Miss Frostproof 2018 Marks End Of Centennial Celebration

Frostproof

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September 10, 2018

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Miss Frostproof 2018 Marks End Of Centennial Celebration

by James Coulter

For the past three years, Cheyenna Lightsey, 21, has been living away from her hometown of Frostproof, as she currently attends the West Campus of Valencia College in Orlando.

She returned to Frostproof to celebrate its 100th anniversary during its three-day Centennial Celebration.

She has loved every moment of the celebration. She especially enjoyed the watermelon-eating contest, which she almost won.

“I missed it by a little bit there,” she said. “I have to sharpen my teeth for next year.”

Having lived in Frostproof all her life, she loves the overall family atmosphere of her small town where everyone knows everybody.

“I love the fact that you can get in trouble at school on Monday and the preacher will know about it on Sunday and call you out,” she said.

Ever since she was young, she has dreamed of participating in the annual Miss Frostproof beauty pageant. Her mother had participated within it, as did many other family members long ago.

To her, attending the pageant was following a family tradition which she hopes to one day pass onto her own daughter. So winning the pageant was nothing short of a dream come true.

Lightsey was crowned Miss Frostproof during the pageant on Sunday afternoon within the Historic Auditorium of Frostproof City Hall.

Upon graduating Frostproof High School in 2015, she has been attending the West Campus of Valencia College in Orlando to pursue her social studies degree.

She hopes to use her degree to become an educator and to help improve the literacy skills of students, especially young girls.

Winning the pageant was the biggest highlight of her weekend back home, and she hopes to use her new title to inspire other little girls the same way the pageant had once inspired her.

“I would love little girls to learn that it is okay to be beautiful and intelligent,” she said. “I always felt it was important.”

More than 40 young girls between the ages of 3 and 21 competed within the annual beauty pageant, which marked the end of the city’s three-day long centennial celebration.

Cheyanna Lightsey was crowned the title of Miss Frostproof within the 19 to 21 age range, with the runner-up being Baleigh Barrett.

In the category of Junior Miss Frostproof, within the age range of 16 to 18, McKenzie Hayes, 17, was crowned the Junior Miss Title, Lauren Eubanks as Jr Miss 1st runner up.

Hayes has lived within the town for the past five years, having previously lived in Lake Wales.

Like Lightsey, she too loves how the city feels like one big close-knit family.

“Everybody knows everybody,” she said. “You can’t go anywhere without meeting somebody you don’t know, and the atmosphere is great.”

Being able to win her current position has required a lot of hard work on her part with a lot of practicing, which made her victory quite the accomplishment.

Currently a senior at Frostproof High School, she hopes to attend college at Polk State College. Until then, she wants to appreciate every moment within this town, especially in light of its 100th anniversary.

“This is something I am very proud of,” she said. “There is a lot of hometown spirit…and I hold this town close to my heart.”

Tenny R Crowley, Former City Manager, was once crowned Miss Frostproof in 1964. As a former winner, she appreciates how the pageant helps shape young girls.

“Seeing the girls grow as individuals, it gives them the opportunity to be present in front of an audience, and it helps them with their future growth,” she said.

She appreciated the celebration of her hometown’s centennial celebration, and she hopes that it continues to grow and prosper for another 100 years to come.

“I am proud to live in Frostproof,” she said. “It has been an outstanding weekend, and I am so proud of all the people who worked hard to make this event such a success.”

The winners of this year’s pageant are as follows:

Miss Frostproof: Cheyenna Lightsey, 21

Junior Miss: McKenzie Hayes, 17

Teen Miss: Cassidy Edwards, 14

Miss Pre-Teen: Jamie Corner, 12

Miss Princess: Valerie Rose Martinez, 7

Little Miss: Angela Rodriguez, 6

Wee Miss: Havyn Davis age 3

Frostproof Sets Sail With Inaugural Cardboard Boat Race

Frostproof

Staff Reporter

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September 10, 2018

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Frostproof Sets Sail With Inaugural Cardboard Boat Race

by James Coulter

Eighteen colorful cardboard boats cast off into Lake Clinch for the inaugural Frostproof Cardboard Boat Race on Monday.

