Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, Brenda Santana was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and relocated to Florida as an adult. She learned English as a second language while in school. Brenda loves helping people learn and understand the Spanish language. Her dedication won her several poetry awards. At school, she could be found tutoring her fellow students on Spanish grammar and sentence composition. Today, Brenda lends her skills to the Orange County Library System as a technology trainer. Her students ached to learn Spanish and Brenda instituted Spanish language classes at the Southeast Branch in 2017. During the pandemic, Brenda offered a new way to learn with virtual learning. Students of all ages attend her classes. Brenda's pioneering spirit expanded all over the county as she trained other OCLS staff to offer more online classes.

In 2022, the Southeast Branch saw an average of 36 students per class, the highest attendance record in OCLS history. Brenda's commitment to the community has been evident in her response to customer feedback as she prioritizes their needs.

As a technology trainer, Brenda has an open-door policy in between classes to assist students with tech-related questions. Brenda focuses on her students by hosting life skill tech classes, such as assistive technology like using the GPS feature on their phones. In these workshops, students are provided a hands-on experience using the tools and devices to boost their quality of life. In January alone, the overall attendance for her computer classes was 377.

Brenda Santana has received positive praise and feedback from her students regarding the way she responds to their suggestions and feedback. She continues to evaluate the needs of the community and provide options that inspire and change lives.

Mr. Speaker, Crystal Bethea, CEO and franchisor of C3 Wellness Spa, is a loving wife to Marcus Bethea, CFO to C3, and proud mother to their daughter, Aryes Marie. She's an Army veteran dedicated to giving back to the Orlando/Kissimmee communities and empowering its members to live healthy, active lives.

Bethea is a licensed cosmetologist for over 20 years and a medical massage therapist with over 25 certifications that helped master her craft. She is passionate about holistic health and has seen its positive impacts on herself and her family. This has motivated her to write and teach about natural alternatives for a healthier lifestyle. Bethea feels it is her life's purpose to continue to spread holistic wellness knowledge and practices nationwide to families and communities.

Bethea is grateful to have two C3 Wellness Spa locations and has created a franchise from their holistic brand concept to expand nationwide. They are now proud members of the 4 percent of Black-owned franchises in America.

Inspired by a long line of nurses and veterans in her family, Bethea served in the United States Army. She is a soror of Kappa Epsilon Psi Military Sorority Inc., an organization of dedicated, elite professional women being of service. Bethea has served on its national paraphernalia staff and she now serves as treasurer of the organization's Orlando cluster. Their efforts include feeding the unhoused, assisting with community events, and providing supplies for the youth.

Bethea is a trustee of the Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses, which supports and advocates for veteran entrepreneurs. She was recently awarded the Eagle Award as leadership chair for the Osceola Chamber of Commerce's Poinciana Area Council. They best exemplified the Chamber's mission, vision, and values throughout the year providing business connections, scholarships, and school supplies to local teens. Bethea is also a platinum sponsor of the Association of Poinciana Villages and a longtime volunteer for Miles of Help Through Christ.

Mr. Speaker, Vivian Rodriguez retired from the New York City Police Department after completing 21 years of service and achieving the highest recognition within the Detective Bureau--first grade detective.

During her law enforcement career, she served in many specialized units, including the Organized Crime Control Bureau and the Dignitary and Executive Protection Unit safeguarding the New York City mayor and his family. Vivian was assigned to the Intelligence Division during the 9/11 terrorist attack and was involved in various covert anti-terrorism operations to secure New York City and the homeland from future terrorist incidents. Vivian worked for several years as a consultant and trainer with the Department of Homeland Security delivering a national Anti-Terrorism Intelligence Awareness Training Program to State and local law enforcement agencies.

Vivian relocated to Orlando, Florida, after her retirement and became active with the local Orange County Democratic Party where she eventually was elected as the vice chair. As the president of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida, Vivian advocated for Latino empowerment and inclusion and became the chair of the Florida Democratic Party Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She has been active with many Hispanic, women, and LGBTQ+ civil rights organizations including Ruth's List and the Human Rights Campaign. Additionally, she was both the president and executive director of the Gay Officers Action League in New York City and Central Florida.

