MARION COUNTY HONORS EXEMPLARY TEACHERS
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
Six outstanding Marion County teachers have been selected as finalists in this year’s Golden Apple Teacher of the Year competition. This year brings more finalists than ever
Meet Joel Kunz— a Golden Apple Teacher of the Year finalist
Ahistory teacher from Dunnellon Middle School is one of six finalists for this year’s Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award.
Joel Kunz teaches in grades six through eight. He has been teaching in Marion County Public Schools since the beginning of his teaching
Meet Sarah Burfening— a Golden Apple Teacher of the Year finalist
Sarah Burfening, a Madison Street Academy of Visual and Performing Arts fifth grade teacher, has been selected as a finalist for this year’s Golden Apple Teacher of the Year award.
Burfening teaches math and science. She has been teaching in Marion County
Meet Sarah Jacobs—a Golden Apple Teacher of the Year finalist
West Port High School’s Sarah Jacobs is one of six finalists for this year’s Golden Apple Teacher of the Year award. Jacobs, who teaches ninth and 10th grade English, has been teaching at Marion County Public Schools since 2020. She has 12 years of
before, and the chance to advance to the statewide Florida Teacher of the Year competition.
The Teacher of the Year honor is awarded by the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, and the winner will be announced at the Golden Apple Gala on Feb. 1, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the
Reilly Arts Center in Ocala. Marion County’s 2025 Golden Apple Teacher of the Year will win an Acura Integra, with a three-year pre-paid lease from the Jenkins Auto Group. The gala will also recognize the 2025 School Related Employee of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year.
Meet Jennifer Aderholt— a Golden Apple Teacher of the Year finalist
Apre-kindergarten teacher from Eighth Street Elementary School is one of six finalists for this year’s Marion County Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award.
Jennifer Aderholt teaches 4- and 5-year-olds in Voluntary Pre-K. She has been teaching at Eighth Street
Meet Joan Edwards— a Golden Apple Teacher of the Year finalist
North Marion Middle School’s Joan Edwards is one of six finalists for this year’s Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award.
Edwards teaches middle school mathematics. She has been teaching in Marion County Public Schools for her entire teaching career,
Meet Kristen Wilson— a Golden Apple Teacher of the Year finalist
Kristen Wilson, a math and science teacher from Stanton-Weirsdale Elementary School, has been selected as a finalist for this year’s Golden Apple Teacher of the Year award.
Wilson, who teaches the fourth grade, has been teaching in Marion County Public
By Jim Saunders Florida News Service
Homeowners’ insurance policies appear poised to continue flowing out of the state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp. in 2025.
The latest indication came Monday, when Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky signed orders approving proposals by three private insurers to assume up to 160,440 policies from Citizens in March.
The orders followed months of similar approvals as Citizens, the state’s largest property insurer, has reduced its policy count through what is known as a “depopulation” program. Citizens had 982,892 policies as of Friday, but the count is expected to drop this week because private insurers will assume a batch of policies through a depopulation round approved in October.
In the orders approved Monday, Slide Insurance Co. will be able to assume up to 100,000 policies in March; American Integrity Insurance Company of Florida will be able to assume up to 35,000 policies; and Trident Reciprocal Exchange will be able to assume
See Citizens policies, page A9
BOCC to hear Planning & Zoning applications on Mondays
County officials have been so busy in the past three years reviewing development projects that a separate day for hearing applications is slated in the new year.
By Belea T. Keeney belea@magnoliamediaco.com
Development in Marion County has grown to the point that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has voted to hear development, zoning and landuse requests on Mondays in 2025, which will separate the regular board meetings from the monthly P&Z portion.
“The intent of this is so that we are not cramming everything into one day,” said BOCC Chair Kathy Bryant. “I don’t feel it’s in the best interest of the public, the applicant or this board to have that type of marathon. This will be better for our public process. These decisions need to have our full attention and
See BOCC, page A9
Jennifer Aderholt
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Elementary for four years and has taught in Marion County Public Schools since 2016. She has 20 years of teaching experience.
Aderholt is a product of MCPS herself. As a child, she attended Madison Street Academy, Howard Middle School and Vanguard High School. She graduated from the University of Central Florida, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
While some instructors might shy away from teaching such an impressionable age group, Aderholt has spent her whole career teaching the youngest grades of early childhood education.
“Our first few weeks of school
are a lot of just learning how to be a tiny little human who’s not the center of the universe,” Aderholt said. “They have to learn how to share, how to walk in the line, how to use the bathroom… I teach a lot of independence.”
For many of Aderholt’s students, this is the first experience they’ve had without their parents by their sides.
“I just think it’s such a fun age. It’s crazy to see them come in for VPK, they usually don’t have any school experience prior to this,”
Aderholt said. “When you see them at the end of the year, they’re just totally different people. They grow so much.”
She said that with her students, she sets high expectations—and more often than not, they rise to
Sarah Burfening
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Public Schools since 2015 and has 19 years of experience in the classroom.
Burfening comes from a family of teachers. Her mother Betsy Burfening is a retired teacher who won Teacher of the Year for Santa Rosa County in the 1994-95 school year. Her mother was part of the caravan, led by Superintendent Diane Gullett, who surprised Burfening with her Golden Apple Nomination on Dec. 11.
“Seeing her relationship with her students and her peers and what she was able to do really kind of solidified for me what I wanted to do,” Burfening said about her mother. “Just seeing her having those magical moments and teaching back before computers and technology was a thing made me want to be like her for sure.”
Burfening said her teaching style is built on hands-on opportunities for her students to get them more closely involved with mathematics and science.
“We’re not afraid to make messes in my classroom,” she said.
“I have class pets. Bring anything that you can bring from the real world out into the classroom.”
One activity she did with her class was an experiment where her students learned how to make a light bulb light up with circuits, she said.
“I think they hang on to it more, they retain the information more. They can connect it to things that they do every day,” Burfening said.
“I just feel like those hands-on activities just really make it a better learning experience for them.”
Burfening said the most rewarding part about teaching is when she sees her students finally understand something, having a “light bulb” moment.
“It’s really those light bulb moments when a student is struggling with a concept or doesn’t get it, and then finally it just clicks one day and they get it,” she said. “They say, ‘Oh, that’s why this works.’”
Burfening came to teach at
Sarah Jacobs
Continued from page A1
teaching experience.
Not only does Jacobs’ curriculum center on reading and literature, but so does her free time; She is an avid reader and seeks to inspire the same passion within her students.
“For me to get them to find some interest in reading means the world, because this is the thing that unlocks so many doors,” she said. “Whatever they choose to do after high school, they will need reading in some capacity in order to get through.”
Jacobs finds ways for her students to enjoy all types of books they read together for their curriculum, even in the challenging genre of classic literature.
“We just did Macbeth, by Shakespeare. For some of them, that is a struggle, because
understanding it is hard and that’s not something they can necessarily relate to,” she said.
“We try to tie in media and collaboration within them, so they’re not just sitting and reading for the whole class period and bored.”
Many of the people in Jacobs’ support system are also teachers, including her mother, sister, sisterin-law and best friend.
