Category: Community

As we prepare to send off another class of graduates, I am filled with admiration for the incredible students at J.R. Arnold High School. As Panama City Beach’s hometown high school, Arnold holds a special place in the heart of its community, and it’s only fitting that we shine a spotlight on these remarkable Marlins in this issue. This year, 392 seniors are on track to graduate, and together they’ve earned an impressive $7.8 million in scholarships. They’ve also demonstrated their career readiness, with 83 CTE certifications earned. Additionally, 13 students have committed to serve in the U.S. military, exemplifying courage, leadership, and service to our country. These students make us incredibly proud to call them our own.

Academic, Artistic, and Athletic Excellence

At Arnold, Principal Britt Smith’s commitment to the “Triple A” philosophy—Academics, Arts, and Athletics—is more than just a guiding principle; it is a lived experience, embodied most vividly by this year’s valedictorian, Memphis Messina. Memphis is the epitome of a well-rounded student. She has excelled academically at the highest level, thrived in the arts through her contributions to theater and musical performances, and shown tremendous leadership as a four-year letterman and team captain for the swim team.

Another shining example of this year’s graduating class is Lily Cobb, a true scholar-athlete who has earned the AP Capstone Diploma and was named an AP Scholar with Distinction. Her exceptional academic performance also earned her a scholarship offer to MIT, which she turned down to pursue a track and field scholarship at the University of Colorado School of Mines, where she plans to study civil engineering.

The athletic accomplishments of the Class of 2025 are also truly remarkable. Notably, the Arnold High School boys soccer team, led by many senior athletes, captured their third state title in five years with a hard-fought win over Jesuit High School in the Class 5A state championship. After a 1-1 draw, the team secured victory with a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout. Senior goalie, Lincoln Guynn, helped lead the team with outstanding defensive play and was selected to play in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star Game.

Eli Blair and Cooper Moss have been an unstoppable force on and off the baseball diamond. Both will graduate with academic honors and will continue their education and athletic careers at the University of Florida. These four-year lettermen have helped lead a revival of Arnold’s baseball program, breaking records and setting new standards of excellence along the way.

We also proudly recognize Joy Green, a scholar-athlete and four-year member of the girls’ basketball team, who will graduate with both a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree. Joy will attend Florida A&M University with the goal of entering the medical field, and I have no doubt she will make a profound impact in the years to come.

As we celebrate these milestones, we must also acknowledge the administration, teachers, staff, families, and community members who have supported these students every step of the way. Your investment in their lives has helped shape this phenomenal class into who they are today.

To the Arnold High School Class of 2025: Congratulations! You are truly putting the “A” back in Bay—and making Panama City Beach proud.

By Glenda Nouskhajian, Principal

Hutchison Beach Elementary School has reached a remarkable milestone by earning the esteemed Legacy Status as a Leader in Me School. This accolade is the highest honor within the Leader in Me community, a designation shared by only 20 schools worldwide. The recognition highlights Hutchison Beach Elementary’s commitment to fostering leadership and personal growth among its students.

The Leader in Me process, inspired by Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” focuses on developing leadership skills and a strong sense of responsibility in students. Hutchison Beach Elementary’s journey towards achieving Legacy Status began thirteen years ago, when the school implemented the program’s principles and practices into its curriculum and culture.

Gaining Legacy Status is a rigorous process that involves a comprehensive evaluation of the school’s implementation of the Leader in Me framework. Schools must demonstrate sustained progress in leadership development, academic performance, and a positive school culture. Hutchison Beach Elementary’s success in these areas sets it apart as a model institution for the Leader in Me process.

The school has seen a notable transformation since embarking on this journey. Students are encouraged to set personal and academic goals, participate in leadership roles, and contribute positively to their community. This holistic approach has fostered a nurturing environment where students thrive both academically and personally.

With Legacy Status now achieved, Hutchison Beach Elementary is poised to continue its mission of empowering students to become leaders. The school plans to share its success story with other institutions, offering guidance and inspiration to schools aspiring to implement the Leader in Me program.

