- April 25, 2024
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The titles of Mr. and Miss Spruce Creek 2023, decided during a contest held April 1, went to Matthew Monroe, of Ormond Beach and Lauren Bowrosen, of Port Orange.
According to an email, Monroe and Bowrosen, both juniors in the school's IB program, were crowned after judges cast their ballots, with votes based on the contestant interviews, poise on stage and a talent competition. The Mr. and Miss Spruce Creek contest is held annually, and winners become school ambassadors during their senior year, representing Spruce Creek at various events.
Juniors during the talent portion showed off music, dance, singing and acting skills. Monroe choreographed and performed a tap dance to "Good Morning" from "Singin' in the Rain." Bowrosen sang "In My Dreams" from "Anastasia." In addition, Miss Spruce Creek 2022 Yara Nasr, of Ormond Beach, sang "Being Alive" from the Broadway musical "Company," while a video was shown of Mr. Spruce Creek 2022 Josh Spraker playing his saxophone.
In addition, 11 Ormond Beach residents participated in the contest, whether as contestants, escorts or techs: Connor Barie, Isabella Chase, Mahek Patel, Avery Branch, Zeph Santiago, Julia Ambrose, Mayu Colombo, Morgan Gertis, Evan Jarvis, Christine Ngo, and Jadyn Stalzer.
Awards for Mr. and Miss Congeniality went to Miles Reynolds and Baylie McClelland; best interview to Connor Barie and Baylie McClelland; best poise to Monroe and Bowrosen; and best talent to Jackson Blanchard and Lydia Holmes.
The registration period for two of the city of Ormond Beach's summer camps are now open.
Enviro Camp registration opened on April 1, for children ages 7-10. The camp runs for two four-week sessions, meeting Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Environmental Discovery Center, located at 601 Division Ave. Registration must be completed at the EDC in person only. There will be no camp held during the week of Fourth of July (July 4-8). It costs $112 per week.
Registration for the city's Summer Connection 2022 Day Camp opened on April 4. The camp at the South Ormond Neighborhood Center, located at 176 Division Ave., runs Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is open for ages 6-12. The 6-year-olds must have completed kindergarten. There will be two sessions offered: June 13-July 8 (with no camp on July 4), and July 11-August 5. Sessions costs $252 for residents and $378 for non-residents. Weekly rates and scholarships are available. Call Leisure Services at 386-676-3250.
Sherry Paramore, president at Elevate Orlando for the past three years, was recently named vice president of Institutional Advancement at Bethune-Cookman University, her alma mater.
Elevate Orlando is a nonprofit that helps underserved youth with in-school instruction, mentoring and post-secondary preparation, and according to an announcement by B-CU, Paramore was fundamental in helping 100% of its students graduate high school, while 96% went on to pursue a college degree, vocational certificate, or military service.
In her new role, Paramore will be responsible for generating new financial income in support of student scholarship funds, faculty support, academic research, facilities, and other operational and infrastructure needs.
The Ormond Memorial Art Museum's pop-up window exhibit at 9 W. Granada Blvd. will feature five paintings from artist Weldon Ryan through April 25, according to an OMAM newsletter.
Ryan, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, came to the U.S. at 6 years old and grew up in the Bronx, where he spent most of his childhood. His art is an "interfuse"
of many styles and techniques, the newsletter reads, and he uses texture, color and realistic rendering of the subject to create his unique interpretations. The art featured in OMAM's exhibit is part of his "Art of Carnival" collection.
"Expressing the Art of Carnival is my prime motivation," said Ryan in the newsletter. "My painting of these figures introduces the phenomenon of the West Indian Carnival and its people. My use of color coupled with the strength of each figure brings attention that creates dialog which in turn tells the story of Caribbean Culture and of the people. The close proximity of Florida to the Caribbean makes this an important dialogue to hold bringing an understanding that the Caribbean Culture is intrinsic to Florida."
Food Brings Hope recently recognized ICI Homes as its Business of the Month at the ICI Homes Holiday party held at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Mori Hosseini Student Union.
According to a press release, ICI partners with Food Brings Hope for events like the Tour of Homes, which showcases vocational careers to over 125 Teen Zone middle and high school students each year, and the annual Walk for Hope shoe drive held in December. ICI Homes employees also contributed over $12,000 in 2021 through the company's payroll deductions program.
