Bloomingdale/FishHawk
36 C E L E B R A T I N G
Pages 50-55
June 2019 Volume 18, Issue 6 Ph: 657-2418 1 7
Y E A R S
O F
P U B L I S H I N G
Black Biscuit Hockey Club Looks To Defend Its National Championship
P O S I T I V E
C O M M U N I T Y
Deserving Randall Middle School’s Teacher Is Appreciated By Thousands
By Kathi Hayes
By Nick Nahas
Randall Middle School (RMS) teacher Christopher Wikfors was one of the thirty top teachers to receive recognition from Norwegian Cruise Line’s ‘Giving Joy Campaign’ out of nearly 50,000 nominated in the U.S. and Canada. In April, Wikfors was dually nominated by an RMS parent, whose child was his former student, and by his biggest supporter, his mother. Wikfors suffered a near death traumatic brain injury as a freshman in college. He defied all odds to become a dedicated RMS honors math teacher, sharing his love and knowledge with young minds. Wikfors received an overwhelming 2,685 votes over the month long campaign. When asked to submit reasons why he deserved to win, he turned to people who could give firsthand, honest answers, his former students. After the top thirty winners were announced, Norwegian Cruise Lines invited them and a guest to Seattle, WA for a weekend of celebration at the Hard Rock Seattle. The top three winners were announced based on the following: 1) the relevancy of their submission to the contest theme - giving joy; 2) the nominees’ lasting impact on their students; and 3) content and originality. The campaign generated over 46,000 nominations and 1.43 million votes. Wikfors said, “The three winners were true examples of heroes in and out of the classroom.” The evening was filled with a room of grateful, deserving teachers. “It was an amazing night, where they truly made 30 teachers feel like rock stars,” added Wikfors.
All thirty educators received a 7-day cruise voucher for two aboard any of Norwegian Cruise Line’s destinations. Wikfors and his wife, Jaime, plan to travel to Alaska with their two sons next summer. Wikfors is very appreciative of every vote he received. “The passion I have for being a teacher comes directly from the relationships I build with my students and their families. As teachers, our main goal is to make a lasting impact on all of our kids, in and out of the classroom, beyond the lessons we create and curriculum we go through. After receiving such incredible support, it's made me feel like I have made that positive impact on much of this community. I'm extremely grateful for such awesome kids and a community that values what we do.” Wikfors sees how valuable and positive this experience has been for not only himself, but for all teachers nationwide. “As we hear about the teacher shortages, this contest showed me that teachers are still appreciated and is just another example of the true value people see in teachers and the impact they have on our future,” said Wikfors. For information about Randall Middle School, visit http://randall.mysdhc.org/.
In This Issue HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS.....PGS 14‐15 WARRIOR GAMES ...........................PG 21 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES..........PG 25 CHALKLINES .....................................PG 38 SPORTS CONNECTION...............PGS 32‐33 EYE ON BUSINESS .....................PGS 45‐46
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In 2016, Through Black Biscuit fundraising FishHawk startefforts, they ed with a couhave brought in ple of kids with position-based a passion for coaching and hockey and a provided scholfew dads with a arships and passion for their equipment kids. Today, assistance as they are the well. “If I get defending one of my playNational ers an educaPhotos courtesy of Wes Reid tion out of this, Champions. Colt Murray (left) and Rocco Reid. This picture They now have my overall goal was featured on Black Biscuit’s website. a sizable recrewill be ational league that has tripled in size achieved,” said Reid. “Too much with players from age groups 8U-16U emphasis is put on winning these during the fall and winter months and days. Our vision is to create and four travel teams (8U-14U) as well. foster a culture of development instead They also boast nine corporate sponof a win-at-all-cost attitude. You start sors and two team sponsors, including winning once you focus on team cultheir main sponsor, Black Biscuit, a ture and development.” hockey equipment and apparel comAccording to Reid, the organizapany from Minnesota. tion is the only youth team sponsored The travel program is a year-round by Black Biscuit, the others are all proprogram and the teams are based on fessional teams. "They have been a tryouts. The recreational league is for phenomenal partner in this FishHawk residents only. They play in journey. They are what every sponsor tournaments throughout the year, and should strive to be, no question. None they practice at the Ellenton Ice and of this would be possible if not for the Sports Complex. At the end of May, community outreach and flowing supthey will compete in regionals, and port of our corporate sponsors. they hope to qualify for nationals at the Community support is vital to all youth beginning of July to defend their title. sports programs. Obviously, the best According to Coach Wes Reid, the investment we can make as a organization’s goal is to establish society is in our children.” themselves as one of the elite hockey For more information on the recreprograms in the nation. “We are ation league, visit FishHawk Roller already a household name at the Hockey on Facebook and national level, and the future is bright if FishHawkHockey on instagram. You we continue on our upward trajectocan also email ry. Our philosophy is, ‘if we can, why matt.scribner@gmail.com or not?’” coach.wesreid@gmail.com.
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