Inspired by the Haines City Cardboard Boat Challenge, this race was hosted by Frostproof to help celebrate its 100th anniversary during its three-day Centennial Celebration.

The 18 colorful boats were constructed by 18 individual teams using duct tape and cardboard donated by Ferguson.

Each boat had the opportunity to cast off into the waters of Lake Clinch during one of four matches. Each boat was judged by how quickly they could row out into the lake and back to shore.

The boats created that day ranged from small gray canoes to bright pink motorboats to Spanish pirate ship galleons.

Melody Sauerhefer, a city employee, and her team dressed up as pirates and constructed their boat into a pirate ship, calling themselves the “Pirates of the Centennial”, and naming their ship “Foorptsorf” (which is “Frostproof spelled backwards).

Though their ship looked grand with a skull-and-crossbones sail, their boat barely made it into the water before sinking into Davy Jones’ Locker.

Nevertheless, the entire experience was enjoyable, and they hope to something similar next year, Sauerhefer said.

“It was a blast having everybody here,” she said. “It took a long time and a lot of duct tape. It was great, we would do it again.”

Winning first place that morning was Justin Keene and his team, who won $200 for the fastest overall race time.

The secret to their success? Plenty of duct tape and elbow grease, of course, especially since their elbows received quite the workout.

“It was fun, he said. “My arms are burning and hurting a little bit, but it was a whole lot of fun.”

Also hosted that day was a raffle for a “Day At The Lake”, with a Yeti cooler filled with recreational items such as a folding chair, tent, inflatables, and sunscreen.

The Frostproof Volunteer Fire Department donated the grand prize, and also served hot dogs and other snacks.

Overall, the festivities that morning went well and managed to conclude right before the sky grew dark with storm clouds and began to rain.

Kelly Banks, Executive Director of Frostproof Main Street, loved the sense of community throughout the race, and hopes to host it again next year.

“The turnout was absolutely wonderful,” she said. “We will be definitely doing it again.”

The winners of the cardboard boat race are as follows:

1st Place: Brana Keene & Justin Keene (Time: 4:00:39)

2nd Place: Greg Cope & Amy Juarez (Time: 4:01:04)

3rd Place: Timothy Burnette Jr & Josiah Burnette (Time: 4:19:48)

Spirit Award: Corrine Poe & Tyler Brown

Titanic Award: Amanda Blocker & Eden Bell

Avon Park Cutoff Road Closed for Drainage Pipe Replacement

Fort Meade

Staff Reporter

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September 7, 2018

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Avon Park Cutoff Road Closed for Drainage Pipe Replacement

Bartow, Fla. (September 5, 2018) — Polk County Roads & Drainage Division is replacing a collapsed drainage pipe under Avon Park Cutoff Road near Fort Meade. The road will be closed to traffic starting Thursday, September 6 and re-opening on Saturday, September 8. Traffic should follow the detour route which includes Singletary Road, County Line Road, and W. Bereah Road.

For more information, contact Doug Gable with the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division at (863) 535-2285.

Corey Jones Charged with Vehicular Homicide From August 2nd Hit & Run

Staff Reporter

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September 7, 2018

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Corey Jones Charged with Vehicular Homicide From August 2nd Hit & Run

PCSO Release:

Update:

On September 4, 2018, deputies re-arrested 28-year-old Corey Jones (also known as “DB Da Kid”), for his involvement in a hit and run crash on August 2, 2018 on N. Galloway Road near Kathleen Road in Lakeland.

Jones is now charged with vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death. 40-year-old Kelli Marie Black was riding a scooter north bound on Galloway Road approximately 400 to 500 feet south of Kathleen Road, just past the railroad tracks, when a 2002 black GMC SUV, driven by 28-year-old Corey Wesley Jones of Lakeland, struck her and her scooter and fled the scene. As a result of the ongoing investigation, it was determined Jones was driving in excess of 90 mph at the time of the crash.

