Honorable Mentions | May 3 – May 9, 2024

Forest High School teacher named finalist for Florida Teacher of the Year

Forest High School’s Jennifer Brown has been selected as a finalist for the statewide Teacher of the Year Award.

Brown, a mathematics teacher, was nominated for the state award after winning Marion County’s Teacher of the Year Award at the Golden Apple Gala in February.

The winner will be announced by the Florida Department of Education on July 25.

Jennifer Brown poses with her Golden Apple award in her classroom at Forest High School in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. Brown teaches Geometry and AVID at Forest and was recently named the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.

The community has chosen to spotlight Matt Wardell, the music director and conductor of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, for his work in the arts.

“Maestro Wardell has worked so hard to bring musical culture to Ocala, always thinking of what’s best for our community. He is a humble brilliant person with a heart of gold who needs to be recognized for his attributes to our beautiful Ocala,” wrote Mia Van Voorhees in her submission to the “Gazette.”

Matthew Wardell [Reilley Arts Center]

Ernie Saco of Gambler 500 was honored with the Litter Hero Award from the Marion County Board of County Commissioners on May 7.

The award, given as part of the Litter Task Force, recognizes those who make a positive difference in the community by making it a cleaner place.

Ernie Saco and Gambler 500 [Granicus]