“I feel like the job of being a teacher is unique in so many ways, but to have people around you who are in it as well helps so much in terms of encouragement and keeping your inspiration and motivation alive,” Jacobs said.
For Jacobs, her passion for teaching is personal and stems from her own maternal instincts.
“I’ve always wanted to be a mom, and I found out within the
meet the challenge.
“We get to have a lot of play time and learning through play, which I think is the best way for kids to learn,” she said.
Aderholt’s love for teaching stems from her love for young children.
“I have always also had a passion for children. I babysat my whole entire life before becoming a teacher, and I’ve always just loved children,” she said.
Aderholt expressed her excitement of being recognized as a finalist, saying that she was surprised to be recognized by MCPS at this level.
“I still know I’m doing a great job (without an award),” she said. “I see the success in my students, but it is nice that somebody else sees it, too.”
“The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.”
- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)
Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
MCPS fresh from outside Seoul, South Korea, where she taught English for two years. She taught at The Aran Institute of Reggio Emilia and ACELI English Language School from 2013 to 2015.
“I was in the right place in my life to be able to kind of just move, so I sold my house and took a job teaching at an English school for two years, and it was definitely an experience,” she said.
Burfening said that growing up, her father was in the military, so she always wanted the opportunity to work overseas as an adult.
“It makes you really stop and think about all the idiosyncrasies of the English language that we just take for granted, that we don’t think about when we’re speaking,” Burfening said.
After 20 years in education, Burfening said it’s the students who give her motivation.
“I haven’t lost the joy in the classroom,” she said. “In the classroom, it’s still fun to come to work. It’s fun to work with the kids.”
last few years that that’s going to be a difficult journey for me and my husband,” she said. “Teaching has always been my calling, so I find my fulfillment in this job, and it brings me so much joy that even on the hard days I lean into my students and the positivity and helping them meet their goals and taking on new challenges.”
Jacobs said she loves to see her students develop a passion for reading, and that many continue to visit her once they are no longer in her class to ask if the freshmen and sophomores are reading the same books they enjoyed while taking Jacobs’ class.
“My students really are the reason I do what I do. Without them, I wouldn’t be here, 100%,” she said. “As long as they know how much I love them. All of this would be impossible without them.”
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Brothers organize events “for good”
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Anyone who follows the Concert for Good on social media knows that one of the co-founding brothers, Caleb Lombardo, has been at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs for the past several months, meaning he has been helping plan this year’s event longdistance.
Caleb, a graduate of West Port High School, along with his younger brother Luke Lombardo, currently a junior at the school, initiated the fundraising concert as part of an on-going family tradition of finding a way to do something for people or a cause they care about around the holidays. Since 2021, the concerts have raised $56,000 for local nonprofits Brother’s Keeper and the Marion County Children's Alliance.
Luke is an avid runner, so, this year, the brothers added the 5K for Good, which will begin at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 28 at the Baseline Trailhead. The Concert for Good will begin at 7:30 p.m. that evening at the Ocala Civic Theatre.
On Dec. 14, Caleb flew home to see his brother compete in the annual Ocala Reindeer Run, which posted on its Facebook page: “We
witnessed a truly special moment at the finish line today as our champion, Luke, was greeted by his older brother, Caleb. Caleb took a late flight last night, right after finishing his finals at the Air Force Academy, just so he could be here to watch his brother compete.” Luke was the top overall runner in the event and its repeating champion from last year.
The band for the Concert for Good is composed of several musicians who have performed at local churches and schools, ranging in age from 16 to their late 20s. Soon after the run and the musical performance, Caleb will return to Colorado Springs to start the spring semester at the academy.
“It’s a quick trip home, so I am glad we’re doing these events. It brings together my family, friends and so many familiar faces from our community,” Caleb stated.
“Last year, Concert for Good raised $28,000 for the two charities. We would love to break the $30,000 mark this year. I am super appreciative for everything that comes through this concert and for the opportunity to spend extra time with my brother while he is home. None of this would be possible without the help of our community and our sponsors. We can’t thank them enough,” Luke said.
“These events are a community success story. They show the good that God can do through all of us when we commit, and give back what we love, for His glory. That’s why it is all ‘for good,’” Caleb added.
Tickets for the 5K start at $30. Tickets for the concert are $15. To register for the 5K or get concert tickets, go to concertforgood.com
Caleb Lombardo, left, and his brother, Luke, pose backstage during the Concert for Good at the Ocala Civic Theatre in 2023. [Photo by Bruce Ackerman]
Members of the Concert for Good band perform at the Ocala Civic Theatre on Dec. 29, 2023. [Photo by Bruce Ackerman]
Joan Edwards
Continued from page A1
since 2013. Previously, Edwards worked in food science as a standard
Edwards, who is originally from Jamaica, said she has always felt a kinship to North Marion Middle as its location in a rural part of Marion County reminds her of where she grew up.
“I stay in the rural area at North Marion Middle because it still reminds me of growing up where the best teachers didn’t necessarily want to go into the
rural areas,” she said. “They’d probably want to go into the cities because there’s so many more opportunities there. But thank God we had good teachers that stayed in our rural Jamaica and helped us.”
Edwards was inspired to teach by her mother, who learned how to read and write through the help of community members and teachers after being illiterate most of her life.
“She was never able to read or write, and I saw pretty much that she needed someone with heart, someone who saw her for
Kristen Wilson
Continued from page A1
Schools for 21 years.
“My classroom motto is every child, every chance, every day,” she said. “We just work really hard to build those relationships first and to build the pride in our students so that they’re willing to take chances with their academics.”
Wilson isn’t the only educator in her circle being honored this
year; she is the mentor for this year’s Rookie Teacher of the Year, Courtney Morris.
“I’m more excited for her than I am for myself, truly,” Wilson said. “I’ve had a chance to be a mentor with Courtney. She worked as a paraprofessional in my classroom. I was one of many who told her that she needed to get back to school and get that teaching degree.”
Wilson said her fourth grade
Joel Kunz
Continued from page A1
career 14 years ago.
This potential teacher of the year has not always worked in education; he spent 25 years in the equine industry, which brought him to Ocala. Due to health issues, he made the switch to teaching and discovered his life’s passion.
He was surprised with his Golden Apple nomination on Dec. 11 by Superintendent Diane Gullett, with Kunz’ wife, Laura, and many others in tow.
The caravan to present Kunz with his nomination arrived during a class period with his eighth grade students, who he said he feels particularly fond of—as two years prior he suffered from a major health episode that changed his life.
“When they were sixth graders, over Thanksgiving break, I actually
who she was and was able to go down to her level and engage her and teach her how to read,” she said.
This showed Edwards the importance of compassion in education, which was shown to her family and changed her life.
Edwards recently earned her master’s degree in secondary mathematics education from Western Governors University.
“I tell my students that I’m a lifelong learner. I’m always learning something,” she said. “It was difficult, working full time and working toward that
degree. But I’m telling you, it was well worth it, too, because I got to learn so many more things.”
She makes a point to emphasize to her students that the concepts they will learn in her class will be useful for their entire lives, in and out of the classroom.
