Education

Bronson High School senior Sarah Parkin was named the 2009 Sunshine State Scholar for Levy County School District last week. The award recognizes the state’s top 95 students, Florida’s crème de la crème, in math and science. Sarah is one of 15 who will represent the North Central Region in the January 2009 state competition. The top 10 regional competitors will compete in the finale at Tallahassee in March. Sarah has earned 4.5 math credits and 5 science credits with straight A’s. Her weighted GPA is 4.37.

 “We had our highest score ever this year,” said Pride of Chiefland Marching Band director Matt Flenner.

“We’ve scored 68s, 69s; this is the first time we’ve cracked 70.”

Surrounded by balloons and guitars on the cafeteria stage, with posters of Hanna Montana and the Jonas Brothers, a giant inflatable jukebox, and records hanging from the ceiling, Bronson Elementary students are eating, dancing, giggling, and blowing lots of bubbles.

"Can I freshen up your drink, miss?" teacher Mark Roberts asks a first grade student. With her approval, he proceeds to top off her fruit punch and add fresh ice. Roberts is spending Friday moonlighting as maitre'd for BES's Hard Work Cafe.

Retirement Class

The Central Florida Community College Levy Center is offering "Basics of Investing for Retirement" beginning in October.

The course is designed to teach the basic principles of investing and saving for retirement, but is useful for anyone interested in learning about investing. Even if you think you have enough money saved for retirement, there are numerous factors that will greatly impact the financial picture before and even during retirement. Make sure you are prepared.