The future looks bright for Hutchison Beach Elementary as it continues to cultivate a community of passionate, driven, and effective young leaders. The Legacy Status not only celebrates past accomplishments but also sets the stage for continued growth and excellence in the years to come.

Gulf Coast State College is honored to announce that Mr. William Cramer, Jr., Chair of the GCSC District Board of Trustees, has been selected as Air Combat Command’s nominee for the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award, following his nomination by the 325th Fighter Wing at Tyndall Air Force Base.

This prestigious national award, presented by the United States Air Force, recognizes a civilian who has demonstrated exceptional patriotism, humanitarian concern, and dedication to improving the quality of life for members of the armed forces. Mr. Cramer’s nomination is evidence of his longstanding commitment to supporting Tyndall Air Force Base and the broader military community across Northwest Florida.

The nomination places Mr. Cramer in consideration at the Headquarters Air Force level, where he will be evaluated alongside nominees from across the country for final selection of the national award recipient.

“We are incredibly proud to see Mr. Cramer recognized for his extraordinary service,” said Mr. Glen McDonald, President of Gulf Coast State College. “His leadership, generosity, and care for others have impacted countless lives—both here at Gulf Coast and across the military community.”

Gulf Coast State College extends its congratulations to Mr. Cramer and joins the Air Force Association Chapter 355 in celebrating this well-deserved honor.

By Rick Moore

We are excited to share some wonderful news with you. A new radio station, WODR, FM 90.3, Destiny Radio, has just been launched in our area. This new station reaches from Panama City Beach to Saint George Island. With special programming tailored specifically for this region, the Forgotten Coast is forgotten no more! Our mission statement is “Encouraging Connection With God And Our Community,” and we are indeed proud to be a part of this great community.

The core message of Destiny Radio is: “There is great potential locked up in each and every one of us; a destiny in heaven and a destiny on earth.” These are the words of our founder, Steve Vaggalis. He was part of the team that launched what is now Destiny Radio decades ago. Our agenda is in no way a secret agenda. Our values are crystal clear. We desire to help transform communities by exercising goodness, generosity, and love.

Destiny Radio is family focused. There are few things these days that families can enjoy together. Even going to church, you will find the family splits up as soon as they arrive. Children go to children’s church, teenagers go to youth groups, adults go to their classes, and senior citizens hang out with each other. However, when everyone is in the car driving down the street, they can all enjoy the upbeat, positive music on Destiny Radio. It truly bridges generations.

90.3 FM is commercial free. No one ever asks for money over the air. We proudly play uplifting music twenty-four hours a day. Though we do not air sermons, some airtime is dedicated to short inspirational nuggets. A great example of this would be the segments we call Mile Markers. These are short messages that pack a punch. They consist of multiple guest speakers, multiple styles, multiple topics and multiple lengths ranging from thirty seconds to two minutes. Topics and locations will change, but each message will help direct you to your destination.

Destiny Radio is made up of several media outlets: 90.3 FM, 91.1 FM in Fort Walton Beach, a website at DestinyRadio.live, and Destiny Visual Radio (DVR) which is our multi-platform app. The Destiny Visual Radio app is available from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Apple TV, Roku TV and Fire TV. This new app features your favorite Christian music videos. It allows pausing and rewinding in ways FM Radio cannot. The app also lists the name of the song playing, the name of the artist, and shows the album cover. The app features several one-minute inspirational messages, quizzes, a blog, and upcoming events highlighting concerts that are coming to our area. To download the app visit: https://subsplash.com/destinyworshipcenter-fl/app

A recent survey showed a vast majority of those who listen to music on FM Radio do not want AI technology deciding the songs they hear. They want more than just the top twenty songs from a countdown generated by a computer. They prefer a curated list from someone they trust. We feel like we’re someone the region can trust and we take our song selection seriously. One of our goals is for FM 90.3 to become a primary source in the region for discovering new music and new artists. Listeners can request certain songs to be played on air by emailing contact@destinyradio.live or using the “Call In” feature on our app.

