Community In The Know

From Murdock Middle School: Gaylin Morris (K-12 science curriculum specialist), Allison Bruss (science teacher), Jamie Verwey (assistant principal), Jennessa Chambers (scholarship awardee), Jake Monteleone (assistant principal), Lyman Welton (principal) and Mary Fleenor (AAUW Tech Trek coordinator). COURTESY PHOTOS

Pickleball players invited to compete in Sunshine State Games

Calling all pickleball players! Charlotte County is hosting the 45th Annual Sunshine State Games. Registration is open for you to participate.

With the traditional Sunshine State Games month of June on the horizon, it’s time to register for the Pickleball Championships at the 45th Annual Sunshine State Games. A total of 11 sports are scheduled to be contested between now and the end of June.

The PicklePlex of Punta Gorda will be the host site for the 2024 SSG Pickleball Championships on Thursday, June 6, through Sunday, June 9.

“We are thrilled to host the Sunshine State Games Pickleball Championship for the second consecutive year,” said Sean Walter, business development director – Sales/Sports for the Punta Gorda/ Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau. “While in town, the athletes will have the opportunity to play at a state-of-the-art complex while enjoying the beauty of the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach area and all it has to offer our visitors.”

From Punta Gorda Middle School: Jon Hock (assistant principal), Sam Davis (principal), Gaylin Morris (K-12 science curriculum specialist), Glen Coffey (science teacher), Emmerson Keeler (scholarship awardee), Erik Keeler, Sylvia Keeler and Mary Fleenor (AAUW Tech Trek coordinator).

The 2024 Games features competition in Singles, Men’s and Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles. As a bonus, the weekend begins with a pickleball clinic hosted by Sunshine State Games Sport Director Andy Rubenstein.

This event is a qualifier for the 2024 Florida Senior Games. The top five finishers in each age group qualify for the 2024 games in December, to be held in Florida’s Sports Coast/Pasco County. Athletes who qualify in one event can compete in all three Florida Senior Games events. This event is also a qualifier for the 2024 State Games of America, held July 17-21 in San Diego, California.

The pickleball entry fee is $25, and $5 for each additional event. All entries must be received by Friday, May 24.

Reporter/editor gives talk on covering murders

The Port Charlotte Public Library, 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte, will present “Covering True Crime in Southwest Florida” at 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 21. Join Elaine Allen-Emrich, reporter and community news editor for Suncoast Media Group, as she shares her experience covering high-profile Southwest Florida homicide cases that garnered national attention. This event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required.

To reserve your spot, call 941-764-5562 or see charlottecountyfl.libcal.com . For information on the program, contact Bill MacDonald at 941-764-5562 or Bill. MacDonald@charlottecountyfl.gov .

Local girls earn scholarships to Tech Trek Camp

Jennessa Chambers and Emmersyn Keeler are two of 98 girls from across Florida who will attend the 2024 Tech Trek Camp this summer. Every year, state science teachers nominate talented seventh-grade girls for the opportunity to participate in the week-long Science Camp at either Stetson University in Deland or Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter. The girls compose an essay, fill out an application, and participate in interviews as part of the selection process. At the science camp, the girls will live in the college dorms, eat their meals in the student cafeteria, and take science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) classes in the university classrooms and labs.

For more information, see techtrek-fl.aauw.net .

The American Association of University Women has led efforts to interest more young girls in STEM. The first summer Tech Trek camp was held on California’s Stanford University campus in 1998. Thanks to AAUW scholarships, families pay only $50 to send a girl to camp.

The local branch of the AAUW was established in 1974 to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. For more information, contact Membership Chair Shirley Brewer at shirlron1@gmail.com .

CTC students shine at SkillsUSA State Conference

Charlotte Technical College (CTC) has announced the outstanding achievements of its students at the recent SkillsUSA Florida State Conference held in April in Jacksonville. Several students from CTC showcased their skills and talents across various competitions, demonstrating their dedication and commitment to excellence in their respective fields. Among them, the gold group of medalists has earned the prestigious opportunity to advance to the SkillsUSA National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in June.

The medalists from CTC include:

¦ Gold Medalists: Culinary Arts (High School), Taylor Agueros; Culinary Arts (Post-Secondary), Sue Howell; Promotional Poster (High School), Dominic Deforest; Promotional Poster (High School), Yan Rosabal; Cyber Security (High School), Seth Allen; Cyber Security (High School), Xander Rosedo-Sessa; T-Shirt Design (Post-Secondary), Kerwyn Joseph.

¦ Silver Medalists: Health Knowledge Bowl (High School), Aishea Tice, Rose Jean, Leyla Voltaire and Joshua Longchamp; Photography (Post-Secondary), Adonis Tournear; Cyber Security (Post-Secondary), Josue Collar and Aric Hummer.

Bronze Medalists: Baking & Pastry (High School), Audrey Newhall; Internetworking, Jorge Oliver.

These exceptional students have demonstrated remarkable skill, creativity and dedication in their respective competitions, securing their place among the top performers in the state. Their outstanding achievements reflect the high-quality training and education they receive at CTC and their commitment to excellence.

“We are incredibly proud of all our medalists for their outstanding performance at the SkillsUSA Florida State Conference,” said Cynthia Gulsby, director at Charlotte Technical College. “Their success is a testament to their hard work, talent and the exceptional training they receive at CTC. We are excited to see them represent our institution and our community at the national level.”

The SkillsUSA National Conference provides a platform for students nationwide to showcase their skills, compete at the highest level, and network with industry professionals. It offers participants valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth and the chance to further hone their skills in preparation for successful careers.

For more information about Charlotte Technical College and its programs, see www.yourcharlotteschools.net/ctc. ¦

The post Community In The Know first appeared on Charlotte County Florida Weekly .