Pensacola Magazine, July 2020

T H E WO M EN ’ S ISSU E

5

REASONS WHY

YOU NEED TO HIRE A BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHER

DEFENDING THE DREAM ACTIVIST HALE MORRISSETTE SHARES HER STORY

MANAGING MENOPAUSE

LOCAL WOMEN DEMYSTIFY THE MENOPAUSE EXPERIENCE

+

Also in this issue:

BUSINESS CLIMATE

ON THE MARKET

A Real Estate Section

REWRITING THERULES 2020 Female Graduates Take Charge

JULY 2020 • PENSACOLAMAGAZINE.COM

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Editor’s Note Editor’s Note The lyric that’s been running through my mind for days prettyPensacola! sums upWhat 2020athus far: Good morning, strange

place we find ourselves in this spring. The novel coronavirus COVID-19 has arrived in our and,weirder although so far been Thiscommunity year just gets by we thehave day—insane luckier than many, the fight to keep it from politicians on all sides, overt racism proudly spreading continues. We went to print with rearing it’s ugly head, Saharan dust clouds, this issue on March 30. At that time, Escambia a plague of locusts in Africa, a stronger than County had 42 confirmed cases and Santa average season and, ofrose course, Rosahurricane had 30. Those numbers quickly once the coronavirus, which asToo of this writing testing was expanded. quickly.

The fact is, has taken theknow liveswho of more we don’t mightthan have500,000 the virus or be people worldwide in without a mattersymptoms. of months. carrying the virus That is Social distancing, mask wearing extremestay why it is essential that we, as a and community, handwashing haveasbecome thepossible--leaving norm. Folks home as much humanly only for absolute idea, too, lucky enough to stillessentials. have a jobI like are the often of practicing physical distancing rather working from home while also trying to than canwreaking remain social via keepsocial theirdistancing. bored kidsWe from havoc many avenues in this modern world—phone around the house. Others are struggling to texts, so video encourage findcalls, childcare theycalls—and can go toI work and far everyone to stay connected to their tribe. We too many are out of work and will soon lose don’t know what tomorrow will bring and the generous federal unemployment stipend, we all need to feel connected to something which is set to expire in a few weeks. While or someone in order to get through this.

“What a long, strange trip it’s been.”

the world struggles to flatten the coronavirus Onprotestors the topic of physical curve, take to thedistancing, streets to in endour COVID-19 resource guide, you will see that the racial profiling and systemic racism that Pensacola neighborhoods and community took the life of George Floyd and far too groups have found several andhaven’t safe ways many other people of clever, color. unique I fear we to stay connected and to make a difference seen the craziest side of 2020 quite yet. We while practicing physical distancing. I must do, after all, have an election coming up. say, I am very impressed with the outpouring of love seen amongst As for me, and I amsupport gratefulI have to still have a job my and fellow Pensacolians—yeah, the toilet paper even more grateful that my job can easily be was weird, but few theremonths are more than donehoarding from home.

The last have enough people giving of themselves to make up been strange for us as we try to determine for it. Can I get a big round of applause for our

our editorial lineup. So many events have been many businesses and firstcancelled respondersand andsohospital workers? Thank public spaces haveyourselves temporarily closed you for putting on the frontthat lineswe sometimes is leftAlso, to talk about. to keep uswonder as safe aswhat possible. a big shout out to all the teachers out there scrambling to

But, course,online there lessons is plenty talk about putoftogether to to keep our kids in Pensacola.

Thelearning people who make up our unique engaged and instead of worrying about community a great placeWe to start.

Our you!

July things theyare cannot control. appreciate issue is usually focused on women, and we were On that note, youthat to read our this happy to be ableI encourage to continue tradition COVID-19 Resource Guide, which provides year. We profiled five young female graduates resources for food, business, community who are doing great things in their chosen and more. The ever-changing nature of careers. It’s very inspiring to see these women this crisis necessitates that I mention that reaching for the stars and putting in the hard these resources may or may not be available work to get there. profiled local to you by the timeWe youalso read this issue.

I human rights activist and Dream Defender regional hope it will provide a place to start, some organizer, Hale inspiration Morrissette.

Hale’s ideas or some either way.story is also inspiring, and during this troubling time, we Youmore may also notice that we nonneed young women likehave hersome to both speak pandemic related stories in this issue.

We made up and reach out to confront the harsh realities call tosexual include already planned of the racism, assault and mentalarticles health.that might still be helpful, relevant or enjoyable for Hale’s passion for helping others is evident our readers. We hope you find them useful. and our community is lucky to have her.

As for us, Pensacola Magazine has been

Inpublished this issue,under we also honest oneoffer title some or another for discussion on menopause, tips on hiring more than 40 years. We have no plans on a birth photographer, a local authortoQ&A changing that. We will continue publishand a profile of theyou three women who and to bring all passionate the information we can started Schoolreach of Pensacola. for as the longMontessori as we can. Please out to us with story ideas, inspiration or just a quick

Ashello. always, hope you enjoy thehome issue and we WeIare all working from and hope you yours areconversations. staying areI missing ourand water cooler safe and relatively sane during this Staystrange safe, stay healthy stay strong, Pensacola! long, trip that isand 2020.

Kelly Oden Kelly Oden Executive Editor Executive Editor

/pensacolamagazine

/pensacolamagazine

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Contents 5 REASONS WHY YOU NEED TO HIRE A BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHER 15 A local birth photographer offers tips for capturing the miracle of birth.

LAUGHING THROUGH THE UGLY CRY

18

STRONG WOMEN DOING GOOD WORK

21

MANAGING MENOPAUSE

25

DEFENDING THE DREAM

28

REWRITING THE RULES

35

Gulf Breeze Author shares her humorous take on life’s trials and tribulations.

Honoring the founders of Montessori School of Pensacola

15

18

21

28

Local women demystify the menopause experience.

Local activist Hale Morrissette shares her back story.

2020 female graduates take charge.

IN EVERY ISSUE Editor’s Letter

6

Page 10 with DeeDee Davis

10

Community News

45

SPECIAL SECTIONS Business Climate On the Market

53 67

ON THE COVER: Clockwise from top-left: Hailey Walker, Kendra Perkins, Kira Burch, Katie Englemeyer + Zenani Johnson Photo by Guy Stevens

8 Pensacola Magazine

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MAGAZINE

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JULY 2020 Owner Malcolm Ballinger Publisher Malcolm Ballinger malcolm@ballingerpublishing.com Executive Editor Kelly Oden kelly@ballingerpublishing.com Art Director Guy Stevens guy@ballingerpublishing.com

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OPINION

PAGE 10 with DeeDee Davis

Certain years in our lives always jump out more than others because something so memorable, so life changing, so important to us happened. 1971 I graduated high school.

1975 I graduated college. 1980 my first child was born. 2020 I changed my mind.

Changing your mind is not like just flipping a light switch. Really changing your mind involves your entire thought process. I don’t mean things like having on red shoes and then preferring the tan. I don’t mean things like canceling a wedding because, obviously, something wasn’t right, and you are just taking your head out of the sand.

I mean things like the way you have always viewed race.

I lived in Montgomery, Alabama when I was young and moved to Huntsville shortly before the non-violent march from Selma to Montgomery. Huntsville has always been viewed as one of the more progressive cities in the state. Hmmm.

Many of the schools in town were named for astronauts, but I went to Lee High School, home of the Lee High Generals. Robert E. Lee was painted on an entire wall in our gym, on horseback with the Confederate battle flag. Our school paper was called “The Traveler” named after Lee’s horse. And, yes, our band played Dixie. In other words, our recently integrated public school silently taught us to speak and think reverently of the general and all things associated with him. During my senior year, racial tensions spiked into so much violence that the Klan and the Black Panthers may as well have enrolled in our classes because they spent so much time lurking around. The School Board voted to take down or, rather, paint over Lee’s flag in our gym. Funny, isn’t it, what people think is the answer to diffusing a volatile issue? It really didn’t help much, but certainly was confusing seeing the poor old general, arm extended and holding nothing. Seems they could have at least given him a different pose.

Huntsville, like Pensacola, had little military action during that war. We are not rewriting or erasing history by putting these things where they belong. We are correcting the story. Talk about fake news. A monument downtown never gave me heartburn, but enough people feel strongly that it doesn’t belong, and I have come to strongly agree with them. So many of these symbols, including anything associated with Confederate officers, have been such a way of looking back now, I will admit I probably taught life for so long that I never truly questioned or the 1860s from a lukewarm Gone with the Wind spent any time considering the real impact. The point of view. The Lost Cause, the romanticizing, death of George Floyd opened wounds that were Rhett Butler, the noble Confederacy, the so deep and so infected, that the toxins had to lovely hoop skirts. But, the foundation of the gush out before the healing could begin. I have wealthy Southern plantation owner economy never considered myself racist, but I haven’t was slavery. I don’t care how Southern a spoken out against Confederate relics remaining person was, I don’t know how they could sanctioned. So, changing my mind involves have ever thought slavery was morally right. taking a stand instead of biting my tongue.

The integration process went fairly smoothly in my school. I had plenty of black friends and most of us questioned what all the fuss was about. After all, it’s usually the prior generation that has the most difficulty with change. This mindset is often passed on to their kids and thus, the friction continues.

2020. The year I really, sincerely, gut level changed my mind.

I never glorified the war or the flag, and I haven’t given much thought to General Lee, other than as a chapter in the history book, since the 1970s.

And I haven’t ever cared much one way or the other about the monuments. But the attention that an unknown George Floyd drew to the subject of race and justice made me reconsider.

Not so much at first, because peaceful protests are one thing and violence and looting are another issue. The looting made me so angry that the message got lost. But I listened to countless interviews from people of all colors. George Floyd did not have to die. But maybe this time real change will take place. I can say that this southern woman, who was raised in the shadow, literally, of Robert E. Lee in Alabama culture has finally come to accept Gone with the Wind One of the subjects I taught during my 25 years was not a documentary. Lee lost, and was also as a classroom teacher was American history. And called Bob, not Robert by all who knew him.

10 Pensacola Magazine

This isn’t going to be easy. I understand people who say, “take down the monument and where will it end?” That’s where leadership becomes critical. A carefully crafted plan is essential to address the concerns involving the issue. I mean, tear down Abraham Lincoln?! Francis Scott Key?! This is idiot mentality by those who don’t have a clue as to who the statue even represents.

A plan for monuments or flags or any other objectionable symbol needs to have limits and should also include punishment for anything outside those limits. Removing any of the above does not give free reign to vandalize or to destroy.

2020 has been a crazy year. And on that fact, I will not change my mind.

JULY BIRTHDAYS 6 13 26 28 31

Sarah Davis Mark Proctor Cameron Cauley Robby Boothe David Bonnell

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Ballinger Publishing.

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5

Reasons Why You Need a Birth Photographer story + photos by Natalie Zepp, Natalie Zepp Photography

As a culture, our feelings concerning childbirth are evolving. General sentiment is shifting away from the idea of birth being a means-to-an-end medical procedure that no one should see or talk about. It’s now hailed as a life experience, worthy of preserving and celebrating as much as your wedding day.

Because of this new appreciation for birth, many families are bringing professional photographers and videographers into their birth space to document this most magical day of their lives. It might seem like an enormous luxury, but the value of having these moments professionally captured far outweighs the expense. Here are the top five reasons most moms cite for investing in a photographer to document their birth.

1

There is so much you miss

There is no moment in life that will change you more than the moment you bring a child into the world. It’s an intimate, raw, soul-deep experience that transforms you in an instant. It’s not just the birth of a child, but of a mother, a father, a family.

The miracle of those moments are often lost in a fog of anticipation, focus, pain and then overwhelming joy and relief. Even the birth space itself is an intensely busy place. Many things happen simultaneously in a well orchestrated flurry. It is mentally (not to mention physically) exhausting and impossible to take in all of the details, even in the best and easiest of labors. To say nothing of the more complicated cases that take your baby completely out of your sight for minutes, hours, even days at a time.

However, your birth photographer is able to go there and see what you can’t. They have one singular focus–to be your eyes and capture every important element of the birth environment and the emotional moments between JULY '20

15

3

Because I want to actually like the pictures of myself Let’s face it ladies, swelling and weight gain are a largely unavoidable reality of pregnancy. Add that to being ensconced in a hospital bed, swathed a hideously shapeless gown, under gross fluorescent lighting and well, it isn’t exactly a recipe for a flattering photo. No one wants a reminder of how awful they can look, but waiving the camera away because you aren’t feeling so hot in the moments after birth means sacrificing pictures of yourself with your baby. So you let the pictures be taken (knowing you’re going to cringe over them later).

But an experienced birth photographer knows exactly how to mitigate the environmental challenges of the birth space and is actively looking for ways to flatter mom. We take the time to search out your best angles, fix your hair when the bed head starts to creep in, adjust your clothing when it gets weird and twisted, and coach you out of those extra chins tend to pop up when you look down at the baby on your chest. When no one else is thinking about it, we’re doing our best to ensure that you look your best.

We create images of you that will make you feel beautiful and empowered.

4

My birth photos provided emotional healing

you and your family. This is a way that tells a complete story of your birth experience.

Everything you remember, everything you don't, and everything you didn't get to see.

The vast majority of moms hiring a birth photographer, in my personal experience, are doing so because they didn’t for their first birth and sorely regret how much they missed and all of the forgotten details.

2

So my husband/ partner doesn’t have to man the camera Birth can be an emotional roller coaster for both parents. Without a dedicated birth photographer, the job of documenting most often falls under the non-laboring parent. This is just so unfair for both of you!

16 Pensacola Magazine

Your partner doesn't get to be in the pictures because he's taking them all.

He doesn't get to be fully present in the moment because he's seeing it though a lens. And mom doesn't get the full support of her partner when she needs it the most.

Having a birth photographer gives your significant other the freedom to fully immerse in the experience. Their hands are free to support you and help bring your baby earthside. You both can marvel over this new person you’ve made together, and enjoy it all without worrying about documenting anything. You don't have to worry that he isn't taking enough pictures or be upset later because the the moments you wanted weren't captured.

Not having the birth or postpartum experience you hoped for (or worse, having a traumatic birth) can wreak havoc on your emotions and even leave a profound sense of disappointment or failure. Maybe it seems irrational to have a healthy baby and still harbor negative feelings about your birth, but that’s not how feelings work. Particularly where raging hormones and very little sleep are involved.

Admittedly, this benefit of birth photography is usually only realized in hindsight. I’ve had more than one mom tell me that her birth photos were instrumental in pulling her out of postpartum depression. Your birth images show you the story from outside yourself.

Being able to reflect on your experience from this different perspective can go a long way toward helping you to process any negative emotions surrounding it. The intense love, joy and connection you'll

that math, you need to book when you’re three to four months along.

Start saving before you get pregnant.

Hiring a birth photographer, you should expect to invest as much as you did on your wedding photographer ($2000+).

By the time you know you’re pregnant you may only have about 6 weeks to book to be sure to secure your spot, so you’ll want to be prepared to put down (typically) 30 to 50 percent as a retainer. see in the photos might even change your feelings about your experience entirely.

