by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet

The 34th Annual Teacher’s Appreciation Breakfast was held on August 6th at the Wesley Center of Living Hope Church, 715 West Juniata Street, Clermont. The annual event, hosted by the South Lake Chamber of Commerce (SLCC), had a bit of an interruption this year due to inclement weather, in part due to Tropical Storm Debby. The storm, which was making its way up the west coast of Florida, forced the cancellation of Monday’s event planned for the area high school teachers. Instead, those teachers will be recognized with a virtual program while door prizes and gifts to the schools and educators will be delivered in person at a later date.

Tuesday’s event, which celebrated K-8 teachers, opened with a full buffet breakfast prepared and served by the Wesley Center while an entourage of welcomers lined the entryway to serve the teachers and staff with a full course of high-fives and playful pleasantries. Opening ceremonies included a welcome message from South Lake Chamber of Commerce CEO David Colby and Master of Ceremonies Jenna Emerson from Cemex, followed by the invocation by Living Hope Church Pastor Dawn Carter. The Presentation of Colors and the National Anthem were performed by the South Lake High School NJROTC and the East Ridge High School Rhythm of the Knight Chorus.

A welcome message from Lake County Schools Superintendent Diane Kornegay addressed the 1,600 hard-working teachers who work throughout the South Lake Community each school year. “ I encourage you to be the best that you can be for each child. I want to personally thank each one of you for all that you do each day in your schools and classrooms,” said Kornegay.

Clermont Police Chief Chuck Broadway was met with a standing ovation and a wail of cheers as he approached the podium to deliver his appreciation comments. “From our Lake County law enforcement community, we want to thank each and every one of you. Thank you for the impact that you are having on our future generations and leaders. I also want to personally thank you as all of my children attended Lake County public schools,” said Broadway. The Chief also asked attendees to stand and observe a moment of silence in honor of Lake County Deputy Sheriff Brad Link. Link was recently slain in the line of duty by an ambush-style shooting in a rural area of Eustis, Lake County.

Kay Barnett, Vice President of Strategy & Emerging Operations for AdventHealth, gave a brief sponsor presentation of AdventHealth’s newest area campus that is being built in Minneola. The new facility, AdventHealth-Minneola, is located on North Hancock Road near Florida’s Turnpike interchange. The hospital will be a full-service facility complete with an emergency room and an 80-bed capacity. The new campus is slated for completion and opening in December 2025.  

Michelle Michnoff, Chairperson of the SLCC’s teacher appreciation breakfast, presented the Office Depot Spirit Award to Grassy Lake Elementary. The annual award is sponsored by Addition Financial, J Sterling Wellness Spa, Office Depot and Prime IV Hydration & Wellness and offers $1,125.00 of free printing to the school.

Meredith Nagel of Meredith Nagel, P.A. presented the South Lake Chamber School Grant Award. Nagel announced that her team had added a $1,000.00 donation towards the existing $2,000.00 value of the award, bringing the total to $3,000.00. “Many may not know this bit of trivia but my mom, Micki Blackburn-Nagel, was a teacher at Clermont High School for 18 years. Teachers and all that you do for students has a special place in my heart,” says Nagel. The grant was awarded to Grassy Lake Elementary School and can be utilized for any program that enhances the school’s ability to serve its students.

Presentation sponsors included Cemex, AdventHealth and South Lake Chamber of Commerce with Chick-fil-A, Living Hope Church and Stephanie Walter Promotions supporting as premier sponsors. Numerous businesses, civic and non-profit organizations in the community contributed over $30,000.00 towards grants, door and friendly contests winner prizes that were awarded to teachers and schools represented at the breakfast. As a collaborative partnership of community members and the SLCC, the two-day event takes many months to plan with the heartfelt effort of showing area teachers how much they are appreciated.

Visit www.southlakechamber-fl.com for a full listing of sponsors and prizes donated.

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