Three projects that were inspired by the powerful effects of Hurricane Matthew have advanced Flagler’s Enactus team to the national Enactus competition.
Each year, Enactus students compete regionally to earn a spot in the National Exposition, a competition that rewards top teams with a coveted national title. Students are judged on their ability to achieve the organization’s mission, which is “to empower people to transform opportunities into real, sustainable progress for themselves and their community.”
Flagler Enactus decided to focus this year’s presentation on addressing the immediate needs of its St. Augustine community.
“Our community was battered and bruised from the hurricane, but not broken,” said Eric Crosby, president of Flagler College Enactus. “The community really inspired our team.”
As part of the Flagler’s team presentation at the regional competition in Atlanta, students focused on three projects, all of which assist individuals affected by Hurricane Matthew: helping rebuild retail and tour business Flagler’s Legacy, the organization’s pioneering project that was started 18 years ago; launching SplitSpace, an online service that matches hurricane-affected entrepreneurs with other business owners who desire to share their storefront space; and expanding the products and opportunities of Dominican Republic-based soap company Dominican Waves, by hiring more employees and designing a hygiene education program to address water-borne diseases that emerged after the storm.
According to Crosby, Flagler Enactus will be presenting a refined, expanded version of these projects at the National Exposition in Kansas City, Mo. from May 21 to 23.
Flagler’s Enactus, one of 533 Enactus teams across the U.S., has won national titles for their projects in 2004, 2009 and 2013. It placed third last year.
ICYMI: News Talk Florida: Bondi to serve on new Trump lead Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission
Pam Bondi: “I want to thank the President of the United States, Governor Christie and many others for caring about this deadly epidemic.”
News Talk Florida
James Williams
March 29, 2017
Bondi will serve on the new Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission to be chaired by Gov. Chris Christie
While in Washington to moderate women’s empowerment panel at the White House, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi was named to a group who will take the lead on combatting drug abuse. The new group is called the Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission. It is a new group that was put together and will be overseen by President Donald Trump.
The commission will be chaired by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and today at the White House Bondi had some early conversations about her duties when she sat with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, VA Secretary David Shulkin, Kellyanne Conway, Jared Kushner, Stephen Miller, Omarosa Manigault, and other administration officials.
To read the full article, click here.
Hurricane Hunter backup bill passes Senate
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill late Wednesday requiring the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to have reliable backups available for its Hurricane Hunter aircraft.
The provision, sought by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), comes in the wake of an incident last year when one of the jets NOAA was using to gather hurricane measurements was forced to land for emergency repairs during Hurricane Hermine. The Gulfstream G-IV was grounded for several days, forcing NOAA to scramble to find a temporary replacement.
“When it comes to protecting lives and property, we can’t afford to go without Hurricane Hunters,” Nelson said following the passage of the measure. “We need to have a backup plan in place, and I’m hopeful we’ll have one in time for hurricane season.”
NOAA maintains a fleet of three aircraft currently based at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. The planes are designed to fly in and around hurricanes and tropical storms, collecting data used to track and measure the intensity of these powerful storms.
NOAA’s current fleet of Hurricane Hunters include two P3 propeller aircraft, known as Miss Piggy and Kermit, that fly into storms, but only one Gulfstream jet, known as Gonzo, capable of reaching altitudes high enough to fly above storms.
The measurements taken by Hurricane Hunters are essential to weather forecasters. On May 1, the Hurricane Hunter fleet is slated to move from Tampa to the Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport.
Nelson’s Hurricane Hunter provision was included in a broader weather bill (HR 353). The legislation now goes to the House for consideration.
Florida Supreme Court: Regular weekly opinion release
Filings for the Florida Supreme Court
March 30, 2017
SC13-819 & SC14-22 – Roderick Michael Orme v. State of Florida and Roderick Michael Orme v. Julie L. Jones, etc. – Revised Opinion
SC14-1412 – Brandon Lee Bradley v. State of Florida
SC15-625 – Dwayne F. White v. State of Florida
SC15-1613 – State of Florida v. Nicolas Dominique
SC15-1816 – Gangapersad Ramroop v. State of Florida
SC15-1881 & SC16-589 – Nancy Hooker v. Timothy I. Hooker and Timothy I. Hooker v. Nancy Hooker
SC15-1925 – Rafael Yee v. State of Florida
SC15-2092 – Corey Jamaine Dozier v. State of Florida
SC16-303 – Alan Osterhoudt, Jr. v. State of Florida
Senate Passes Comprehensive Gaming Legislation
The Florida Senate today passed Senate Bill 8, Gaming, by Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton). Senator Galvano and Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart) released the following statements.
