Celebration School is in the midst of a fund drive to raise $240,000.00 for instructional technology.  As technology has increased in the classroom over the years, Celebration School has fallen behind. 

There are three reasons why Celebration School is behind many other schools.  First, Celebration School does not qualify for federal funds since they do not have a large population of economically disadvantaged students.  Recently a school with Title I funds was able to purchase Interactive Boards for each teacher to use in the classroom.

Secondly, Celebration School does not qualify for many offered grants due to the community’s high socio-economic status, lack of diversity, and high performance rates.  Celebration School has been an “A” school for the past eight years. 

Lastly, the district can not provide technology funds since the State has consistently decreased all funding to the district.  This year the district is operating at $30, 000,000.00 less than two years ago.

The instructional technology currently being used in the classroom consists of the following: computer, projector, document camera, interactive board, classroom response system, interactive tablet, and audio enhancement system.  It can cost as much as $4,000 to equip a classroom effectively.  A technologically enhanced educational environment can engage the students, provide more time on-task, and ultimately increase learning.  Many of the schools which are advanced in technology are seeing an increase in their students’ scores and the overall school grade. 

Concerned parents and the administration have joined together to create a TechupK8 committee responsible for raising funds through activities such as the just-completed phone pledge drive.  The committee members will be visiting all the businesses in the Celebration community during the month of January to seek donations. Donations are also being sought from people who have either a personal or professional stake in the community. Recently, it was agreed that any funds generated from the Celebration Games to be held this February would go to the technology fund.  The committee website www.techupk8.org provides additional details regarding equipment needed, donor levels, and a list of what each teacher has in their classroom.

The school administration has signed an agreement with DirecTV4School.com in which $100 could be donated to the school by new sub-scribers and $50 will be donated by renewing a subscription.  All new and renewing subscribers would have to do is use the school code B2616.  If 1,000 homes would sign up for this program, we could have $50,000 given to the school each year for technology.   The best thing about it is that anyone, anywhere in the country can donate to the school simply by using the code. 

We, here at Celebration Florida Magazine, have also developed a program in which advertisers and subscribers to our services can generate support towards the school.  Numerous advertising packages are available that will generate monthly funds to Celebration School’s TechupK8 program.  For more information on how you can help Celebration School whilst maintaining page one rankings on search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing, call Fabio at 877-233-9052 ext 1.

Although Celebration School still has a long way to go, each step gets them closer to their goal.  Currently, they have raised $15,000 and have been able to purchase 15 document cameras.  That’s 15 more than they had before the initiation of the TeckupK8 program.  They are confident that through the support of the Celebration community and concerned individuals, they will reach their goal and be a school on the cutting edge of instructional technology.

Originally posted 2010-01-06 04:32:20.

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Screaming teenage girls strain the reach Justin Bieber as he sings favorites from his newest album My World at the December 19 concert held in the Town Center in Celebration, Florida.

Celebration Town Center became an entertainment happening on a recent Saturday night with the appearance of teen-age phenom Justin Bieber (aka “JB”) at the annual Radio Disney Holiday Concert.   JB was joined by Jasmine, another 15-year old singer, who had recently been named winner of a competition that earned her a spot on the venue.

Crowd estimates ranged from 24-35,000 fans, who jammed Market and Front Streets to watch first Jasmine and then JB perform their latest hits. Many fans drove from as far away as Georgia to attend the event, and we talked with other avid JB fans who flew in from Colorado and Los Angeles.  For Celebration Town Center, the size of the audience was second only to the appearance last year by Hootie and the Blowfish.

Being a largely teenage audience, the cheers and screaming were often deafening.  Fans near the stage strained to reach out and touch JB’s hand when he occasionally approached the edge during his performance.  Those few that did may not have washed their hands for some time.

Thanks to the restraint by the fans and with the help of deputies from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Department, the concert was safe with virtually no injuries.  No less than eight Sheriff’s Deputy cars were spotted nearby just before the concert began.

