The annual Rotary Club of Kissimmee West Student Virtual Art Exhibit will include over 500 art exhibits from art students throughout Osceola County. The proceeds from the online voting will benefit charitable causes on youth education, development and post-secondary scholarships, the Osceola Council on Aging’s Food Pantries, and Osceola Meals on Wheels.
The artwork will be judged (based on grade), and cash prizes (based on grade) and ribbons will be awarded to the students and teachers who have participated in the virtual art exhibit. Each vote placed for favorite artists costs $5, and all proceeds go to support the winning artists, teachers and the Council on Aging programs.
Voting will be open April 7-14 at www. OsceolaGenerations.org.
The students with the most votes through the “People’s Choice Award” will receive $250, “Best of Show” winners will receive $100, and their teachers will receive $100 for art supplies.
Toho Water scores federal funds for upgrade projects
Congressman Darren Soto presented $1.6 million in funds last week for two Toho Water Authority infrastructure projects.
The St. Cloud Downtown Water Main Replacement replaces aging pipes with larger pipes to improve water quality, system pressure, and overall reliability in downtown St. Cloud, Toho Water said. The project cost is $3.7 million with $697,000 in federal funding. Toho expects to complete the project in late 2025 or early 2026.
The Reaves Road Force Main Replacement replaces a sewer in the Poinciana area that has experienced multiple breaks since 2020. The project, expected to reduce the risk of wastewater spills, costs approximately $1.9 million with $960,000 in federal funding. Toho anticipates completion in early 2027.
“Investing in Central Florida’s water infrastructure is essential to protecting public health, strengthening our resilience, and supporting future growth,” said Soto. “These investments are a testament to our commitment to building stronger, more sustainable communities.”
“Support of these critical infrastructure projects is invaluable, and we are excited about the positive impact these upgrades will bring for years to come,” said Toho Water Authority CEO Todd Swingle.
Joshua Stevens NSDAR Chapter members earn Service Awards
On March 2, Phoebe Cunningham Society Children of the American Revolution awarded two C.A.R. C.A.R.E.S. awards to Joshua Stevens Chapter, NSDAR Daughters, Ginny Brown and Claudia Dundas for excellence in serving their St. Cloud and Osceola County community.
The ceremony took place at the Museum of Military History in Kissimmee. Senior Society President Hannah Dennis presented the awards.
“Phoebe Cunningham Society appreciates the Joshua Stevens Daughters and all they do to support us,” Dennis said.
When this society was originally formed on Dec. 28, 1985, Joshua Stevens Chapter, NSDAR was the society’s original sponsor until the society disbanded sometime in 1998. The society reorganized on May 11, 2024.
“Joshua Stevens Chapter, NSDAR is very proud of Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Dundas and they are most deserving of this award,” said Joshua Stevens Chapter Regent Kim Tennison, who attended the award ceremony.
According to Tennison, Ginny Brown and her husband Howie have served extensively in the Osceola County Community with Relay 4 Life, raising money year after year. She and Howie also devote extensive time volunteering at Give Kids The World in the restaurant and operating the train ride. Ginny made an America 250 computerized logo quilt which raised hundreds of dollars for the chapter and gave visibility to America’s 250th anniversary in the community.
She has also been a senior advocate for friends in the hospital who didn’t have other family nearby. Ginny served the chapter as past Vice Regent, Membership Chair, Women’s Issues Chair, chapter photographer and continues to work on developing a modern chapter website as our Webmaster.
Claudia Dundas has worked extensively with Harmony High School as a Winter Guard Team Mom, supporting her daughter, Maddie, when she was a student there. Claudia continues to volunteer at HHS with Marching Band and Color Guard. She is a DAR Vice Regent, National Defense and Conservation Chair.
Locally sponsored student attendance bill working through Legislature
House Bill 1367, sponsored by St. Cloud Rep. Erika Booth, has passed through the House Education Administration Subcommittee. The bill addresses chronic student absenteeism.
Part of the bill, and companion Senate Bill 938, creates interventions for habitually-absent students, provides for the early identification of chronically absent students, and adopts rules providing requirements for a student to receive a certificate of exemption from school attendance requirements in certain situations. It also puts in place ways to inform parents of student attendance history, the impact of student absences on student academic outcomes, any interventions or services available.
“By addressing absenteeism, HB 1367 supports businesses by ensuring the next generation is prepared to meet future workforce demands,” a release from the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce said.