In 2020, Vivian was elected as a DNC member with the Florida delegation. She currently serves on the DNC Women's Executive Committee and is the DNC LGBTQ and DNC Hispanic Caucus southern regional representative. Vivian recently retired on March 31, 2022, after serving more than 5 years as the outreach director and law enforcement coordinator for Congressman Darren Soto. She has also worked and contributed her campaign experience with several congressional, State, and local races.

Mr. Speaker, as regular visitors from Syracuse, Ruthanne and her husband knew that Hunter's Creek was the place for them after retirement in 2014. Ruthanne immediately began exploring opportunities for involvement. She joined her neighborhood committee and became an active member of the Council of Directors, comprised of all neighborhood representatives. She joined the Hunter's Creek Emergency Response Team, whose training allows resident assistance in an emergency, such as a hurricane.

In 2015, Ruthanne was elected to the Hunter's Creek Community Association Master Board of Directors. She has served faithfully and is currently president; she previously served as director, secretary, and vice president. Ruthanne has been involved in countless initiatives, including working with local government to voice concerns regarding a proposal to bisect Hunter's Creek by using the 417 as a highspeed rail corridor. She worked tirelessly to fight development of the former Hunter's Creek Golf Course parcel, since current infrastructure cannot support dense growth. Her involvement in the community's multi-million- dollar investment in responsible stormwater management has been crucial in maintaining Hunter's Creek as a premier community. She was chosen by Commissioner Nicole Wilson to participate in county redistricting efforts. She is a proponent of a plan to maximize community greenspaces.

Ruthanne is very vocal about volunteerism and its essential role in maintaining a thriving and vibrant society. Though her career experience has served her well, she possesses qualities that easily surpass her business background. Ruthanne's care for the community and its people is unparalleled. An advocate for open lines of communication and civil discourse, she is respectful of all views and strives to make the best decisions for the greater good, which can be challenging with input from a population of 25,000. Ruthanne is a strong leader and her indelible mark upon her community will remain for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, Maria Emma Fernandez, from Colombia, South America, came to the United States in the early 1990s. She has a bachelor's degree in the arts and has lived in Orange County, Florida, since 2003.

She has taught Spanish and art at various levels in school and has been a substitute teacher in Orange County public schools. In addition, she has worked with students to plan and organize programs and events related to Spanish language clubs.

While living in St. Louis, Missouri, Maria worked with Grupo Atlantico, a dance group, giving workshops and teaching volunteers how to showcase the art and culture of Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Maria, who is married and has a son, loves art, books, and culture. She started a club in Central Florida called Tertulia4gatos that now meets in 12 public libraries in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties. This club encourages people to enjoy reading, listening to music, and performing. The group includes artists such as painters, sculptors, dancers, poets, and writers.

Maria is empowering cultural managers to help artists and writers find places to showcase their work or display their talents and to be recognized for it. Tertulia4gatos is now 16 years old and has more than 3,000 participants through various activities from weekly meetings to art festivals and book readings. There also is a club at the University of Central Florida. This volunteer program fosters unity among Spanish- speaking cultures.

``What would the world be without art,'' Maria said.

Maria loves all cultures and their accomplishments, but most important is her love for family, books, and art. Her goal is to unite her community, foster equality, and ensure that Hispanics remember their roots.

``I volunteer because art can change the world,'' she said. ``We are inspiring hearts.''

Mr. Speaker, Jenny Mohess hails from Trinidad and Tobago and has lived in Osceola County for over 23 years. She stepped onto Valencia College's campus in 2000 as an international student. She earned her associate of science in graphics from Valencia College, a bachelor's degree in business from the University of South Florida, and a master's degree in art education from Boston University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in educational leadership. Another milestone for Ms. Mohess was becoming a United States citizen in 2012. These experiences led to a career at Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corp. and allowed her to own a design studio. Jenny has also taught at Valencia College for over 15 years and has found a genuine purpose for mentoring future graphic/web designers through the Valencia Graphics Program.

In 2018, she worked on a project to take the graphics program into the Osceola School District and build the program at Tohopekaliga High School--a new STEAM high school with a focus on arts and career and technical education. The program is now the No. 1 program in the district and won an Adobe World Champion Design Competition in 2022 after 4 short years of being active.

Jenny has made it her mission to live her passion of being a servant leader in her community and will fight for all rights of students despite where they come from. She strongly believes if they work hard, they can achieve anything. It takes a village and for someone to care about their goals and dreams.

