High School scholarship winners and Teachers of the Year honored by Kiwanis

There was a future forensic anthropologist, a mechanical engineer, and even a possible, future President of the United States, at the 13th annual Kiwanis Education Luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn on Tuesday, April 26.

Ten students, four from Matanzas High School, and six from Flagler Palm Coast High School, and their parents, were invited to the event.

Appropriately, the 10 Teachers of the Year for 2016, were also in attendance.

“I was on the school board in 1995,” said Joel Rosen, prior to giving the invocation. “I understand the time and tribulations, and what you put into educating our children.”

Sokret Pond, one of the Matanzas High School scholarships winners sat with his mom, Thyra Pond.

Sokret will head off to Brown University to study political science.

I want to run for office,” he said. “Maybe be a congressman, or.... president.”

Tiara Hampton came to the luncheon with her dad, Johnny Hampton. The FPC senior will attend the University of South Florida to study English, with a plan on teaching ESOL.

Kiwanis President Denise Calderwood welcomed everyone to the luncheon.

“We have a long history of working very closely with the Flagler County School Board,” she said. “The dollars and the mentorships have yielded these results.”

Ed Pruitt Jr. introduced each of the Kiwanis scholarship winners, providing a bio on each that included an impressive resume of studies, volunteerism and part-time jobs.

Ed Wolfe introduced the Teachers of the Year, and each was presented with a portfolio case. Dustin Sims, FPC principal, introduced the Principal of the Year, John Fanelli, and the Assistant Principal of the Year, Marcus Sanfilippo.