Community Bulletin

Rollins student wins merit award

Rollins College full-time MBA student Jessica Merrell has been awarded this year’s SunTrust Distinguished Leader of Merit award. David Fuller, president and CEO of SunTrust Central Florida, presented Merrell with the award during a ceremony at the school, and Merrell will be recognized again for her achievement during the Rollins MBA commencement ceremony on April 28. In addition to Merrell, Rollins MBA students Meredith Lohwasser and Rohini Das were named SunTrust Leaders of Merit, and Joshua Aguilar and Shannon Walsh were also recognized for exemplary community engagement at the ceremony.

Maitland teacher runs for Florida House

Maitland teacher and resident Karen Castor Dentel announced her candidacy on April 16 for the newly drawn Florida State House District 30. “I am running to improve public education and fight for better economic opportunities for our neighbors in Orange and Seminole,” Dentel said. Dentel, an Orlando resident since 1990, teaches at Dommerich Elementary. Dentel’s mother, Betty Castor, formerly served in the Florida Senate and as state education commissioner. Her sister, Kathy Castor, has represented Florida’s 11th Congressional District since 2007.

Kids say they’ll be less financially independent

A new study from Junior Achievement USA and The Allstate Foundation revealed that only 56 percent of teens 14-18 years old think they will be as financially well-off or better than their parents. That represents a 37 percent drop from 2011 (89 percent).

The 2012 Junior Achievement Teens and Personal Finance survey also uncovered a dramatic shift in the age teens think they will be financially independent from their parents or guardians. Less than half of teens who responded indicated they’d be independent by age 20 versus a year ago. Craig Polejes, president of Junior Achievement of Central Florida said, “Junior Achievement, with the collaboration of key partners like The Allstate Foundation, will continue to expand young people’s access to the tools they need to succeed in the global economy, including critical money-management skills.”

Police looking for 4 Rivers suspects

At about 6:15 a.m. on Tuesday, April 10, officers responded to the 4 Rivers Smokehouse, located at 2103 W. Fairbanks Ave. in Winter Park, in reference to a reported robbery at the business. Preliminary investigations at the scene revealed that two unknown males, armed with a handgun and knife, robbed the business.

The first suspect is described as a black male, about 20-30 years of age, about 6 feet tall, with a medium build. He was armed with a handgun and was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, jeans and a motorbike skull half mask.

The second suspect is described as an about 5-foot-10-inch to 6-foot-tall, slender built male, armed with a knife wearing a black half mask, a navy blue hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans, and light gray Vans brand sneakers.

If you know the whereabouts of these persons, or details of the crime, you may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Call 1-800-423-TIPS (8477) or visit CrimeLine.org

Winter Park company to raise $100K for nonprofit

Building Drops Inc. of Winter Park has pledged to raise $100,000 for Orange County Athletics, a nonprofit organization that provides services for individuals with autism and other disabilities in the Greater Orlando area by having their suppliers contribute to the organization. Building Drops has offered to start a scholarship fund for consumers that would otherwise miss OCA’s event. Visit gooca.org

Goodwill seeks donations

Goodwill Industries of Central Florida is calling for donations of new or gently used items — clothing, appliances, electronics and furniture. Sales from donated goods helps fund job training programs. These centers provide employment placement services and other community-based programs for people with disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face other employment challenges. Visit goodwillcfl.org

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