The new charges are the result of the Medical Examiner’s office determination that the victim died as a result of Jones vehicle hitting her. Initially, he was charged with leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury and reckless driving. After Jones left the scene, another vehicle hit the victim and a Good Samaritan who was rendering aid to Ms. Black. However, evidence now shows that Black would not have survived the first initial crash.

Jones was released from jail on a $25,000 bond.

Deputies are still looking for the 2nd vehicle and driver who left the scene in a white or light colored Ford F-150 pickup truck. If anyone has any information about the identity of the second driver, please call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS.

Original Release:

Traffic homicide investigators with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are seeking information about two vehicles and drivers who left the scene of a traffic crash this morning.

At approximately 2:20 a.m. this morning an unidentified female was riding an unregistered scooter north bound on Galloway Road approximately 400 to 500 feet south of Kathleen Road, just past the railroad tracks. A vehicle (detectives believe they have identified the vehicle involved and a possible suspect–detectives are looking for the suspect now) struck the woman and scooter and fled the scene. The woman was injured as a result of the crash.

A Good Samaritan, 20-year-old PFC Kalen Lawson of Ft. Hood, Texas, who is an active duty member of the U.S. Army, stopped to render aid. As he was rendering aid, another vehicle travelling northbound on N. Galloway hit and struck Mr. Lawson and the original crash victim. The truck is described as most likely a white/light colored Ford F-150 pick-up truck.. Mr. Lawson was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center with a serious leg injury; he is expected to recover from his injuries. The original unidentified victim was run over by the 2nd hit-and-run white pick-up truck and died at the scene.

Anyone with any information about the white or light colored Ford F-150 pickup truck hit-and-run vehicle are asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. Those with information who wish to remain anonymous and/or be eligible for a cash reward from Heartland Crime Stoppers may call 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) or go to heartlandcrimestoppers.com to leave a tip. Those with smartphones may download a free P3tips app linked from the website.

“All of us have a fundamental moral responsibility to stop when involved in a crash. It’s just basic human decency–and it’s the law. Our prayers are with the family of the deceased victim. I am so proud of PFC Kalen Lawson, Active Duty US Army, who stopped to help–our thoughts and prayers are with him as he recuperates.” –Grady Judd, Sheriff

Fire It Up! Frostproof Fires Up Barbecue For Very First Year

Frostproof

Staff Reporter

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September 7, 2018

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Fire It Up! Frostproof Fires Up Barbecue For Very First Year

by James Coulter

Participating in more than 30 to 40 barbecue competitions per year, Matt Barber, Pitmaster for the Hot Wachulas, has mastered the perfect barbecue down to a science.

Professional Grand Champion: Hot Wachulas

So it only made sense that his team would walk away as the Overall Grand Champion for the proffesional division of the inaugural Fire It Up! Frostproof last Sunday.

“When you leave with a big trophy, it’s always a good day,” he said.

Having participated within proffesional barbecue for the past seven years, this award was his most recent. He had previously won 25 grand champions in total.

Thanks to his latest victory, he and his team have become eligible to enter the world championship in Kansas City, known to be the “Super Bowl of Barbecue.”

Being able to participate in as many competitions as he had within the past year is an honor; but for him, it’s always an honor to compete in Polk County, which he considers to be “the barbecue capital of the world.”

“I owe it all to hard work,” he said. “You have to cook a bunch, you have to be consistent, cooking against these great competitors makes you a better cook.”

Barber and his team won the overall proffesional grand champion title of Fire It Up! Frostproof, the inaugural barbecue competition in Frostproof.

The event was the first ever Kansas City Sanctioned barbecue event within the small town, and was hosted as part of its three-day centennial celebration during Labor Day weekend.

Following up in second place with the reserve grand champion for the overall proffesional division was Backyard Bros.

