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Congressman Vern Buchanan announced on Tuesday that seven teachers in Florida’s 16th Congressional District were chosen for the Congressional Teacher Awards.
The Congressional Teacher Awards, established by Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, in 2014, are given out annually to exceptional area teachers for their outstanding achievements on behalf of students.
“While they may not always receive the appreciation or recognition they deserve, teachers have one of the most important and difficult professions of all,” Buchanan said. “That is why I established the Congressional Teacher Awards – to honor educators for the crucial role they play in our community and inspiring our younger generations.
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Conyer Walker, a Sarasota native who currently lives in Lakewood Ranch, plans to move to Nashville next year to grow his music career. (ABC/Eric McCandless)
LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL Conyer Walker discovered his love of music through his father s vast album collection at a young age. He bonded with his dad, a single parent, listening to artists that spanned genres and decades. Growing up, nobody really sang in my family, nobody played instruments, the Lakewood Ranch-based country artist said. But my dad was always listening to music, and it wasn t just country music. My dad had a pretty wide library of music, everything from Travis Tritt and Hank Williams, Jr. to Prince and Ozzy Osbourne. He covered all the bases.
Braden River High School and William H. Bashaw Elementary School will have a new leader next school year.
Carl Auckerman, the current principal at Palmetto High School, will take the helm of Braden River High School, replacing Sharon Scarbrough.
Auckerman has been the principal of Palmetto High since 2016 and has previously served as the principal at Louise R. Johnson K-8 School of International Studies from 2013 to 2016.
Auckerman has been with the School District of Manatee County since 1998 and has also served as the principal at the former Central High School from 2010 to 2013. Between 2010 and 2013, he was the assistant principal of Southeast, Palmetto and Bayshore high schools.
The Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high school winter guards were two weeks shy of performing at the Florida Federation of Colorguards Circuit State Championships last year when the competition was canceled due to COVID-19.
Both schools’ teams were expecting to receive medals.
What is winter guard?
The winter guard competition evolved from color guards that often are found at high schools and colleges where students use various equipment, such as flags, rifles or sabres with dance moves to help enhance and interpret the music of a marching band. Winter guard often is performed unaccompanied by the band to pre-recorded music.