“This is a class that’s teaching you how to solve problems,” Edwards said. “Because working math problems out is about problem solving, and it’s also about collaborating with each other.”
Edwards said what makes her teaching style unique is how she relates to her students and is understanding when they’re having trouble understanding certain concepts.
“I tell them about my background, where I came from, and how was raised, how difficult my upbringing was, but look where I am today—I’m able to teach you,” she said. “I tell them, ‘I’m coming straight from the heart to you. I know math is hard, I know life is hard, but we can do it together.’”
students were overjoyed when a caravan, led by Superintendent Diane Gullett, surprised her during class with her Golden Apple nomination.
“A couple of them shared the overwhelming feeling that I had,” Wilson said. “They knew all through the process that we were working together toward this goal…they were just very excited and proud.”
Wilson said spending so
died, and I was airlifted up to (UF Health) Shands (Hospital),” Kunz said. “I ended up having a heart transplant 76 days later, and my sixth graders that were part of that group of students I had at the time.”
Kunz said he was able to return to the classroom to continue teaching his students for the last five weeks of school.
“For them to see that I lived through all this and here I am, that was pretty important,” Kunz said. “They experienced that whole thing with me, so this is kind of a special group because of that.”
Because he teaches history to all grades at Dunnellon Middle School, Kunz gets the unique opportunity to follow his students through multiple grades and over many different areas of history.
Kunz works in partnership with
much of her career at StantonWeirsdale has allowed her to develop a special bond with many of the students who call the school home.
“There are lots of students who use me as their check-in person, so if kids are having a rough day, they come back to me,” she said. “Our test scores have improved because my students are willing to take those chances. They feel comfortable in the
the school’s language arts program, to strengthen students’ skills across both areas of study.
“I take the papers that they’ve written in my class and then hand them to the language arts teacher. Now, they have the opportunity to take their work and polish it,” Kunz said. “They fix the grammar, fix the structure, and then at the end of this whole process we’ve got a finished paper.”
Kunz began teaching after earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. While his path to teaching wasn’t traditional, he said his mother was a teacher and he always held that possibility in his mind.
“I told a seventh grade guidance counselor that I wanted to be a teacher someday, and he laughed at me and told me to go get a job somewhere else,” Kunz joked. “I wish he could see me now.”
classroom. They’ll put themselves out there. They’re willing to make mistakes.”
Wilson said it is these relationships with her students that keep her motivated and stoke her passion for teaching.
“It grows me as a person,” she said. “I’m always striving to become better for my students, to reach them in ways that maybe they haven’t been reached before, or in the way that they need.”
NEW SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
CF receives USDA certification
CF
one of only three Florida educational institutions to earn the National Institute of Food and Agriculture Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture designation.
Staff report
The College of Central Florida recently was certified as a National Institute of Food and Agriculture Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture. CF is one of only three Florida educational institutions with this designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with Florida State University and Florida International University, and is the only college in the Florida College System to earn the certification.
CF joins the ranks of 82 universities and only five other colleges nationwide with this designation, which makes the college eligible to apply for specific sources of federal funding to build capacity, enhance academic programs and strengthen partnerships with local businesses and organizations. CF is the only Florida state college that offers an associate in science degree in agribusiness management and CF’s Vintage Farm Campus is the only working farm campus within the Florida College System, according to college officials.
“The Vintage Farm Campus is quickly becoming one of the College of Central Florida’s
most high-tech educational facilities,” said CF President Jim Henningsen in the media notification. “This certification shows the potential for Marion County to become a hub for cultivating cutting-edge agriculture and equine talent for the entire state of Florida. With our area producing nearly $400 million in agriculture exports each year and generating an economic impact of more than $4 billion through our equine industry, CF is positioned to be the top educational provider for agribusiness career training, talent development and applied research.”
The Non-Land-Grant College of Agriculture designation is a key aspect of the CF Vintage Farm Plan for the Future, a five-year strategic plan for 2025-2029. One of the plan’s priorities is to obtain funding to expand CF’s training space with a state-of-the-art simulation lab, vocational lab and additional classroom space to accommodate the growing numbers of students interested in agribusiness and equine careers.
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, a lifelong farmer, has recognized CF’s creative approach
to expanding workforce education.
“CF has been ahead of the curve each time they have accommodated their local communities to make sure that they’re producing the workforce that is needed,” Simpson said in the news release. “You have this gem in Central Florida at CF that’s growing our talent for tomorrow’s jobs.”
For more information, visit cf.edu/agribusiness and cf.edu/vintagefarm
CF student JoAnn Regel works with plants in the greenhouse at the CF Vintage Farm Campus. [Photo courtesy College of Central Florida]
Jacob Dorland, left, CF Vintage Farm campus manager, and Tavis Douglass, associate professor and program manager for agribusiness, launch an eBee X crop mapping drone. [Photo courtesy College of Central Florida]
47th annual Reindeer Run
The 47th annual Reindeer Run took place Dec. 14, ahead of the Ocala Christmas Parade.
“The race was put on by the Ocala Runners Club in partnership with Radical Runs. There was no associated charity this year, but we will be making a small donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County. The race was presented by the Gaekwad family,” said Darrin DeTorres.
Last year’s top overall winner Luke Lombardo repeated as champion this year, with a time of 16:34. Sydney Farris, a 7th grader, was the top overall female. Her time this year was 20:04. She was also last year's champion and her time in 2023 was 20:59, DeTorres noted.
To see all the results, go to runfloridarun.com/ 2024-reindeer-run
Staff report
Photo montage by Tommy Cuevas
Luke Lombardo is champion of the 5k for a second year in the Reindeer Run and Sydney Farris, also a repeat winner, was top overall female in the race on Dec. 14, 2024. [Supplied photos]
Bringing history to life
The Festival at Fort King offered historic demonstrations including a re-enactment of the start of the Second Seminole War.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
The annual Festival at Fort King took place at the Fort King National Historic Landmark on Dec. 7 and 8. It included historic themed crafts, games, workshops, activities, living historians, vendors, food, drinks and more.
“Visitors of all ages enjoyed a wide variety of activities including a puppet show, woodworking, face painting, fabric spinning, cast iron cooking, basket weaving and the main event, the reenactment of the start of the Second Seminole War,” noted the fort’s Facebook page.
Fort King is a 40-acre National Historic Landmark owned jointly by the city of Ocala and Marion County. The adjacent memorial site is owned by the Daughters of the American Revolution–Ocala Chapter and leased to the City of Ocala and Marion County for 99 years. The site is managed by the city of Ocala. Funding assistance and logistics support is provided by the nonprofit Fort King Heritage Foundation.
Before the festival opened to the public over the weekend, the fort hosted 144 students for Festival at Fort King Student Day. According to the social media page, “Children of various ages were educated about the fort's history and the events that triggered the beginning of the Second Seminole War. They were able to participate in hands-on activities such as woodworking, candle making and fabric spinning. Additionally, they had the opportunity to listen to historical stories from our reenactors and immerse themselves in the experiences of life at the fort during the 1800s.”