Professional Reserve Champion: Backyard Bros

The remaining winners for that division were Awesome Que (third place), Back End Barbecue (fourth), Uncle Bud’s Barbecue (fifth), Hogs Gone Wild (sixth), Big Papa’s Country Kitchen (seventh), Hogwash Barbecue (eighth), Big Daddy Que (ninth), and Team Smoke Showing (tenth).

The competition that afternoon conferred awards within two divisions (proffesional and backyard) and for various categories (overall, chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket).

Winning the overall backyard grand champion title were the Parrothead Porkers, with their head pitmaster Tom Snow.

Backyard Grand Champion: Parrothead Porkers

His team also walked away with trophies for first place in chicken and pork and third place in brisket.

Some would consider winning so many awards to be an honor, but for Snow, it was mostly tiring having to walk back and forth to the front stage.

“It’s embarrassing, actually,” he said. “You walk up so many times, but we do this for the fun and trophies. We are not competing for any money. I love it.”

His team learned about the inaugural Frostproof event through the organizer and advertisement. They decided to give the new event a try, thinking it would be fun–and it was!

“It was great,” he said. “We had a lot of fun, and getting big trophies is always fun.”

Backyard Reserve Champion pictured above: Crooked Lake Smokehouse

The inaugural barbecue event was hosted on Sunday at Henderson Field at Lake Reedy Park in Frostproof.

Mayor Martin Sullivan, himself an amateur barbecue enthusiast, decided to organize and host the event to help celebrate the city’s centennial celebration, as well as to bring the city’s love of barbecue within its city limits.

“The city staff and all of the volunteers cannot be thanked enough,” he said. “They worked tirelessly throughout the whole event, before, during, and after…and it made for a tremendous show.”

The turnout for the event more than met his initial expectations, and he hopes that it will continue to do so in the near future.

“This event will grow,” he said. “It will become a yearly event that will bring more and more people in to see our city each year.”

Frostproof Celebrates 100 Years With Weekend Centennial Celebration

Frostproof

Staff Reporter

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September 7, 2018

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Frostproof Celebrates 100 Years With Weekend Centennial Celebration

by James Coulter

In 1882, a small group of Fort Meade businessmen decided to plot out the rural area between Lake Clinch and Reedy. Four years later, two families moved to the area to become its first permanent residents.

More than a hundred years later, and the City of Frostproof has since grown to a modest population of more than three thousand residents.

With a century having passed since the municipality officially became a city, Frostproof celebrated this milestone with its Centennial Celebration on Saturday.

Both city residents and visitors spent three days celebrating this occasion with a street festival, parade, barbecue competition, and a beauty pageant.

The festivities began Saturday morning with an old-fashioned parade through the downtown area, culminating with the dedication ceremony in Wall Street Park.

Later that afternoon, the city filled a time capsule that would be stored in the museum and opened 100 years later during the city’s potential bicentennial celebration.

The metal capsule was filled with such artifacts as newspaper clippings from the local paper, a church bulletin from a local church, and several merchandise items from local businesses.

The capsule will be stored within the museum rather than buried as to not have it potentially destroyed though any future construction within the area, explained Bea Reifeis, President of the Historical Society and Director of the Historical Museum.

The celebration continued on throughout the day with various activities, including live musical performances, several contests, food and craft vendors at the park, and two water shows hosted by the Cypress Gardens Ski Team.

Originally named Keystone City, the municipality had its name change to Frostproof during its application process for a post office.

When the delivery person delivered the application to an office in a neighboring city, the post master informed him that they would have to change the name of the city as to not have it confused with another similarly-named municipality, explained Reifeis.

The city was renamed to Frostproof to help promote its citrus industry. Following two bad freezes in 1894 and 1895, people felt the name wasn’t honest, and so they changed it to Lakemont, only to rename it years later in 1906 to Frostproof.

As the local historian, Reifeis loved how the celebration honored the city’s local history and heritage, and she loved being able to share it with attendees that day.