5

So my kids can know their story too Photographs are our windows into the past.

Our memories might fade with time and age (and babies change so fast), but pictures tell the stories exactly how we want to remember them. Most importantly, they are the foundation for our children’s memories.

Pictures show us who we were before the times we can remember and connect us to our family by allowing us to see the physical attributes we have in common.

They give us a sense of who we might become and show us how much we have been loved, right from that very first breath.

Regardless of the reasons for doing it, moms say that getting their birth photos back is the best gift ever. When reality of life with a

newborn is setting in and sleep deprivation is getting real, scrolling through your birth photos takes you right back to that oxytocin high of the moment you met the newest love of your life.

Every single parent I’ve worked for has come back to me (usually in a puddle of happy tears) to say “We are so incredibly glad you were with us. We can't imagine not having these pictures, and it was worth every penny!”

Now, if you’re sitting here thinking about how much you want or will want your own birth story beautifully documented (and I hope you are), I have a few important tips of which you’ll want to take note: Reach out early. Birth photographers can only take a limited number of clients each month and we are often booked up six months in advance. By

Not all photographers are birth photographers. Protect your investment by hiring a reputable professional who truly specializes in birth. The birth space is one of the most technically challenging environments to photograph in and requires a whole different set of skills and level of professional equipment to do it well. You also want someone experienced with the birth process, who knows how to conduct themselves in the birth space and work harmoniously with the rest of your birth team, and with the flexibility to drop everything at a moment’s notice when you go into labor.

•

About Natalie Zepp Natalie is a birth photographer/filmmaker and certified doula serving the Gulf Coast from Mobile, AL to Destin, FL (sometimes further). She lives in Pensacola with her husband and two children. Outside of photography, her greatest passions include traveling and snuggling babies.

JULY '20

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Laughing Through the Ugly Cry

by Wes Danruther

I

had never met, nor heard of, Dawn Barton because she is not a writer—she’s not even a reader, as she admits on page one of Laughing Through The Ugly Cry. But lucky for us, Barton quit a lucrative career in sales to become a writer. Without any training or background, Barton just started talking, and anyone who has experienced tragedy, tribulations, or heartache of any kind, would do well to listen.

I learned about this book a week before its debut from Thomas Nelson publishing. I was immediately interested and pre-ordered a copy because I lost my step-father just over a month ago. I’ve been worried about my mom ever since, having been one of the shoulders she’s ugly cried on since he passed. As luck would have it, I talked my mom into coming for a visit and I was able to give her the book in person. I had already read it by the time I gave it to her, which technically makes it a re-gift, I think? Please don’t tell her.

Laughing Through The Ugly Cry is not only a quick, easy read, it’s laugh-out-loud funny at times, which, given what Barton has gone through is pretty remarkable. When you’ve lost a child, been raped and endured a full jury trial, divorced, had stage 3 triple negative cancer, stuck by a husband battling alcoholism, lost a sister to breast cancer and took care of a mother after she suffered a brain aneurysm.

After all that, how do you find joy? You’ll have to read her book to figure that out, but as my mom has already attested: when you’ve experienced loss, and your heart feels broken, you need someone like Barton around to make you laugh.

“Sweat is just fat crying” is one of the funniest lines of the book. Trust me—you’ll want to read more.

18 Pensacola Magazine

You encourage readers to take a “leap of faith” in their lives, even if they don’t feel qualified.

What motivated you to do so?

DB:Something inside of us, in the back of our minds, tells us there’s more. For me, it was a story to share. With everything that I’ve been through, I didn’t feel that unique but felt like it would be fun and that I could make people laugh.

Plus I’ve always been a fan of the stretch. Of growing beyond our comfort zones.

You write early on in the book that “our stories, the good and the bad, make us who we are.”

Has that kind of optimism always been a strength of yours, or more like a talent that you’ve developed over time?

DB:All of my growth has come out of the depths of my sorrow. I know that I am wired optimistically, but I’ve also made conscious decisions along the

way to pick myself up. I know that God has called me to do mvore than lie on the couch and binge on Netflix, even though I do that quite well. He has called me off the couch and out of self-pity, so it’s both my nature and a choice, for sure.

The philosophy of “you get to” (readers, you’ll want to know what this means!) is also central to the book. Has it helped you maintain that grateful attitude along the way?

DB:The ‘get to’ philosophy is a conscious decision, sometimes minute-by-minute decision.

For instance, years ago, I found myself as a caretaker unexpectedly and let’s just say that is NOT in my wheelhouse.

Appreciating that “getting to” do certain things, even when they’re unpleasant, means you’re alive, takes time and perspective.

Do you feel like it takes getting to a certain age

to stop comparing ourselves to others or is something we can learn to stop doing?

DB:Wisdom does come with age if you’re lucky. The 20s and 30s are brutal for comparison. The 40s get better. The 50s allow a lot more comfort with self.

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What was your favorite chapter to write?

DB:Probably the chapter on friendship. I think it’s so important that we give our friends grace during hard times, and it’s one I literally want to hold up over my head for everyone to read everywhere I go.

You mention writing this book for yourself 15 years ago. Are there any other people you sincerely hope read it?

DB:Besides women everywhere? No, seriously, as a Christian woman who’s come to her faith later in life and had a history of partying, I would love to nudge women just a little bit closer to their faith, closer to God.

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Strong Women Doing Good Work

by Lauren Southern Godwin

T

he year is 1977. The place is Pensacola, Florida. A small preschool facility following the Montessori method with a sand dollar as their logo was opened. It quickly outgrew its surroundings and over the next several years went from a church hall to a school building on Lillian Highway. This school, known at the time, as Montessori Early School, is still going strong today.

The school added a grade a year until reaching 8th grade. Today, students aged 18 months through 8th grade are served by the school (the only Montessori accredited program in Northwest Florida) in two Pensacola locations. The Montessori School of Pensacola has been serving the educational needs of the Pensacola community for more than 43 years, and amazingly, is still run, on a daily basis, by the same three women.

Educator/teacher, Kathy Turtle (with one of her own children in 1978 and another in 1981), started the school and was

joined by business administrator, Mary Gaudet, in 1978 (along with her threeyear old child). The two women were joined by a third, Maria Mitkevicius, in 1980 (along with her two children).

The three women have given their lives to Montessori School of Pensacola (MSP) and have seen it grow and change and move over the years. Every day, they can be found on-campus, touring prospective families, or in the classroom with students. Their commitment to the school, the implementation of Montessori education, and the positive and individualized support of students is miraculous. A parent of a student in the Upper Elementary (4th-6th grades) said, “I can always trust that Kathy, Mary, and Maria have the best interest of my child as a priority.

Anything they do will exceed what other schools are doing- because they are Montessori and they love the kids” The three school owners have been

Montessori School of Pensacola founders Kathy Turtle, Mary Gaudet and Maria Mitkevicius celebrate the school’s 40th anniversary.

faithfully following the dictates of Maria Montessori for over four decades. Maria Montessori developed her methodology in the early 1900s. She was an Italian physician turned educator. Today, Montessori schools can be found on every continent (except Antarctica). The cornerstones of Montessori education include respect, integrity, independence, community service, responsibility and critical thinking in multi-age groupings. Maria Montessori taught that education should be “an aid to life.”

MSP has also hosted Montessori teacher training for teachers from Escambia County, as well as teachers from the Southeast, including Tallahassee, Mobile, Birmingham, and New Orleans. It has provided community events and lectures by educational experts, columnists, and more over the years reinforcing the goal of the three

JULY '20

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women to spread information about education, child development and the authentic Montessori method.

At MSP, children learn about the interconnectedness of life. The teachers model the behaviors that are expected from children. Dr. Maria Montessori said, “Let us treat them (children), therefore, with the same kindness we wish to help to develop in them.”

Children are held accountable for their actions as well as their work.

Each child is viewed in totality.

Teachers consider academic, social, and emotional development when planning individual lessons. The goal of MSP and its three female owners is not only to develop academic acuity, but also to help children develop characteristics that will make our world a better place. “Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war,” said Dr. Maria Montessori.

When staff members were asked to describe their three female leaders, words like “ambitious”, “loving”, “devoted”, and “focused” were frequently used. They are a triangle of strong women who have had to face many changes over the years.

Founder, Kathy, explained, “Each of us have a different set of gifts that complement one another and serve the whole school.” She went on to share; “We’re a community and familyminded group with the needs of staff and families at the forefront of our decision-making. We are a family.”

These women are working tirelessly for the future of MSP and the education of children. The decades of running a school have brought many challenges, but also many celebrations.

Having now faced the COVID-19 forced changes to education with the implementation of distance

learning, they are looking forward to re-opening for the start of school in August (even though the classrooms will look different with smaller groupings).

Another strong woman, Oprah Winfrey, shared “I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.” The three female owners of MSP are doing just that. They are committed to providing Montessori education that inspires academic excellence, while also fostering respect, integrity, independence, and critical thinking in a caring community. Head of Elementary and Middle School, Mitkevicius said, “I love watching the children grow. My favorite memories are when MSP graduates come back and share stories about their life experiences. One in particular was a gentleman that came back and said, “You told me in 8th grade, I would never know how much my parents love me until I had children of my own, and as I held my baby, all I could think was ‘You were right.’”

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Managing Menopause

by Kelly Oden

Menopause effects every woman differently, but it is a transition that happens to every woman as she reaches the end of her reproductive years. Why then, do so many women feel unprepared for the change? Perhaps it’s the negative stereotypes that prevail in modern culture. Perhaps it’s a lack of reliable information, or, alternately, a glut of conflicting information. Whatever the reason, women approaching menopause are often at a loss as to how to approach this life transition or even which route they should take to help mitigate the symptoms.

When women talk about experiencing menopausal symptoms, they are usually talking about the perimeno-

pausal stage. Perimenopause is the time when the majority of symptoms occur and it typically lasts four to five years.

Once a woman has gone 12 months without a period, she has entered menopause and for most, the dramatic symptoms come to and end.

In an effort to demystify this transitional time in every woman’s life, we asked a few women in varying stages of the process to share their experiences. We hope it offers those approaching menopause a glimpse into what to expect and an entry point for more discussion amongst friends, family and physicians.

Jen, 46 Perimenopausal

the last 10 years trying to listen to my body. Your body will show you different things about yourself and provide you with the information if you listen to it. But our mind doesn’t always want to listen. The hardest part is the emotional part, but it’s just part of the process.”

Jen began experiencing symptoms of perimenopause between the ages of 43 and 44. During that time, Jen also lost her husband. “I went through a lot of stress,” she said. “That’s when I first noticed something was going on. Your body goes into survival mode after a loss, but after a year or so, I had some additional business stress and my whole body was affected. My back went out, I walked with a limp, my emotions were out of whack and I had a loss of mental clarity. I was trying to figure out what was grief and what was stress.

Then, the hot flashes came, and I was like, ok, well that’s a big flag right there.”

Jen said she goes a month or two without a period and then one will show up out of the blue. “I feel like it really comes to a head a little more when there is stress,” she said. “At the rise, I was able to manage things healthily, but then with COVID-19, the hot flashes

came back. It was obviously directly related to stress.”

Jen has made some lifestyle changes.

“I already eat things like kale and tofu. I limit my sugar and caffeine.

Then, out of nowhere, I gained 7-10 pounds. I was like, ‘Come on. You can’t do this with kale and tofu.

What’s going on?’ I realized that’s all part of it. I gained weight in places I normally never gained weight. So, I started doing yoga and a small workout every morning – just something to get the blood flowing. It’s made a world of difference in my stamina.

I have energy in the morning without drinking a bunch of coffee. The weight came off, and I realized that I need to stay limber and keep the blood moving. It helps a lot.”

Jen said that the emotional side of things can be difficult at first, but once she realized that the emotions were all part of it, she was able to tie everything together. “The depression, the weight gain and the brain fog all ties together, but I’ve spent

Jen believes that life in general gets more emotional as she grows older. “ Some of this stuff is heavier these days than it was earlier in life. We have more responsibilities and things can drag us down more emotionally.

It makes everything seem extra real.

The different stages of life and evolving – seeing children growing up is emotional. Seeing our parents and loved ones rapidly leave this earth is emotional. We are at that stage. It just all becomes super real. That’s a lot for all of us to take in and to have heightened emotions at the same time makes it more difficult.”

Ultimately, Jen said that she is learning a lot through the journey. She’s doing her own research because she

wants to be a source of information and guidance for friends and family, which is something she didn’t really have. “I want to be able to tell my daughter everything about it and not have it be such a surprise for her. I want to be able to talk to other people, too. I want everyone to have the awareness to be able to link your mind and your body together and work harmoniously. I think a lot of people have been told, ‘There’s something wrong with you, and you better get it fixed.’ I go a different route. I take a few supplements and herbs that support healthy aging and help to soften the blow rather than trying to fix or cure menopausal symptoms.”

Michelle, 48 Perimenopausal

Michelle has been experiencing perimenopausal symptoms for a few years. “I first noticed hormone related symptoms when I would get really enraged about things,” she said. “I could feel my blood boiling in situations in which I would JULY '20

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The 4 stages of menopause menarch

1st menstrual cycle, between ages 12-13. Peak fertility around age 25 when estrogen levels are at the highest

perimenopause The Period around 8-10 years before menopause when estrogen is steadily declining and symptoms begin to occur.

usually keep my cool.” Michelle is also experiencing somewhat unusual menstrual cycles. “They are kind of alternating between nightmare scenarios and the normal, terrible situation. It seems to alternate in severity every other month.”

Michelle’s gynecologist suggested she try birth control pills to regulate her hormones. “It was at the beginning of the COVID stuff. Everything was so crazy. I took them for about a month, but I stopped because I couldn’t tell what was going on. I felt like everything that was happening in the outside world was enough of a stressor, and it wasn’t a controlled situation where I could relax and monitor the changes the birth control pills had on my body.”

Michelle takes magnesium supplements to help with sleep, she exercises regularly and limits her alcohol intake. Her biggest concern is a fear of the unknown. “Not knowing what to expect and picturing Bette Davis style theatrics in my life is a fear. Is it really going to get that terribly worse? Am I naïve to think I am level-headed and can just get through this and be fine?

Is the monster going to come out?”

While Michelle realizes that these changes are a natural part of life, she does wonder about some of the stereotypes that come along with menopause. “The negative connotations are there. The idea of becoming viewed as less desirable because of all the stereotypical negative connotations that go along with “men-

26 Pensacola Magazine

menopause Ovaries stop releasing eggs and a woman has not had her period for 12 consecutive months. Average age is 51.

o-pause,” which seems like such an ugly word. It’s kind of like, ‘oh boy, here we go.’”

Michelle’s job gives her ample opportunity to discuss the topic with other women. “I’m in a unique position as a bartender. I have a lot of friends that come visit me and that can be therapy time when the bar is slow. We laugh about the stereotypical moodiness and being bitchy. I joke that I’m a total bitch all the time – no one is even going to notice.”

