SGA brings home the gold; Perry named top SGA adviser

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

The 2013-14 Student Government Association brought home the gold in the Medallion Council competition at the annual Florida Association of Student Councils Conference. The six FPCHS delegates were among 1,000 high school students from across the state to participate in workshops, motivational speakers, awards competitions and officer elections.

FPC’s Student Government falls in the category of 8A, meaning they must compete more than 80 different projects in the year. The students were very proud of this year’s book with a total of 91 projects.

Cheryl Perry, Student Government Association advisor, was also honored at this year’s conference and was named the FASC Adviser of the Year.

“What an honor it was to be nominated by my students and then to actually win… I was shocked, humbled and extremely excited," she said. "There are so many amazing advisors in the state of Florida, the nature of what we do requires us to love our jobs and add crazy hours to the school day, but the work is so rewarding.”

Perry was a member of the Student Government Association when she was a student at Flagler Palm Coast from 1986 to 1990. She then attended Florida State University and returned to teach at FPC in 1995. She took over as the SGA adviser in ’96, with just a small hiatus when Debbie Couch worked with the group from 2001-2003.

BTMS students wear pink to help stop cyber-bullying
Students at Buddy Taylor Middle School showed their personal support against cyber-bullying by wearing pink on Feb. 14. After earning a gold medal for Positive Behavior Supports last year, Buddy Taylor Middle School’s PBS team has implemented two character education lessons per month. Each month has a focus. January’s lessons were focused on respect and February’s character education lesson’s focus is cyber-bullying.

Many students have admitted that most altercations and disagreements are caused by the misuse of social media. Students brainstormed ways to bring awareness to this epidemic. They created an anti cyber-bullying video that was shown all week during morning announcements. Additionally, every homeroom completed an anti cyber-bullying lesson on Feb. 13. They learned about the effects of cyber-bullying. The students also took a quiz to determine if they themselves are cyber-bullies.

Wearing pink to conclude this lesson shows the student’s and faculty’s unity and dedication to ending cyber-bullying.

Palm Harbor Academy offers Spring Break creative arts academy
Palm Harbor Academy will be offering a Creative Arts Academy during Spring Break this March.

“We are excited to be able to offer an educational arts option during spring break,” said Principal Esther Hamilton. “The Creative Arts Academy gives the students an outlet for their creativity and something constructive to do during break."

Interested parents can contact the school at 447-9692, or the program’s coordinator Karen Finder at 447-9040 or [email protected].

Matanzas Shores donates to Ed. Foundation
The Matanzas Shores Woman's Club donated a $5,000 check to the Flagler County Education Foundation Feb. 17. The donation will be invested in a 4-year college scholarship for a student mentored by club member Pat Bohler.

Members raised funds at the club's annual rummage sale called the Matanzas Shores Women's Club Whale of a Sale. Funds are matched by state funds through the Take Stock in Children program.

Boys State representatives chosen from FPC
American Legion Flagler Post 115 representative George Stockley interviewed high school junior males from Flagler Palm Coast High School today, Friday Feb. 18, to select candidates for the Boys State Leadership Conference held in the state capital each summer.

Boys State is a comprehensive one-week Leadership course in state and local government development to offer youth a better perspective to the practical operation of government and to show that the individual is responsible for the character and success of Government. Delegates who are selected to attend this program will “learn by doing” as they progress through the various phases of Government.

The top applicants; Denis Dineen, Barret Manfre and Nathan Monsanto were granted an interview. Stockley referred to the group as “an impressive group of young men.” Each applicant faced a grueling 10-15 minute interview and then waited nervously while the committee deliberated finally selecting two candidates and one alternate to send to the 2014 Boys State Conference.

Monsanto and Barret were chosen to represent the county.

Monsanto is the son of Reggy and Katie Monsanto, of Palm Coast. He is in the International Baccalaureate Program and a member of the National Honor Society, Future Problem Solvers and Key Club. Nathan also plays varsity soccer and hopes to pursue a career in sports medicine.

Manfre is the son of James and Cornelia Manfre. He is also a member of the IB Program and holds the office of secretary for both the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta, and is the captain of the varsity tennis team. Manfre is looking towards a career in Industrial Engineering or Business Administration and Finance.

Dineen, son of Caroleen and Paul Dineen, was chosen as the alternate incase one of the other Flagler County delegates cannot attend. He is an IB diploma candidate, the vice president of the Key Club and a member of the Future Problem Solvers.