Though there are many ways we can listen to our favorite music, FM radio remains a staple for listening in vehicles. It’s a medium people look to. People find a sense of comfort from their local radio station because they know they have the heartbeat of their community. We want FM 90.3 to have the heartbeat of this community, to inform the community, to encourage the community, and to inspire the community.

Rick Moore is Communication Pastor at Destiny Worship Center

By Heather Bennett Eye

Whether you’re navigating a new diagnosis or have recently moved to the Emerald Coast, finding the right resources for a child or family member with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) can feel overwhelming. Knowing where to turn for therapy, education, social support and recreational opportunities can make all the difference. Our community offers several resources to help you connect, advocate and thrive.

Lindy Wood, founder of Westonwood Ranch in Freeport, was once in your shoes. Her 15-year-old son Weston was diagnosed with autism when he was two. “It’s overwhelming. You do not get a lot of guidance from the diagnostic physician. They tell you that you need to start therapy, but you walk away, and you don’t know where to turn to,” said Lindy.

In rural Alabama, where they lived, extensive therapy was limited. After visiting several schools, they decided the Emerald Coast Autism Center in Niceville was the best choice for Weston, and they moved to Freeport to give Weston better opportunities. Here, they navigated a new community and new opportunities.

Now Lindy and her family work to help others. “The most important, or critical thing, when they’re young, is that you’re more aggressive with therapy. It’s shown to have the best outcomes as they continue to age,” stated Lindy. “Take advantage of that time ahead of the game. Be proactive. You have to advocate for alternate learning opportunities. Because those are critical.” Westonwood Ranch started as a vision of a place where individuals with disabilities could learn, grow and thrive, and since opening in 2019, they’ve worked hard to help teens and young adults with IDD realize their potential and develop life skills to foster independent and productive lives.

While there are numerous therapy and skill-building opportunities available for young children with autism and other developmental disabilities, resources tend to become more limited as children grow older. For adolescents and young adults, access to developmentally appropriate services, such as life skills training, social development programs, or transition support, can be significantly harder to find. Additionally, insurance coverage for these types of services may be restricted, leaving families to navigate financial barriers during a critical period of growth and independence.

Westonwood Ranch works hard to raise money and find community support to help offset costs for participants through financial aid. “We never want finances to be a barrier to obtaining this higher level of programs,” said Lindy. They also have an aquaponic farm where they grow and sell produce. They currently have seven local restaurants sourcing lettuce from them regularly. They also have a bakery where they produce their own Brew Chews Gourmet Dog Treats. Proceeds from those businesses are reinvested back into the ranch.

There are several programs to assist children and young adults with IDD offered at Westonwood Ranch. The Transitional Services Day Program is full-time, year-round for those 12 and up, providing opportunities to gain critical skills to be more independent. The LIFT OFF Program for those 18 and older is designed to help those exiting the school system and focuses on developing soft skills with real hands-on learning at the aquaponics farm and pet treat bakery. The program culminates in an internship and an opportunity to be employed. The ranch also provides an Afterschool Equine Therapy on Mondays and Wednesdays for ages four to adult.

“No matter where you are on your walk with autism or other developmental disabilities, don’t let their age be a limit on their ability to learn. No matter what age you are, you’re still capable of learning whether you have a disability or not,” added Lindy. “They are still able and capable of learning and capable of doing amazing things if given the right opportunities and pathways.”

Many cities and counties face the challenge of affordable housing for people with IDD, and the Emerald Coast is no different. Westonwood Ranch is looking to change that. They are currently working on securing funding for a supportive living community for 44 young adults that will include apartments, townhomes and tiny homes with a pool and a clubhouse. This community will be 180 degrees from the traditional group homes.

In addition to Westonwood Ranch, there are a variety of resources available along the Emerald Coast to support individuals with IDD, as well as their families and caregivers. These resources span early intervention services, educational supports, therapy providers, community programs, and advocacy organizations. Notable organizations include the Emerald Coast Autism Center, Great Gains Behavioral, Project 10, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities, Centers for Autism and Related Disabilities, Autism Society of Florida, Walton County Arc, Grace Rides, and the Special Olympics of Walton County.

