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MEMBER MICRONEWSBusiness and Tech Professionals Needed To Mentor Student Hack-a-thon April 21-23
Business and tech professionals are needed to donate their time April 21- 23 to mentor a hack-a-thon for Polk County youth ages 13-18. Students will engage business and tech professionals as they develop web and mobile applications to solve local problems during a 3-day event. #POLKHACKS, a FREE event, is scheduled for April 21-23 at Polk State College’s Lakeland Campus. Mentors will divide up among 8 youth teams to assist in creating a proof of concept for apps addressing local issues. At the end of the weekend, each team presents their concept and prizes are awarded to the top finishers. Registration for the evet is at www.polkhacks.com. Event organizers, students from Bartow High School’s International Baccalaureate program, are hoping to raise awareness of the need for technology-related opportunities for youth in their area. The project recently won a $5,000 grant from the Ford Next Generation Learning STEM High School Community Challenge, a national competition, to help fund food and prizes for #POLKHACKS. “Our goal is to influence and inspire kids who may not have an opportunity to pursue technology related ideas at home or at school,” says BHS-IB Junior and Event Chairperson Grady Daniels. “School funding and staffing limitations leave little room to explore technology interests beyond the basics in middle and high school. Also, our research found 80% of Polk County’s students qualify for “free and reduced lunch”, so we think it’s safe to assume most local households may not have the tools they need for kids to learn about tech, beyond Instagram and SnapChat.” Over the next 10 years, there will be 1 million more computing jobs than students to fill them, according to #YesWeCode, a national initiative to help promote tech carriers to underrepresented backgrounds. “We want to make sure that as many kids as possible can take advantage of this opportunity, especially with things happening so close to home like the partnership with Florida Polytechnic Institute and FDOT SunTrax. That kind of tech-related economic development will bring jobs to our area, so kids need to be preparing now or at least recognizing that they might have an interest in tech-related fields.” Youth #POLKHACKS participants need only be residents of Polk county and between the ages of 13-18. “We are getting the word out through schools and social media,” says Daniels. The event is free for all 100 youth and mentor participants. In addition to funding support from the FORD NGL grant, Polk State College has donated the venue for all three days. “We are still seeking sponsors. Our primary expenses are for food (6 meals for 100 people) and tech-related prizes for winning teams,” says Daniels. “We could get by on our current funding, but only if we serve just Ramen Noodles, so we’re hoping to do a little better.” The student committee also secured the support of the Polk Education Foundation and Polk Vision as well as forming a steering committee of local tech, education, civic and business leaders. Daniels said the effort that went into getting all of the support has furthered the goal of raising awareness for the need for tech events for kids. “At first, we had to explain that a hack-a-thon was not illegal and a genuinely productive event that is not uncommon among tech community. Once we got past that part, everyone was pretty supportive. We are fortunate that so many community leaders see the need and are willing to help.” The Polk Education Foundation, a non-profit and manager of many educational programs for Polk County Schools, will manage funds. Polk Vision, a partnership of organizations, businesses, government and individuals working together to align resources and address critical issues in Polk’s 17 communities, will identify the local problems that are the focus of the app development. They are also helping to recruit mentors from the business and technology community. The idea for the event originated from a similar event held in Sarasota called #SRQHACKS hosted by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County. “I heard about it on the radio, volunteered to work and was really impressed with by its mission and success,” says Daniels. “I contacted the Foundation and the people there were really responsive, they have been helping us ever since. We are very thankful for their ongoing support.” ### About The #Polkhacks Team (photo left to right) AJ Manning, Nandan Patel*, Grady Daniels, Ixchèl Collazo, Abby McDanal, Soha Kazmi, Greeshma Venigalla , Manning Chuor* (not pictured) All are BHS IB students. Nandan Patel and Manning Chuor are seniors*. The rest are juniors. About FORD STEM High School Community Challenge Ford Motor Company’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) program is teaming up with Ford Next Generation Learning (NGL) to provide $50,000 in grants to implement six student-led high school projects. The initiative empowers students to use their STEAM skills to design sustainable solutions that will have a lasting, positive impact on people in their community The Ford STEM High School Community Challenge was launched to empower students in the nationwide Ford NGL network to put their knowledge to work making positive changes for people in the community. Student leadership was an essential part of each winning proposal, along with the participation of community partners. Students explored real-life issues and ways to address unmet needs in technology, alternative energy, health and other areas. SAVE THE DATE! 54th Annual Youth Villa Classic May 26-29, 2017 Call Chris Banks at (863) 533-9183 for more information on any Youth Villa Classic Tournament. Headquarters: Bartow Golf Course THE FLORIDA SHERIFFS YOUTH VILLA CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT is an event to benefit the FLORIDA SHERIFFS YOUTH VILLA IN BARTOW Preventing Delinquency Since 1957® Call (800) 765-3797 for more information on any Youth Villa Classic activity. S C H E D U L E O F E V E N T S May 23-29, 2017 Since 1963 An event to benefit the Florida Sheriffs Youth Villa Florida Sheriffs Youth Villa Classic Golf Tournament May 27-29, 2017 Bartow Golf Course Sponsor, Contributor and Patron Golf Scramble Tuesday, May 23, 2017 Bartow Golf Course Sponsor, Contributor and Patron Reception Tuesday, May 23, 2017 – 5:30 p.m. Bartow Golf Course Community Civic Luncheon Wednesday, May 24, 2017 Bartow Civic Center Women’s Team Championship May 24, 2017 Bartow Golf Course Sponsor, Contributor, Patron and Golfer Kickoff Low Country Boil Friday, May 26, 2017 – 