all sales to our local environment we feel like we are helping in some ways to preserve this special place.”