To learn more, go to fortkingocala.com
by Michael Warren
Stephanie Nevada makes bushy tail brooms during the 2024 Festival at Fort King in Ocala.
Keith Hill works in the blacksmith shop during the 2024 Festival at Fort King in Ocala.
Andrew Wallin, left, and Jason Melton participated in the re-enactment about the start of the Second Seminole War during the 2024 Festival at Fort King in Ocala. At right are soldier re-enactors.
Earl DeBary speaks about the past during the 2024 Festival at Fort King in Ocala.
Betty-Lou Seager works on a loom during the 2024 Festival at Fort King in Ocala.
Andrew Wallin and Alyssa Osceola participated in the re-enactment about the start of the Second Seminole War during the 2024 Festival at Fort King in Ocala.
7 Lbs. of Bacon Band members perform at the 2024 Festival at Fort King in Ocala.
Photos
Meet Franchesca Jimenez—Marion County 2025 School Related Employee of the Year
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
Liberty Middle School’s discipline clerk Franchesca Jimenez has been chosen as Marion County’s 2025 School Related Employee of the Year.
Jimenez has worked at Liberty Middle for two years, and previously served as the school’s attendance clerk.
“I feel like I am making a difference, and they are seeing all the dedication I have toward getting to know (each student),”
she said.
The School Related Employee of the Year, Rookie Teacher of the Year and Golden Apple Teacher of the Year honors are awarded by the Public Education Foundation of Marion County.
Out of the six finalists for Teacher of the Year, the winner will be announced at the Golden Apple Gala on Feb. 1, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala. The winner will receive an Acura Integra, with a three-year pre-paid lease from the Jenkins Auto Group.
Jimenez will be recognized
for School Related Employee of the Year at the gala alongside the Golden Apple Finalists and the Rookie Teacher of the Year.
As a discipline clerk, Jimenez addresses issues with behavior and dress code violations. Recently, the school’s Student Services department has implemented positive reinforcement for good behaviors to highlight students.
“We started implementing positive behavior referrals and we announce them on the morning announcements each week. The students get so excited about
the recognition,” she said. “I love building a connection with students as well as the parents.”
Jimenez said her biggest support system is her family, and that having children of her own makes establishing connections with students and staff even more rewarding.
Most of all, Jimenez said she believes in addressing each student by their first name to create a more safe, nurturing environment at school.
“At each transition I try to walk to the courtyard and greet all the students by names. I've always believed acknowledging students by first names makes them feel welcomed and loved,” she said.
Meet Courtney Morris—Marion County 2025 Rookie Teacher of the Year
By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
Marion County’s Rookie Teacher of the Year has been awarded to Courtney Morris, a second-year teacher from Stanton-Weirsdale Elementary School. Morris joined MCPS two years ago and, like all rookie teachers, has no more than three years of classroom teaching experience. She teaches second grade.
BOCC
Continued from page A1
our full ability to vet them clearly and completely.”
Board meetings typically start at 9 a.m. and the P&Z portions start at 2 p.m., usually after a lunch break for staff and board members. Starting in January, the development projects will be reviewed one Monday each month, starting at 1:30 p.m. –with one exception, the Jan. 13 meeting, which will begin at 9 a.m.
Numerous BOCC meetings with P&Z hearings over the past few years have extended
Before becoming a teacher, Morris worked in Marion County as a paraprofessional and a homeschool liaison.
“I’m just really, really thankful that I get to give back and help the next generation of learners,” she said. “It just kind of feels surreal.”
The Rookie Teacher of the Year and Golden Apple Teacher of the Year honors are awarded by the Public Education Foundation of Marion County. A School Related Employee of the Year is also chosen.
Out of the six finalists for Teacher of the year, the winner will be announced at the Golden Apple Gala on Feb. 1, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala. The winner will receive an Acura Integra, with a three-year pre-paid lease from the Jenkins Auto Group.
Morris will be recognized for the Rookie Teacher of the Year Award at the gala alongside the Golden Apple Finalists and the School Related Employee of the Year.
Morris said that so far, she is
enjoying teaching second grade, as 7- and 8-year-olds show a lot of growth at this period of their education.
“I try to help my students be successful as much as they can. I try to plan fun, engaging lessons. Sometimes I’ll turn my classroom into a hospital or a cafe, just to kind of get their hands-on learning in as much ways as possible,” she said.
Morris was mentored by one of the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year finalists, Kristen Wilson, who she credits for helping her
reach success.
“I thought that was pretty cool that we both won the (Golden) Apple at the same school, and she played a very large part in who I am as a teacher,” she said.
beyond 8 p.m., which creates long workdays for county staff, board members and the public. Meetings have often extended late into the night, especially for large or controversial projects that generated a lot of public comment, such as the Jumbolair expansion and the proposed RaceTrac truck stop in Sparr.
Commissioner Carl Zalak mentioned concerns for the public who may not get to testify when they have to leave before their agenda item. “We’ve all been here and seen the public have to leave at 5, 6 o’clock, whatever, and we
Citizens policies
Continued from page A1
up to 25,440. Those are maximum numbers and, based on past depopulation rounds, the actual number of customers shifting from Citizens to the private insurers will be smaller.
Citizens reached as many as 1.412 million policies last year after private insurers shed customers and raised rates because of financial problems in the industry. But the depopulation program — and changes in state laws aimed at bolstering the private insurance market — have led to a steady decline in the number of Citizens policies.
Citizens was created as an insurer of last resort, and state leaders have long worried about financial risks if the state gets hit by a major hurricane or multiple hurricanes. If Citizens couldn’t pay all of its claims, it could collect additional money from policyholders throughout the state — including possibly nonCitizens policyholders — to cover costs through what are known as assessments.
Citizens President and CEO
Tim Cerio said this month that improvements in the private market also have helped reduce the number of homeowners turning to Citizens for coverage.
“We think we are going to end the year at only 369,000 new policies, which is 30 percent below what we forecast. So, because the market is getting healthier, we are seeing less new business come in,” Cerio said during a Dec. 4 Citizens Board of Governors meeting. “We’re certainly moving in the right direction.”
The depopulation process, however, can lead to some homeowners facing higher insurance premiums. That is because of a law requiring Citizens customers to accept offers of coverage from private insurers if the offers are within 20 percent of the cost of Citizens premiums. For example, if a homeowner received an offer of coverage from a private insurer that is 19 percent higher than the Citizens premium, the homeowner would have to accept it.
The state last month also approved a depopulation round that will happen in February.
don’t get to hear their comments,” he said.
Bryant made it clear that the new schedule could be modified if needed later in the year. “Let’s try it for three months and see how it’s working,” she said.
The board also requested that staff ensure that applications are more complete to limit on-thefly negotiations at the dais that Bryant thinks should be avoided.
Per the county staff report, “Based on caseload, additional meeting time is needed each month to hear the Planning & Zoning cases. Upon careful review
OCALA HOSPITALS
of the commissioner’s calendars, considering other routine board and committee meetings, an additional meeting can be accommodated on Mondays, before the second board meeting of each month, with exceptions for January and July because of known conflicts.”