6:30 p.m. Bartow Golf Course Call (800) 765-3797 for more information on any Youth Villa Classic activity. SAVANNAH COURT EVENTS OPEN TO PUBLIC Strawberry Social Join us on Friday March 23rd, 1:30 PM – 3:00PM *Open to the public* Socialize with our community and enjoy Strawberry desserts, strawberry shortcakes & strawberry sundaes 290 Idlewood Ave. Bartow, FL 33830 (863)519-3398 Assisted Living Facility License No. 9888 SPCA WALK FOR THE ANIMALS Join SPCA Florida for the 25th Anniversary Walk for Animals to be held at the Lake Mirror Frances Langford Promenade on Saturday, April 29, 2017. Presented by Petco Foundation, registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with the walk beginning at 9:00 a.m. Registration/admission fee is $35 per person or $25 for youth and includes a T-shirt, dog bandana, access to the Bow Wow breakfast, and a day full of live music by Eli Mosley, demonstrations, family activities, and contests! Walk as an individual or form a team of at least 5 members to help support the homeless animals of Polk County. Vendor and sponsor information available by calling 863-577-4600. For more information, please visit the SPCA Florida walk website at www.spcawalkfortheanimals.com. Lake Mirror Frances Langford Promenade - Downtown Lakeland, Florida 33801 Date/Time: Saturday, April 29th, 2017 Registration: 8 a.m. Walk starts at 9:00 a.m. Fees/Admission: $35 Registration Fee, Youth $25 Contact Information: Paula Creamer 863-577-4608 www.spcawalkfortheanimals.com About SPCA Florida Founded in 1979, SPCA Florida is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization headquartered in Lakeland, serving all of Polk County and the surrounding communities. Dedicated to improving the lives of pets and people, SPCA Florida provides caring, compassion and hope to more than 4,000 homeless animals entering our doors each year. Open to the public, our Reva McClurg Animal Medical Center is a state-of-the-art veterinary facility that heals and helps 50,000 patients annually. Thousands more pets and people are served through our community outreach and education programs. Simplistically, every $100 donated to SPCA Florida, or essentially the cost of an average adoption, equates to $3,000 worth of positive economic impact throughout Polk County, Central Florida, and the state. Additionally, we are proud of the fact that 91% of every dollar goes to program resources and helping homeless animals. Sixth Carillon Classic 5 K Run & Walk Scheduled for Saturday, April 29 at Bok Tower Gardens Under Auspices of Polk County Tourism & Sports Marketing Polk County Tourism & Sports Marketing announced that the sixth annual Carillon Classic 5K Run & Walk will be on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida. Marc Zimmerman, Senior Sales & Events Manager at Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing, is the race director. According to Zimmerman, Polk County Tourism & Sports Marketing will run the race in partnership with Bok Tower Gardens and corporate sponsors. The Carillon Classic was established in 2012 as a charity fundraiser by the Dick Pope/Polk County chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). Over the five years FPRA managed the race, it drew 2,000 runners and raised $20,000 for charity. "FPRA did an outstanding job of growing the Carillon Classic into one of Polk County’s premier running events. Our main goal for 2017 is to sustain this momentum and building on the solid foundation established by FPRA by using our resources to bring a record field of runners to Bok Tower Gardens,” Zimmerman said. The Carillon Classic 5K Run & Walk features what many consider Florida’s most challenging 5K course where runners experience elevation changes and a variety of running surfaces, including paved roads plus grass, gravel and mulch trails. Last year’s course also included a boardwalk in a new wetlands area. As they compete high atop “Iron Mountain,” which is one of the highest points on the Florida peninsula, runners will hear soothing music from the famed Bok Tower carillon and get a close up look at rare species of plants, beautiful gardens and citrus groves, as well as new attractions made possible by a recently completed $12-million capital improvement project. Zimmerman said the course layout is currently being reviewed in response to suggestions from runners who participated in the 2016 Carillon Classic. The final course layout will also be designed to give runners and walkers a close up look at the new attractions at Bok Tower Gardens. General information about the 2017 Carillon Classic 5K Run & Walk, including corporate sponsorships, can be obtained by calling Zimmerman at 863-551-4726 or by sending him an e-mail at zimm@centralfloridasports.com. On-line registration and a 2017 Carillon Classic Facebook page will be up shortly.   WATSON CLINIC CANCER & RESEARCH CENTER APPOINTS NEW CANCER LIAISON PHYSICIAN The Watson Clinic Cancer & Research Center is pleased to announce the recent three-year appointment of oncologist-hematologist Galina Vugman, MD as the facility’s Cancer Liaison Physician (CLP). First established in 1963 by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, the CLP program currently enlists 1500 oncology specialists across the country who manage, evaluate and report on the performance of their facilities, find areas where improvements can be made, and provide leadership and guidance in the implementation of those improvements. “I’m honored to have been selected for this appointment,” says Dr. Vugman. “The program assures our patients that they’re receiving the very best care, and the data we collect can have profound implications for the quality of care at cancer facilities across the country as well.” Dr. Vugman assumes the CLP position from her predecessor, oncologist-hematologist Shalini Mulaparthi, MD. As an oncologist-hematologist, Dr. Vugman uses medical and chemotherapeutic methods to treat cancer, and specializes in malignancies of the blood and blood-forming tissues. She received her medical degree from Rush University in Chicago, IL. She performed her internship and residency in internal medicine at the Rush University Medical Center, as well as a fellowship in palliative medicine. She completed an additional fellowship in hematology-oncology at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Dr. Vugman is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, and the National Council of Hospice and Palliative Professionals. She is board-certified in Medical Oncology and Hematology, Internal Medicine, and Hospice & Palliative Care.
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| GreenBlue - March 21, 2017 | |||||