In this reporter’s exclusive interview with JB prior to the concert, he revealed that he keeps up with school studies with the help of a tutor who travels with him.  His favorite subject is writing.  His favorite sport is Hockey, not surprising for a native Canadian who grew up and still resides in Stratford, Ontario.  His Christmas present wish?  A Segway.  (No word as to whether he actually got his wish gift or not.)

JB recently released the first part of a two-part album My World; the second part is due to be released soon. He is the only artist in Billboard history to have four singles from a debut album appear in the Top 40 of the Hot 100 before the album’s release.  Those four included One Time, One Less Lonely Girl, Love Me, and Favorite Girl.

Also appearing onstage was another 15-year old singer named Jasmine, who the week before had been named winner of Radio Disney’s “Next Big Thing” competition.  A Nashville native, Jasmine had just arrived from Los Angeles where she recorded an acoustic performance and appeared onstage with Justin Bieber at a Citadel Concert. Her singles Make a Movie and Nothing Left Said are already hits.  Jasmine is home schooled and particularly enjoys American History and Language Arts.  Her Christmas gift wish list?  Clothes, make-up, and another hamster.

Predictably, the crowds resulted in the usual traffic gridlock through town, especially after the concert, causing some irate comments by residents on the Town’s Front Porch website.  But Lexin Celebration Property Manager Gillian Walker was both pleased and relieved after the concert.  “These sorts of events really help the business owners here in Celebration both short and long term,” she commented.  “Their viability is important to the vibrancy of the community.”

Originally posted 2009-12-23 13:50:43.

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Florida National Guard Enjoys Family Holiday Party Hosted by Town of Celebration

Last Fourth of July the Town of Celebration signed a “Community Covenant” in support of our Armed Forces and decided to adopt a local Army National Guard Unit scheduled to be deployed overseas in early 2010. Recently, residents of the Town organized a combination Christmas and Send-off party for the soldiers and their families at the Celebration Community Center. The event was a resounding success that buoyed spirits and touched the hearts of those who attended.

The Unit being deployed is the Headquarters Company of the Second Battalion, 124th Infantry of the Florida National Guard, led by Captain Jason Craft.. Stationed at the Ferncreek Armory in Orlando, the unit has been activated for deployment in the Middle East Theater. Ferncreek Armory is about 20 miles northeast of Celebration, and a few miles north of the Orlando International Airport. But the soldiers are from all over Florida, not just the Orlando area.

South Village resident Karen Whelden spearheaded the planning and organization of the entire event for the soldiers and their families. Her spouse, retired Army Major General Craig Whelden, developed the Community Covenant Program now used to support all branches of the United States Military. Covenants with military units have now been signed by 400 American towns, communities, groups, and States across the country (www.army.mil/community).

The recent event held in Celebration was not only a Holiday party, but also served as a venue for awarding Unit commendations earned while the soldiers have been preparing for deployment. After a breakfast and other business, the Company’s 108 members assembled and marched smartly two blocks down Celebration Avenue to Founders Park and the Veterans Memorial. Family members followed along on the sidewalk, while residents lined the street to applaud their adopted heroes. With the Company in precise formation, Captain Craft and Battalion commander Lt. Colonel Ralph Ribas thanked the community and bestowed about 10 commendations to unit members. In particular, Captain Craft presented framed certificates of thanks to Katie Tamanini of Town Hall, Karen Craft, and Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

Following that troop formation ceremony, the soldiers and their families (numbering about 220 in total) returned to the Community Center for a Christmas feast, entertainment, children’s games, and other activities. Later, children and their parents were transported by Mike Gaw’s Celebration Express train to the Santa Station on Front Street for a visit with Santa, photos, and a present.