If you would like to learn more about Westonwood Ranch, visit www.westonwood.org or contact them at info@westonwood.org or (850) 880-2220.

The Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to honoring fallen veterans, first responders, and their K9 companions while restoring marine ecosystems, is thrilled to announce its Inaugural Lionfish  Tournament on June 6-7, 2025, at the prestigious Point South Marina at Bay Point in Panama City Beach, Florida. This exciting event serves as both a critical fundraiser for the Foundation’s mission and a proactive strike against the invasive lionfish threatening Gulf Coast waters.

A Dual-Purpose Event: Conservation and Commemoration

Lionfish, a non-native species with no natural predators in the Atlantic and the Gulf of America, have wreaked havoc on local marine ecosystems by preying on juvenile fish and disrupting biodiversity. The Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation is taking action with this tournament, aiming to eradicate these voracious invaders while raising funds to create artificial reefs as lasting memorials for warriors. These reefs, built from raw steel, encapsulate the cremated remains interred in sustainable structures, provide vital habitats for marine life, transforming loss into legacy.

“We’re combining our passion for honoring our heroes with a hands-on effort to protect our oceans,” said Joe Theodorou,  President and Founder of the Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation. “This tournament is a call to action for divers and the  community to join us in making a tangible difference—both for our marine environment and in memory of those who served  our country and communities with honor.”

Tournament Details  

The two-day event kicks off on Friday, June 6, with a Captain’s Meeting at 5:30 p.m. tentatively at Point South Marina at  Bay Point, where teams will receive a briefing on rules, safety protocols, and lionfish handling techniques. The Captain’s Meeting will be followed by a launch party. Competition begins at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, as registered teams of  2-4 divers or free divers take to the waters to hunt lionfish using spears or gaffs. The day concludes with a weigh-in, beginning at 9:30 a.m. – TBA, followed by a public festival from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. featuring lionfish tastings, educational booths, live music, and an awards ceremony.

Prizes will be awarded in multiple categories:  

Most Lionfish Caught (competitive and casual divisions)

Largest Lionfish

Smallest Lionfish

Warrior Reef Award (a raffle prize for all participants)

Individuals can register for $85 after May 1, with all proceeds supporting the Foundation’s reef-building efforts. Divers without boats can join trips arranged through local partners (availability limited—early booking recommended).

Sponsorship Opportunities  

The Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation invites businesses, organizations, and individuals to become sponsors of this landmark event. Sponsorship packages range from $20,000 to $500 and offer benefits such as logo placement on promotional materials, vendor booth space at the festival, and recognition during the awards ceremony. Premier sponsors will also have their names etched onto a memorial reef deployed in 2025. Vendors wishing to participate by just purchasing booth space should visit the Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation website or contact Gretchen Theodorou.

Join the Fight  

The public is invited to attend the free festival on June 7, where they can sample lionfish dishes—known for their mild,  flaky texture—learn about the species’ ecological impact, and explore the Foundation’s mission. Certified divers interested in competing can register online at WarriorMemorialReefs.org or onsite at the Captain’s Meeting (space permitting).

“Every lionfish removed is a step toward healthier reefs, and every dollar raised helps us create living tributes to our heroes,” said Mr. Theodorou. “We can’t wait to see our community come together for this inaugural event.”

By Lee Ann Leonard

March 21 through 23, Pier Park proudly hosted “Turning for the Turtles,” a fundraiser benefitting the Gulf World Marine Institute, at SkyWheel PCB. On Saturday, March 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., donors received a Pier Park goodie bag and a sea turtle glitter tattoo—a $20+ value—with any $5 or $10 donation. Attendees also enjoyed free activities on Saturday as institute volunteers educated them on local marine life and the importance of protecting it. SkyWheel PCB accepted donations all weekend to help the nonprofit fund sea turtle and marine mammal rescue, rehab and release.

