Women of Honor Recognized
The Okaloosa Commission on the Status of Women honored 26 women during its annual “Women of Honor” ceremony in May. The “Women of Honor” was first established as “Wall of Honor” by the OCCSW in 1997 as an idea of its members who thought it would be a nice way for someone to honor the women in their lives whose works might be unknown to most others. Each honoree’s name is added to a plaque at UWF Emerald Coast’s library, celebrating local women who made a significant impact in their communities.
The 2025 Women of Honor recipients include a remarkable group of leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, and volunteers who have made lasting contributions across Okaloosa County and beyond.
First Row:
- Kathy Alexander, VP of RWOF, professional mathematician and civil servant at Eglin AFB
- Dana Allen, advocate for women in the workplace
- Tierra Barclay, Area Mgr., Sport Clips; national/state award-winning trainer and mentor
- Annette Breton, children’s ministry leader and choir member, Wright Baptist Church
- Dr. Betsy Christianson, educator and former Aerospace Education Foundation Teacher of the Year
- Vanessa d’Aquin, Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Services Dir., Crossroads Center
Second Row:
- Elizabeth “Libby” Hill, Pres., Niceville Women’s Republican Club; charter member, National League of Families (POW/MIA Southeast Asia)
- Kiiya Hillsman, single mother and role model of resilience
- Maria Howell, Pres., Emerald Coast Assn. of Realtors; Owner/Broker, Rev Realty
- Theri Isaacs, banking/mortgage lender and Boys & Girls Club volunteer
- Narissa Jenkins, Founder/CEO, Healing Hoof Steps, equine-assisted mental health provider
- Carol Kelley, mission volunteer, Women’s Missionary Union and International English School
- Carrie Knife, chef/owner, Knife’s Edge Café & Catering at Bob Hope Village
Third Row:
- Bonnie Nabors Pittock (posthumously, represented by son Jimmy Nabors), led Downtown FWB revitalization in the 1990s
- Dr. Gail Shorter-Judson, Dress for Success Emerald Coast volunteer
- Dina Smith, Board-Certified Psychometrist, 492nd SOF Preservation of Force & Family, Hurlburt Field
- Lisa Smith, owner, Creative Web Solutions; tech-savvy and community-minded
- Ann Walther Sprague, founder, Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless; pianist and elder, Community of Christ
- Candace Tanner, founder, Downtown FWB Coffee Club
- Julie Gracela Webb, ABA therapist and founder of Advanced Sacred Hope Academy for children with autism
Photo 2:
- Karen Englert, Senior Home Health Specialist, CenterWell; health-focused radio host
- Trisha Graham, founding member/past pres., Okaloosa FAWL; former chair, County Commission on Status of Women
- Helen Harris, Pres., ADSO; owner, HH Arts
- Sharon Herbison, long-time volunteer, Emerald Coast Mustang Club
Back Row:
- Dr. Eleanor McCain, Medical Dir., Bridgeway Center Health Clinic, advocate for underserved patients
- Linda McCooey, CEO, Natural Fuel Solution; Honorary Regent, Choctawhatchee Bay DAR
- Brianna O’Brien, owner, Destin Blowout Bar; founder, The Ground Up Project (autism support)
Visit OCCSW.com or call 850-685-8027.
Fort Walton Beach Viking Softball Makes History!
The Fort Walton Beach High School Softball Team captured its first-ever FHSAA 4A State Championship with a thrilling 7–6 win over American Heritage in Longwood, FL.
Capping off a standout 23–8 season, the Vikings showed grit and determination throughout the playoffs. Izzy Douglas dominated on the mound, going 7–0 in the postseason, while Anna Beyhl delivered the game-winning RBI in the sixth inning.
Congratulations, Vikings—you made history!
Troop 529 Removes 300 Pounds of Trash from Spectre Island
Scouting America Troop 529 (Shalimar) recently collected nearly 300 pounds of trash from Spectre Island in the Santa Rosa Sound during a conservation paddling trip. Eleven youth Scouts and seven adult leaders canoed to the island, where they removed litter from the shoreline and inland areas, finding everything from cans and shotgun shells to folding chairs and toys.
The outing also helped Scouts fulfill canoeing merit badge requirements, including deep-water swamping rescues. Canoes were provided by Troop 532 (Holt), with launch support from several Hurlburt Field units, including the 1st Special Operations Wing, 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron-Outdoor Recreation Team, 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron and 505th Command and Control Wing. Canoes were supplied by Troop 532 out of Holt. Efforts like these bring Scouts closer to earning the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout while teaching leadership, confidence and community service.
Learn more at bsashalimar.org and watch the trip video at YouTube. Join at BeAScout.org.
SMSgt Amber Burke Named 2025 AF/SF Outstanding Instructor of the Year
Fort Walton Beach High School proudly celebrates SMSgt Amber Burke, who has been named the 2025 Overall Air Force/Space Force Outstanding Instructor of the Year. She was also honored as the Region 2 winner—recognizing her as one of the nation’s very best in Air Force Junior ROTC (AFJROTC).
A pillar of leadership, mentorship, and service, SMSgt Burke has left a profound mark on the Viking JROTC program, her students, and the broader community.