She hopes that when the time capsule is opened, that people in the future will learn about the love that the town had for each other and for their Maker.

“I want people to know that Frostproof loved the Lord,” she said.

Helping facilitate the event that day was Frostproof Main Street in collaboration with several other local organizations and volunteers.

Making sure that everyone knew where to come and go during the event proved quite challenging, but they managed to provide enough signage to inform visitors about the various events that day, explained Kelly Banks, Executive Director of Frostproof Main Street.

“It has been a really great day,” she said. “We have seen a lot of people we have not seen in a long time, we have been able to come back and see new people…I love seeing everyone fellowship with each other and come downtown.”

Mayor Martin Sullivan, who organized the Fire It Up! Frostproof Barbecue on Sunday, loved the overall event and how it allowed people from out of town to visit and appreciate their great location right in the heart of citrus country.

With the city having been around for more than a century, he has great expectations for its future, especially when it comes to its overall economic prosperity.

“My expectations are to see us revitalize our downtown and prosper once again,” he said.

NEW GENERAL SURGEON JOINS LAKE WALES MEDICAL GROUP

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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September 7, 2018

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NEW GENERAL SURGEON JOINS LAKE WALES MEDICAL GROUP

Lake Wales, FL – Buck Scott, M.D., Florida native and general surgeon, has joined the staff of Lake Wales Medical Group.

Dr. Scott said he is excited to be back in Florida after spending five years of General Surgery residency training in New Orleans.

“I love it here. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else,” said Dr. Scott, noting that his wife, Shawn Price-Vogel, is from Lake Wales and the couple have extended family in the area. “I am ready to get started seeing surgical patients.”

Rebecca Brewer, CEO at Lake Wales Medical Center, said she knows Dr. Scott will fit right in with the medical group, hospital and community.

“We are looking forward to having him as part of our team,” Brewer said. “Dr. Scott has a wonderful approach to surgery. He will provide every patient with compassionate, evidence-based care and optimal surgical treatment.”

Dr. Scott will be performing surgeries ranging from appendectomies to colonoscopies to amputations. He said his love of surgery comes from being able to see an immediate resolution to his patients’ issues. “My goal is to fix a patient’s problem and educate them on how to keep it fixed for the long run,’’ Dr. Scott said.

To make an appointment with Dr. Scott, call 844-634-DOCS (3627) or request an appointment online at LakeWalesMedicalGroup,com.

EDWARDS NAMED EMPLOYEE OF MONTH AT LAKE WALES MEDICAL CENTER

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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September 5, 2018

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EDWARDS NAMED EMPLOYEE OF MONTH AT LAKE WALES MEDICAL CENTER

Lake Wales, FL – Risk Manager Greg Edwards was named employee of the month for July at Lake Wales Medical Center.

“Greg has truly hit some homeruns for us in the past few months,” his supervisor, Chief Quality Officer Sandy George said. “He has assisted in several accreditation surveys by leading our preparation efforts and by assisting the surveyors while they were here. Each of those has had great outcomes.”

In addition to his efforts with various surveys, Greg has a gift for working with patients and their families to resolve issues. “Greg has assisted with service recovery on several occasions and has managed to regain the trust of families and patients who were upset. He is able to remain calm and soothing in difficult situations, and he’s always willing to go the extra mile to offer assistance and support,” George said. “He’s dependable and loyal, and is an asset to our team and to the hospital as a whole.”

Greg recently celebrated his one year anniversary of employment at the hospital.

Photo info: Sandy George congratulates Greg Edwards on his selection as July Employee of the Month for Lake Wales Medical Center.

Jamal Carson Charged with First Degree Murder and Aggrevated Child Abuse For The Death of Mekhi Laster

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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September 5, 2018

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Jamal Carson Charged with First Degree Murder and Aggrevated Child Abuse For The Death of Mekhi Laster

LAKELAND, FL – On September 4, 2018, Jamal Carson was charged with First Degree Murder and Aggravated Child Abuse for the death of Mekhi Laster.