With additional contributions from Pier Park and SkyWheel PCB, the event raised $1,000 for the 501c3. Those funds will help offset institute costs associated with rehabilitating 1,200 cold-stunned sea turtles in late January. The organization received the primarily green sea turtles after a rare cold weather event in the St. Joe Bay area. According to the institute’s website, GWMI.info, sea turtles can go into shock when temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. While the nonprofit released the majority, a few patients remain at the facility for medical observation.

Pier Park continues to collect donations for the Gulf World Marine Institute. The mall team gathers coins from its recently reimagined sea turtle fountains to contribute. The colorful fountains are in the mall’s food court and feature plaques inviting guests to support and learn more about the 501c3. Residents and visitors can donate there and at GWMI.info.

To learn more about Pier Park’s community outreach efforts, visit https://www.simon.com/mall/pier-park. While there, become a Mall Insider to stay updated on current trends, deals, store openings, events and more! You could win a $1,000 shopping spree!

Panhandle Hurricanes, a veteran-owned and operated D2 competitive cheer gym, has established itself as a cornerstone of the Panama City Beach athletic community. Founded in 2019 to expand competitive cheer opportunities for local athletes, the gym recently solidified its commitment to the area by purchasing a commercial building. This new training facility, located on Commerce Drive off Navy Boulevard, provides a centrally accessible location for athletes from across the region, drawing participants from Destin to Port St. Joe.

The Hurricanes’ core mission remains unwavering: to cultivate a safe and nurturing environment that fosters both physical and mental growth through competitive cheerleading. The program’s foundation rests on a genuine passion for the sport and a dedication to empowering local athletes to achieve their aspirations.

What truly distinguishes Panhandle Hurricanes, according to its families, is its strong sense of community. The gym fosters a welcoming atmosphere where every athlete feels like part of a family, transcending backgrounds and locations. “Once a Hurricane, always a Hurricane,” is more than a slogan; it’s a testament to the program’s inclusive spirit.

Panhandle Hurricanes caters to a diverse range of athletes and budgets, offering programs for novice, prep, elite, and half-year competitors. The gym also provides specialized tumble and flyer instruction, as well as Open Gym nights, which are open to all youth in the community. Looking ahead, the Hurricanes program will continue to specialize in delivering an exceptional competitive cheer experience for athletes in Panama City Beach and its surrounding areas. Discover what the HYPE is all about at www.pcbcheer.com.

By Lauren Goldsby

In Florida, we’re lucky to get an early start in the garden while much of the country is still thawing out. But once summer rolls in, gardening can become more of a challenge. The heat intensifies, pests become more active, and keeping plants happy takes a little more effort. Still, that doesn’t mean the garden party has to end early.

If you haven’t started your garden yet or want to keep planting, May can still be a productive time in the Florida Panhandle. And even if you’re ready to take a break from planting, this is also a great time to prepare for your fall garden, when Florida gardeners really shine.

What Can I Plant in May?

You still have options! In the Florida Panhandle, May is a good time to:

• Direct seed warm-season crops like okra and southern peas.
• Transplant heat-loving veggies such as eggplant, peppers, sweet potatoes, and roselle—but it’s too late to start these from seed.
• Plant flowers that thrive in heat and attract pollinators, like marigold, salvia, milkweed, rudbeckia, and zinnia.

Keep in mind that May can be a harsher environment for young plants. With high temperatures and stronger sun, transplants and seedlings will need a little extra care. Be sure to water consistently and consider using mulch to help retain moisture and reduce stress on your plants. For comprehensive information, see the North Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/leon/docs/pdfs/North-Florida-Vegetable-Gardening-Guide—13mb.pdf

Tired of Pests? Try a Cover Crop

If you’re feeling worn out by summer pests or just want to let your garden rest, this is a great time to try a cover crop. Cover crops are plants grown to improve soil health, manage weeds, and support beneficial insects between growing seasons. One excellent choice for summer is cowpea. This heat-tolerant plant helps suppress weeds by filling in garden space and even produces edible beans. Despite its name, cowpea is a type of legume, or bean. Legumes form a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria that capture nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form plants can use. Planting a cover crop now can reduce the need for fertilizer and weeding when it’s time to prep your fall garden.