Statement by President Negron:
“This legislation will provide needed certainty and predictability in our state gaming policies. I am pleased to see the Senate pass legislation that ratifies the 2015 Compact executed by Governor Scott with modifications that ensure we honor the will of our fellow citizens in the eight counties that have approved referenda to expand the availability of gaming options. I appreciate Senator Galvano’s leadership in working with all stakeholders to formalize a comprehensive piece of legislation that provides a foundation for further discussions with Governor Scott, our colleagues in the Florida House, the Seminole Tribe, industry stakeholders, and constituents.”
Statement by Senator Galvano:
“This legislation builds on work that has taken place and input received by the Senate over the last several years. The bill covers all aspects of gaming in our state in a comprehensive manner that addresses industry instability caused by antiquated and ambiguous provisions of current law. It renews our ongoing revenue-sharing agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and recognizes the authority of local voters. Today’s action is an important step towards finalizing a statewide approach that respects all stakeholders, while modernizing Florida’s gaming laws, and maximizing revenues to the state for education, healthcare and infrastructure.”
Camp Blanding to Honor World War Two Veteran
WHAT: Camp Blanding Joint Training Center will honor Mr. Charles D. Moloney of Gainesville, Florida for his service to our country during World War Two.
WHEN: Friday, March 31, 4 p.m.
WHERE: Camp Blanding Museum & Memorial Park, near the main gate – 5629 State Rd. 16 West, Starke, Fla. 32091
Mr. Moloney enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 4, 1942 at Camp Blanding, Fla. He served in the Pacific Theater and then out processed back at Camp Blanding. The six medals Mr. Moloney did not receive at the time of his departure from the U.S. Army and will be awarded to him on Friday are; The Presidential Unit Citation, The Good Conduct Medal, Honorable Service Lapel Pin, The American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and The World War II Victory Medal.
Brig. Gen. Paul B. “Trey” Chauncey, III, The Assistant Adjutant General-Army (M-Day), will preside over the ceremony.
All news media outlets are asked to arrive 30 minutes prior the ceremony.
ICYMI: 400 Floridians Attend Constitution Revision Commission Public Hearing in Orlando
Photo by CRC: Chairman Carlos Beruff and Commissioners
listen to Floridians at the CRC’s first public hearing in Orlando.
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) held its first public hearing on March 29 in Orlando at the University of Central Florida (UCF) as part of its, “Floridians Speak, We Listen” statewide tour. Approximately 400 Floridians attended the hearing, and more than 95 individual Floridians spoke before the Commission to share their ideas. The hearing began at 5:00 PM and extended past the noticed end time through approximately 9:00 PM. All Floridians who attended the public hearing and wanted to speak were given an opportunity to be heard by the Commission.
To watch last night’s full hearing, visit the Florida Channel’s website which has a page dedicated to all CRC public hearings and meetings. A complete transcript of the public hearing and appearance forms will be available online at FLCRC.GOV as soon as possible. The next public hearings held by the CRC will be on April 6 at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami and on April 7 at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton. Visit FLCRC.GOV for the schedule of confirmed public hearings. Floridians can also receive updates by following the CRC on Twitter (@FloridaCRC) and on Facebook (@FloridaCRC).
ABOUT THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMISSION
Once every twenty years, Florida’s Constitution provides for the creation of a thirty-seven member revision commission for the purpose of reviewing Florida’s Constitution and proposing changes for voter consideration. The Commission meets for approximately one year, traveling the State of Florida, identifying issues, performing research, and possibly recommending changes to the Constitution. Any amendments proposed by the Commission would be placed on the 2018 General Election ballot. For additional information, visit FLCRC.GOV. Follow the CRC on Twitter @FloridaCRC and like the CRC on Facebook @FloridaCRC.
UCF Grad at Home with WWE and Wrestlemania
As a child growing up off University Boulevard in east Orlando, Dasha Kuret ’12 dreamed of attending UCF one day. She didn’t foresee, however, that a degree in health sciences would land her a career in which body slams, suplexes and pile drivers are everyday occurrences.
Yet, here she is – a UCF alumna turned World Wrestling Entertainment ring announcer who is about to spend the next several days gearing up for one of the biggest events to hit her hometown: WrestleMania 33 on April 2.
“I have so many fond memories inside of the Citrus Bowl [now Camping World Stadium] that I cannot wait for WrestleMania this year,” Kuret said.
Better known by her stage name Dasha Fuentes, Kuret joined the WWE in 2014 and is based out of Orlando, where she has lived her whole life.
Kuret was an honor student in Orange County public schools, and with her mother’s encouragement, made her dream of attending UCF a reality.
While she worked toward her health sciences degree, Kuret – then Gonzalez – was chosen as Miss UCF 2009 and said she was proud to represent one of the nation’s largest universities. Looking back on it now, Kuret said it’s really not that surprising that she pursued her role as a ring announcer and on-camera interviewer at the WWE.
