Future United STEAM Day at NeoCity
Heart of Florida United Way held the first Future United STEAM Day (FUSD) for Osceola County middle school students on Friday at NeoCity Academy. The event brought together seventh-grade students from across the county for hands-on exploration of career pathways in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). This bridge between coursework and the real world showed students how their studies lay the foundation for interesting and exciting careers.
A $25,000 grant from the Florida Lottery Bright Futures made the event possible across Central Florida.
During the event, students participated in interactive STEAM activities that included science-based CPR, testing microchip technology, working with professional film gear and exercises showing how airports manage air traffic.
“Showing young people what is possible starts long before they enter the workforce,” said Kelly Astro, senior vice president, Heart of Florida United Way. “When we give students the opportunity to see careers they may never have imagined for themselves, we are doing more than inspiring them. We are helping them connect what they are learning today to the possibilities of tomorrow.”
The event was made possible through strong collaboration with local educational leaders, businesses, and community organizations.
Flood insurance easier through online tool
Kissimmee residents and property owners now have a convenient way to obtain a quote and purchase National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance online through a new federal self-service tool recently launched by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Available at FloodSmart.gov, the tool allows residents in NFIP-participating communities, including Kissimmee, to explore coverage options and purchase a policy online or work with an insurance agent.
It’s an easy process: Visit FloodSmart.gov/policy-quote and enter basic information about the property, review the available quote and coverage options, then choose to purchase a policy online or share the quote with an insurance agent.
The new online purchasing option comes as eligible Kissimmee NFIP policyholders begin receiving a larger discount on flood insurance premiums. In July 2026, Kissimmee’s classification in the NFIP Community Rating System (CRS) moved from Class 7 to Class 5, rewarding homeowners in the City with a 25% discount on most eligible flood insurance policies because of its local government’s efforts to go beyond minimum floodplain management standards. Under the previous class rating, only a 15% discount was available to residents.