Jenny has also served the community through the Hope Partnership and is a board member of the Arts Education Coalition--a volunteer group committed to art education in Osceola County. In her spare time, Jenny loves animals and has pets of her own, Teddy, Lily Cocoa, Quincy, and Phoebe. She has also been a committed mentor with Take Stock in Children.

Mr. Speaker, LaShanna Ward is a mother of one and currently works for the Osceola County School District as a dean secretary at St. Cloud Middle School. She currently assists the nurse's clinic, athletic department, and various other programs. She is on the ESP bargaining team and is the incoming vice president of ESP of her local union. She has also been a cafeteria monitor, a paraprofessional for special education students, a self-care aide, and a paraprofessional for in- school suspension. She has worked for the summer extended day learning program for over 4 years. She was also in the nursing field and started as a CNA for about 15 years and has been a member of a volunteer EMS Corp for over 20 years at the Brentwood Legion Ambulance Corps in Brentwood, New York. She lived in Brentwood for more than 38 years.

She attended Brentwood schools and graduated in 1998 from Brentwood Sonderling High School. Then she started with the Brentwood Legion Ambulance as an explorer of post 325 in 1996 and has been a member there ever since, holding various positions in EMS which she still holds. She has also been vice president of a group called the African People Association. She then worked with many other groups throughout the area such as Head Start and Harvest Time Ministries & Worship Center. She moved to Florida on November 1, 2015, and is a person who most of all loves the Lord and enjoys being a part of many groups in the church, such as the director of the music ministry, praise team, missionary, and children and youth ministry. She

loves to sing, praise, dance, and help where she is needed in her community and employment.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Debra Pace assumed the position of superintendent of the Osceola School District in March 2016. Dr. Pace has an extensive background in both instructional and operational leadership, serving as principal for Poinciana and Harmony High Schools and as deputy superintendent for secondary in the Osceola School District from 2003 to 2011. She also served as associate superintendent for the human resources services division for Brevard Public Schools from 2011 to 2016 before returning to the Osceola School District. As a lifelong resident, student, parent, teacher, and leader in the Osceola School District and Osceola community, she has demonstrated both pride and passion in leading the school district forward and serving all children in the community with a commitment to excellence.

Highlights of her successful career include fostering academic achievement within diverse cultures, developing high-quality programs that directly impact student performance, staffing, and professional development of instructional and non-instructional employees in direct support of students, allocating resources responsibly to meet the needs of schools and the district, and developing strong leadership pipelines to reflect the community's diverse student body. As superintendent, she has built strong relationships with local, State, and Federal governments and business leaders, raised expectations for both students and staff, and provided strong leadership to ensure that the school system functions effectively as a critical entity focused on student success to strengthen and improve economic development and diversification, quality of life, and community pride. She currently serves on the University of Central Florida School of Teacher Education Advisory Board, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention State Advisory Group, the United Arts of Central Florida Board of Directors, and the Florida Association of District School Superintendents Board of Directors.

Dr. Pace earned her bachelors degree in foreign language- international trade from Auburn University, a master's degree in English education, and a doctorate in education from the University of Central Florida.

Mr. Speaker, Ms. LaKisha Washington is the program analyst with Group Practice Management under the chief of staff at the Orlando VA. In conjunction with her current position, she also serves as the OVAHCS African American/Black Employment Program Special Emphasis Program Manager, is a member of the Central Florida Blacks in Government, and volunteers during her personal time with local non- profit organizations to render services to the homeless community and provide outreach services to local veterans.

Ms. Washington's occupational achievements have included conducting virtual training events to develop and implement special program initiatives that will enhance employment--including mock interviews and resume writing reviews. She has also collaborated with the assistance of her team to conduct financial preparedness for federal employees to discuss thrift savings plans, build a financial budgeting plan, and plan for retirement. Other achievements include the coordination of Martin Luther King Jr, Black History Month, and Juneteenth celebrations while also hosting Friday reflection forums to discuss various topics in the VA.

Her personal time is spent giving back to her community by serving the homeless with local non-profit organizations including Serving Out of Love and One Race Human Race. She's also a dedicated track and field mom.

Prior to her employment at the Orlando VA, Ms. Washington served as a U.S. Navy Veteran Hospital corpsman for 8 years and spent 14 years in total as a military-trained surgical technician/first assistant. Ms. Washington earned her Master's in Business Administration with a concentration in healthcare from American Sentinel College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Post University in 2022 while balancing fulltime employment and single parenting a high school teenager during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms. Washington is a woman who has maintained an outstanding reputation amongst her peers and has always been praised for her outstanding character. She is known to put her heart and soul into everything that she does and has a personality that can literally light up any room she enters.