“Competing in pageants and being Miss UCF – that helped me with motivational speaking, with learning how to fail, with learning how to speak in front of a crowd. Studying science, that helped me understand body mechanics and why it moves certain ways,” she said. “Everything I [did] served a purpose at the end. When you sit back and you reflect it all comes together.”
Kuret, a former gymnast, originally joined the WWE in May 2014 as a Superstar hopeful within its development league, NXT. She trained at its Performance Center in Orlando, but one day the company needed someone to fill in as a ring announcer.
Kuret saw more opportunity for growth and longevity, so she started pursuing a career in the role full-time. After a year of ring announcing within NXT, she was drafted in November to SmackDown Live, which airs on Tuesday nights on the USA Network.
A “normal” work week for Kuret is anything but.
She typically flies on Friday or Saturday to cover live shows Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights before her television appearance Tuesday on SmackDown. When she arrives home on Wednesday, she said she usually stops in to the Performance Center to familiarize herself with the up-and-coming talent.
Fluent in Spanish, she polishes her proficiency with foreign-language classes on Thursdays and usually takes a yoga class on Friday before repeating the process the next week.
“Lots of driving, lots of flying. Being able to balance work, staying physically fit and active, eating healthy on the road, trying to find time to sleep – it’s difficult but it can be done,” she said. “I always wanted to be a positive role model and find a job where I could be intelligent and I could speak in front of people. I wanted to work for a company where they are philanthropists, and they are constantly involved in the community promoting education and physical fitness and well-being. … [This] checked all the boxes pretty much.”
She is thrilled to be part of the excitement surrounding WrestleMania’s return to Orlando, where it took place in 2008. Part of her job responsibilities will be at Axxess, a four-day fan-interaction experience at the Orange County Convention Center beginning today, March 30.
On Sunday, April 2, WrestleMania will broadcast live on WWE Network and pay-per-view in more than 180 countries. Kuret’s show, SmackDown Live, will stick around Orlando at the Amway Center for its regularly scheduled Tuesday night slot on April 4.
Kuret, who attended her first WrestleMania last year in Dallas, said this year’s mega-event is extra special to her because she loves to represent UCF and her city, and knows the whole world will be watching.
“The community of UCF and the community of Orlando is something that is a bond that can’t be explained,” she said. “I grew up with my family being very strong, and I feel like the community of UCF is very strong and getting stronger as the years go on. For me, that’s what makes me proud to be a Knight. It doesn’t matter where you came from. It doesn’t matter who you are, UCF accepts you. They give you the tools to succeed as long as you’re willing to find them.”
Attorney General Bondi Moderates Women’s Empowerment Panel at the White House
Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday moderated President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s Women’s Empowerment Panel at the White House. The panel included members of the Pre
sident’s Cabinet: U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, Administrator of the Small Business Administration Linda McMahon, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Seema Verma. More than 200 women from across the country were in attendance.
“I am honored to have served as the moderator for President Trump and the First Lady’s Women’s Empowerment Panel at the White House,” said Attorney General Bondi. “As Florida’s first female attorney general, it was a privilege to discuss important women’s issues with such dedicated national leaders.”
To watch remarks from President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence at the panel, click here.
UNF Nutrition and Dietetics Master’s Degree Program Ranks No. 9 Nationwide
The University of North Florida’s Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics online degree program in the Brooks College of Health ranked No. 9 in the country by GradSource.com. UNF was the only university in the state to make the ranking.
The universities and colleges included in the ranking were based on several criteria, including affordability, program prominence, student success, flexibility and related degrees. Some of the ranked universities across the country that UNF bested include Rutgers University Auburn University, New York Institute of Technology, Central Michigan University and Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, to name a few.
“We strive to have programs that are high quality, relevant and focused on preparing students for evidence-based practice,” said Dr. Judith Rodriguez, chair of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at UNF. “We’re proud of this recognition and will continue to work toward providing students with an excellent education.”
The Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics is a 43-semester hour program with a thesis or non-thesis (projects) option. These two options are for registered dietitians and nutritionists with a bachelor’s degree from an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics-accredited program who wish to pursue graduate training with an emphasis in clinical or community dietetics. The coursework for this program is delivered using a distance learning format.
The Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics thesis or non-thesis (projects) options allow students to pursue an independent research project as a culminating experience in their master’s program or 12 pre-approved credits through a series of project, field experience, and independent study courses.
The Nutrition and Dietetics Flagship Program at UNF offers undergraduate and graduate programs that are committed to transforming students into valued professionals through the pursuit and acquisition of knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors essential for lifelong learning.
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
