American Legion recognizes award winners

American Legion Post 63 in Winter Garden presented awards and checks to first responders, teachers, students and other recipients at its annual awards ceremony Thursday, March 9.

Winners were Lt./paramedic Frank Genua, Winter Garden Fire Rescue Department, Firefighter of the Year; firefighter/paramedic Jimmy Rodas, Winter Garden Fire Rescue Department, EMT of the Year; Officer 1st Class Ellis Schoen, Winter Garden Police Department, Law Enforcement of the Year; April Markham, Foundation Academy, Teacher of the Year; Erika Nunez, Apopka High School, David Filipkowski, Windermere High, and Benjamin Carter, West Orange High, JROTC Cadets of the Year; and Windermere High JROTC, USNSCC Lone Sailor Division and West Orange High, Americanism Awards.

Additional winners were Ian Hunt, Santiago Castelan, P.J. Hackett and Aidan Bernhard, Boys State delegates; Seamus Connors, Connor Faye, Kaylan Patel, Benjamin Wheatley and Aryan Verma, Boys State official alternates; Claire Juneau and Agrafena Ritz, Girls State delegates; Cheyenne Mathis and Jasmine Burton, Girls State official alternates; Rahel van der Riet, Summer Johnston and Rexford Smith, all of Foundation Academy, $1,500 scholarship winners; and Project Vet Relief, Michaels Foundation, Warrior Beach Retreat, Deep Blue Dive Therapy, Southern Cross Service Dogs, Medical Guardian Service Dogs, USA Patriot Softball, Veterans Counseling Veterans, McCormick Research Institute, Wheelchairs for Warriors, 22 Zero and SOF Missions, and Challenge 22, nonprofit check recipients.