Michelle recently ended a long-term relationship but said that her former partner was understanding about her symptoms. “Sometimes, I would just say,’ Hey, I can’t sleep. You need to go sleep in the spare room.’ I would kick him out the room on a regular basis. He was very understanding and empathetic – as much as he could be while also admitting that he had no idea what I was going through.”

Ultimately, Michelle wishes there was more education for everyone. “The major changes in hormones in early life and late in life definitely should be discussed more openly. Everyone would benefit from more education – men and women. Men would be able to know what to expect from their partners beyond negative stereotypes.”

Jennifer, 56 Postmenopausal

Jennifer was 35 years old when she began feeling perimenopause symptoms. Her symptoms began primarily as an interruption of a

postmenopause The years following menopause. Estrogen levels continue to decline steadily.

good night’s sleep and night sweats.

“All of the doctors said, ‘You’re too young. That’s not what it is.’ They didn’t really offer any alternative diagnosis,” she said.

Jennifer’s story is unique in that she spent between 10 and 12 years in the peri-menopausal phase, entering post menopause at 48. Other symptoms included moodiness. “I just thought that was because I didn’t like people,” she laughed. “My friends told me I needed to go on hormones because I was such a bitch. I refused to go on hormone therapy because I didn’t like the things that I read about it.

Plus, women in the dark ages went through this without them. It’s part of what our body is supposed to be doing. But I really was a total bitch. The moodiness was extreme at times.”

Jennifer also experienced weight gain. Between 40 and 45, she gained roughly 40 pounds. However, she lost all of it when she turned 50. “The metabolism is definitely gone. I had to work out in order to lose weight post-menopausal.

It didn’t matter if I reduced or changed my diet.”

Jennifer said she didn’t seek out medical care specifically for menopause, but during her gynecological exams, she would discuss her symptoms.

“They never tested my hormone levels or suggested hormone therapy,” she said. “I think they just thought I was too young. So, I just powered through it. I bought a book, I asked my living family members and talked

to friends. I didn’t make any lifestyle or dietary changes in those early days, which is probably why I gained the weight. I drank too much, to be honest. I was self medicating so I could get a good night’s sleep and that’s not healthy. Alcohol and night sweats combined don’t make for a very good night’s rest, though, so you just become a little bit grumpier.”

Jennifer didn’t worry too much about stereotypes. “I don’t think I was surprised by the process. I knew that because I wasn’t doing the hormone therapy, I was going to exhibit symptoms that people who were replacing their hormones might not. I just thought, ‘So, what? I’m perimenopausal. It’s just life.”

Jennifer was a single parent when she started perimenopause, and she was focused more on parenting than dating, but she did notice a decline in her libido as the years went on. “It definitely goes down. It doesn’t mean that when you are post-menopausal that you don’t have a sex drive, but it’s not what it was in your 20s at all.

It wasn’t for me.”

Jennifer said that she hopes women will support one another and talk openly about menopause. “Recognize that it’s natural,” she said. “It’s what our bodies were intended to do.

Accept it for what it is and don’t be ashamed of it or try to hide it. Hormone therapy was not for me, but if you can’t get through it without killing someone, then maybe you should try it.”

Celeste, 61 Postmenopausal

Celeste began having symptoms around the age of 50. “Mine happened all at once. I didn’t have that perimenopausal lead up,” she said.

“My period stopped and boom, I went from somebody who was cold all the time to a full body, head to toe drenched in sweat. I never got big mood swings. I didn’t have any issues with weight gain. Mine have always been these random, full on body sweats. I still have them after 11 years. Sometimes it’s just a little momentary flash. Sometimes it wakes me up soaking wet.”

Celeste asked her gynecologist about it when her symptoms first started.

Her gynecologist suggested hormones. “My mom took hormones and she got breast cancer. There is no other breast cancer in our family, and she was convinced it was from the hormones. I also have a friend who took hormones, and she is also convinced they gave her breast cancer. So, I knew there was no way I was taking them.”

Three years ago, Celeste’s primary care doctor suggested an antidepressant that’s approved to treat menopause. “When I read the label, there were all kinds of side-affects associated with it. ‘I said no way. I’m not taking this.’ I’d just be trading one thing for another. I was fortunate that my symptoms were more annoying than terrible.”

So, she made diet modifications, started taking the Black Cohosh supplement, reduced caffeine and stress and exercised more.

Celeste said the biggest stereotype she’s heard about menopause are the mood swings. “The first time I ever heard anything about menopause was back in the 70s,” she recalled.

“There was this All in the Family episode where Edith goes through the change. She starts talking back to Archie and he’s yelling at her ‘Just change, already!’ I think it was the

menopause by the numbers

50 Mil. Women in the U.S. currently in menopause

51

Avg. age periods end for good

12

Months that must pass without a period

8

Possible years perimenopause can last before menopause

>5%

Percentage with early menopause onrelated to a health condition

first time it was discussed on television at all. So, to me, that was a big stereotype – that you have big mood swings and your personality can change. I didn’t have that.”

While Celeste said she didn’t necessarily experience a drop in her libido, she does acknowledge that sex is different post menopause. “Things don’t work the same way they used to. That’s for sure. You’re just more sensitive. It’s a different experience.

I realize that I’m going to change as I get older. I don’t expect to feel the same things or look the same as I did when I was in my 30s. It’s just a different stage of my life, but I don’t feel like I’ve lost that part of my life at all. It was not a traumatic experience for me in any way. I know for some women, it’s the end of their youth, the end of their reproductive years. I didn’t have any of that. I had no angst about it.”

Valerie, 59 Postmenopausal

Valerie was on birth control most of her adult life, but when she was 49, she developed a rare cancer of the thymus and had surgery to remove the tumor. “It freaked me out so bad that I went off the pill. I was so close to menopause that I just decided to stop taking it,” she said.

Once she stopped taking the pill, Valerie started having menopausal symptoms.

“I didn’t have too much of the night sweats, but during the day, I was so hot. I had terrible hot flashes. At work meetings, I couldn’t sit next to a man because men put off a lot of heat. I couldn’t stand it. I wouldn’t eat or drink anything hot. I also had some weight gain, lowered libido and dryness. I had some mild mood swings, too.”

A few years into the process, Valerie’s friend recommended she look into hormones. Her primary doctor also recommended it.

She used BioTE, a hormone pellet, inserted into her hip. It started working after two weeks. Her doctor monitored her hormone levels to determine when she needed more. “I didn’t have any symptoms after that.

It helped with everything,” Valerie said. “I was struggling to lose weight.

Once I started the hormones, it was no problem to drop the weight. All of the libido and mood issues also resolved with the hormones as well.”

Valerie did her research and she felt comfortable with the safety of the bio identical hormones. “I had been through what I call hell – the hot flashes in particular were really awful.

I just went for it and it worked out for me. I felt really great,” she said.

All of this happened when Valerie lived out West. When she moved to Pensacola, a few years ago, she had difficulty finding a doctor who offered BioTE. “I did try the cream

and that was a pain in the butt. The main problem with the cream was that my husband couldn’t touch me wherever I administered it. He couldn’t touch the towel I used to dry my hands. It’s dangerous for men. It was a big pain and it didn’t work for me anyways. Maybe it takes longer than a couple weeks, but it was such a hassle, I didn’t want to do it anymore.”

Since stopping the BioTE, Valerie said that she hasn’t had any symptoms. “When it started wearing off, I realized that I didn’t really need it anymore,” she said. “I’m ok now – not like when I was younger, but I’m ok.”

Valerie was upset by the lack of information and guidance from the medical world. “My Ob/gyn didn’t tell me anything about what was about to happen,” she said.

“That ticked me off a little bit.

They talked to me about whether I was sure I didn’t want to have kids because my clock was ticking, but they didn’t talk to me about what was about to happen to my body. That doctor never mentioned hormones, either. It wasn’t until I changed doctors for a different reason that I was even introduced to the idea of hormone pellets.”

About three years before Valerie began going through menopause, she went to see Menopause: The Musical.

“We went with two other couples and the other two ladies were in the middle of menopause. They thought the damn thing was hilarious. I’m sitting there thinking, ‘This awful.

This is terrible. I don’t think this is funny at all.’ But, other than that, I don’t think some of the stereotypes have held up. I have several friends who didn’t gain any weight. In fact, I think some of them are skinnier than they were before they went through menopause. Everybody’s different.”

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An Exclusive Interview with Activst Hale Morrissette story by Gina Castro • photos by Guy Stevens + Gina Castro

You’ve seen her stand in solidarity at candlelight vigils. You’ve seen her shout in the face of adversity. You’ve even seen her halt traffic on the 3 Mile Bridge. Hale Morrissette, 29, is a human rights activist in Pensacola. Born and raised in Pensacola, Morrissette centered her education, career and activism on a single goal: improving Pensacola. Morrissette has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from the University of West Florida, worked at the Lakeview Center Inc. for six years, and is the Regional Organizer of Dream Defenders’ Pensacola chapter.

Morrissette credits her passion for helping others to her parents, especially her mother Raychelle Gaston. Although Morrissette grew up in poverty, her parents kept her mind rich.

Her mother worked in radio and was a minister. She helped establish Deliverance Tabernacle Christian Center, which is one of the biggest churches in Pensacola. Unfortunately, Gaston passed away in 2013.

“She was one of those who believed you have to keep your outer appearance together, period. I realize now that was

28 Pensacola Magazine

a part of her building me up to be a really strong person,” Morrissette said. “She used her voice on a lot of issues. She was really amazing. When I think of the work I do, even though mine is more unfiltered, I feel like I’m carrying on her legacy.”

Morrissette’s parents divorced when she was seven, but both of her parents were influential in her life. Morrissette learned to be active in the community from her mother. She remembers her mom raising the money for the Martin Luther King, Jr. bust and being there the day it was

installed downtown. Gaston also brought Morrissette to see the other side of Alcaniz Street be named Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, and each year, they attended the MLK parade.

Morrissette’s parents never shied away from teaching her about racism and sexism. Her dad explained colorism and sexual assault to her when she was just eight years old. “My parents were very blunt with me about issues,” Morrissette said. “I guess that’s why I’m so headstrong, too, when it comes to fighting it.”

Growing up, Morrissette had plenty of interests, but one that stayed with her into her adulthood was to leave the world better than she found it. That feeling became more intense after she had her first child Daunte Jr. in 2012. Morrissette and her then husband, the two later divorced, lived briefly in Mobile, AL, while he played college basketball.

They moved back to Pensacola toward the end of 2012.

“My associates degree was actually the hardest degree for me. I graduated from high school in 2008. But I didn’t get my associates until 2014,” Morrissette said. “That was because I went through this notion that I didn’t know who I was.”

While on this inner journey, Morrissette felt pulled toward mental health and set her eyes on working at Lakeview. She was eventually hired for a front desk job in adult psychiatry at Lakeview. 2013 was a difficult year for Morrissette. It was the year her mother passed but also her baby’s first birthday and the

year she bought a home, which was a major milestone for her.

“I grew up in poverty, so I wanted a place where my child was always going to have one house. So both of them have lived in this same house all of their lives,” she said.

“I’m super proud of that. One of my biggest accomplishments was purchasing a home for my kids, and it’s walking distance from my grandma’s place.”

2014 proved to be another year of challenges and blessings.

“2014 is the year that I had our second child Nickolas. Two days after Nikolas was born, Michael Brown was killed. I remember watching the Ferguson uprising on Twitter and Instagram live and being traumatized by the sight.

I had two little black boys who live in this world, and on top of that, this was the year Eric Garner and Aiyana Stanley were killed.

So, somebody could sit on any one of our necks and kill us right there on the street and nobody will do anything about it.”

Brown, 18, was fatally shot by Ferguson police even though he was unarmed and had his hands up. The officer involved was acquitted. Garner, also unarmed, was put in a chokehold by a New York City police officer, and Garner repeated “I can’t breathe” 11 times until he passed out. The officer continued the chokehold.

Garner was pronounced dead an hour later at a hospital. The officer involved was fired from the NYPD and stripped of his pension. Aiyana Mo’Nay StanleyJones, 7, was fatally shot in the

head during a raid conducted

by Detroit Police. The officer in connection with Jones’ death was charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment with a gun.

For the first time, Morrissette felt empowered to do something about it. She hosted the first of what would be many candlelight vigils. She made a Facebook post that asked for people to come out to the MLK bust for a candlelight vigil in honor of Brown and to stand in solidarity with Ferguson.

JULY '20

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“I remember feeling hopeless.

There were about five of us. We were having these conversations and trying to figure out what it means to mobilize and be a part of this moment. Pensacola is not too far attached from this kind of violence,” Morrissette explained.

“We have a long history of violence of lynching and brutality and even just the presence of klans in Pensacola.

Our sheriff’s department and police department, before they split, were developed out of the need to watch and take care of the concerns of slaveholders.

We can’t sit here and try to say we’re detached from anything that’s going on with the world.

We need to do something.”

Morrissette’s statement about the origin of Pensacola’s police force is supported by the Sept.

29, 1823 ordinance, which was made to establish compensation to the mayor and other officers of the corporation and regulate the system of police in the city of Pensacola. According to the ordinance, the mayor appointed the city constable to lead the police who then appointed the deputy. The ordinance states that the duty of the city constable and deputy is to “arrest and confine all disorderly and suspicious persons and slaves found abroad without written

30 Pensacola Magazine

permissions from their masters or mistresses.” The ordinance was passed unanimously by the Board of Alderman of the City of Pensacola and approved by Mayor P. Alba.

The Ku Klux Klan has a history of gathering in Pensacola even in recent years. As part of an effort to recruit new members, the KKK marched downtown

“It’s really huge to have someone that dedicates their life to ending racial profiling and police brutality to sit on that board because that means that there’s teeth to it.

They’re not going to keep their mouth closed.” to Lee’s Square while flying the Confederate flag in 1975. In 1992, which was only 28 years ago, the KKK rallied at Booker T. Washington High School.

Since racism is believed to be more prominent in the South,

many people believe that they can escape racism by leaving the South. However, Morrissette has no intention of ever leaving Pensacola. The thought has never even crossed her mind because so many generations from both sides of her family have called Pensacola their home.

“I never thought about leaving the South. I know that’s something a lot of people have thought about. I always believed I have to make it better because I’m raising my kids here,” Morrissette said. “My family on my dad’s side were some of the first people to own homes in Escambia County in Wedgewood. I couldn’t imagine leaving somewhere where there is so much that connects me to the land here. A lot of people may not believe this, but it’s a spiritual connection to the land of Pensacola that keeps me wanting to make it better for all of us.”

One of the first ways Morrissette worked to improve Pensacola was by taking crisis calls at Lakeview.

Both she and her mother are survivors of sexual assault. “When I started thinking about women who I know that are close to me, I couldn’t think of one who hadn’t been touched by sexual assault in some shape or form,” she said. “I knew I wanted to be a part of that because I didn’t have anybody to turn to any of the

After her speech during the June 6 Black Lives Matter protest, Morrissette inspired the crowd to kneel with her in solidarity in front of the Graffiti Bridge before marching to the 3 Mile Bridge.

times I was sexually assaulted. I didn’t know anything about my rights as a victim. Nothing. So, I wanted to be that person.”