Said Captain Craft afterward, “My soldiers and their families were absolutely overwhelmed by the visible and practical outpouring of care demonstrated by the people of Celebration and the surrounding area. Our children will not soon forget the great food, train ride, visit from Santa, presents, entertainment, and so much more. Our soldiers could not have been prouder as they paraded in the town. They and their loved ones could see, in a real way, the reason for their sacrifice. For a short time they did not have to think about deployments and separation; for a short time it was all about enjoying the season.”

Much credit goes to all those residents and groups that contributed time, materials, and food. They include CROA, Celebration Town Hall Staff, Joseph Judge, Hank Wake, Desiree Eastman, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Joe Magic, Mike Gaw, Family Fun Station, Lee Moore, Town Tavern restaurant, other local businesses and entertainers, and scores of resident volunteers.

Deployment date for Headquarters Company is now set for January 6.

We will be following the progress of both the soldiers in theater as well as families left back home, and we will be periodically reporting on how they are doing.

Originally posted 2009-12-31 10:06:25.

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Celebration, Florida, resident Roxanne Bras is another of America’s heroes soon to be deployed to Afghanistan to help fight the War on Terror.  But that’s not the only reason for the Town to be proud of her.  Having graduated in June with a degree in Economics from Harvard, the second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was recently named a Rhodes Scholar, a first for both Celebration and Osceola County.  Following her tour in Afghanistan, she will report to University of Oxford in October to pursue an M.Phil. in international relations, specializing in strategic studies.
After having attended the Celebration K-8 School from 1996 to 2001, Ms. Bras graduated valedictorian from the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Kissimmee’s Gateway High School in 2005.  While at Gateway, she was on the tennis and cross-country teams.  Her mother, Karen Bras, credits the IB Program for “opening up the world” for her daughter, noting that IB commands a lot of respect among Ivy League Schools that otherwise might not consider graduates from high schools in Osceola County.  Last year, Celebration High School announced that it would also be offering an IB Program.

Having received a four-year scholarship from the U.S. Army to attend Harvard, Ms. Bras studied the economics of national security, with emphasis on counterinsurgency.  Her senior thesis involved the quantitative metrics in counterinsurgency, primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan.  While an ROTC cadet during her freshman year, she met General David Petraeus, head of the U.S. Central Command, who has been her mentor ever since.  In addition to her undergraduate degree, she also earned her second lieutenant’s commission, as well as graduation from the U.S. Army Airborne School and the U.S. Army Air Assault School.

The famous Rhodes Scholarship Program was created in 1904 and is funded by a trust established by Cecil John Rhodes (1853- 1902), a British-born businessman and mining magnate in South Africa, and founder of the DeBeers Diamond Company.  Each year, the trust funds nearly one hundred scholarships to Rhodes’ alma mater, University of Oxford, about thirty-two of which are allocated to the United States.  This year there were over 800 final applicants for those thirty-two awards.  Winners receive up to three years’ of fees and living expenses while in graduate studies at Oxford; by some estimates that’s about $50,000 per year.

Rhodes Scholarships are awarded based on high academic achievement, personal integrity, leadership potential, and physical vigor.  Roxanne’s mother noted that her daughter distinguished herself athletically not only as a marathon runner, but also in the airborne and air assault schools.  “But the clincher, “ said Karen Bras, “may have been her thesis on counterinsurgency.”  The Rhodes Scholarship recipients for 2010 were announced a few days before Thanksgiving, no doubt adding to the blessings for which the family gave thanks.

In a December speech to the Middle School Girls Leadership Forum at All Saints Academy in nearby Winter Haven, Lt. Bras warned the girls against putting too much importance on being a woman.  “Don’t try to be the best female president,” she noted,  “ … just be the best president.”  She emphasized that hard work inside and outside school would some day pay off.

Lt. Bras is currently preparing for deployment at Fort Campbell (KY), and she is scheduled to leave in early February for Afghanistan, where she will serve as a combat engineer before reporting to Oxford in October.  She will remain an Army officer while she is studying at Oxford. 

