Military News

By Times Staff Writer
Published March 2, 2008

Cadet Thomas Wayne Mountain Jr., 18, was honored for outstanding academic achievement at the Citadel in South Carolina during the fall semester.

Mountain made the Dean's List, which recognizes cadets and active duty military students registered for 12 or more semester hours. They also must have a grade-point average of 3.2 or higher, with no grade below a C for the previous semester's work. In addition, Mountain earned a gold star for achieving a 3.7 grade-point average.

Also, Mountain was recently notified he made the President's List, honoring outstanding cadets for the fall semester. It indicates excellence in academics and military duties.

Mountain, who attended Hernando High School, graduated in 2007 from Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia. He is the son of Lynn and Thomas W. Mountain Sr. of Brooksville.

High Fives

On Jan. 17 and 18, math and science teachers from Hernando County schools ditched classes to race cars and play computer games in Orlando, all while exploring the high-tech field of simulation at the techCAMP workshop, hosted by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.

Hernando County was represented by teachers from Nature Coast Technical, Central, Springstead and Hernando high schools and West Hernando, Powell and Fox Chapel middle schools.

During the two-day workshop, educators got a behind-the-scenes look at how new technologies come together to create not only the latest video games, but also the most advanced military training systems in the world. It was part of the council's initiative to promote high-tech careers to middle and high school students.

The council is an economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida and the University of Florida, and its mission is to attract, retain and grow high-tech industry and to help develop the workforce to support those industries in a 23-county corridor.

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Emerson Barron was the artist of the month for February at the West Hernando/S.T. Foggia Branch Library, 6335 Blackbird Ave., Spring Hill. Barron's work consisted of a series of Hernando County trees painted in impressionist and abstract style. The paintings were in oil and acrylic.

Barron is a graduate of the St. Louis School of Fine Arts at Washington University. He worked as a graphic designer/illustrator for Scholastic Inc. and Columbia Records. He is a member of the Spring Hill Art League.

Clubs and Organizations

The Kiwanis Club of Brooksville was honored by a recent visit from the Florida District governor of Kiwanis, Mark Taylor, and his wife, Sharon.

Taylor introduced Michael Evangelista, the lieutenant governor of Division 8, Zone 8 for Key Club.

Each year, the district governor's wife announces a project. This year, Sharon Taylor's project is the guardian ad litem program. Dennis M. Loger, guardian ad litem recruiter, was introduced as her guest. Program volunteers take on the role of advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system. For information on Florida's GAL program, visit www.guardianadlitem.org or call Loger at 257-4233.

For his project, and as part of Kiwanis International's One Day project, Gov. Taylor is asking every Kiwanis club member in the district to spend April 5 at a local youth league park to encourage youth and to provide positive role models. Taylor notes that whether it's cheering in the stands, preparing hot dogs or pancakes, or presenting new athletic uniforms or equipment, the important thing is to provide visible support to kids.

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The Federated King's Daughters of Spring Hill began the new year with a dedication ceremony. The group celebrated its fifth King's Daughters Day weekend Jan. 4 and 5 with the theme "Getting It Straight in 2008."

The 11 women, who are all Seventh-day Adventist members, began the weekend with a candle lighting service in which they rededicated themselves to serve God and their fellow man. Elder Charles Bradford, a retired president of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, delivered the sermon, "Do What He Told You to Do." The candlelighting ceremony followed, with the officers and members of the church joining the King's Daughters.

On Sabbath morning, the day began with Bible study, and the group was joined by King's Daughters from other chapters. Addressing the group, Pastor Ifeoma Kwesi of Huntsville, Ala., expounded on the weekend's theme.

During the service, the college students in the group received gift cards, and plaques were given by Frances Jones, president of the Spring Hill chapter, and Gladys DeGuzman, vice president, to Marjorie Charlton and Gloria Thomas, who are charter members of the Spring Hill chapter. They were made honorary members.

The day ended with lunch catered by the Spring Hill King's Daughters, followed by a musical concert by One Accord and BASIC (Brothers And Sisters In Christ). Both groups are made up of members of the Spring Hill church. The guest trio Chozyn from Mt. Calvary Seventh-day Adventist Church also performed.

King's Daughters is a national organization of Seventh-day Adventist women that has been in existence since 1920. Its primary focus is in service to senior citizens, the indigent and education.

Notes of Thanks

The United Way of Hernando County would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the employees of Zachry Construction, who recently held their employee campaign during a three-day rally. Their outstanding commitment to United Way of Hernando County is very much appreciated.

Every one of Zachry's 600 employees participated, raising a total of $125,000 for the United Way of Hernando County's 2007-08 campaign. Zachry Construction's corporate office has made a 100 percent match of the employees' pledges, bringing the total contributed to $250,000.

Thank you, Zachry Construction and employees, for your continued support. Remember, all money raised stays in Hernando County. For information, please call 688-2026 or visit www.unitedwayhernando.com.

Kathy Jones, executive director

United Way of Hernando County

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On behalf of the hospitalized veterans at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, I wish to thank the Democratic Women's Club for their recent donation of phone cards.

These items are very much appreciated by our patients. We are grateful for the generosity and thoughtfulness you have expressed toward our hospitalized veterans.

Again, thank you for your continued interest and support of our veterans.

Deborah J. Gottardi

Chief, voluntary service

[Last modified March 1, 2008, 20:27:07]