Another reason why she wanted to play a role in aiding victims of sexual assault was the fact that black women suffer from sexual violence at a higher rate.

The Institute for Women’s Policy Research reports that more than 20 percent of black women are raped during their lifetimes, which is a higher share than women overall.

“There is a lack of people of color that work at Lakeview in Pensacola. I wanted to be a part of diversifying that too because black women suffer at higher rates,” Morrissette said. “We need more black women or people of color that are invested in this work.”

Her experience at the vigil and Lakeview helped Morrissette discover her perfect career: social work. She received her BSW from UWF in 2017 and automatically enrolled to get her MSW. She was Lakeview’s first full-time advocate in the sexual violence program. In 2018, Morrissette was awarded the Elizabeth

Knake Outstanding Advocate award for the state of Florida.

After being a clinical therapist and running Lakeview’s sexual survivors support group, Morrissette decided to make a career change. “I realized that if I could organize, make impacts and movements full time, then that’s what I really want to do,” she explained.

“Therapy is great. I love when people are having realizations and healing, but organizing and working with the people is really what gets my juices flowing.”

In 2019, she established her business Life is Hale. Morrissette uses this platform to host cultural organizing in order to empower and create safe spaces for black people in the community. Life is Hale hosts events at Alcaniz Kitchen and Tap with a dj playing R&B music. It’s a space where black-owned businesses can come set up as vendors and black people can enjoy a space where they aren’t required to code switch.

“We know that black professionals have to go into the workforce and code switch in order to be accepted into these spaces. I’m creating this space where we don’t have to put on this mask,” Morrissette said. “These are the spaces we’re working to create.

The city of Pensacola hasn’t created these spaces for people of color, so it’s something we had to come out and create ourselves.”

That same year, she became the Regional Organizer of Dream Defenders’ (DD) Pensacola chapter. DD is a Florida-based organization focused on moving communities toward healthcare, housing, jobs and movement for all. A few weeks after she took the position, Tymar Crawford was killed by the Pensacola Police Department.

Morrissette and the Pensacola

chapter spent that whole summer organizing to help Crawford’s family and community.

They made a list of demands which included restitution to Crawford’s family, establishing a civilian oversight board to act as a police accountability board and the removal of deadly force from the PPD. “It took me back to what 2014 felt like for me. The reason we couldn’t ignore what was happening in the country had actually touched back down to home,” Morrissette said.

In recent months, DD’s demands have resurfaced. The gruesome death of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police has encouraged cities across the nation to rally in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Pensacola has hosted many of its own protests at Graffiti Bridge after Brandon Vessels’ mural of Floyd was defaced with brown paint. On June 6, Morrissette led a march from Graffiti Bridge to the 3 Mile Bridge, where she formed a human blockade to stop traffic to and from the bridge for 20 minutes.

The goal of this blockade was to force Mayor Grover Robinson to agree with some or all of the DD’s demands. Robinson agreed to appoint Morrissette to the civilian oversight board, which the DD interpreted as a win.

“It’s really huge to have someone that dedicates their life to ending racial profiling and police brutality to sit on that board because that means that there’s teeth to it,” Morrissette said. “They’re not going to keep their mouth closed.”

Many people including the Graffiti Bridge protest organizer Kyle Cole and Robinson argued that Morrissette’s

Morrissette credits her mother, Raychelle Gaston, for beginning her interest in activism.

decision to block traffic was disruptive and in opposition to Pensacola’s peaceful protests.

“It’s something but it’s not violent.

It’s meant to be disruptive. It’s meant to get people’s attention.

It seems that the only way you can get the government to push is if you are pushing back against their money or those that have their interests with capital,” Morrissette explained.

“That’s exactly what that bridge is: it’s the interest in capital.”

Opposers have also stated that the DD’s demands, especially the removal of deadly force, are too radical.

“As far as the demands that were put forth, there’s the idea that they’re way too radical.

It’s too radical to ask police to demilitarise, because people and the mayor are pushing that we mean taking their guns away.

That’s not what we’re saying,” Morrissette explained. “We’re saying that you don’t need riot gear, tear gas, helicopters, tanks, or things of that nature.

“We know that the police department actually owns this in the ready – for what? We’re not sure. Prohibiting the use of deadly force. There certainly are

things that are being done to people, which we just saw with George Floyd, that shouldn’t be done. They can end with someone being dead. It’s not that radical.”

DD is currently working to help prepare the community for upcoming elections. They hosted an online sheriff’s forum and invited both candidates: former PPD Chief David Alexander and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chip Simmons. Simmons didn’t participate in the forum.

“We don’t believe in electing saviors,” Morrissette said. “We believe in electing targets to push them further toward liberation for people. That way we’re actually heading in the progressive direction. We’re working on making sure people make an informed decision and are registered to vote.”

If you are interested in improving Pensacola, Morrissette advises that you attend city council and county commissioner meetings, participate in local elections and donate or join organizations like DD.

•

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Kira Burch, Zenani Johnson, Hailey Walker, Katie Englemeyer + Kendra Perkins

34 Pensacola Magazine

REWRITING THERULES 2020 Female Graduates Take Charge

BY GINA CASTRO + DAKOTA PARKS | PHOTOS BY GUY STEVENS

H

IGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE GRADUATES ARE THE FACES AND VOICES OF THE FUTURE. Despite the fact that women have surpassed men in higher education, accounting for 56 percent of U.S. college students, there are still disproportionate gender gaps in many career fields and positions of leadership.

According to the Defense Department, women make up 20 percent of the Air Force, 19 percent of the Navy, 15 percent of the Army and almost 9 percent of the Marine Corps. When it comes to flying or maintaining aircraft within the Federal Aviation Administration, women account for 2.3 percent of aviation mechanics and 5 percent of pilots. In the political arena, according to ICMA, women make up 30 percent of local government positions but only 20 percent of Congress.

Although the gender gap is slowly shrinking in many career fields, women hold a significantly lower percentage of leadership positions around the globe. The National Institute for Women’s Leadership at Nichols College reports that globally women hold only 24% of senior leadership and executive positions. Female representation and equity in the workforce are of the upmost importance to ensure that women have a critical role in decision making and impacting the future.

(UWF), George Stone Technical College and Escambia High School that are making strides in their career fields and serving as role models in their community. Because of these women, the future will have a voice in aviation, education, cybersecurity, politics and the military.

Zenani Johnson works in local government, is a UWF graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and was the first elected AfricanAmerican Student Body President at UWF. Hailey Walker is an athlete, a soon-to-be college volleyball player and the Escambia High School Hall of Fame 2020 Engineering Superlative.

Kate Englemeyer is a lifelong musician and a violinist. She received her bachelor’s in music education from UWF and was just hired as orchestra director for the Escambia County School District.

Kendra Perkins received her bachelor’s in cybersecurity from UWF, was in the Air Force ROTC program and commissioned into the Air Force as a second lieutenant, where she will continue with a master’s degree in cybersecurity from UWF. Kira Burch works for ST Engineering and is the first woman to graduate from the Aviation Maintenance Program at George Stone.

Pensacola Magazine had the honor of interviewing five young women from University of West Florida JULY '20

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“I believe in equity and helping people get to where they want to be in life. My definition of success is impacting or improving someone else’s life.”

Summer Youth Employment Program where she worked in the city manager’s office and learned hands on how local government creates policy.

“The program exposed me to a career path that I never would have known about,” Johnson said. “I had a vague understanding of how important policy was until I saw it in action. I never knew how much of an impact policy could make on a person’s day-to-day life.

Helping just one bill pass can increase funding to an area that will help people in need.”

Zenani Johnson, 22 University of West Florida

A passion for policymaking, educational advocacy and local government doesn’t just manifest overnight. For Zenani Johnson, it starts with a mission to help people.

From a young age, Johnson has always wanted to help. Her childhood dreams bounced from mechanic to plumber to lawyer to the next popular daytime TV show judge. Johnson’s childhood passion for law and justice and ensuring that people are treated fairly has never left.

36 Pensacola Magazine

Growing up in Tallahassee, Johnson’s family served as her anchor and support system while showing her how important it is to invest in community youth, education and volunteer work. As a teenager, she served on the Palmer Munroe Teen Center Youth Advisory Board where she first learned to work on a team and plan events. From there, she joined the Leon County

It wasn’t until Johnson was in high school that she discovered Student Government Association (SGA). She served as SGA President in high school and took that interest with her to UWF where she came to study psychology, sociology and public administration.

Johnson explained that her studies aligned with key areas she became an advocate for.

“I enjoyed studying the human mind and how it functions, as well as learning how to better advocate for mental health, but psychology also shows us how basic needs can affect a person. Food insecurity and homelessness can affect someone’s mental health

and their overall well-being. Once we understand psychology, we can understand other areas of life,” Johnson explained.

As a sophomore, Johnson pioneered UWF’s first Emergency Housing Program after witnessing a close friend struggle with homelessness. This program designed to house and assist homeless students has since been replicated by several other universities in Florida.

“Going to class by day and sleeping in their car by night— I feel like that’s not something that should be happening in college. You’re not able to focus on getting your education when you’re struggling for basic needs,” Johnson said.

“I believe that education is the greatest equalizer, and I want to do anything in my power to help students succeed.

Anyone that wants to go to school should have the opportunity to do so, and finances, debt, food and housing shouldn’t be factors that keep them from getting an education.”

Advocating for vulnerable students is something Johnson continued to pursue passionately with her work in SGA. In 2019, she made history as UWF’s first elected African-American SGA Student Body President.

Zenani giving an update on the UWF student body at State of the University in fall 2019.

She was also selected as Chair of the Florida Student Association (FSA) which allowed her a seat on the Florida Board of Governors as a Student Representative, where she represented more than 350,000 students across the state of Florida.

matters and serving as a role model as a black woman, I just want to show other young people that they can do it too.

I hope I paved the way for more young people to follow if they too dream of sitting in these seats one day.”

“It was a surreal moment and feeling to be elected Student Body President, but it’s not enough for me

While working with FSA and the National College Attainment Network, Johnson was able to advo-

Zenani meeting Madeleine Albright, the first female United States Secretary of State under President Bill Clinton.

to be the first,” Johnson said. “It wouldn’t mean anything to me if there was never a second, third or fourth. Representation

cate for key areas affecting college students including mental health, college debt, food and housing insecurities and both aid

and protections for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students.

During her junior year, she travelled to Washington, DC with members of California and New York’s student associations, collectively representing 4.1 million students, to meet with members of Congress to advocate for more financial backing and support for TPS and DACA students so that they can acquire less debt in school.

Additionally, Johnson was able to spearhead two initiatives during her time in the FSA. The first one being the elimination of the textbook tax and the second being House bill 3419. House bill 3419 was an appropriation request that would help alleviate food and housing insecurities amongst institutions within the state university system.

The bill passed through the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, but later died in the Appropriations Committee. Johnson explained that the next FSA board

Zenani traveling to Washington, DC to advocate for vulnerable student populations.

may still be able to push the bill forward.

Johnson’s dedication to helping others has earned her several awards including the Girl Scouts of the Panhandle Visionary Award, two Congressional awards, the United States Presidential Volunteer Service Award, the Florida Department of Education Volunteer of the Year Award and the Tallahassee Democrat 5 Young Women to Watch Award in addition to many others. Johnson said that she is grateful and honored to receive these awards, but she is even more grateful for the opportunity to give awareness to the critical issues she represents.

As for her next steps, Johnson recently completed an internship with Escambia County Administrator Janice Gilley, and she has now accepted a position in her office as a liaison and project

specialist. Johnson said that her long-term career path would be working as a county administrator or city manager, but she dreams of working towards becoming a future congresswoman.

Bringing awareness to issues and being an advocate to those in need is at the heart of what inspires and pushes Johnson forward. “I have always tried to give the voiceless a voice and speak for those who may not be at the tables I’m sitting at,” Johnson said. “Any time I am in a leadership position, I want to speak on behalf of people who are not in those rooms or not at those tables. I believe in equity and helping people get to where they want to be in life.

My definition of success is impacting or improving someone else’s life.”

JULY '20

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and join the Air Force after graduation.

Walker said that most of her favorite memories from high school involve sporting competitions and her teammates.

Hailey Walker, 18 Escambia High School

Diving and skidding across the gymnasium floor to hit a dig and block a kill is Hailey Walker’s specialty. Donning the volleyball court in a contrasting colored jersey from her teammates, it is easy to spot her defensive skills at work. As a libero, Walker is specialized in defense and is the only player that can sub out with back-row players without prior notice to officials. Like most athletes, Walker’s passion for competition started in her childhood.

At around age nine, she started playing softball, but it wasn’t until middle school when she found her niche for volleyball.

Walker was a varsity volleyball player and a twoyear letterman at Escambia High School. She also played varsity softball as a shortstop and was a fouryear letterman.

38 Pensacola Magazine

Early into her high school career, Walker became determined to pursue her dream of playing volleyball in college. Her long hours of practice, tournaments and limited free time paid off. Walker has signed a volleyball scholarship with the University of Northwestern Ohio where she plans to study business administration

“When you play sports, especially more than one, it just takes up all of your time,” Walker said.

“You quickly make close friendships and memories with your teammates because you’re with them so much. One of my favorite memories was going to a tournament in Panama City and going to Dave & Buster’s afterwards and playing arcade games for hours on end. Sometimes it’s the memories off the court that stick the most.”

Juggling two sports in high school taught Walker how to balance academics and other interests. She was awarded the 2020 Engineering Superlative in the Escambia High School Hall of Fame after spending four years in the engineering academy and maintaining her 4.5 GPA. While in the engineering academy, Walker was involved in the school’s robotics competitions and their NASA rover challenge. She served as the head driver and a build team captain. As Walker explained, the team comes together to build a rover and then travels to NASA at the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL to compete.

“Picture the lunar roving vehicles that you see on the moon,” Walker explained.

“We build our own moon buggies and take them to NASA to race them. Last year, I was the head driver for my team. NASA builds an intense course that sim-

food pantry. I really liked making Valentine’s cards for veterans and small crafts and gifts to donate to retirement homes. It’s small stuff, but it can really cheer people up, and I love that,” Walker said.

Hailey Walker playing the libero position on her volleyball team ulates what it would actually be like to steer them on the moon. It’s really fun and teaches you so much about the STEM field.”

Walker was part of the NASA rover challenge since she was a sophomore.

Last year, the Escambia High School team placed 5th out of 114 college and high school teams.

Although COVID-19 cancelled her team’s trip to Huntsville to compete this year, Walker said she is still grateful for the experiences she had with the team.

In her free time, Walker enjoys skateboarding, playing with her dogs and spending time on the beach. She was also very active in several extracurriculars such as National Honor Society, Latin club, Rho Kappa, Mu Alpha Theta and anchor club. “In anchor club, we volunteered with the local humane society and

Walker explained that she is most excited to meet her fellow volleyball teammates in Ohio: “With the team, they’re your automatic family. And I just know we’re going to be so close already, and I will have people to fall back on. I don’t have to worry about making friends right away, because I will already have some. I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

She plans to follow in her parent’s footsteps and enlist as an officer in the Air Force after college graduation. Her father served for 30 years in the Air Force before retiring and her mother served seven years. She hopes that she can get a job in the Air Force that encapsulates her interests in the engineering realm as her selected university does not offer any programs for it. As she prepares to head off to college, we wish her the best of luck on her journey!

tition. Her songs stood out from the rest of the artists.

