Ormond Beach boy wins his first fishing tournament together with his father

Ormond Beach Observer
Your Town

Six-year-old Scotty Jr. Cornelius and his father, Scott Cornelius, of Ormond Beach, entered the iFish Flagler Inshore Fishing Tournament — their first fishing tournament together — as team Tournament Pirate and won first place.

The tournament, hosted by the Flagler Home Builders Association, was held at Herschel King Park on Oct. 8. The father-son duo named their team after the family's brand of outdoor performance apparel, according to an email.

"Although I've fished many inshore tournaments during my lifetime so far, Scotty Jr. had never fished one before in his life," wrote Scott Cornelius in the email.

Scotty Jr. and Scott Cornelius. Courtesy photo

"Fishing tournaments take a lot of work, focus, time, determination and motivation. At the age of 6, I felt he's proven to me that he will be able to not only compete but help me with the boat as well as other things throughout."

He recalled the way his son walked up to the weigh-in area with two redfish in his net, "carried over his shoulder like a true blue collar boy with a grin from ear to ear," as competitors praised him for his catch.

Cornelius said that he had dreamed of taking part in fishing tournaments with his son since before his son was born.

"I'm so excited and proud that my 6 year old son caught nine redfish during the tournament all by himself (with a little help from dad netting the fish), measured the fish and he released the non-keepers healthy to be caught again one day," he wrote. "In his very first tournament ever he won first place in the kids category with a beautiful bright gold colored redfish/red drum, claiming his prize of $200."

Per the email, Scotty Jr. said he plans to invest his winnings on a dirt bike.

"Mom and day say, "We'll see about that!" his father wrote.

Scott Cornelius said that he had dreamed of taking part in fishing tournaments with his son, Scotty Jr., since before his son was born. Courtesy photo

Votran honored at the 2022 FPTA awards

Last month, Volusia County's public transit system won several stateside awards at the Florida Public Transportation's annual conference in Naples.

According to a news release, Votran received the 2022 Bus Safety Excellence Gold Safety award, a marketing award for a signage campaign focused on Votran's low-cost transportation option for riders and a safety award for its new training and retraining program.

Votran bus operator Davidson Abraham also won third place for Bus Operator of the Year. He has worked with Votran for 23 years. In the past, he has won other awards such as the National Safety Council regional award and the Votran Above and Beyond award.

Reel in the fun winners

The city of Ormond Beach held a Reel in the Fun kids fishing tournament on Oct. 8. The winners were as follows:

Lydia won first place at the city's Reel in the Fun fishing tournament. Courtesy photo

Ages 4-6

First place: Lydia, 1.1 lb catfish
Second place: Evan 14 oz redfish
Third place: Owen, 12 oz black drum

Ages 7-9

First place: Isabella, 12 oz catfish
Second place: Marlon, 9 oz catfish
Third place: Noah, 7 oz robin

Ages 10-12

First place: Christopher, 1.1 lb catfish
Second place: Ivan, 10 oz black drum
Third place: Hannah, 9 oz catfish

Delivering meals to West Volusia

The Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties delivered meals to Dewey Boster Park on Friday, Oct. 14, to help feed people in need due to Hurricane Ian.

Volunteer Randy McDonald and Jewish Federation President Marvin Miller help distribute MREs. Courtesy photo

Over a thousand families were fed, according to the Jewish Federation. The nonprofit was able to distribute military rations, known as MREs, to help the West Volusia Community, thanks to the local support of its food bank.