UPPER KEYS COMMUNITY HONORS PASCAL ON BIRTHDAY Local schools participate in cleanups

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LEGENDARY KEY LARGO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & FLORIDA KEYS VISITOR CENTER

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106000 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037 WWW.KEYLARGOCHAMBER.ORG

On what would’ve been his 17th birthday on Feb. 2, local schools and the community at large celebrated the 4th annual Pascal’s Day of Service, dedicated to the legacy and memory of Pascal Weisberger, a 14-year-old student, volunteer and scout who passed away in May 2020.

He was known for his kindness and care for the community — a legacy that inspired a tradition of volunteering, beach cleanups and fundraising in schools and organizations across the district.

At Treasure Village Montessori, a cleanup effort involving students from every grade brought young volunteers to different beaches and parks throughout the Upper Keys. As Pascal’s former middle school, TVM has been committed to honoring his legacy since the inaugural Pascal’s Day of Service. Elementary school students participated in a “Fun Run” and were cheered on by older students. Students returned from volunteering for a kindness exchange, in which students were taught the value of compliments.

“Pascal was known for giving genuine compliments. He did so in a way that was natural and heartwarming,” said Kelly Mangel, the principal of Treasure Village.

“I greatly appreciate that Treasure Village Montessori initiated the concept for Pascal’s Day of Service after he passed away in 2020, an idea that seemed to quickly catch on with many individuals, groups, and organizations around the Upper Keys, and even beyond,” said Ariel Poholek, Pascal’s father.

Ocean Studies Charter School, where Pascal had attended elementary school, collected donations for the Upper Keys Humane Society where Pascal extensively volunteered. Students also painted “kindness rocks,” or pebbles painted with positive messages, in remembrance of Pascal’s noted kindness and compassion.

Key Largo School and Coral Shores High School similarly participated in cleanups and charitable efforts. Students at KLS participated in a cleanup around U.S. 1. Coral Shores students joined in on the effort by cleaning up marine debris in the mangroves behind their campus.

In the afternoon, a cleanup at Harry Harris organized by Poholek brought in more than 50 of Pascal’s friends, prominent community members and Scouts from Troop 912, which had been Pascal’s troop, to clean the beach and local park area. Pascal had frequently participated in cleanups of Harry Harris throughout his lifetime, and his final science fair project involved cleaning debris from its shoreline. Hundreds of pounds of trash were collected from the team effort.

“Pascal set an inspirational standard for how to be a good human,” said Barry Wray, Pascal’s former running coach, who attended the cleanup. “His influence on our community can be seen in so many ways, from a legacy of goodwill and community service, to aspirational goals of students who understand the value of determination and persistence in achieving their goals. For me and most who knew him well, we share the glow he left within us often and with passion, confident his legacy will help bring us to a better tomorrow.”

This year’s Day of Service is only one example of how Pascal Weisberger’s legacy has continued to affect the Florida Keys. Since his passing, countless people and organizations have taken it upon themselves to honor the life of a student, active volunteer and beloved friend lost too soon.

For the full story visit keysweekly.com

Art Guild Winners Chosen

Winners of the Art Guild of the Purple Isles’ 57th annual Members' Judged Show were announced on Jan. 12 at the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center. This year's show judges, Terre Rybovitch and Michelle Nicole Lowe, awarded first-, second- and third-place and honorable-mention ribbons in nine categories along with Best In Show. First-place winners are: Karen Kubacki (acrylics); Annette Nina (digital art); Gloria Avner (mixed media); Carol Ubben (oil); Claudia Moriarty (pencil and pastel); Ingrid Brooks (plein air); Carmen Alex (photography); Kaya McCoy Klivick (sculpture); Mary Ellen Cassata Holler (water media). Best in Show was awarded to K. Christine O'Neill for "Celebration" (water media) pictured. The exhibit is open through March 16.

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PAUL REYNOLDS/Art Guild of the Purple Isles