Her music was more mellow and deep while her competitors were upbeat.

She received first place for her original songs, which helped her gain the confidence to perform more.

“Most of my passion for music came from being able to write songs and put my thoughts into music. Songwriting is how I express myself,” Englemeyer said.

Katie Englemeyer, 22 University of West Florida

Growing up, Kate Englemeyer would hear music in every inch of her house. She would hear her father playing guitar and her mother’s sweet voice from down the hall. Her parents did ministry for prisoners at the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution and Century Correctional Institution when Englemeyer was little, so she would hear them practicing often. Her older sister enjoyed singing, playing guitar and songwriting, too.

“My family was musical when I was growing up, but I never took an interest until I was in fifth grade,” Englemeyer explained.

“There was a fifth-grade strings program at my elementary school. I decided to give violin a try. When I was in middle school, I was in a guitar class. That’s when I got interested in playing guitar, singing and writing songs.”

Englemeyer dabbled in songwriting while at church music camp, too. Her final project in eighth grade was to write a song completely on her own. “After that, I realized that I wanted to keep doing it on my own.

I loved it,” she said.

When she was just 15 years old, Englemeyer participated in the youth showcase of a local songwriting compe-

While studying music at UWF, she continued songwriting and performing at places and events all over Pensacola, such as Waterboyz, Drowsy Poet and Gallery Night. Englemeyer said that her music has folk and rock influences, but it’s all acoustic. The popular artist Ed Sheeran is a major inspiration for the sound of her music.

“I like Ed Sheeran because he’s able to just sing and play guitar, yet it sounds so complete,” Englemeyer said. “I like the simplicity of his music. It’s what I hope my music is or will be.”

Englemeyer’s love for the violin grew while she was in college. She had never taken violin lessons before. Her professor Leonid Yanovskiy is the only person she has ever taken lessons with. “He’s the concertmaster of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra,” Englemeyer said. “It’s interesting seeing someone that’s your teacher being in that type of position, too.

It was motivating.”

However, Englemeyer decided to pursue a degree in music education rather than music performance because she didn’t think she was at a professional level on the violin. “I didn’t fully realize how much I would enjoy teaching until I did my internships this past semester.”

She doesn’t know which schools she will be teaching at, but she thinks it will be multiple middle schools, which is her favorite age group to teach.

For her internship, she did student teaching in orchestra class at Tate High School and Ransom Middle School, but she spent the majority of her time at the middle school.

Englemeyer designed her own unit to teach the students material she didn’t learn until college. “I was really proud of that because

“I plan to teach them about the really famous composers and composers that aren’t so famous, too. I want them to actually listen to music like Mozart and Beethoven and learn to love that music,” She said. “I feel like I didn’t enjoy that type of music until college even though I played the violin for 10

Englemeyer plans to teach her students music history and to love the sound of classical music.

Katie performing at Single Fin Café in Waterboyz. it was my idea to teach them harder material,” Englemeyer said. “Even though they were only in middle school, they were able to handle the material.

It was great.”

That’s when she realized that if she were to become an orchestra director, she could give even more students an upper hand in music education. Right after graduating from UWF, Englemeyer was hired to be an orchestra director for the Escambia County School District.

years. It’s important to have that background so they could understand where the orchestra came from.”

Although Englemeyer will spend the majority of her days teaching, she plans to use her spare time to pursue her music career. She hopes to do professional quality recordings of her original songs and gain more fans of her music.

She will also continue playing the violin and hopes to audition for a symphony.

JULY '20

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“

I was a fan of space ever since I was little. I would like to combine cybersecurity with space operations. So, later on in my career, exploring a connection between cybersecurity and space operations would be incredible.”

ents had a background in science, but Perkins was determined. She applied for a magnet school right out of elementary school.

At New River Middle, she studied marine science for three years. She then transitioned to her next magnet school, Plantation High School, where she studied environmental science and Everglades restoration.

Kendra Perkins, 22 University of West Florida

While many of us discover what careers we should pursue through trial and error, others recognize their path immediately.

Kendra Perkins’ love for science materialized when she was in third grade. One afternoon, she caught the television series Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking.

The curiosities of the unexplored outer space started Perkins’ path to a career in science.

40 Pensacola Magazine

Perkins is the oldest of one sister and grew up in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She kept herself busy with books. “With me always being at home looking for new things to do to keep my mind active, I got exposed to the science world,” Perkins said.

Fr o m t h e re , Pe r k i n s trekked uncharted territory. Neither of her par-

She gained more experience in environmental science through the Everglades Restoration Ambassadors (ERA) organization. Perkins served as treasurer for two years and president for three years.

During her time with the ERA, she found that she enjoyed teaching science to others, and she later brought that skill with her to the University of West Florida.

Perkins discovered that cybersecurity was the field she wanted to pursue during her junior year’s Advanced Placement Capstone. Her topic was to find if public-key cryptography can successfully prevent the infringement

of personal data online.

Her project was inspired by the 2013 Target cyber breach, the second-largest breach reported by a U.S. retail store.

“I felt so bad for the people who had their credit card information stolen from them. People are victims of credit card fraud, viruses and phishing attacks all of the time, and a lot of it is due to a lack of awareness,” Perkins said. “People don’t deserve to have things that they worked hard for to be stolen by malicious attackers. The reason why I'm so passionate about it is I want to do what I can to help prevent the economic disasters that occur from cyber security attackers.”

Perkins took this passion a step further. After seeing how the Target attack affected 40 million shoppers, Perkins wanted to use her knowledge on a national level, so she chose to take the military route. Perkins found her way to UWF because at the time UWF was the

the Army and Air Force ROTC programs from across the country to participate in the month long Air Force Institute of Technology program.

“We learned about cybersecurity for a month. I really enjoyed that program because we learned about things that I already knew from my program and also stuff that I hadn't learned about,” Perkins said. “It was an awesome experience. I wouldn’t have had that opportunity if it weren’t for the Air Force ROTC.”

only public, in-state university with cybersecurity bachelor’s and master’s programs as well as an Air Force ROTC program.

At UWF, she served as either president, secretary or treasurer for more than 15 organizations while pursuing a degree in cybersecurity. Perkins is the first in her family to finish college and join the military.

Perkins said that her time in the Air Force Cadet Club, which she was secretary of for two years, helped her become a better public speaker and leader. The cadet club is associated with the Air Force ROTC program.

“I visited about nine high schools in the area recruiting for the Air Force program, and on campus, I helped with

recruiting, too. That was a very awesome experience,” Perkins said. “Being able to see that you touched someone and later on they decided to take your advice and try it out, is really rewarding.”

Perkins said that she benefited greatly from ROTC’s professional development opportunities. She was one of the 50 students selected from

Perkins helped create lesson plans for future students as a UWF Center for Cybersecurity ambassador in her last semester.

“I would love to teach little kids about cybersecurity, come up with fun, interactive ways for them to learn how important cybersecurity is because they are the next generation,” Perkins said. “So I would definitely say that the cybersecurity ambassadors are one thing that I cherish.”

programming—which is very important to learn at a young age,” Perkins said. “It was really exciting to see.”

Now that Perkins has received her bachelor’s in cybersecurity and commissioned into the Air Force as a second lieutenant, she is going to technical school at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS, and pursuing her master’s in cybersecurity online from UWF. Although Perkins is very excited to begin her career in cybersecurity, she still hopes to work with her first passion: space.

“I was a fan of space ever since I was little. I would like to combine cybersecurity with space operations.

So, later on in my career, exploring a connection between cybersecurity and space operations would be incredible,” Perkins said. “Combining two passions that I have had since I was little into one is my dream.”

Unfortunately, due to C OV I D - 1 9 , Pe r k i n s wasn’t able to spend time teaching students.

However, she was able to be a judge on a drone competition for local high schools. “They had to program their drone to follow instructions to complete the tasks, which is amazing because they are combining robotics and JULY '20

41

“

Honestly, I am not one of those people that are like ‘Give me a plaque,’ but I was pretty excited to be the first female mechanic to graduate from the school. It was empowering.”

a short period of time, it bothered me. I wish that I would have been able to get in,” Burch said. “But then, I started exploring other paths.”

When she came across the Aviation Maintenance Program at George Stone Technical College, her gears started going. “I figured that if I can’t fly them, I might as well work on them,” Burch said.

Kira Burch, 21

So, naturally, Burch dreamed of joining the military to be a helicopter pilot. Her only sibling, Devin Burch, joined the Navy her junior year of high school. “I wanted to follow my brother’s footsteps, so I decided I wanted to join the military,” Burch said.

The Aviation Maintenance Program is two years and is Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified.

Since the program is FAA certified, Burch can go anywhere in the world to work on an aircraft. Students with an A&P license have gone to work at ST Engineering, Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The average student will make about $40,000 a year after graduating.

Shortly after graduating from Escambia High School, Burch had to change her plans. She couldn’t join the military due to health issues. “For

Burch knew that aviation maintenance is a male dominated field and that her classmates were predominantly male, but she had no idea that she

George Stone Technical College Kira Burch has always set her goals sky high. Aviation is in her blood. Her great grandfather was a waist gunner in World War II, her father was in the Air Force and her brother is a helicopter mechanic. She loved to watch the Blue Angels soar above her home. While others decorated their rooms with stuffed toys and trinkets, Burch had model planes and pictures of planes on her walls.

42 Pensacola Magazine

would be the first woman to graduate from George Stone with an A&P license.

“Honestly, I am not one of those people that are like ‘Give me a plaque,’ but I was pretty excited to be the first female mechanic to graduate from the school,” Burch said. “It was empowering.”

Even though many women like Burch have interests in the aviation field, few women work in it. The 2019 Women in Aviation: A Workforce Report found that women make up less than 10 percent of pilots, maintenance technicians, mechanics and airline executives. Burch thinks that the reason few women are in this field is not because they aren’t capable but because of the lack of female representation.

“Whenever high schoolers come to George Stone, I can see that some people are interested in the career field, but I can also see their hesitation,” Burch said. “I think they’re just

or six female mechanics out there including me.

We’re doing the same hard work that all the other guys are. They can pursue anything they set their mind to.”

Burch started working at ST Engineering almost halfway through her program at George Stone. One of her favorite projects she got to do while working there was removing an engine off of a Boeing 757.

“Not a lot of people get the chance to do it because usually you have a certain crew that gets to do it. I wasn’t doing anything, so I just sort of pushed my way into helping,” Burch explained. “It’s going to look really pretty on my resume, too.”

intimidated by the lack of female influence in aviation. There are no females in that program. They just see guys in the program.

So they’re like, ‘I’ll just stay back.’ I think that any female that is interested should pursue it anyway.

Just because you’re a female, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it.”

Burch has never felt intimidated by societal gender norms. Her dad taught her how to work on cars and to be independent at a young age.

“My mentality has always been ‘If you can do it, I can do it better than you.’ I always wanted to try something that guys could do,” Burch said.

“That wasn’t always a good thing because I got injured a lot, but I always had that mentality even when I was young.”

Burch plans to continue working at ST Engineering for a couple of years. Her new dream is to do military contracting somewhere.

Before Burch started the program at George Stone, she was told there would be three to four women in the program with her.

There was only one other woman. The two became fast friends, but the other student left the program.

So, it was just Burch and 25 men each class.

“Being the only female is definitely different. Once you get comfortable with the people you’re around, it’s just second nature,” Burch said.

Now that Burch has her A&P license, she hopes to help encourage other women to pursue a career in aviation and complete

the program at George Stone. “I want to help them see that just because it’s a male dominant profession doesn’t mean a female cannot do it,” Burch said. “I’ve worked at ST Engineering for over a year and a half now. I work with so many men every day, and there are maybe five

When asked what her advice for the women who follow her footsteps at George Stone would be she said, “No matter what you do—focus. Do not give up.”

These hands once trembled with fear and uncertainty.

Now, they’re holding on to brighter days.

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Community News Pensacola Beach Sees Record-Breaking Vehicle Numbers Over the Weekend A record number of cars traveled to Pensacola Beach over the weekend. Saturday, June 20 was the single busiest day on record since the car counter was installed at the Bob Sikes Toll Booth in 2016, with 21,970 cars passing through the toll booth.

The toll plaza recorded the first back-to-back 21,000 plus vehicle days on Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13.

• 21,469 vehicles on Friday, June 12, 2020 • 21,860 vehicles on Saturday, June 13, 2020 • 20,229 vehicles on Sunday, June 14, 2020 • 20,722 vehicles on Friday, June 19, 2020 • 21,970 vehicles on Saturday, June 20, 2020 • 19,936 vehicles on Sunday, June 21, 2020 “This year we have seen an increase in the number of cars going through the toll plaza in a given hour, and noticed more people are coming out earlier in the day,” said District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender. “We are continuing to make improvements and evaluate traffic, including focusing on getting cars off the island.”

2020 has seen record-breaking numbers of vehicles on Pensacola Beach, with toll records already indicating nine days with more than 20,000 vehicles passing through the toll booth — 2019 saw 11 total days throughout the entire year. Saturday, June 20 was the second time this year more than 2,000 cars came through the toll plaza in an hour.

In April 2020, the Bob Sikes Toll Booth went to all electronic tolling, which means drivers do not have to stop and are encouraged to keep driving through the toll booth. A $1 toll will be collected from all vehicles travelling to

Pensacola Beach / Santa Rosa Island via the Bob Sikes Toll Bridge. The $1 toll is collected electronically using SunPass®, E-Pass, North Carolina Quick Pass, Georgia Peach Pass, PayTollo app or TOLL-BY-PLATE. For TOLL-BY-PLATE users, the toll is still $1 each time you pass through the toll plaza, plus a $2.50 administrative fee that is charged each billing cycle (once per month.) No matter the number of trips you take to the beach, you will only be charged the administration fee once per billing cycle.

Purchase a SunPass transponder online at www. SunPass.com or in person at the SRIA office and Escambia County Central Office Complex or retail outlets including Publix, CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens. For a full list, visit www.sunpass.com/sunPassRetailers.

Individuals can also purchase an annual beach pass for $30 at the Central Officer Complex located at 3363 West Park Place in Pensacola, at the Santa Rosa Island Authority, 1 Via DeLuna Drive on Pensacola Beach, or online at https://myescambia.com/pensacola-beach/ waystothebeach. Cash and coins are no longer accepted at the Bob Sikes Toll Booth.

Charles Fennell Gonzalez, IV, Casino Beach Reef Construction Completed The Natural Resources Management Department completed construction of the Charles Fennell Gonzalez, IV, Casino Beach Reef on Saturday, June 20, deploying 17 reef modules 8.7 nautical miles east of Pensacola Pass.

The modules are approximately 700 feet off the Gulf shoreline, just east of the Casino Beach swimming area. The northernmost reef is marked with a small white buoy. Wayfinding signage will be installed on the beach to indicate the location of the reef.