Mr. Speaker, Charminta Brown is a passionate, servant leader with years of experience in higher education. Originally, a New Jersey native, she moved to Florida in 2013 to earn her Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Florida International University and decided to make Florida her permanent home.

Ms. Brown's leadership style is one of authenticity and understanding, and her ability to connect with people has been instrumental to her success. From holding multiple student leadership roles during her undergraduate career to successfully supervising over 40 employees in her professional career, her collaborative and supportive grace makes everyone in the room feel seen and heard.

Ms. Brown seeks ways to implement innovative solutions to advocate for underrepresented demographics. In 2022, she founded Brown Joy, LLC to create positive images of Black and Brown characters to help children see Black and Brown characters represented in more dynamic positions.

She has been recognized for her work within the community. In 2022, she received the Young Professional of Osceola County Tomorrow's Leaders Today award. She also actively volunteers and serves on the Board of Directors for Poinciana Area Council, Steps Foundation, Inc., and Young Professionals of Osceola County. Ms. Brown uses her diverse experience to bridge gaps and create more opportunities for people in her community.

Her leadership has provided college students with success. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she created job opportunities for more than 20 college students qualified for federal work-study to gain professional experience while working from home. She helped award over $50,000 in scholarships to students when serving as Valencia College's scholarships lead captain.

Ms. Brown's greatest love is for her daughter, Joy. Joy inspires her to be the best version of herself. Ms. Brown believes success comes when you show up as your true authentic self.

Mr. Speaker, at 31 years of age, LaVell D. Monger prides himself on impacting his community. LaVell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Missouri--St. Louis, where he was born and raised. He later received his Master of Education with an emphasis on higher education leadership from Florida Atlantic University. LaVell serves on boards of many notable nonprofit organizations in the region and is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Moving to Osceola County to serve as co-owner of RTW Photography in 2018, LaVell oversees business development and community outreach. Since moving to Central Florida, he has been committed to making a difference in his community. Immediately, LaVell became part of many conversations to advance regional commerce, equality in education, and urban development.

In 2023, the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce will inaugurate LaVell D. Monger as the first African American board chair. He was vital in implementing a young professionals program and revitalizing the Government Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Osceola Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Through his leadership, the Black Business Coalition of Osceola County is one of the chambers' most successful initiatives.

In 2021, knowing the impact being a member of the Boys and Girls Club had on him growing up in St. Louis and how it shaped him into the young professional he is today, LaVell partnered with other community leaders to start a task force to open St. Cloud's first Boys and Girls Club branch. During the pandemic, this effort meant raising $600,000 from community leaders so children in St. Cloud could have the support they need to succeed.

Innovative in business and selfless to the community, LaVell built his network knowing the importance of relationships and integrity while continuing to prioritize his community.

Mr. Speaker, Nadege B. Jean-Paul is an EEO/Diversity & Inclusion Assistant at the Veteran's Healthcare Administration (VHA) Orlando Veteran's Administration (VA) Healthcare System. Ms. Jean-Paul began her VHA/VA career in May 2016 in the Medical Administration Service (MAS) as a Medical Support Assistant (MSA). In June 2018, she graduated with a ``Stepping with PRIDE'' Leadership Development Program certificate from the VISN 8 VA Sunshine Healthcare Network. Ms. Jean- Paul has proudly served as a federal employee for seven and a half years. Prior to joining the VA, Ms. Jean-Paul worked for the Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from 2011 to 2016 as the Assisting Supervisor in the Outpatient and Radiology Department.

In 2015, she was recognized by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs for Outstanding Accomplishments in the Field of Religion. She is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University where she earned a bachelor's degree in Health Services with a major in Health Administration. In December 2005, she was appointed as a Deaconess of the Church of The Living and Holy God in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In 2022, she completed a seven-week Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace certificate training course at the University of South Florida Muma College of Business. Ms. Jean-Paul was the Editor in Chief of the ``EEO In the Know'' Diversity and Inclusion Newsletter for the Orlando VA Healthcare System. In May 2022, she was selected for the National VHA Diffusion Academy for her contributions to the Diversity and Inclusion Advocate Program innovation project.