The board voted 5-0 to approve the new schedule.
The dates and times approved on Dec 17, are as follows for 2025: Monday, Jan. 13 at 9 am1 Monday, July 21 at 1:30 pm2 Monday, Feb. 17 at 1:30 pm Monday, Aug. 18 at 1:30 pm
Monday, March 17 at 1:30 pm
Monday, Sept. 15 at 1:30 pm
Monday, April 14 at 1:30 pm
Monday, Oct. 20 at 1:30 pm
Monday, May 19 at 1:30 pm
Monday, Nov. 17 at 1:30 pm
Monday, June 16 at 1:30 pm Monday, Dec. 15 at 1:30 pm (1) The meetings to be scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. because of known caseload. (2) The second board meeting in July is July 15th; Commissioners are anticipated to be at the National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference July 11-14.
CA Florida West Marion Hospital and HCA Florida Ocala Hospital have received accreditation under the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, after skin cancers. Programs accredited by the NAPBC follow a model
of multidisciplinary, integrated and comprehensive breast cancer services. The NAPBC focuses on the patient’s journey with breast cancer or breast disease, including prevention, screening, treatment and survivorship. By setting high standards, NAPBC accreditation guides breast centers in providing comprehensive breast care
based on scientific evidence, noted the news release. As accredited cancer programs with ACS, HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital are designated ACS Surgical Quality Partners, which signifies dedication to consistently improving procedures and approaches while maintaining a critical eye on process.
Pictured from left are members of the Breast Program Leadership Committee at HCA Florida West Marion Hospital and HCA Florida Ocala Hospital: Courtney Gibbons, Prudence Ashley, Dr. Jeffrey Eisenstein, Dr. Jennel Carreras-Montgomery, Dr. George Rossidis, Christina Follett, Lisa McGuire, Amy Abbott, Laura Veith and Brandi Valdez. Members not pictured include Dr. Luis Carrascosa, Dr. Vipul Patel, Dr. Amanda Aulls and Danielle Rogers. [Photo courtesy HCA Florida]
Minutes matter when you or a loved one has an illness, injury, chest pain or symptoms of a stroke. With three locations in Marion County, the emergency experts at AdventHealth are nearby to provide the care you need to help you feel whole.
In case of a medical emergency, call 911.
Ocala Christmas Parade announces winners
On Dec. 14, Ocala hosted its longest Christmas parade to date, with more than 150 participants joining the celebration. The parade, organized by the Friends of the Christmas Parade, is one of the nation’s oldest and largest nighttime holiday parades, displaying a wide variety of floats, marching bands, mounted units and vintage vehicles making their way through the streets in a spectacular procession.
The parade committee chose former Ocala mayor Kent Guinn as this year’s grand marshal to lead the record-breaking parade, marking another milestone in its rich 60-year history.
The evening concluded with the announcement of the parade winners, honoring the best entries in several categories: Best of Show: Del Zotto Products
COMMERCIAL CATEGORY:
1st place: Fernandina Beach Pirates
2nd place: Six Gun Territory/Brown and Brown Farms
3rd place: Marion Technical College
NON-PROFIT CATEGORY:
1st place: AdventHealth Ocala
2nd place: Marion County Memorial Honor Guard
3rd place: The Rock Program
YOUTH ORGANIZATION:
1st place: Boy Scouts of America Troops 18 and 9018, and Pack 18
2nd place: Marion County Youth Football League Peewee Vikings
3rd place: Leading the Way 4-H
BANDS:
1st place: Lake Weir High School
2nd place: West Port High School
3rd place: Forest High School and Osceola Middle School
Photos by Tommy Cuevas Ocala Gazette
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Photos by Tommy Cuevas Ocala Gazette
Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the
Sudoku By The Mepham Group
row, column or square.
Holiday adoption event brings joy to families in Marion County
By Jennifer Hunt Murty
The holiday spirit was in full swing at the Marion County Judicial Center on Friday, Dec. 13, as 18 children found their forever homes with 13 families during a heartwarming adoption event presided over by Judge Stacy Youmans. The ceremony drew hundreds of people to witness the event, including extended family members, prior foster parents, and community supporters.
Among those present was Colleen Parker, a proud grandmother who shared her family's touching adoption journey. Parker recalled the night her son and daughter-in-law received an emergency call about a 2-month-old baby named Kaylee. It was 9:45 p.m. when the couple welcomed Kaylee into their home. They already had one biological child of their own.
Now, nearly two years later, they were officially adopting Kaylee and had also opened their hearts to her younger brother, Matthew, who is one year old
and currently in the process of being adopted.
"The children will call me 'Nana,'" Parker said with a smile and happy tears.
Another family, the Marshalls, adopted two more children, 10-yearold Israel and 8-year-old Eliana. Dale Marshall proudly shared that with these new additions, he and his wife have adopted ten children.
Judge Youmans commented on the large turnout, stating that the crowd reflected the strong sense of community in Marion County. During the proceedings, she asked the adoptive parents to promise, under oath, that they would care for their children in all aspects forever. The parents solemnly agreed. Then, she asked the children, "Do you promise to listen to your parents?" and "Do you promise to love and respect your parents?" The children responded with a resounding "yes," which was met with applause from the audience.
In a festive twist, Santa and Mrs. Claus joined Judge Youmans in the
courtroom, which had been decorated for Christmas.
The Suarez family also shared in the joy of the day, officially adopting Julian, age 1, and Floraida, age 3, siblings to another boy they had adopted two years earlier. Sherry Suarez, who had no biological children of her own but is now the proud mother of four, offered words of encouragement to those considering adoption. "Do it. It's a blessing," she said. Despite the challenges of raising four children, Suarez expressed that it had only deepened her desire to help "all the children."
And the need is great. According to information handed out at the event, there are more than 100,000 children in foster care waiting for permanent homes, and almost 30,000 children in foster care reach the age of majority without ever being placed with a permanent family.
Following the legal proceedings, the families were welcomed with refreshments in the jury assembly room decorated for the holidays.
Leroy Autry carries new son Gerry Autry, 3, after Judge Stacy Youmans grants 18 adoptions during the annual Home for the Holidays hearing at the Marion County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Ocala.
Staff grabs a shot of proceedings as Judge Stacy Youmans grants 18 adoptions during the annual Home for the Holidays hearing at the Marion County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Ocala.
Floraida Suarez, 3, and Diangelo Suarez, 3, sit in Santa’s lap as Judge Stacy Youmans grants 18 adoptions during the annual Home for the Holidays hearing at the Marion County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Ocala.
Santa and Mrs. Clause arrive to help Judge Stacy Youmans grant 18 adoptions during the annual Home for the Holidays hearing at the Marion County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Ocala.
Families take the adoption oath as Judge Stacy Youmans grants 18 adoptions during the annual Home for the Holidays hearing at the Marion County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Ocala.
Jose Pichardo sits with two-year-old Jariel as they wait for Judge Stacy Youmans to grant his and 17 other adoptions during the annual Home for the Holidays hearing at the Marion County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Ocala.