“The tops of the reefs are about 7 feet below the surface, so the reefs and fishes should be visible from the surface, unless water clarity is poor,” said Robert Turpin, Captain and Natural Resources Management Division Manager.

“The site is outside of the lifeguarded swimming area, so snorkelers and divers should exercise caution and follow divers-down flags requirements.”

Turpin noted the new reef is close to the center of Pensacola Beach and the largest public parking facility, therefore he expects tremendous usage by Escambia County residents and visitors.

Charlie Gonzalez was a native of Pensacola and was a long-time employee of Escambia County who made a positive impact in the lives of everyone that knew and worked with him. He passed away unexpectedly on January 17, 2020 at the age of 56.

The Casino Beach Artificial Reef Project was approved by the Board on May 7, 2020, and was one of the last projects that Charlie worked on. Charlie’s love of the sea and his passion to educate people about sea life will continue for years to come by everyone who enjoys this reef.

The full amount of $59,500 for reef construction and installation was funded by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. No Escambia County monies or cash-matching funds are required by the FWC grant agreement for the project.

Pensacola Museum of Art unveils ‘A Question of When,’ exhibition reflecting on the world during COVID-19 pandemic On Saturday, June 20, 2020, the Pensacola Museum of Art opened a new exhibition in response to our changing world during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Throughout history, art has played a unique and crucial JULY '20

45

Community News role in times of change. Featuring works by Marc Chagall, Walker Evans, Joan Miró and other artists from the museum’s permanent collection, “A Question of When” is a visual representation of the collective grief and ongoing sense of hope felt by many as this situation unfolds.

Though the selections in this show represent a small fraction of the nearly 700 artworks held by the museum, they illustrate the breadth of the museum’s holdings and highlight the institution’s mission to preserve, interpret and share diverse artworks and artists from the past 150 years of visual culture.

The museum was originally set to host a permanent collection show to feature recent museum acquisitions, but due to the pandemic, the show has evolved with the crisis to reflect both the strangeness of a new reality and the unique role of art in times of change.

“Exhibiting our permanent collection feels appropriate on the heels of a stay-at-home measure,” Wall said. “Spurred by funding cuts and decreased access to artists and artworks, many museums will undoubtedly look inward and showcase a larger percentage of their collection over the coming years.”

The objects in the show represent over 100 years of art making across a variety of media.

“Some works evoke the isolation of social distancing through their imagery,” said Anna Wall, chief curator of the museum. “Others demonstrate how artists reflect larger societal shifts through abstraction and the dissolution of form.”

“A Question of When” is on display at the museum, which is located at 407 S. Jefferson St. in historic downtown Pensacola, until Sept. 6, 2020. To view the exhibition or set up an interview with the museum director or chief curator, email pma@uwf.edu. For more information about the Pensacola Museum of Art, call 850.432.6247 or visit pensacolamuseum.org.

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Escambia County Youth Employment Program Underway The Escambia County Youth Employment Program is underway. Program participants ages 16-24 began work Monday, June 8 and have the opportunity to work up to 30 hours a week at $8.56 per hour, with positions available in various county departments along with the Tax Collector’s Office and Supervisor of Elections Office.

This summer, 95 youth are participating in the program, working in county departments including Public Works, Public Safety, Escambia County Area Transit, West Florida Public Libraries and more.

“This program provides such a great opportunity for the young people in our community to get real world, hands-on job experience,” District 3 Commissioner Lumon May said.

“Escambia County is truly invested in the success of our youth and I’m proud to watch

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Glassblowing Classes • Age 8+ Classes offered Friday and Saturday Starting in July!

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Saturday Morning Art Class Yoga & Art for Kids | Age 6–12 Creating with Clay | Age 6–Adult Mixed Media Exploration | Age 6–Adult

Pins and Needles • Age 16+ Sewing for Beginners-Intermediate 6 Week Class Starting: Sept. 10th • Oct. 29th

Youth After-school Art Programs Hands-on Art Making!

Art Lab | Age 9–13 Art Kids | Age 4–8 Youth Art Day Camps Offered on teacher work days and holidays!

Columbus Holiday–Oct. 12th Veterans Holiday–Nov. 11th Thanksgiving Nov. 23rd–25th

Creative Painting • Age 18+ Mixed Media Workshop 6 Week Class Starting: Sept. 12th • Oct. 31st

YOUTH ART SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED! APPLY ONLINE FirstCityArt.org

TAKE AND MAKE ART KITS! Rainbow Glass Fusing Kits come complete with a fun step by step guide, drawing warm-up, and everything you need to create a beautiful fused glass suncatcher at home.

FCAC will fire your piece and it will be ready to hang in your window!

Meditation and Art • Age 18+ Connect, Create, & Breathe!

Sept. 25th, 5:30–7:30 Dec. 18th, 5:30–7:30

Announcing Fall Dates Soon for Stained Glass, Kiln Forming, and Flameworking Classes!

CERAMIC STUDIO RENTALS FCAC offers affordable studio rental rates and firing packages for makers.

14th Annual Pumpkin Patch this October!

More Details Announced Soon

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*FCAC is closely monitoring the recommendations of local, state, and federal health authorities and taking all the CDC precautions to ensure the safety of students and staff. Class sizes are reduced, and masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer are available to students. If a class is canceled or a student cannot attend due to a health concern they will receive a credit JULY '20 or 47refund.

Community News this program continue to grow each year.”

West Florida Public Libraries Serves 20,000 Meals to Youth

Participants will also receive job readiness training prior to job placement as well as post-employment briefings.

Watch a short video of Commissioner Lumon May and Youth Employment Program workers Mischel Johnson and Edward Lewis here.

Learn more about the next Youth Employment Program application period here or by calling 850-595-1620.

Mischel Johnson, a Youth Employment Program worker in the Community and Media Relations Department, assists during a filming of District 3 Commissioner Lumon May

West Florida Public Libraries has provided over 20,000 free curbside pickup meals for youth 18 and younger since March 23, 2020 with Feeding the Gulf Coast.

“All of our employees have a passion for the community we serve and without feeding the body, a child cannot feed their mind,” Todd Humble, Library Services director said.

“We are proud to have been recognized as the leading provider of meals in the Mississippi, Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast region that Feeding the Gulf Coast services.”

Meals are available for pickup at all WFPL library locations on Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Library locations are:

Youth Employment Program workers Edward Lewis and Calvin McCreary assist with a stormwater pipe inspection for the Facilities Management Department

• Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino • Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola

• Tryon Beach Library, 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola • Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola • Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola • Westside Branch Library, 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola • Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century The meal includes lunch. Meals are available on a first come, first served basis. Youth ages 18 and under must be present to receive meals; food will not be given to adults.

For more information about library events, contact the Pensacola Library at 850-4365060. Visit mywfpl.com, like West Florida Public Libraries - WFPL on Facebook and follow @MyWFPL on Twitter for up-to-date event announcements and more.

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Make Every Day Earth Day Protect imperiled manatees and their habitat

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Magazine

SPECIAL SECTION July 2020

Cedric Alexander Reshaping the Pensacola Police Department p.55

OTHER STORIES

59 Pensacola Blue Wahoos AirBnB Hits a Home Run The Blue Wahoo Stadium becomes the first professional baseball stadium ever listed on Airbnb.

63 Around the Region Find out what is happening in business, government and cultural news in the greater Pensacola area and Northwest Florida.

JULY '20

53

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Reshaping the Pensacola Police Department Law Enforcement Expert Cedric Alexander Discusses New PPD Training

By Gina Castro

In the wake of George Floyd’s horrific death, there has been an outcry to change police departments across the country.

In Minneapolis, the city where Floyd was killed at the hands of police, the Hennepin County Court proposed a court order that requires the Minneapolis Police Department to enact immediate structural changes.

Some of the changes include that any police officer regardless of rank or tenure is required to intervene, either physically or verbally, if they observe another officer using any unauthorized use of force.

Some cities like New York City and Minneapolis are pushing to divert a portion of police funding to social services. Supporters of this idea argue that reallocating the funds to services that benefit the people and marginalized groups will heal the community.

The Pensacola Police Department is also evolving.

After Tymar Crawford was shot and killed by Pensacola

Police Detective Daniel Siemen in July 2019, the grand jury recommended PPD officers receive immediate retraining in the areas including use of force, use of deadly force and tasers. Mayor Grover Robinson announced in January that the City increased the PPD training budget for the 2020 fiscal year by 75 percent, which puts the budget at $250,000.

In addition to those changes, the City of Pensacola hired law enforcement expert Cedric Alexander, who has more than 40 years of experience as an officer, in January to consult and train the PPD. Alexander served as Chief of Police for DeKalb County, a large metropolitan county with more than 700,000 citizens, a federal security director with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and was appointed to the Board of the Emerald Coast Utilities Authorities

by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The City is using Alexander to instruct implicit and explicit bias training as well as leadership training. Although COVID-19 disrupted this

training, Robinson stated that 95 percent of the officers went through the training by mid March. Business Climate inquired Alexander on the purpose of the training.

Alexander explained that there are two types of bias: implicit and explicit. Implicit bias is stereotypes or attitudes that affect one’s actions unconsciously. Explicit bias is stereotypes or attitudes one is conscious of.

“We can see explicit bias, but it’s the implicit bias that we all want to be aware of. The training gives us an idea where [the bias] comes from and how it evolves within us and our society and how to recognize it,” JULY '20

55

Alexander explained. “So when we recognize it, we can determine what to do to help ourselves and others.”

Alexander puts an emphasis on making the class a safe environment so that the officers feel they can confront their personal biases without judgement. Alexander said that making participants feel guilty about their biases prevents them from unlearning their behavior.

“People learn when they are able to have their own personal process around their implicit biases. That helps them to be conscious of it,” Alexander said. “When we can recognize our biases and talk with others and ourselves, it allows us to be aware of our biases and challenge our biases without fear.”

56 NWFL’s Business Climate

Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to measure if this implicit and explicit bias training is effective. However, Alexander explained that this training isn’t just a one-and-done course. After the officers have completed the training and some time has passed, Alexander then calls them back in to review the course.

This review determines if the officers have retained the information and are able to apply it in their work.

“We have to make sure that we find time to bring our officers back because you cannot do one time, check the box training,” Alexander said. “It has to be ongoing in order for it to be effective.”

The leadership training Alexander instructs is focused on establishing the ideal attitude of a leader. “What I’ve learned over the years as a

“

We want men and women to come into our police department with a moral compass. You can’t be like those four officers in Minneapolis.

One officer put his knee in a man’s neck and grounded it into the ground with no compassion.

Cavalier in his actions.

Utilizing techniques they were not even trained to use on a man who was under control. You have to have officers who are compassionate toward other human beings—who respect humanity.”

leader of multiple agencies from local, state, and federal government is that my attitude and what I role model within those organizations is more important than anything you could imagine,” Alexander said.

The training covers the importance of the language the officers use when speaking to those they are in command of and the community the officers serve. Alexander also teaches them to examine their attitudes toward people, places and things. The course encourages officers to express challenges they’ve faced as leaders, share advice and provide support. This open dialogue helps the officers improve as leaders. “The Pensacola Police Department has been very receptive to the training. I truly believe they take it seriously,” Alexander

that’s only half the battle.

Alexander said that the police force needs to think critically about the people they hire.

said. “They understand the importance of great leadership training in order to provide and function in a way that will benefit their department and this overall community here in Pensacola.”

Alexander is also in the process of reexamining the way the PPD recruits officers.

He believes that police departments across the country should do the same. The issue with the way the police force currently advertises is that they focus on the violent, adrenaline fueled aspects of the job. Alexander believes that police advertisement needs to be centered on the most predominant element of being an officer: building relationships.

said. “Policing is about building relationships with the communities we serve.”

Redirecting police force advertisements to showcase the nonviolent, compassionate work officers are expected to do will hopefully decrease the interest of violent, hot tempered people. However,

“We want men and women to come into our police department with a moral compass. You can’t be like those four officers in Minneapolis,” Alexander said.

“One officer put his knee in a man’s neck and grounded it into the ground with no compassion. Cavalier in his actions. Utilizing techniques they were not even trained to use on a man who was under control. You have to have officers who are compassionate toward other human beings— who respect humanity.”

Alexander explained that once the right type of officer has been hired, they have to have good supervision that models the expectation of them as professional public safety officers.

After Crawford was killed, the Pensacola chapter of Dream Defenders, a statewide organization, asked that the city implement a civilian oversight board. Alexander stated that he is in support of creating that board, but he would first like to host meetings with the community and leaders about the details.

Robinson agreed to form a citizen advisory committee, which is similar to the board the Dream Defenders requested. Robinson appointed Hale Morrissette, Regional Organizer of the Dream Defenders, to the board on June 6. Robinson confirmed on June 8 that he and Alexander are in the process of developing the citizen advisory committee.

•

“Certainly there are parts of policing where it is high speed. Yes, that does happen in police work. But 80 percent of the time the work you do is building relationships and meeting with people,” Alexander

JULY '20

57

58 NWFL’s Business Climate

PENSACOLA BLUE WAHOO’S AIRBNB HITS A HOME RUN Facing the uncertainty of the major and minor league baseball seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos brainstormed creative solutions to put the stadium to use.

They have come up with everything from disc golf to trivia nights to movies and fireworks on the field and now the first professional baseball stadium ever listed on Airbnb.

Owners Quint and Rishy Studer explained in a letter sent out to fans on June 3 that the organization faces an estimated $3 million loss this year if there is no season.

Baseball enthusiasts have the chance to rent out the stadium for the price of $1,500 a night (plus fees). Guests have access to the clubhouse, batting cages and the field itself— whether they want a picnic on the filed or to play catch at 11pm, the freedom is up to them. The newly renovated clubhouse features two flat screen TVs, a ping pong table and four leather couches to relax in, while the bedroom sleeps 10 people between four bunk beds and two queen beds. At only $150 a head, the listings went fast: the Airbnb sold out all 33 nights listed in the first 24 hours.

BY DAKOTA PARKS

President of Studer Entertainment and Retail Jonathan Griffith explained the brainstorming process for the Airbnb and how important it was to the owners to not furlough staff members. In addition to staffing the new events and Airbnb they have created, the Blue Wahoos staff will be allowed to assist local nonprofits to make up the difference in workload.

“We were looking for ideas and solutions to generate revenue. The number one thing for us is our mission is to improve the quality of life in our community,” Griffith said. “And part of that is having jobs. So, we had to ask ourselves, ‘How

JULY '20

59

The Blue Wahoos club house featuring ping pong and Netflix.

“

It’s whatever the guest wants.

All they have to do is ask us, and we’ll see if we can make it happen.

We’re still new to this, but we want to go above and beyond.”

can we create jobs and revenue with the baseball season put on hold?’”

Part of that solution is what Griffith compared to Cinderalla’s castle: making baseball fans’ dreams come true. Guests can live out their dreams at the Blue Wahoos Stadium.

As Griffith explained, they have customizable options with their stay at an additional price.