Ms. Jean-Paul has a passion for serving others with integrity, respect, and advocates for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace.

Mr. Speaker, Lawrence ``Lare'' Allen is a lifelong resident of Osceola County Florida. He graduated from Osceola High and then from the United States Military Academy at West Point. After a tour in the Middle East, he returned to Osceola County to begin a career in education.

One of his biggest fears was being the person who extinguished a child's natural love of learning. He aspired to impart a sense of adventure, hope, and belief to his students. He wanted them to know they could become happy, productive members of society. He treated his students as if they were his younger cousins. He met them where they were and helped them move forward along their own journey.

Lare Allen believes a free quality public education should be available to all citizens. He has worked diligently to achieve that goal within his community. He understands that it begins with supporting the people who support our students since educator working conditions are student learning conditions. He noticed that too often legislation was implemented that did more harm to the students than good, so he became involved in his local union.

Since there was always more work available than people to do the work, he stepped forward to volunteer in a variety of roles. Regardless of one's party affiliation and regardless of one's race religion or creed, he would sit down to discuss how to better serve the students because he believed collaboration achieved better results than competition.

Lare Allen is currently the president of the Osceola County Education Association. He intends to retire this year. He will begin a new career as a day trader with more time to advocate for staff and students at the school board and state levels. He is happily married to his beautiful wife, Laura Portorreal Allen. They have several amiable children.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Amanda Wilkerson is a scholar and social reformer who examines academia and analyzes K-20 student achievement to better understand enhancing the human condition. She is a tireless advocate for equity and excellence in higher education who seeks to build a better world for individuals and institutions through cooperation, collaboration, and community engagement.

Currently, Dr. Wilkerson serves as an assistant professor in the College of Community Innovation and Education at the University of Central Florida. She is also an affiliated faculty member and a visiting scholar with the Center for Minority Serving Institutions at Rutgers University. A proud graduate of Florida A&M University, Dr. Wilkerson has written educational materials and coordinated forums on significant civic and scholastic matters. Dr. Wilkerson served as the guest editor for the Urban Education Research and Policy Annuals Journal-Hillard Sizemore Special.

As a part of her passion for higher education and her mission to create inclusive learning environments, Dr. Wilkerson regularly works with instructional leaders to build their

capacity for studying and practicing equity-based pedagogical approaches. Her research focuses on explicating affirmative teaching practices, educational policies, and community organizing methods that improve community partnerships and bolster student success. Dr. Wilkerson has been recognized with the Outstanding Service in Education award by the Holmes Scholars Association of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) and the Diversity Scholarship with the Adult Higher Education Association (AHEA). She serves as the national chair for the Urban Education Topical Action Group for AACTE.

Dr. Amanda Wilkerson is an innovator and an intellectual who continues to work on community initiatives. To date, she is the first faculty member in her department to secure a prestigious National Science Foundation award. Further, she is an expert with Florida ExpertNet, a publicly funded portal of research expertise in Florida's universities.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Eric Pinellas was born and raised in Osceola County and graduated from Osceola High School in 1990. He went on to earn a degree from Georgia Military College and returned to Osceola County where he served as a behavior specialist with the Center for Drug-Free Living from 1995 to 1999. Mr. Pinellas knew his purpose was to impact our youth. He started his career with the Osceola County School District in 2000 as an educator and impactful coach.

Mr. Pinellas has dedicated his life to serving the youth while employed at Osceola High School--23 years coaching football, weightlifting, and track and field. He has coached nine state champions in track and field, two in girls weightlifting, and has been a member of four state runner-up coaching staffs in football. Mr. Pinellas has also helped over 50 of his athletes earn athletic scholarships to various colleges and universities across the country. He realized our youth could use their athletic abilities to take them to places they have never been. He understood those talents can be used as leverage to succeed. Most recently, he was named head football coach at Osceola after 21 years as a dedicated assistant coach where he also holds the title of head boys and girls track coach.

Mr. Pinellas' community involvement has also included volunteering with both youth football and youth track teams in the Osceola County community. These youth teams have been able to display their many talents at many national events across the United States. He is recognized as a strong pillar in the community. Mr. Pinellas has always felt it was his obligation to give back to his community in the same manner that he saw others do as he grew up in the city of Kissimmee. He lives by the motto ``one child at a time.''