“This recognition is a testament to SMSgt Burke’s unwavering commitment to excellence and service. She exemplifies leadership and inspires our students to reach their fullest potential. We are incredibly proud of her and grateful for the positive influence she has on our cadets and the school community.” Principal Lindsey Smith echoed this sentiment, adding: “SMSgt Burke’s dedication to her students and her leadership within our JROTC program is truly outstanding. She embodies the values of hard work, integrity, and mentorship, making a difference in the lives of so many. We are honored to have her leading our Viking JROTC program.”
Presented by the Department of the Air Force, the AFJROTC Outstanding Instructor Awards honor those who go above and beyond in shaping cadets. SMSgt Burke’s dedication reflects the highest Air Force Core Values—and continues to inspire all who know her.
Shaffer Honored with Inaugural Kindred Spirits Award
Aimee Shaffer, local animal advocate and owner of Aimee’s Animal Magnetism, has been named the first recipient of the Sara DeMonbrun Kindred Spirits Award. The award honors someone “who embodies the lifelong passion for the care, protection and dignity of animals,” said SOCKS Executive Director Nancy Schimmer. Shaffer supports numerous rescues and is the longtime “Voice of SOCKS.” “I am truly humbled and honored… I will treasure this honor the rest of my life,” she said. A plaque will be displayed in the SOCKS lobby.
Okaloosa County Honors Troop 544 for Locating Missing Child
Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon recently presented a proclamation to Scouting America Troop 544 in recognition of their role in locating a missing 11-year-old autistic child in April.
While gathering for a weekly meeting near Ferry Park in Fort Walton Beach, the scouts were approached by law enforcement and quickly organized a search. Led by older scouts and an assistant scoutmaster, the troop found the child hiding in nearby bushes as the sun was setting. They stayed with him and kept him calm until authorities arrived, helping prevent a potentially dangerous situation.
“The actions of Troop 544 not only showcased their dedication to scouting principles but also emphasized the importance of community engagement and support in times of crisis,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon.
Scouting helps youth build character, leadership, and confidence through service and adventure. Learn more at scouting.org.
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation Raises Record $3.55M for Kids
The 20th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction raised a record-breaking $3.55 million to benefit 17 children’s charities in Northwest Florida: Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, Caring & Sharing of South Walton, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Children in Crisis, Inc., Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation, Emerald Coast Autism Center, Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, Mental Health Association of Okaloosa & Walton Counties, Opportunity, Inc., Point Washington Medical Clinic, Shelter House Domestic Violence Center, The Arc of the Emerald Coast, Westonwood Ranch and Youth Village. More than 600 guests attended the sold-out event. Funds will be distributed in August during a private check presentation at the Hilton Sandestin.
Since its founding, DCWAF has donated over $35 million to improve the lives of over 100,000 children. Learn more at DCWAF.org.
Okaloosa Students Explore Careers at TeCMEN Industry Day
Students from six Okaloosa high schools attended the 8th Annual TeCMEN Industry Day in May at the Emerald Coast Conference Center. Hosted by One Okaloosa EDC, the event offered hands-on experiences and direct interaction with professionals in engineering, manufacturing, technology and aerospace—helping students explore career paths and the skills needed to succeed. Thank you to One Okaloosa EDC and its partners for providing this impactful opportunity!
Leadership Northwest Florida Celebrates Graduates
Congratulations to seventeen community leaders who graduated from Florida’s Great Northwest Foundation’s Leadership Northwest Florida program on May 9. The seven-month initiative covers business, infrastructure, talent and regional collaboration. Applications for Class IV open this summer. Visit FGNW.org or contact Kasey Killebrew at 334-790-4557.
ECCAC Named First Charity Recipient by ECRWF
Emerald Coast Republican Women Federated selected the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center as its first charity recipient. Kate McDougall-Mason presented the Center’s work, including advocacy, therapy, medical care and school-based prevention programs. Learn more at ECCAC.org or call 850-420-4639.
FPL Announces 2025 Reliability Upgrades for Okaloosa County
Florida Power & Light (FPL) has announced a series of infrastructure upgrades in Okaloosa County for 2025, aimed at reducing outages and speeding up power restoration during major storms.
Planned improvements include:
- Nine Storm Secure Underground Program (SSUP) projects, replacing overhead neighborhood lines with more resilient underground systems.
- 415 miles of power lines scheduled for inspection or vegetation trimming to address one of the top causes of outages.
- 9,154 power poles will be inspected, with repairs or replacements made as needed.
- Seven smart grid devices to be installed on main, neighborhood, and underground lines, helping detect outages and automatically reroute power.
Across Northwest Florida, FPL continues to strengthen the grid by replacing 32% of wooden transmission structures with steel and concrete, placing 90 miles of lines underground, and deploying 9,100 smart grid devices to improve response times. Advanced tech is also being used to monitor and manage tree and debris contact with power lines.
“Our dedicated team is committed to providing customers in Okaloosa County with safe and reliable electric service all while keeping bills as low as possible,” said Bernard Johnson, FPL’s senior external affairs manager. “Although no energy grid is storm proof, these upgrades have improved service reliability by more than 63% since 2018 in Northwest Florida, enhancing reliability day-to-day and during hurricanes and severe weather for our customers.”
A recent report filed with the Florida Public Service Commission shows FPL achieved its best reliability performance in company history in 2024, with customers experiencing the fewest average minutes of outages to date.
One Okaloosa EDC Launches New Website
One Okaloosa EDC has launched a new website, www.oneokaloosa.org, designed to better showcase the region’s workforce, demographics and business resources. The update modernizes the site first launched in 2017 and supports the region’s economic development efforts.