Sherry Suarez spends a moment with Floraida Suarez before her adoption as Judge Stacy Youmans grants 18 adoptions during the annual Home for the Holidays hearing at the Marion County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Ocala.
Photos by Alan Youngblood Ocala Gazette
Sudoku By The Mepham Group
government
DECEMBER
23
Marion County Development Review
Office of County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala
9am
The committee meets each Monday to review and vote on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. See marion.fl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx for agenda and minutes.
JANUARY
7
Marion County Board of County Commissioners
McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala
9am
The commission meets in the morning of the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at marionfl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx
Ocala City Council
Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala
4pm
The council meets each first and third Tuesday of the month. Ocala government agendas and minutes are available at ocala.legistar.com/calendar.aspx
Belleview City Commission
Belleview City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview
6pm
Meets the first and third Tuesday of the month; agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl. org/200/agendas-minutes
things to do arts
DECEMBER 21
Matt Fernandez Comedy Special Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala
7:30pm to 9pm
The stand-up comedian will film his latest comedy special at the Marion Theatre. Tickets are available at reillyartscenter.com/events/matt-fernandez
DECEMBER 28
Concert for Good and 5K for Good 5K at Baseline Road Trailhead, 4255 SE 58th Ave., Ocala
7:30am Concert at Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
7:30pm The annual Concert for Good returns for a fourth year to raise funds for local nonprofits. Concert organizers say “tis always the season for giving” in the Christmas tradition. The event begins with a community 5K for Good at the Baseline Road Trailhead. Tickets and 5K spots can be purchased at concertforgood.com
JANUARY 17
Dixon’s Violin Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
7:30 to 9pm Dixon is a world-renowned violinist. With the help of electric looping, Dixon is able to perform as an entire orchestra. Go to ocalacivictheatre.com for tickets.
JANUARY 18
Hypnotist Show
Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala
7:30pm to 9pm
The “Aliens Are Among Us and They’re Hilarious” show will feature Flip Orley’s unique act of comedy and hypnosis. For tickets, go to reillyartscenter.com
DECEMBER 21 – JANUARY 2
Trains at the Holidays Webber Gallery at CF, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala 10am to 4pm
The College of Central Florida’s Webber Gallery offers this exhibition of miniature displays and model trains with holiday themes and special local landmarks. Open daily from 10am to 4pm, with hours of noon to 3pm on Christmas Eve, and closed on Christmas Day. Learn more at cf.edu/student-life/arts-and-culture/webber-gallery
JANUARY 5
Free First Saturday Appleton Museum, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 10am to 4pm Entry is free for all patrons on the first Saturday of each month, typically with special programming or presentations. For more information, visit appletonmuseum.org
JANUARY 12
Young Artist Competition: Honors Recital Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 1pm to 4pm The Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s annual recital will feature finalists in junior and senior divisions. The winners will return in March to perform as soloists at the OSO’s “Youth, Tricksters, and Metamorphosis” concert. Visit reillyartscenter.com to learn more.
DECEMBER 25 Christmas
This lamb is fall-off-the-bone tender and deeply flavorful
Braising lamb shanks turns this richly flavored but tough cut of meat meltingly tender. However, the high fat content of lamb all too often leads to a greasy sauce. We avoid this pitfall by trimming the shanks well and then browning them before adding liquid to get a head start on rendering their fat. We also de-fat the braising liquid after the shanks have cooked. We use more liquid than is called for in many braises to guarantee that plenty remains in the pot despite about an hour of uncovered cooking.
LAMB SHANKS BRAISED IN RED WINE WITH HERBES DE PROVENCE
Serves 6
6 (12- to 16-ounce) lamb shanks, trimmed
1 teaspoon plus a pinch table salt, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
3 carrots, peeled and cut crosswise into 2-inch pieces
2 onions, sliced thick
2 celery ribs, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons herbes de Provence
2 cups dry red wine
JANUARY 1
New Year’s Day
3 cups chicken broth Ground black pepper
1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Pat lamb shanks dry with paper towels and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in Dutch oven over mediumhigh heat until just smoking. Brown three shanks on all sides, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer shanks to a large plate and repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and remaining three shanks.
2. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from pot. Add carrots, onions, celery, tomato paste, garlic, herbes de Provence, and remaining pinch salt and cook until vegetables just begin to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in wine, then broth, scraping up any browned bits; bring to simmer. Nestle shanks, along with any accumulated juices, into pot.
3. Return to simmer and cover; transfer pot to oven. Cook for 1 1/2 hours. Uncover and continue to cook until tops of shanks are
browned, about 30 minutes. Flip shanks and continue to cook until remaining sides are browned and fork slips easily in and out of shanks, 15 to 30 minutes longer.
4. Remove pot from oven and let rest for 15 minutes. Using tongs, transfer shanks and vegetables to large plate and tent with aluminum foil. Skim fat from braising liquid and season liquid with salt and pepper to taste. Return shanks to braising liquid to warm through before serving.
The Trains at the Holidays exhibit at CF in
Better together
A life-threatening illness delayed this couple’s renewal of their wedding vows.
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
Quincy and Craig McCoy planned, like many couples, to renew their wedding vows on their 30th wedding anniversary, which was Dec. 26, 2022. But the vow renewal ceremony would have to wait.
Quincy, 55, an Ocala native, was diagnosed in 2021 with triple negative stage four breast cancer and would undergo a double mastectomy and an aggressive chemotherapy program that at times left her extremely weak and sick. The near fatal illness and months of treatment were hard.
Quincy’s care providers during her battle with cancer included Ocala Family Medical Center, Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute, Ocala Breast & General Surgery and Ocala Oncology.
Tiffany Vanlue with Ocala Oncology said Craig was ever present during the chemotherapy treatments and waited in his car and she shuttled updates to him when he couldn’t be inside during the COVID pandemic.
The couple’s daughter, Tatyna McCoy, 28, a juvenile detention center program manager, relocated to Ocala from Tallahassee in 2021 to help with her mother’s care. She remarked on her mom’s strength and said her parents are “truly in love” and got through the crisis “together.”
Family member Cheryl Morrison-White called Quincy a “tough cookie, who is her own boss.” Vanlue said that “not everyone beats” the type of cancer Quincy suffered and added that she had seen “her battle scars.”
On Dec. 7 this year, Vanlue was a guest at the ceremony where Quincy, who is now “100% cancer free,” and Craig finally got to renew their vows.
Quincy wrote in a letter announcing the date of the vow renewal ceremony that she “didn’t know if she would make it” but that Craig was there every step of the way to lift her up when she fell.
“Through this terrifying time my husband never left my side. He was my peace, my comfort, my
help and my shoulder to lean on,” Quincy wrote in part.
The ceremony in early December took place at Pine Haven Ranch, a 230-acre rustic wedding venue in Citra. Tatyna said that in a letter Quincy read aloud at the start of the event, her mother told the “love story” of how her father helped her through the illness.
Family friend Jocelyn Watkins said she cried during the reading of the “beautiful” letter, which “set the tone” for the ceremony, while Naranja James said the reading of the letter was “awesome.”