The Blue Wahoos have a chef on staff that can put together a variety of food packages from a breakfast bar to stadium hotdogs or even lobster and shrimp.

“It’s whatever the guest wants. All they have to do is ask us, and we’ll see if we can make it happen.

We’re still new to this, but we want to go above and beyond,” Griffith said.

“For an additional cost we can also do customizable Blue Wahoos jerseys with the guest’s name on the back of it. We even have

60 NWFL’s Business Climate

a former major league baseball pitcher, Kevin Saucier, that we can book to come in and talk to guests, teach them about baseball and the ins and outs of being a baseball scout.”

The demographics for the guests booking the stadium is all over the board.

Griffith said they have had families, little league teams, children’s birthday parties, groups of bachelors and even a company retreat.

“The other night we had a group of military guys that just wanted to live their dreams out on a baseball field. So, they were young 20-year-olds that were out here having a great time. They played ball on the field from 4 to 11 pm,” Griffith explained.

The Airbnb listing has gathered national and international attention— from an article on ESPN to news outlets in Japan and Germany reaching out to feature the Blue Wahoos on their programs.

After the initial 33 nights sold out and the prospects for starting the baseball season remained

The newly renovated bedroom in the Blue Wahoos Airbnb sleeps 10 people.

specials, trivia, bingo nights and Saturday night movies and fireworks—all of which guests can take part in. The stadium continues to follow social distancing and CDC procedures for all events.

slim, the Blue Wahoos management decided to open July and August for rental nights as well. While cancellations pop up once in a while, the listings remain largely sold out.

The stadium has also booked some graduation ceremonies

and wedding parties, which Griffith explained have the potential to overlap a few hours during an Airbnb rental, but all guests are notified a week in advance of events at the stadium. In the Airbnb listing it states that the Blue Wahoos reserves

the right to book events at the stadium during rental stays. Team co-owner and professional golfer Bubba Watson has designed a ninehole disc golf course on the stadium, which is open on the weekends. The stadium is also open for dining, drink

For more information on the rental visit “Pensacola Blue Wahoos Stadium� on Airbnb and follow the team on social media for event updates.

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AROUND THE REGION Escambia County Youth Employment Program Underway The Escambia County Youth Employment Program is underway. Program participants ages 16-24 began work Monday, June 8 and have the opportunity to work up to 30 hours a week at $8.56 per hour, with positions available in various county departments along with the Tax Collector's Office and Supervisor of Elections Office.

Council on Aging of West Florida begins partnership with local restaurants to feed seniors during Coronavirus Primal Nosh and Nancy’s Catering & Events will provide thousands of free hot meals to seniors at home Council on Aging of West Florida is expanding its Meals on Wheels program to cover all elderly adults 60 and over who qualify for the service, at no cost to the client. The additional meals will be prepared

by Primal Nosh and Nancy’s Catering & Events, and will be delivered to the clients’ homes as part of an initiative to help seniors during Coronavirus.

This initiative is part of a larger statewide partnership between the Department of Elder Affairs and the local elder service providers. The entities hope that this will match the needs of the business community and workers with the needs of the elderly and meal delivery services.

Locally, Council on Aging has seen about a 30 percent increase in demand for Meals on Wheels, as seniors are continually cautioned against venturing outside unnecessarily. Additionally, fears about supply chain interruption have fueled hoarding tendencies, leaving few options for the elderly adults who do area visit grocery stores.

This expanded need for meals, coupled

with restaurants’ increased need for income during the economic shortfall, will be a win-win for all parties involved.

“We’re very excited to offer vulnerable senior adults more nutritious options as we weather this crisis together,” said Council on Aging President/CEO John Clark.

“Food is among the most fundamental of necessities, and this program will allow us to keep up with demand while providing our clients with safety during this difficult time.”

This summer, 95 youth are participating in the program, working in county departments including Public Works, Public Safety, Escambia County Area Transit, West Florida Public Libraries and more.

"This program provides such a great opportunity for the young people in our community to get real world, hands-on job experience," District 3 Commissioner Lumon May said. "Es-

All meals delivered by local restaurants to senior adults must meet nutritional regulations set by the state, including providing one-third of the recommended daily caloric allowance for the elderly.

“We are grateful to provide homestyle, freshly made meals to our most vulnerable population, our senior citizens during this challenging time,” said Gus Silivos, chef and owner at Nancy’s.

It is projected that this program will remain through at least the end of 2020, as social distancing especially for those 60 and up continues to be recommended by local and state health departments. Senior adults interested in signing up for the expanded Meals on Wheels program should call (850) 432-1475 to complete an assessment.

cambia County is truly invested in the success of our youth and I'm proud to watch this program continue to grow each year."

Participants will also receive job readiness training prior to job placement as well as post-employment briefings.

Learn more about the next Youth Employment Program application period here or by calling 850-595-1620.

JULY '20

63

AROUND THE REGION the Gulf of Mexico and into danger.

Furniture and other personal belongings left on the beach overnight can trap and injure turtles. Plastic pollution and other debris can entangle turtles and cause sickness when accidentally eaten.

Help Protect Sea Turtles in Escambia County:

First Perdido Key Loggerhead Nest Recorded The Escambia County Sea Turtle Conservation Program recorded the season’s first sea turtle nest on Perdido Key June 10. The loggerhead nest is one of two nests currently on county-patrolled beaches, after high tides and heavy surf from Tropical Storm Cristobal washed away two nests on Pensacola Beach earlier this week.

Four species of sea turtle nest on Escambia County beaches May through October. Loggerheads are

the most common nesters; however, greens, leatherbacks and the rare Kemp’s Ridley have also been recorded nesting on area beaches.

Once the eggs are laid, they will incubate for around 60 days, after which hatchlings emerge under the cover of darkness and make their way to the Gulf of Mexico.

Sea turtles of all sizes face many threats. Excessive artificial lights can disorient both nesting and hatchling turtles, leading them away from

Midwife service launches with new birthing suites at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola Pregnant women desiring a natural childbirth have greater access to care thanks to the launch of a midwife service, as well as the opening of new birthing suites at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola.

Certified nurse midwives Esther Davis, CNM, and Amber Price, CNM, provide personalized, compassionate prenatal and follow-up care to women desiring a natural, low-intervention birth experience. They graduated with their bachelor’s degrees in nursing from the University of South Alabama in Mobile and received master’s degrees in nursing from Frontier Nursing University in Hyden, Kentucky. They are board-certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. Price has more than 13 years of labor-and-delivery experience, with four of those as active duty Navy.

Davis has more than 40 years of women's healthcare experience, including 20 years as a certified nurse midwife and 20 years in labor-and-delivery, postpartum and newborn nursery care.

64 NWFL’s Business Climate

Lights Out! Female turtles prefer dark, quiet beaches for nesting and hatchlings need dark skies to find the Gulf of Mexico. Leave the flashlights and cell phones at home or use a red flashlight when on the beach at night. Turn off beach-facing lights and close windows and curtains to keep our beaches dark.

Leave No Trace! Remove all furniture and toys from the beach when you’re done for the day, including hammocks, tents, canopies, chairs, toys and sports equipment.

food waste can entangle turtles and other wildlife and attract unwanted predators. Always dispose of trash in the proper receptable and refrain from feeding wildlife.

Knock it Down! Hatchling turtles and shorebird chicks are small and easily trapped by holes and steep cliffs. Always knock down sandcastles and fill in holes at the end of your visit to prevent trapping and injuring wildlife.

If you encounter a nesting turtle, turn off all lights and retreat a safe distance away. Dead or injured sea turtles should be reported to Escambia County Marine Resources at 850- 426-1257 or the FWC Wildlife Alert line at 1-888-404FWCC (3922). For more information about sea turtles in Escambia County visit www.myescambia. com/seaturtles.

Stow It, Don’t Throw it! Trash and

Davis and Price will see patients in their new office at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola’s Medical Office Building, located at 5153 N. Ninth Ave. For information or appointments, please call 850-416-6384.

New private birthing suites also open this month, designed for women expecting low-risk births.

With this addition, the Maternity and Women’s Center will offer three rooms with tubs to be used in labor, as well as a selection of birthing balls, bars and other comfort aids. Specially trained obstetric nurses will focus on methods of pain control including massage, breathing techniques, position maneuvers and aromatherapy. This addition of four new rooms brings labor and delivery to 20 beds on the Pensacola campus.

“The opening of our new birthing suites means that women in our community who choose to have a natural, low-intervention birth can also have the peace of mind that comes with having specialized doctors and nurses prepared for emergency care just down the hallway,” said Lisa Gardner, vice president of patient care services for the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart. “Now, the addition of our

midwife service brings a new option for pregnancy and childbirth care, combined with the level of safety that can come from the area’s only OB Emergency Care Center, the region’s only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the only local hospital with an onsite obstetrician 24/7.”

Women wishing to utilize the birthing suites are asked to talk to their healthcare provider and schedule an appointment with Ascension Sacred Heart’s birth designer, who meets with patients to learn about their labor and delivery preferences, including wishes for pain management and medications, room setup, visitors and support people, movement during labor, positions and amenities. The birthing suites are available for patients of Ascension Medical Group midwives and OB/GYNs, as well as any community OB/ GYN with delivering privileges. To learn more or schedule a birth design appointment, call 850-416-6378.

The new birthing suites are located on the second floor of the Maternity and Women’s Center, in space freed up by the opening of the former Studer Family Children’s Hospital in 2019.

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66 Pensacola Magazine

ON THEA MARKET Real Estate Section

In This Section By the Numbers: A Look at May’s Market Highlights page 68 COVID-19 and Florida Real Estate page 70

5 Home Remodeling Tips from the Pros page 72

Do the Math: Buying a Home Now May be More Affordable and Save Some Cash page 74 4 Easy Steps to a Chemical-Free Backyard page 78

JULY '20

67

BY THE NUMBERS A LOOK AT MAY’S MARKET HIGHLIGHTS

780 48

Monthly Sales

Avg. Days on Market

1950 252k

Homes on Market

Median Sale Price

MARKET HIGHLIGHTS May sales slipped 3% compared to April.

68 ON THE MARKET

At $224K, median sale price increased 2% over April’s

Combined Day on Market (DOM) average was 48, the lowest on record.

The biggest falloff in Pending sales increased single family inventory 30% over April’s and was in the $200K ‐ 39% ahead of last May $299K price range, with 96 fewer units on the market compared to April.

Information courtesy of Pensacola Association of Realtors

17 W. Cedar Street | Suite 2 Pensacola, FL 32502 phone: 850.434.2244 fax: 850.434.8081 www.BHHSPenFed.com

KNOWLEDGE OPENS DOORS

Gulf Breeze

4644 Smokey Rd $1,150,000 | MLS# 571674 Mediterranean inspired waterfront residence on Santa Rosa Sound. Over 9000 square feet on two levels, including living areas, decks, outdoor entertainment areas (under roof), garage area, mud room and storage. State of the art ThruFlow maintenance free lighted pier & dock with a boat lift and jet ski port for optimal boating and water recreation. Sparkling saltwater sound front pool with a waterfall, fountain, perimeter multi-color light feature and mosaic tile inlay. Stunning front entry with slate tile tapered steps. Ambient designer lighting and a warm palate of rich paint colors, wall coverings and wood grains combine for an elegant and sophisticated, yet comfortable and relaxed waterfront lifestyle. Open floor plan overlooking Santa Rosa Sound and Pensacola Beach with panoramic vistas.

Jennifer Cobb • 850.602.7682 • jennifer.cobb@penfedrealty.com

Pensacola

3418 Chantarene Dr $399,000 | MLS# 571887

Downtown

841 S H St $915,000 | MLS# 573261 ‘Move in ready’ home in a bayfront neighborhood within walking distance to downtown.

This 3128 sq.ft includes 4 bedrooms, 4 ensuite bathrooms, a home office/study, plus an income producing 625 sq.ft. 1 bedroom 1 bath carriage house apartment. Dynamic front entry foyer leads to a vaulted great room with a direct view of the large screen porch and spacious fenced back yard. Faux Wood porcelain tile in the main area. 6” baseboards, tall 8’ solid doors, window casings. Custom kitchen features accent lighting, walk-in pantry, 5 burner gas/ electric range with double ovens, 6’x 8’ bar-height center island, quartz counters and subway tile backsplash. Dining area or den off the kitchen. Great room with ceiling vaulted to 18 ft. gas fireplace, bookshelves and stone feature wall. Bright & spacious accessible master suite and luxury bathroom. Second downstairs bedroom and office. Upstairs you will find two more bedrooms, two ensuite baths and a central, family room. Built 2015.

Nancy Grogan • 850.377.7578 • nancy.grogan@penfedrealty.com

East Hill

1421 N 12th Ave $279,000 | MLS# 573805

Ready to Build your Dream Home on the Water??? Fantastic lot with Brick Portico and Brick Patio. Seawall installed with steps leading to the water. Owner states a dock can be permitted.

Underground utilities!! Chantarene Subdivision off Bayshore Drive... Minutes away from Pensacola Country Club, Pensacola Yacht Club, Naval Air Station, “Down-Town”... and the most gorgeous Sun Rises and Sun Sets seen anywhere along the Gulf Coast are waiting for your enjoyment!

Fantastic move-in ready newer 3BR/2BA garden home in the historic East Hill area of Pensacola. This home is in excellent condition, just waiting for new owners.

Conveniently located close to Publix Grocery, shopping, entertainment, & dining.

15 minutes to area beaches. A covered front porch welcomes you to this home that has had recent renovations to the gourmet kitchen, including new cabinets with soft close doors/drawers, an island, granite counter tops, tile back-splash, wood-look tile flooring, and new appliances including gas stove! Scotland Yard is a quiet community in East Hill that offers on-street parking as well as rear-entry driveways and a one-car garage. With a fenced back yard perfect for grilling, and room for your puppies, this quaint cottage has it all!

Linda Turner • 850.324.4235 • linda.turner@penfedrealty.com

Frasier Phelps • 850.485.2665 • jfpii@bellsouth.net

JULY '20

69

COVID-19 + Florida Real Estate

Florida? California residents (paying 10 percent plus in state income tax) have been trickling into the panhandle over the last few years. The word is it out! Now residents from other high-density areas are eager to become residents of the sunshine state. The influx of buyers along with historically low interest rates hovering around 3 percent have increased demand.

by Sheralyn Waghalter

When Governor DeSantis issued a Stay at Home order on April 1, the outlook was uncertain for many business sectors including real estate. In person home showings were not allowed. Virtual showings came into play – the agent would simply facetime a customer or video a tour of the property for a potential buyer. Home sellers were concerned about the spread of the virus and many sellers took their property temporarily off the market. There was an underlying sense of uncertainty about the future of panhandle real estate.

How quickly things can change! On May 18, Florida began phase one of reopening. By June 1, the local real estate market was back in full swing – busy with an influx of buyers.

WHY SO BUSY? The state of Florida is a likely choice to call home now more than ever. Folks living in high density areas see value in the beautiful Florida panhandle.

