COMMUNITY NEWS
Photo award, honor society scholarships, teacher recognized and early bird tix
Canoes at sunset at Horseshoe Lake Park & Retreat, by Mark Anderson. [Photo courtesy Marion County]
Park image earns photo honor
A sunlit image of canoes on the shores of the Horseshoe Lake Park & Retreat in northeast Marion County captured top honors in the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council’s 2025 photo contest.
The image by Mark Anderson, a public relations specialist for the county, won the Photography Brilliance Award. It was on display during the council’s Diamond Awards ceremony on Feb. 25 in New Smyrna Beach.
The county park offers hiking, fishing, swimming, picnicking and more.
For details, go to marionfl.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/46/663
CF students earn honor society scholarships
Two College of Central Florida honor students have been awarded scholarships from the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Yongxing Lin was named a 2026 New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar and will receive a $2,750 scholarship. Lisette Koehner was chosen as a 2026 Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship.
Lin was selected as the only student from Florida among more than 2,300 national nominees and received the highest score in the state in the fall scholarship competition. He will be recognized at the Phi Theta Kappa Catalyst 2026 annual convention in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 27. His award was based on academic accomplishments, leadership, activities and extension of intellectual talents beyond the classroom. The New Century Transfer Pathway program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, with additional support provided by Phi Theta Kappa, the news release noted.
Koehner’s scholarship is designed to help hardworking, high-achieving students complete an associate degree. Named after benefactors Rosemary and Lou Oberndorf, the Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion scholarship helps Phi Theta Kappa members overcome unanticipated financial barriers preventing completion of their first college certificate or associate degree. Lou Oberndorf is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation board of trustees, according to the release.
To learn more, visit cf.edu/honors
Dunnellon teacher honored
April Malott of Dunnellon High School is the most recent recipient of the Thank a Teacher award.
The honor is bestowed through a program of the Public Education Foundation of Marion County and HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital.
Malott teaches algebra and is Dunnellon High School’s reigning teacher of the year. She was nominated by a fellow teacher.
“Thank you for everything you do. You are a fantastic teacher and make a difference in our students, especially those whose potential is hidden,” the nomination stated, according to the news release. “You are a great department lead and coworker that I look forward to seeing each day, because you are such a supportive and kind person.”
To learn more or submit a nomination, go to pefmc.org/thank-a-teacher/
Early bird tix for Symphony Under the Stars
Fine Arts For Ocala (FAFO) will host the annual Symphony Under the Stars event on Mother’s Day, May 10, at the Ocala Golf Club, at 3130 E. Silver Springs Blvd.
The outdoor concert and community fundraiser includes music by the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and others, food and fireworks. Proceeds support FAFO and its mission to present the Ocala Arts Festival and enrich the cultural life of Marion County.
Early bird tickets are available now, with increased pricing on April 1 and again on the day of the event. Ticket options include general admission, a Maestro’s Meal Experience with VIP parking and more, and the Overture Oasis (outdoor lounge experience).
To purchase tickets, visit fafo.org/symphony-1
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