Concluded her mother in an exclusive interview, “ We are proud of all our children.  We have urged each of them to follow their dreams.”

Originally posted 2010-01-29 11:41:59.

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Since the Town’s inception, Celebration residents have enthusiastically embraced the traditional American winter holiday practice of decorating the exteriors of their homes with strands of lights, evergreen garland, and bright-colored ribbon. This year, Celebration has resumed its practice of sponsoring a holiday exterior illumination contest for residents. Organized by the Special Events Committee, participants were required to register in advance to be considered. The just-announced results not only recognized a few perennial favorites but also revealed a few surprises. Further, all award winners were decorated by the owners themselves.

Celebration Christmas Lights Contest Winners

A “best” award was given to each of the familiar Celebration styles (bundalow/garden, cottage, village, etc.). There were also two “overall” awards, one for the most aggressive and overdone display (in the spirit of the Osborne Lights and the now legendary Griswold Family of Chevy Chase movie fame), and the other for Best in Town.

A panel of resident-judges, whose identities were not revealed for their own protection, decided the awards. The judging criteria included creativity, originality, balance, tastefulness, consistency, attractiveness, and the “wow” factor.

Best-in-Town was awarded to Joseph and Kelly Konopka (900 Blue Sage Street). Their East Village townhome featured a huge illuminated Santa topiary as the centerpiece, with wreaths decorated with white lights mounted on the front door and in all front and side windows. According to the owners, “Not being fans of ready-made decorations, creating something new and exciting to look at each year is one of our traditions. We always use existing decorations but expand or reinvent them each year.”

The Osborne Award was given to a regular town favorite, the Whitmire Family home at 905 Pondview in East Village. Inspired by the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, the Whitmire’s not only load their yard with just about every conceivable holiday item, but with the help of their neighbors they also display glowing candy canes along the curb on both sides of the block. Said Kathy Whitmire, “What can we say – it does not get any tackier than Clark W’s home!”

The winners in each home style included:

Bungalow/Garden: The Warner Family (210 Norfolk in North Village), who commented, “ Everyone decorates with lights – so we wanted to turn our perfectly yummy home into a gingerbread house.”

Village: Rick Hughes’ house at 911 Jasmine in Celebration Village, whose dancing, music-synchronized lights this year extend to the neighbor’s homes on each side of his.

Manor: The Shaw Family (757 Oak Shadows in East Village), whose display was recognized by the judges for the tasteful, balanced use of white lights and red bells. Noted Pam Shaw, “Our decorations reflect our classic traditional style.” The judges agreed, observing that it certainly presented what people would expect in the traditionally styled town of Celebration.

Estate: The Berger Family (883 Spring Park Loop in South Village), whose antique Santa on the porch and lighted angels on the lawn caught the attention of judges. Said Adam Berger, “Our house is decorated by the entire family. The highlight is our special Santa. It’s Everyone’s favorite!”

Condo: Robert and Jan McChesney (901 Waterside Lane, 2-104). The judges particularly liked the classic use of lights to accentuate the hedge and porch, as well as the deer guarding the doorway.

The judges also wanted to acknowledge two other exceptional entries, which finished very close in their respective categories, as well as for the Osborne Award:

Jack and Jeri McLaughlin (205 Eastpark in North Village). “My husband loves the movie National Lampoon’s Family Christmas,” said Jeri, “and can’t wait to see what lights the stores/catalogs are offering each year. However, we love Jesus most of all and offer our display to all of our community of Celebration to remind everyone of the true meaning of Christmas.”

Luis Santini (1200 Roycroft in Artisan Park). Located on Celebration Avenue at the entrance to Artisan Park, the wild array of light, figures, and blow-ups draws lots of spectators each evening. “Our family tried to make it seem like Santa’s workshop,” explained Santini. “We celebrate all the holidays.”