About 250 family members and friends attended the event, which was coordinated by Yvette Anderson and Jocelyn Watkins. Craig’s brother, Rev. Ronald McCoy of Faith, Hope and Love Community Church in Anthony, officiated.
“We came together in support of Craig and Quincy McCoy to witness the renewal of vows of a marriage of 32 years, which is worth celebrating,” Ronald McCoy stated. “Their lives together as a married couple display what a marriage should look like and what it takes to remain married. They are what I would call a team and value what the other brings to the marriage. Craig and Quincy have had their share of good days and bad days, but love and respect got them through it. They are always together.”
Ola Brown, Craig’s aunt, said the couple’s loving relationship is a “tribute to God.”
Lincoln Mitchell, a longtime family friend, said the vow renewal was a “great ceremony” and he could understand the path Quincy walked following the loss of his mother in 2021, who had suffered with cancer.
Bettye Bright, a friend of the couple through church, described the ceremony in a text: “After the groomsmen escorted the bridesmaids in, they returned to line up along both sides of the main aisle. As Craig entered, he stopped by each who helped him finish dressing … buttoned his cuffs, another straightened his collar, one put his tie on. Before Quincy entered, she spoke about
their years together and about her illness and how he had always supported and been there for her. She was escorted in by her fatherin-law, Arthur McCoy. It was a wonderful day for the McCoys.”
Along with all the touches of a traditional wedding ceremony, the room also contained remembrances of lost loved ones.
Family member Clorisa Williams said the ceremony was “gorgeous, beautiful and very classy,” and commented about the couple’s shared loyalty. Friends Florence Keene, Camela Welcome, Susan Wing, Lisa Wright, Angela Boone and Timothy Yarn also attended the ceremony.
Seasonal servings
The annual Pancake Day event hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Ocala is a holiday tradition for many families.
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
The Kiwanis Club of Ocala’s annual Pancake Day event was held Dec. 14 at Eighth Street Elementary School in southeast Ocala. People of all ages enjoyed pancakes and sausage, along with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, while supporting Camp Kiwanis and other youth-focused
outreaches of the club.
Nick Navetta, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Ocala board of trustees, said an estimated 1,000 people were served at the annual event, which is usually held the same day as the Ocala Christmas Parade and signals the start of the Christmas season for many.
Navetta said Key Club members from several local high schools served as volunteers at the event.
Pancake Day supports
Kiwanis outreaches including Camp Kiwanis Summer Camp for kids age 7-13 in the Ocala National Forest. Camp Kiwanis is operated in partnership with Marion County Public Schools and all camp staff members are MCPS employees, according to marionschools. net. The club also sponsors reading related youth programs and book giveaways.
T-shirts the couple had printed for the event read: “We still do” on the front and “We loved it so much the first 32 years we’re doing it again” on the back.
Marsha Banner, Quincy and Craig’s goddaughter, flew in from Brooklyn, New York, for the event.
“Quincy and Craig prove love is real and possible. God loves these two … they stuck together,” Banner said at a gathering before the event.
The journey as husband and wife for Quincy and Craig winds back to 1987, when they were students at North Marion High School. He was in a hallway doing
some last-minute studying before class when she approached him and said he should have studied at home and that he could have studied with her. They married five years later and moved to Atlanta in 2008, then returned here a few years later.
Craig described his wife’s illness and treatment as at times “horrific.” He said they took turns daily reading from a list of prayers.
He said that even when Quincy was in very critical condition, she was thinking of what was best for her family and how he could best carry on.
“Who does that?” he asked.
Diana Williams had pancakes along with her grandchildren, 2-yearold twins Cecil and Beni Torres, Mo Torres, 7, and Adriaan Torres, 4. Williams, a 35-year member of the Ocala Kiwanis Club, called Pancake Day a local
“tradition.”
Kiwanis Pancake Day has been held here for more than 60 years, according to club member Winston Needham.
Tom Eubanks, a custodian with the school, opened the cafeteria, cleaned and closed up after the event. Eubanks said he has worked at Pancake Day for 18 years.
“People come together for a good time and a good cause,” Eubanks said.
Craig and Quincy McCoy are shown at their recent wedding vow renewal ceremony, held after she recovered from a life-threatening illness. [Photo courtesy Quincy McCoy]
Craig and Quincy McCoy pose at their northwest Ocala home wearing T- shirts pointing out their 32nd wedding anniversary. The couple had a vow renewal ceremony on Dec. 7, 2024, after she recovered from a life-threatening illness. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
From left are Ronald McCoy, Marsha Banner, Quincy and Craig McCoy. Quincy and Craig recently renewed their marriage vows after she recovered from a life-threatening illness. Ronald McCoy, Craig’s brother and pastor of Faith, Hope and Love Community Church, officiated. Banner is the couple’s goddaughter. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
Diana Williams was with her grandchildren, 2-year-old twins Cecil and Beni Torres, and Adriaan Torres, 4, at the Kiwanis Club of Ocala’s annual Pancake Day on Dec. 14, 2024, at Eighth Street Elementary School in Ocala.
Bella Marie Martin, 8, enjoys some pancakes with her mother, Maria Stracuzzi, at the Kiwanis Club of Ocala’s Pancake Day at Eighth Street Elementary School.
The annual event is a fundraiser for the club’s youth-focused outreaches, including Camp Kiwanis Summer Camp for children ages 7-13.
Members of the Paige family visit with “Ocala’s Santa” Joe Niles at the Kiwanis Club of Ocala’s annual Pancake Day on Dec. 14, 2024, at Eighth Street Elementary School in Ocala. From left are twins Margaret and Anderson, 9, Santa, Elizabeth, 12, and their father, Jeff Paige.
Photos by Andy Fillmore Ocala Gazette
Sports
High School Football Coverage is Sponsored By
West Port eases past Master’s Academy
Wolf Pack defense paces dominant win over Eagles.
By Mark Pinson Special to the Ocala Gazette
Offense can come and go, but being solid defensively can make a difference in every game. West Port senior forward Calise Smith scored a game-high 16 points and a tenacious Wolf Pack defense forced 25 turnovers in a 44-20 throttling of Master’s Academy on Dec. 13.
The loss dropped the Eagles to 5-4 on the season, while the convincing victory improved West Port to 7-3 overall.
‘”This was one of our best games,” said Wolf Pack coach Corey Rollerson. “We’ve kind of struggled offensively for most of the season, but we’ve been working on that and tonight we played well. We started moving the ball and working it around the defense and got our guards some good shots. We were balanced with the ability to score inside the paint or from the outside.”
Both teams started the first quarter slowly, with West Port’s Smith scoring four of her 16 points to help the Wolf Pack enjoy a slim 9-5 lead heading to the second period. West Port turned up the defensive intensity with its physical man-to-man scheme, which forced Master’s Academy (Oviedo) into numerous turnovers that the Wolf Pack converted into points. Senior forward Aaliyah Grant scored four of her eight points and Ciya Mudaliar and Caniyah Graham drilled back-to-back 3-pointers to give West Port a commanding 25-9 lead at the half.