On August 31, 2018 at approximately 10:56 p.m., the Lakeland Police Department Uniform Patrol Division responded to 1020 North Stella Avenue in reference to an unresponsive two-year-old child identified as Mekhi Laster. Upon arrival, officers were directed towards the living room of the residence where they observed Laster laying face up on the floor. Laster did not appear to be breathing and officers immediately began CPR until Lakeland Fire Rescue arrived on the scene and took over emergency care. Laster was transported to Lakeland Regional Health and was later pronounced deceased at 11:46 p.m.

Contact was made with the defendant, Jamal Carson, 24 years old, who had been in caring for Laster for approximately two weeks. On the date of the incident, Carson was with Laster when he became “fussy”. Carson stated that Laster was suffering from a broken foot so he thought he was in pain. Carson stated that Laster’s health continued to deteriorate so he carried him to the air conditioner to cool him down in an effort to wake him but it did not work. Carson advised that approximately 20 minutes elapsed before he called for medical assistance.

The child’s mother, Lamonica Laster, responded to the scene and stated she had left him in the care of the Carson and she identified Carson as her best friend.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Section/Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene to investigate. Carson was interviewed and released pending further investigation. On September 4, an autopsy was performed by Dr. V. Volnikh at the Polk County Medical Examiner’s Office. During the autopsy the following injuries were discovered on Laster:

Bruises on Laster’s back, face and lip area, injury to his abdomen, numerous broken posterior ribs, a broken pelvis, a swollen scrotum, multiple internal injuries believed to have been caused by blunt force trauma; evidence of severe internal bleeding, and significant impacts to the victim’s skull. One of the fractures to the skull was so severe that it traversed into the thickest portion of the base of the skull.

It was noted that the injuries were recent. Dr. Volnikh determined that the cause of death was multiple injuries and the manner of death was homicide.

On September 4, Carson consented to another interview at the Lakeland Police Department. Carson admitted to being the sole individual that was caring for Laster on the incident date. Carson admitted to becoming frustrated with Laster and punching him numerous times, squeezing him forcefully, slamming Laster’s head onto the concrete floor at least two times and other intentional acts of battery.

Based upon the evidence, the defendant knowingly and willfully physically abused the victim and in so doing caused great bodily harm. While doing so, the defendant engaged in a course of conduct that showed reckless disregard for human life, and for the safety of two-year-old victim, Mekhi Laster. The defendant was charged with Aggravated Child Abuse and First Degree Murder.

Five Outstanding Young Professionals Honored At Emerging Leader Awards 2018

Staff Reporter

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September 4, 2018

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Five Outstanding Young Professionals Honored At Emerging Leader Awards 2018

by James Coulter

Five outstanding young professionals were honored at this year’s Emerging Leader Awards 2018 in Bartow on Thursday evening.

The annual awards ceremony was started eight years ago to honor emerging leaders among young professionals, especially those “who have excelled in their career and use their exceptional skills to better Polk County,” as described by Emily Rogers, Founder of Emily Rogers Consulting and Coaching, who offered the opening speech that evening.

“We know the nominees and award recipients tonight represent only a small portion of young people doing tremendous work to improve Polk County,” she said. “I believe great things are possible for our citizens when emerging talent is recognized, supported, mentored, and celebrated.”

The annual event is a collaborative effort among the three young proffesional groups within the county, including Emerge Lakeland, Endeavour Winter Haven, and Engage Bartow.

The ceremony was hosted within the Bartow Civics Center on Thursday and featured a cocktail reception and dinner sponsored by Citizens Bank And Trust.

This year’s award recipients are as follows:

Michael “MJ” Carnevale

City of Winter Haven

Prior to graduating from the University of Florida with his master’s in soil and water science in 2015, Carnevale gained valuable experience in conservation science through his work as a lab assistant.