It’s Never Too Late to Garden

Whether your garden is in full swing, just getting started, or somewhere in between, you can still grow something. Plant in the ground, in containers, or start prepping for the next season. I always feel better when my hands have been in the soil—and I think you will too!

Lauren Goldsby can be reached at legoldsby@ufl.edu. An Equal Opportunity Institution. UF/IFAS Extension, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Andra Johnson, Dean. Single copies of UF/IFAS Extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county UF/IFAS Extension offices.

By Alan Watson, President, GOLF+ Dothan and Panama City Beach 

I think it is a fair question, right? Is golf too expensive? Seriously. Golf used to be thought of as an elitist game that was only accessible to mostly wealthy people who belonged to country clubs and the like. Then Tiger Woods came along and changed the face of golf, and masses of new golfers came to try this sport that was previously not really geared toward them. Then COVID happened, and another 2.5 million golfers came to the game. We saw more young people, blue collar workers, and other groups previously not as engaged with the game suddenly come to love the sport. A way to get outdoors with their friends to blow off some steam was now appropriate for more than just the country club set.

Then the issue was raised about cost. These new golfers didn’t know or care what the market was doing with the price of equipment and rounds of golf prior, but now that they were participating, they were keenly aware that the game wasn’t geared, at least financially, to everyone.  The spike in play caused courses to get busier, and thus prices rose.  That’s just simple supply and demand economics. The cost of new equipment had already been steadily rising for years, but the pandemic caused material shortages and factory worker shortages which led to much longer lead times to get new gear, which then fed into an explosion in sales of pre-owned clubs. Facebook marketplace, Craigslist, Play-it-again Sports stores, and the like were suddenly fueled by masses needing golf gear but not wanting to pay new prices in most retail stores. Golfers found ways to sell off their previous models to fund new purchases, and the new golfers were more than willing to gobble up the flood of clubs that were now readily available. Golf shops couldn’t keep used trade-in clubs on the shelf, and new complete package sets that came with bag, clubs, and covers were now a super hot item.

So, where do we go from here? Used equipment is still pretty hot in the market. And many golfers find it more convenient to just list their no longer wanted or needed clubs on internet sites rather than take them to the local store.  A new cycle had emerged whereby golfers, and other sports enthusiasts, are selling and buying their next purchase on Facebook forums rather than the traditional trade-in for new at the local golf or sporting goods store.  Then the lack of used clubs in the stores frustrates the golfers that come in looking for it and the cycle is perpetuated. I have to tell several golfers a week in my Panama City Beach store that we have little to no pre-owned gear available.

With recent political maneuvers causing prices to rise in the near future on goods from some overseas countries, the companies we work with are sending emails daily promising new higher prices coming very soon. That will not make the cost of the game go down or even stand pat. We will see higher costs/prices on many brands and models. Manufacturers will have to pivot to find new suppliers or to find a way to build goods in the USA. This will take time and money and the prices will stay high or go higher. And then we will be right back to where we started pre-Tiger and pre-COVID, where only the wealthiest folks will be able to afford new golf products.

Maybe something will change – I’m not making any political statements here nor do I wish to get into that with anyone- I am simply pointing out that the game probably won’t be getting easier to afford in the near future. As a retailer, I want prices to come down so that more people can afford to play the game I love. I want to see the game grow in popularity and in numbers. That most likely will not happen if the path we are on doesn’t change somehow.

Many golfers need relatively affordable equipment and places to play that don’t cost an arm and a leg. Let’s hope together that we can get to a place that supports the growth of the game and makes it accessible to all who wish to participate. In the meantime, as a retailer, I will continue to try and source products that my customers can afford. That’s all I can do.

Fairways and Greens