SJR State celebrates

nursing graduates

St. Johns River State College recently held a pinning ceremony to recognize the Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) students. A continued tradition of Florence Nightingale, the pinning ceremony symbolizes the rite of passage into the nursing profession and the care and devotion nurses provide. Graduates received a pin that serves as a reminder of their purpose to serve the sick and infirmed.

ASN graduates from the Orange Park and Palatka campus programs include: Shazirali Ali, Christopher Antwine, Jennifer Atehortua, Adina Barnett, Naomi Bigwood, Cheska Boone, Jesse Bowen, Mia Brand, Jaylee Capps, Diana Cardenas, Kristen Carlisle, Chase Chance, Charese Chandler, Gloria Cotton, Miranda Craven, Haley Crosby, Myla DeFord, Dalaina Dotson, Allyson Dyall, Abigale Faulkner, Jeremy Frier, Tessa Garrett, Anna Godwin, Angelyna Henley, Nevaeh Hester, Shayla Hofstra, Bayley Hunter, Cheyenne Kinghorn, Rebecca Kozlosky, Jodi Ledgister, Elondra Manick, Taylor Pardon, Amanda Parry, Rachel Plyler, Ahmia Ribeiro, Kayla Roddenberry, Kaitlyn Rosenberg, Ashley Rowe, Izabela Schadegg, Lauren Schroeder, Emily Scianna, Marbella Scott, Veronica Solis, Alyssa Taylor, Alexis Verkovod, Karley Vice, Rachael Wallis, Jordan Watts, Ashley Weatherly, Elissa Whitmarsh, Jacqueline Wilcox, A’shanti D’Mya Williams and Jessica Williams.

Lopez among 600 to earn degrees

from SJR State College

 ORANGE PARK – Sebastian Lopez, a senior at Orange Park High School, graduated with his Associate in Arts degree May 2 from St. Johns River State College. Lopez enrolled in SJR State’s early college program as a high school freshman.

Lopez was among the 360 graduates participating in the May 2 ceremony on the Orange Park Campus were 150 dual enrollment/early college program students representing Clay, Putnam and St. Johns counties.

In all, more than 600 students from the three campuses earned their AA degrees.

In addition to the rigorous program, Lopez excelled at OPHS academically (ranked second in his class) as well as in his commitments outside of the classroom. Those commitments included the Future Business Leaders of America, captain of the varsity swim team, and more than 500 hours working as a lifeguard.
Lopez is headed to Rollins College in Winter Park this fall where he will major in biological science with the goal of becoming a radiologist.

County partners to host

Kids Bike Rodeo

Clay County Parks and Recreation is teaming up with partners from across the area to hold a Kids Bike Rodeo on Friday, May 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Clay County Fairgrounds. 

Kids can learn essential bike safety skills, go through obstacle courses, have a bike hospital checkup, a bike carwash, and more.

One of the highlights of the event is a free helmet giveaway, available while supplies last. Helmets are required for participation, and fittings will be done by appointment.

Families can now register online at LetsPlayClay.com to secure their spot and schedule a helmet fitting.

The rodeo welcomes both bicycles and scooters, but motorized vehicles are not allowed.

The event is presented in collaboration with the Clay County Parks and Recreation, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Wolfson Children’s Hospital, The Players Center for Child Health, and Gordon Chevrolet.

Middleburg-Clay Hill Library

hosts book sale May 29-31

MIDDLEBURG -- The Friends of the Middleburg-Clay Hill Library will host a book sale from May 29-31.

Hundreds of books in all genres are priced from a dime to a dollar.

Friends Members” may shop early on Wednesday, May 28, from 4 to 8 p.m. The cost to become a member is $1.

Book sale times are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 29; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, May 30; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 31.

The library is at 2245 Aster Ave.

Wolfson Children’s Hospital

making casts for bass tourney

 PALATKA -- Anglers and landlubbers alike are invited to enter a drawing to win a 2025 Bullet bass boat and register for the 36th annual Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament.

The event from May 15-17 is one of the largest bass tournaments in the Southeast U.S. Last year’s tourney attracted more than 1,000 fishermen and raised more than $385,000 for the hospital dedicated to providing optimal health for children by providing patient- and family-centered care, education, research and child advocacy.

The Lads and Lasses Tournament on May 15 features a team of one man and woman. The VIP and Friends Tournament will be on May 16, and the main event will leave Palatka City Docks at 3 a.m. May 17. Weigh-ins start at 3 p.m.

The Palatka City Docks are located at 319 River St.

After weigh-in, winners are brought to the stage for awards and cash prizes. More than $40,000 will be awarded to competitors from across the Southeast.

For a suggested donation of $20, anyone may enter a drawing for a new Bullet Boat model 21SDC with a trailer, courtesy of Bullet Boats and Mercury. All proceeds from the drawing will help fund new technology for the C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry Heart Institute at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. To enter the bass boat drawing or for information, visit WolfsonBassTournament.com.

Oakleaf learning center

participates in USDA program

Trinity Christian Academy Early Learning Center at Oakleaf is pleased to announce its participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Child Care Food Program. This federally funded program provides reimbursement to child care centers for serving nutritious meals and snacks to children in their care.

Meals will be provided at no separate charge to all children enrolled at the Early Learning Center, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

To determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meals, parents or guardians must complete a confidential application. It requires information such as the names and income of all household members, or a valid case number for Food Assistance Program (formerly known as Food Stamps) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Additionally, the application must be signed by an adult household member, and include the last four digits of that person's Social Security number or an indication that they do not have one.

Children who are members of households receiving Food Assistance or TANF benefits, as well as those enrolled in Head Start or Early Head Start, and foster children, are automatically eligible for free meal benefits with appropriate documentation.

St. Johns Classical’s diaper drive

helps Dignity Impact Outreach

FLEMING ISLAND -- St Johns Classical Academy’s Safety Patrol team completed a successful diaper drive to benefit Dignity Impact Outreach and the families it serves.

Because of their efforts, Dignity will be able to continue providing care to those most in need. Dignity provides support and services to homeless and at-risk families. At times, people go without hygiene care and clean clothing because they are just trying to survive by finding food and a place to rest.

Girls and Grills gets cooking May 20

The Clay County Chamber of Commerce will present Girls and Grills with local grill master Todd Knowles from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20. Knowles is the CEO of Premier Specialty Service & Premier Gas and Grill, where the event takes place at 3293 N. Highway 17 in Green Cove Springs.

The cost is $12 per person.

Stronger Together Golf tourney

tees off June 10

The 2^nd annual Stronger Together Golf Tournament for Isaiah Carrasco is scheduled from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 10 at Fleming Island Golf Club. Top of the Tee is the event’s presenting sponsor.

Carrasco survived a 2022 car crash and sustained a traumatic brain injury.

The tournament comprises a 9-hole scramble on TopTracer: The Back 9 of Oakmont, and a Long Drive Competition (three balls for $10 or 10 balls for $20). The event includes a silent auction, raffles, live music and food trucks.