Mason Alderman
Two Osceola County nonprofit agencies were among eight area organizations that will be featured on the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX)’s Public Service Bus for the next year.
The Chamber Foundation and Wedding Wish by Candyland Designs will see their designs on a bus that will travel across Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties for the next 12 months. Osceola County Commissioner and LYNX Board Chair Viviana Janer and LYNX Chief Executive Officer Tiffany Homler Hawkins will unveil the bus at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28 in front of the Osceola County Administration Building and county Courthouse.
Each winner was selected in a random drawing of qualified applicants with 501(c)(3) status and operate on budgets of less than $1.5 million annually.
According to its bio released by LYNX, The Chamber Foundation, “Unites leaders, partners and resources to strengthen the business and civic landscape of Osceola County…They conduct a leadership training program, a local healthcare industry council and workforce development initiatives to help connect people to opportunities and position Osceola County for long-term success.”
Wedding Wish by Candyland Designs, “Grants dream weddings and offers free mental health support for couples facing financial or health challenges. Through fundraising and partnerships, they provide wedding experiences, wellness workshops and counseling services.”
Osceola student one of 12 Fla. Sheriff’s Assoc. scholarship winners
Mason Alderman, the son of Osceola County Sheriff ’s Office Maj. Robert Alderman, is the recipient of one 12 scholarships awarded by the Florida Sheriffs Association.
Alderman will be a freshman at the University of Central Florida and plans to major in Kinesiology to study human movement and physiology. He plans to attend medical school and specialize in sports medicine, as well as conduct research in areas of injury prevention and performance enhancement.
Each year, the FSA recognizes high-achieving students whose parents serve in Florida sheriffs’ offices. This year, the FSA made its awards to those pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
“Science, technology, engineering, and math aren’t just academic subjects— they’re the tools that help solve tomorrow’s challenges and keep our communities safe,” said FSA President and Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell. “Championing Florida’s youth has always been central to the Florida Sheriffs Association’s mission, and scholarships like our STEM Scholarship turns that commitment into real opportunity. Investing in these students is essential for Florida’s continued progress and prosperity.”
As part of the application process, those who’s legal guardian is a sheriff’s office employee must submit the five-page application and an essay on why they are passionate about studying in their STEM-related field.
Valencia’s nursing program receives $2M in grants
Valencia College’s nursing program has been awarded $2 million in grants for simulation equipment, scholarships, and faculty recruitment.
The State of Florida has awarded Valencia College $1 million from the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund. The grant matches $500,000 donated by each of the college’s leading health care provider partners, AdventHealth and Orlando Health.
Valencia College’s Osceola campus offers both an Associate in Science (ASN) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The ASN program is a two-year program that prepares students for employment in nursing, with the option to continue to a BSN at a four-year university.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have outstanding relationships with our local health systems, who share our vision for affordable, quality nursing education and allied health programs that serve the Central Florida community,” said Dr. Kathleen Plinske, president of Valencia College. “We’re also immensely grateful for the Florida Legislature’s recognition of the importance of nursing education and their determination to fund quality nursing programs, where the cost of educating nurses is quite high—because of the one-onone, hands-on nature of these programs and because of the high cost of equipment used to educate nursing students.”