His work there prepared him for his job within the City of Winter Haven, where he was initially hired as a the natural resource manager, and later being promoted to his current position as Public Works Director.

Within his position, he has helped the city make better use of its natural resources by transforming the city’s data into viable strategies that have improved its streets, drainage systems, and fleet management.

“A true leader and high proffesional leader among his colleagues, friends, and community…[he] believes that pushing the envelope and raising the bar is what makes a leader truly effective,” said Chad Tagtow, Senior Vice President of Citizens Bank and Trust.

Dr. Suzanne Halverson

Releve Sports Medicine

Dr. Halverson graduated with her master’s in biology with a certificate in emerging disease at the University of St. Joseph, and later with her doctorate in health sciences at Nova Southeastern University.

She would share the education she received with others through her work as a professor at Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School at Polk State College Winter Haven.

There she participated in community health fairs, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and developed the HOSA Volunteer Program with Shepherd’s Hospice.

As a “transformational leader”, her leadership within her profession and volunteer work has been shaped by her educational skills, which she has improved through the latest developments, and the findings of which she has presented across the country.

“She has a passion and determination to be a champion at every aspect of life,” explained Dr. James Fenton, Professor of Management at Florida Southern College.

Jillian Spangler

Petersons & Myers, P.A.

During her time at Stetson University, Spengler engaged in volunteer work in San Jose where she experienced the most satisfying moment in her career.

She worked within a refugee camp where she met a young mother of two living within a single room along with her whole extended family.

“This moment taught her a valuable lesson of never take things for granted and to always strive to lend a helping hand to those in need,” said Alan Turner, United Way of Central Florida.

At Stetson University, she served as an active member of Phi Alpha Delta and as president of the Business Law Society. She later received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in international business from Rollins College.

She helped create three initiatives through her leadership position in the Rotary Club of Winter Haven, which led her to be recognized as Rotarian of the Year award in 2017.

“I think it is important that we all realize that not a single one of us is good at everything,” she said. “Somebody out there is better than us, and if we work together, we can do better things together.”

Ashley Troutman

Northwestern Mutual

Troutman graduated with his associate’s in business from Polk State College in 2001, and later with his bachelor’s in marketing in 2004 from the University of South Florida.

His education prepared him for his work at both Fields Insurance and Woodland Life before obtaining his current position as a financial planner at Northwestern Mutual.

Through his career, Troutman has learned that the most effective way to be a good leader is not to be a great speaker, but rather a good listener.

“He enjoys being a listening ear to those around him so he can help them accomplish their goals,” explained Dr. Angela Falconetti, Polk State College. “He feels that true leadership can only come through listening and being aware of the needs of others have.”

This dedication to leadership through service to others he emulates from the teachings of Jesus, and which he cultivates within his own family life, especially to his wife of three years.

“Throughout his participation with these organizations, he has learned that in order to be an effective leader, he must not be the loudest, but rather the quietist,” Falconetti continued. “This way, he can be attentive to those around him and he can lead diverse groups of people.”

Chrisianne Long

Maximize Digital Media

Long graduated with her bachelor’s in English and Latin America studies from Florida State University, and later from Full Sail University with a master’s in internet marketing.

This education prepared her to start her own business, Marketing System Blueprints, which later merged with Maximize Social Media to create Maximize Digital Media.

She founded Lakeland Business Leaders, which initially started as a Facebook group for professionals to collaborate on business solutions, but later expanded into an online business community network with more than 7,500 members.

She has also served in various capacities on the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Alumni Association, the Learning Resource Center of Polk County, and the Leadercast Program.

“A purpose driven individual who wants to inspire others to contribute to the world around them,” said Jeff Cox, Board Chair of the GiveWell Community Foundation.

Through her experience, Long desires to see others achieve similar success, and believes it to be the community’s responsibility to help others with exactly that.

“Polk County has so many hidden jewels, and what I would love for us to do is to uncover those jewels and not let them be hidden anymore so we can be the community that we can be,” she said. “There is nothing we can’t do as a community.”

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