The Wolf Pack came out focused for the second half and extended their advantage as Sade Smith tickled the twine from behind the 3-point arc and Calise Smith netted seven points, including a 3-pointer from the right baseline, to give the Wolf Pack a 39-9 lead heading to the
final eight minutes. Master’s Academy put together its best offense of the game in the final stanza as center
Alexis Roicki scored seven of her team-high nine points. Senior Jasie Vellon added a bucket for two of her eight points to pull the Class 2A Eagles within 20 points midway through the final quarter. Both teams cleared their benches in the closing minutes as the Class 7A Wolf Pack eased to the win.
“It was a good win,” coach Rollerson said. “We pride ourselves on defense and we kept the pressure on and did a good job of forcing turnovers.”
John Brantley named Forest High football coach
The former alum led the Wildcats to a 1974 state championship.
By Mark Pinson Special to the Ocala Gazette
Forty-nine years later, John Brantley III is returning to his alma mater to coach the Forest High School football team. Brantley, a 1975 Forest graduate, knows what takes to be successful as a player and a coach. He played quarterback and led Forest High School to a 13-0 record and the first state football championship in Marion County history in 1974. He then went on to play for the University of Florida.
He coached at Trinity Catholic High School two different times and helped the Celtics become a perennial powerhouse that won a state championship in 2010. Brantley stepped down as head coach at Trinity Catholic on Nov. 18. Former Forest head football coach Eoghan Cullen resigned recently and the administration
began a search that attracted more than 50 applicants for the coveted head coaching position of the Wildcats. When it came down to it, Brantley was the choice.
"It's a good day for Forest High School," said Wildcats athletics director Skip Austin. "Coach Cullen stepped down at the end of the season and we opened the position up and we had over 50 candidates apply. We whittled it down and after interviews and everything, we felt he (Brantley) was the right fit for the job."
The Class 6A Wildcats went 2-8 this season and 12-18 in three years under Cullen. Building Forest back up to prominence is the goal for Brantley and the staff he puts together.
"That's his (Brantley) driving force, is to right the ship here at Forest and get it back to where it needs to be," Austin said.
Brantley met with the team on Dec. 12 and the players were anxious to meet their new head coach. After the Christmas break,
the Wildcats will begin their offseason conditioning under a new regime.
"John met with the players and they were excited," Austin said. "He brings instant credibility with his track record. He has talked to a few coaches and is looking at putting a staff together. His commitment to the weight room and getting our kids stronger, bigger and faster is going to be important. I believe we're headed in the right direction."
Brantley's contributions to Trinity Catholic football since 2003 have cemented his legacy as one of Florida’s most accomplished high school coaches. Over the course of his incredible career, Brantley led the Celtics for 12 seasons and enjoyed great success by winning 10 district championships. He had a perfect district record of 27-0 to go with five regional titles.
Forest High School alumni and former Trinity Catholic head coach John Brantley is shown working with TCHS players as they played Forest during a football game at FHS in Ocala on Sept. 6, 2024. Brantley, on Dec. 12, was named head coach at Forest. [Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette]
West Port coach Corey Rollerson, center, talks to his team during a time out in Friday night’s game against Master’s Academy.
West Port’s Caniyah Graham (2) plays tight defense on a Master’s Academy player during Friday night’s game. The Wolf Pack beat the Eagles by a score of 44-20.
West Port’s Aaliyah Grant (12) scores two of her eight points during Friday night’s win over Master’s Academy.
Photos by Mark Pinson
Forest earns dominant win over South Lake
Torrid outside shooting leads Wildcats past Eagles.
By Mark Pinson Special to the Ocala Gazette
Forest coach Mike Hoffman challenged his team to execute better before Tuesday night's home game against South Lake. Consider the challenge accepted. Forest knocked down nine 3-pointers and placed three players in double figures in a convincing 71-49 win over the Eagles.
The victory improved the Class 6A Wildcats to 7-1 on the season.
"It was a fun game to watch," said Hoffman. "When you play really hard, and you play with intensity and execute a game plan like we did tonight, it makes it fun to coach. We challenged the kids to keep their foot on the gas the whole night and I thought we did that."
Forest came out hot from the opening tip as senior center Isaac Timmons scored six of his 10 points in the paint, guard Tico Smith poured in 10 of his 17 points and Chandler Davison connected on back-toback 3-pointers as the Wildcats jumped out to a 27-15 lead heading to the second quarter.
"We executed the way we wanted to and got some good looks at the basket," Hoffman said. "I love Isaac's aggressiveness. He has come
a long way since he was a freshman and has really improved."
South Lake (Groveland) stayed in the game thanks to center Isaiah Pina, who scored 14 of his team-high 17 points in the first half. The Class 6A Eagles, who dropped to 8-2 overall, had trouble scoring with any consistency against a swarming Forest defense and trailed by a score of 39-26 at the half.
Forest kept the pressure on in the third quarter as Davison drilled consecutive 3-pointers as part of a game-high 19 points to help the Wildcats increase their lead. Smith buried a trey from the top of the key to make it 57-39 heading to the final eight minutes.
South Lake, which committed 17 turnovers, had no answers for Forest on this night as the Wildcats were able to substitute freely in the final stanza to close
out a solid win.
"It was great to see the kids playing well and having fun," coach Hoffman said. "It was just a really good game for us tonight."
Forest is traveling to Gatlinburg, TN, and will compete in the Smokey Mountain Classic Thursday through Saturday.
"Our bracket is filled with teams from Kentucky, Georgia, West Virginia and some other states," Hoffman said. "We're excited about going up there having some fun and competing against some really good teams."
Brantley
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Coming back to Forest and turning the football program is something the 67-year-old Brantley is looking forward to.
"To get an opportunity to go full circle, go to school here, win a state championship and then come back and hopefully finish my coaching career here at Forest is really special," Brantley said. "I was excited before I met with the players today and after meeting with a little more than 100 kids, I'm even more excited. I think we're off to a good start and we'll get back together and start weight training after the first of the year. It's a great day to be a Wildcat."
Having several months to change the culture and implement his offense and defense before spring practice begins is important to having success during the season. Brantley is going to take his time hiring a staff.
"There's no secrets, there's no shortcuts, you have to work," Brantley said. "You have to get your mind set to do the things that win championships. That's the only way I know how to coach. I'm not going to go crazy hiring coaches just to be hiring someone. I've talked to a couple of guys, but I'm going to take my time."
Brantley, whose wife was a cheerleader and also graduated from Forest, has proven you can go home again.
"It's good to be home," the Wildcats coach said. "My family and I are thrilled and just walking the halls at Forest today meant a lot to me. I've gotten a lot of calls and responses from people in the community and there's a ton of support out there. We want to get them on board and back in the stadium on Friday nights."
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Forest center Isaac Timmons (14) scores
two of his 10 points over South Lake’s Donte Hubert (30) during the second half of Tuesday night’s game. [Photo by Mark Pinson]
Forest guard Tico Smith (0) defends against South Lake’s Austin Cruz during Tuesday night’s game. [Photo by Mark Pinson]
DEL WEBB