Pristine beaches, great open

THE NUMBER OF ACTIVE RESIDENTIAL LISTINGS IS VERY LOW! The Pensacola MLS currently has around 1500 active listings. The market has previously averaged around 2500 active listings.

spaces, a reasonable cost of living and no state income tax are attractive benefits to prospective new residents.

With the likelihood of more employees working remotely, why not work from home in

MAY 2020 STATISTICS

With the shortage of homes for sale, it is a great time to sell – as long as you have a place to go! Be cautioned that today’s buyers are quite savvy. They have access to

a wealth of information and won’t be willing to pay falsely inflated prices. Banks have alerted appraisers who are monitoring quick price increases. Now more than ever, a seasoned real estate professional is a valuable asset. Knowledge of upcoming listings, market trends, home preparation and contract negotiation are crucial for a successful real estate transaction. We will be closely monitoring the market over the next few months as we adjust to our new normal. We are thankful to call this beautiful area home!

Sherlyn Waghalter is a broker/associate with Berkshire Hathaway PenFed Realty. She has been a top producing agent in the area since 2001 and was previously Broker/Owner of REMAX on the Coast.

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Active Listings at Month End

1573

2324

2489

2604

3024

3738

Active Listitngs at Month End w/ Contingent

2713

3312

3453

3585

4093

–––

Sales This Month

781

1029

940

859

804

721

Median Sold Price

$224k

$221k

$191k

$179k

$153k

$157k

Average Sold Price

$252k

$254k

$224k

$226k

$188k

$187k

Average Days on Market

48

63

66

86

98

124

70 ON THE MARKET

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5

Home Remodeling Tips from the Pros

With the extra time many Americans have spent at home over the past few months, there have been plenty of opportunities to think about how that living space could be improved.

While this may not be the ideal time to tackle a full gut and renovate project, it may still be possible to do some smaller scale remodeling projects that update and improve your home. For example, simple cosmetic repairs like painting and replacing vanities can make a noticeable difference with minimal work or investment. Or if you’re hesitant about bringing contractors into the house, outdoor projects like replacing fencing, adding paver stones or constructing outdoor living spaces may be a benefit for your family.

Before you take on a project, consider these tips from Robi Kirsic, MCKBR, UDCP, chairman of the board of the

72 ON THE MARKET

National Association of the Remodeling Industry and co-CEO of TimeLine Renovation & Design.

Define the Purpose The first consideration whether you’re making changes for yourself or for future resale is the purpose of your project. This determines everything from the budget to the materials you select. Remember projects in the kitchen and bathroom typically bring the greatest return on investment.

It’s also a good idea to plan how you’ll use the renovated area. When possible, incorporate elements of universal design that don’t change how the space looks but will change how it works. For example, in the bathroom, install a curbless shower, taller toilet and block in walls to allow future installation of grab bars.

Stick to a Budget Another early decision is your budget. It’s fruitless to spend time looking at materials and making design decisions based on products that exceed your budget or, conversely, fall below the quality level you prefer. Having a professional involved can

Select a Remodeler Friends and family can be great resources when it comes to choosing a remodeling contractor since they’re likely to give detailed and candid opinions about their experiences. When you begin interviewing companies yourself, verify they’re licensed and insured, and ask what they offer above those minimum requirements. Are they certified or accredited? Do they specialize in the type of work you’re considering?

Also be sure to request and check references and search online for reviews.

Conduct Virtual Meetings While some projects may require an in-person assessment, many planning sessions can be conducted virtually. You can even shop products to be used in your project virtually since online catalogs typically show a variety of colors and finishes along with prices. For items you need to see or feel to choose, like flooring, request samples to test in your home.

To make your virtual meetings most productive, prepare by providing a detailed scope of work and be ready to provide measurements and show the space cleared of clutter.

Keep it Safe For some families, sticking to outdoor projects may be more comfortable in the short term. For those who are ready to bring contractors inside, there are numerous steps you can take to create a safer working environment. Examples include asking everyone involved to wear face masks and gloves and using plastic at doorways to keep the work area separate from the living area. Regular disinfecting and a thorough cleaning at the end of the project are also important preventive steps.

Find more remodeling resources, including certified contractors in your community, at remodelingdoneright.com.

850.232.4001

www.pensacolahomelistings.com conna@connaodonovanteam.com

Under Contract

Under Contract

1215 Ariola Dr, Pensacola Beach 4BD/3BA | 3,362 SF $1,299,000 | MLS #567036

1405 Ariola Dr, Pensacola Beach 3BD/2.5BA | 2,520 SF $1,170,000 | MLS #560266

B4 Boardwalk, Pensacola Beach 2BD/2.5BA | 1,420 SF $450,000 | MLS #565184

1003 Maldonado Dr, Pensacola Beach | 4BD/3.5BA | 1,824 SF $765,000 | MLS #569373

509 Ft Pickens, Pensacola Beach 3BD/2.5BA | 2,370 SF $775,000 | MLS #541718

203-E Regency, Pensacola Beach 1BD/1.5BA | 921 SF $319,000 | MLS #566310

New Price!

Under Contract

5 N Galvez, Pensacola Beach 4BD/3BA | 2,136 SF $799,999 | MLS #568906

1565 Ripple Ct, Gulf Breeze 6BD/3.5BA | 4,258 SF $499,900 | MLS #572028

The Market Is Ready, Are You Ready to Sell?

If you’re ready for REACH OUT a Better Home life, TODAY!

PAMELA WHITE

Realtor • MRP • FMS • LUX

850-324-8934 I am ready to help you make an informed decision about your real estate future. Let’s strategize together on your next real estate move. Call me today!

MAIN STREET PROPERTIES

Pam@ReadyToBuyPensacola.com 1313 Creighton Rd Pensacola, FL 32504 JULY '20

73

Do the math: Buying a home now may be more affordable and save some cash At a time when the strength of the U.S. economy and personal finance is on most renters' minds, low down payment mortgage options are more appealing than ever. With mortgage interest rates being at historic lows, it is possible to qualify for a home loan while keeping a rainy day fund.

Private mortgage insurance (MI) has been around for decades and helped over 1.3 million homebuyers last year.

It is a temporary cost that allows for a down payment as small as three percent of the purchase price. While some borrowers wait until they save 20 percent for a down payment, the added years of saving can translate to higher interest rates and more expensive home prices.

“Renters who are on the hunt to buy should do the math and consider what is best for

A-Mays-ing

SHOWINGS TO CLOSINGS! DEBORAH MAYS CRS, CDPE, C2EX

850.529.3998

DeborahMays@remax.net

www.DeborahMays.com

Horizons Realty 1335 CREIGHTON RD., PENSACOLA, FL 32504 Each office independently owned & operated.

74 ON THE MARKET

them, because many times they will find that buying with a low down payment insured mortgage is in their best interest. It may enable them to attain homeownership sooner than they otherwise could, which helps them take advantage of historic low rates and keep some of their savings intact,” said Lindsey Johnson, President of U.S. Mortgage Insurers (USMI).

If you are one of these renters looking to buy your first home but don't have 20% down, don't worry, you are not alone. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median down payment in 2019 was 6% for first-time buyers.

It is true you can qualify for a conventional mortgage with a down payment as small as three percent of the purchase price. In today's market, it could take a family earning the national median income up to 21 years to save 20 percent, according to calculations by USMI. How can buying now save you money later?

Consider you want to purchase a $275,000 home. When you account for closing costs (about three percent of the sales price), a five percent down payment is $13,750 versus $63,250 in cash for 20 percent down. With a 740 credit score at today's MI rates, your monthly MI

payment would be about $115, which is added to your monthly mortgage payment until the MI can be cancelled. MI typically cancels after five years.

With home price appreciation, today's $275,000 home will likely cost more in the years ahead. This will also have an impact on the necessary down payment and length of time required to save for it. There are other variables in the equation too, such as interest rates. As interest rates rise, so too will the cost of mortgage financing.

Not all MI is the same.

Importantly, so-called “FHA Loans” are government-backed loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration versus a private insurer. These mortgages require a slightly higher down payment, the insurance is permanent, and the monthly premiums generally cannot be cancelled.

Make sure you do the math. There are many online mortgage calculators that can help. Check out lowdownpaymentfacts. org to learn more.

Sydnee Johnson Sydnee Johnson Going above and beyond to find your next home.

Going above and beyond to find your next home.

SYDNEE JOHNSON RealtorJOHNSON SYDNEE

22ARealtor Via DeLuna 4475 Bayou Blvd.

Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 Pensacola, FLBlvd.

32503 22A Via DeLuna 4475 Bayou 4475 Bayou Blvd. sydneejohnson.cbintouch.com Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 Pensacola, FL32503 32503 Pensacola, FL (850) 712-6772 Cell sydneejohnson.cbintouch.com sydnee.johnson@floridamoves.com

(850) 712-6772 Cell Follow me on sydnee.johnson@floridamoves.com Follow me on

©2017 DBA. All Rights Reserved. DBA fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

©2017 DBA. All Rights Reserved. DBA fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

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76 ON THE MARKET

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LUXURY L I V IN G — Selling the Gulf Coast —

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4 EASY STEPS TO A CHEMICALFREE BACKYARD Because everyone is spending more time in their own backyards now, parents are wondering how to create healthier lawns for their families.

You might be surprised to learn that exposure to pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers can be harmful, particularly for growing children. This is why flags are posted after a yard is treated – they are warnings to keep children and pets away from dangerous chemical exposure.

Chemicals found in pesticides and other lawn products have been linked to asthma, organ damage and cancer, as well as neurological diseases and behavioral problems, according to the National Institutes of Health. The safest approach for everyone, and the environment, is to go organic.

Stonyfield Organic yogurt has cared about where cows graze for the past 36 years. In 2018, Stonyfield Organic yogurt extended its mission beyond cows grazing fields to outdoor spaces where kids play, starting with the #PlayFree campaign to remove toxic pesticides from parks and playing fields. Now Stonyfield is helping families do the same for their own backyards.

Having a chemical-free, healthy lawn is not difficult if you follow practical, proven organic lawn management techniques.

78 ON THE MARKET

Follow these steps from Stonyfield Organic to transform your yard into a healthier environment for everybody.

cabbage, distilled water and the directions at Stonyfield.com/playfree/ change-your-own-backyard.

1. Stop using pesticides Because of the harm that can be caused by pesticides, it's best to simply stop using them. If you have nuisance insects in your yard, there are natural approaches to curbing them.

Pesticides kill both harmful and beneficial bugs, so you miss out on the benefits many “good” insects provide. Good bugs include dragonflies, honeybees, ladybugs and butterflies. “Bad” bugs like grasshoppers, aphids, fire ants, grubs, snails, chiggers, centipedes and mosquitoes can harm your plants and annoy humans.

3. Switch to organic fertilizers Synthetic fertilizers are manufactured with fossil fuels and are salt-based. They directly feed plants, and can harm your soil. Organic fertilizers feed the life in your soil, and the soil in turn will feed your grass or plants.

How can you reduce bad bugs without pesticides, while helping the “good bugs”?

• Plant flowers to support pollinators • Provide fresh water for good bugs and bug-killing birds • Add mulch to offer shade for plant-friendly insects • Use apple cider vinegar or cedar oil as bug repellent • Spray neem oil on infestations • Repel mosquitoes with crushed parsley, rosemary oil or citronella candles • Grow insect-repellent plants like marigolds, lemongrass, fennel, basil or thyme • Hang a bird feeder for bug-eating birds • Hose visible bugs like aphids and caterpillars off plants 2. Test your soil Most people apply lawn products without first determining what the soil actually needs. Testing helps you discover the right balance, so your soil won't be too acidic or too alkaline.

Many universities provide soil testing services at reasonable prices. Check your nearest university's website for details.

Or turn soil testing into a fun family project. All you need is red

4. Use effective organic lawn care tactics To achieve a lush lawn without chemicals, it helps to understand what grass needs to grow its best.

• Feed soil - Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients help your grass grow. But don't feed without testing – the soil test will determine if your grass is getting what it needs from the soil.

• Mow high - Short grass is stressed grass.

Most grass grows best at around 3 inches.

This allows your grass to efficiently produce its own food, develop deep roots and withstand drought conditions.

• Mulch with grass clippings - Healthy soil will turn the grass clippings into the nutrients it needs.

• Water deep - Lawns love about an inch of water each week. In many areas, rainfall is plenty. Less frequent but deeper watering builds heartier, healthier roots. Water as needed but aim for no more than 3 times per week, and water in the early morning.

• Overseed - Spread a layer of grass seeds across your existing yard to help grow a green and lush lawn.

• Weeding - The best weed prevention is a healthy, thriving lawn. Thick grass blocks out sunlight that weeds need to grow.

Following these approaches can make your lawn beautiful as well as safer for your entire family.

For more helpful organic backyard gardening tips, visit Stonyfield.com/PlayFree.

Home & Auto go together.

Like you & a good neighbor.

Michael Johnson, Agent 3127 E Langley Avenue Pensacola, FL 32504 Bus: 850-478-7748 www.michaeljohnsonagency.com

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Summer Camps

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10 QUESTIONS WITH CREATIVES: BRANDON VASSALS

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WIFE OF A VETERAN AND ALL FIRST RESPONDERS!

FIRST COMMUNITY MORTGAGE IS WHO WE ARE HUMAN MORTGAGE IS HOW WE DO IT As an Area Branch Manager, Senior Loan Originator with First Community Mortgage, I am committed to helping my clients achieve their homeownership goals. I understand and respect that each unique financial situation requires lending solutions specifically designed for each circumstance.

I pride myself as a business solutions resource within the community for my clients, helping them “connect-the-dots” in as many ways as possible.

It is the relationship that matters most to me!

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS 2019 Platinum Circle Award, 2019 We Serve Four (Customers, Employees, Community, Shareholders) Award, 2019 Customer Satisfaction Social Survey Award, 2019 Platinum Circle Award, 2017 Horizon Award, 2018 & 2019 Youth Girls Soccer Champs

DESCRIBE A FEW WAYS YOU PROVIDE ADDED VALUE OR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO YOUR CLIENTS

The relationship between myself and my coworkers is the most important aspect of my business and allows us to provide exceptional service. It is the foundation to my success and the success of my branch. My team is second to none and are the best in the industry. Collectively, with their support they allow me the ability to focus on growth, expansion and production. The moto within my team is “on it” and I believe it gives us an overarching edge over the competition and our clients feel that they are in great hands all throughout the process. Any successful team or organization is only as strong as its weakest link and when the mindset of all team members is “on it”, there is confidence of taking control and 100% responsibility every single time! Our customer service average in 2019 was 4.92 out of 5. We are by no means perfect and although 4.92 out of 5 is very strong, it is not good enough until we are 5 out of 5. My team and I recognize that this is a collaborative effort. Lastly, we embody the acronym ACE; Attack, Celebrate, Embrace. We Attack each file with the highest regard, we aim to Celebrate these large milestones with our client’s, and we Embrace each opportunity we have to serve our clients!

Nick Redhead

Area Branch Manager, Senior Loan Originator

NMLS# 594824

850.529.0282

Nick.Redhead@fcmhomeloans.com

NMLS ID 629700

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