In Your Neighborhood - 05/17/12

Carrie Lewis, R.N., B.S.N., P.C.C.N., was inducted into University of Central Florida’s Delta Epsilon Iota academic honor society. To qualify, students must complete at least 30 semester hours while maintaining a 3.30 cumulative GPA or scholastic ranking within the top 15 percent of their class. The Berkshire Park resident graduated from Kent State University in Ohio with a bachelor’s in nursing and is enrolled in the Master of Science in nursing leadership and management program at UCF, with an anticipated graduation date of December 2013. Carrie works in the Progressive Care Unit at Florida Hospital Celebration Health as a staff and charge nurse. She has been with Florida Hospital since 2004. Carrie is married to Robert Lewis, and her parents are Carl and Shirley Klusty of Akron, Ohio.

The Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips held its third annual Wine & Dine on 9 alongside the ninth fairway at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard. The event was co-presented by Robert Mondavi Winery and top area restaurants, and included a silent auction and VIP section. Proceeds benefited Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

Rachel Davies, a senior in the International Baccalaureate program at Cypress Creek High School, was named a Quest Scholar, Chesick Scholar, Magill-Rhoads Scholar and Gates Millennium Scholar. The Keene’s Pointe resident, who will graduate in the top 20 of her class, was offered admission to several colleges, including New York University and the University of Florida. She will attend Haverford College, a leading liberal-arts college that is part of a consortium, enabling her to also take classes at Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore colleges, and the University of Pennsylvania. Haverford recognized Rachel as one of 15 Chesick Scholars and awarded her the distinction of Magill-Rhoads Scholar, which includes a grant to use as she sees fit. Rachel was also selected from more than 24,000 applicants as one of 1,000 Gates Millennium Scholars for 2012, making her eligible for higher education funding up to the doctorate level. Her proud parents are Russ and Rhonda Gatewood.

Ansley Sandberg was selected as a state finalist for the Florida National Teenager Scholarship Pageant that was held earlier this month in Orlando. The Metro West resident is a competitive cheerleader with Orlando All-Stars in Gotha, and she enjoys horseback riding, watersports, volunteering with children, medical studies, family gatherings and spending time with friends. The Florida National Teenager Scholarship Program focuses on the “real girl,” and there are no swimsuit or mandatory talent competitions. The mission of the pageant is to promote both inner and outer beauty. Ansley’s proud parents are James and Toni Sandberg.

David Dorman of Century 21 Professional Group Inc. received his real estate broker’s license for the state of Florida. The Ocoee resident will continue to specialize in residential property sales in Southwest. David will also serve as a broker/owner for the company.

Author and Holocaust survivor Elsie Ragusin spoke at a recent Rotary Club of Windermere meeting about her two years at an Auschwitz concentration camp, where she was held captive and unjustly accused of being a U.S. spy. Her biography, An American in Auschwitz, was published in 2006 by Legacy Publishing Services. Elsie was born in New York City and was visiting her grandparents in Italy, when she was separated from her family and sent by boxcar to Auschwitz.

Hundreds of parents, grandparents and children attended Windermere’s annual Easter parade and egg hunt in downtown Windermere. Congratulations to Brooke Allen, Ross Delanie and Owen Cramer, who each won in their respective age groups during the hunt and received Easter baskets.

Three line technicians from OUC — The Reliable One placed first overall in the 12th annual Florida Lineman Competition that was held in Gainesville. The winning team included James Alexander of Winter Garden, Richard Boley and Chris Hosier. The men placed first or second in four events to take home the title. The competition is a venue for linemen to showcase their skills. Events included “rescuing” a 180-pound mannequin from the top of a utility pole to demonstrate skills in safely helping an injured co-worker, as well as changing insulators and fuses atop electric utility poles.