The judges noted that although all the entrants were attractive and noteworthy, many other homes in Celebration would have been worthy of consideration had they registered in advance. Added contest organizers Katie Tamanini and Bert Fitzgibbons, “There are so many fabulously decorated homes here in Celebration and we hope for many more entries next year.”

Originally posted 2009-12-23 13:44:47.

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Father Gregory Parkes (left), pastor of Celebration’s Corpus Christi Catholic Church, leads an overflow congregation in thanking Orlando Diocese Bishop Thomas Wenki (seated, third from left) on the occasion of the January 16 formal dedication of their new church on Celebration Avenue.  It was Bishop Wenski who created the parish, directed the purchase of the land, and supported the parishioners during the fund-raising and construction phases.  The two-hour dedication rite that makes a structure and altar sacred is heavy on both ritual and prayer, and its purpose is to prepare the faithful to receive the Eucharist, which Catholics believe is Christ’s body and blood.  The dedication ritual originated in the fourth century and has evolved since. Over time, more expressive and ceremonial elements were added to the dedication, including the sprinkling of holy water, rubbing the top surface of the altar with scared chrism, and the anointing of the church’s walls with oil. Said Bishop Wenski at the conclusion of the Dedication Mass, “God really does not need this temple — the earth and all that it contains is his temple.  No, God didn’t need this church.  You did.  The people of Celebration needed this new temple … so that you could worship in better surroundings, with more adequate seating, so that your celebrations would be more fitting for the Sacred Mysteries that you are celebrating.”  Weekend masses are 5:30 pm Saturday, and on Sunday at 8:30 am, 10:30 am, and 5:30 pm.

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Originally posted 2010-02-11 23:01:53.

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The new Corpus Christi Catholic Church is conveniently located on Celebration Avenue in Celebration, Florida, at the intersection of the Town's East, South, and West Villages

Celebration’s Corpus Christi Catholic Church, which had previously held its services at Celebration High School Cafeteria, recently competed its new church building on Celebration Avenue and Waterside Drive, just in time for Christmas.  The result is a stunning, classical-style building inside and out that not only fits well with the architectural pattern established by The Celebration Company, but also becomes an attractive, prominent landmark of the community.

Groundbreaking for the church was held in November 2008, though construction did not begin in earnest until the following January.  “It seems remarkable that they could finish such a large and complex building in such a relatively short time,” said Celebration resident Dan Tomsick, who during his daily walks past the site kept track of progress.  Brasfield & Gorrie, the general contractor for the project and a Fortune 500 company, kept up a steady pace, especially in the last three weeks when the seating, altar art, and stained glass windows were installed.

As a consequence, pastor Father Gregory Parkes, was able to celebrate the first Mass in the new building on December 24 morning to a nearly full house of excited parishioners from not only Celebration, but also Orlando, Kissimmee, and the entire Four Corners area. In a ceremony beforehand outside the front doors, Tim Dwyer of Brasfield & Gorrie handed the keys over to Building Committee Chairman Jack Blitch, who in turn presented them to Father Gregory.   After humbly thanking the Committee, Father Gregory acknowledged the hard work and support of the trades people, the Parish, and the Town.

“We received the certificate of occupancy only a few days before,” later confided Father Gregory, “and the parishioners scrambled to move our liturgical materials from the High School and to set up the church, complete with the Nativity scene and various Christmas flowers and decorations.”  Parishioners were particularly touched by the members of the Celebration Presbyterian Church down the street; they brought two lighted Christmas trees that were placed alongside the exterior front doors of the church, as well as some beautiful Christmas wreathes that were hung on the front facade.

Fortunately, everything worked relatively smoothly at that first mass.  Seven hours later, the Church hosted an overflow crowd for its 5 pm Christmas Eve Mass that featured the Children’s Choir. Father Gregory opened the liturgy with a greeting and then the rhetorical exclamation, “Can we give glory and praise to God for this beautiful church?” — to which the congregation responded with enthusiastic and prolonged applause.

Even without any advertising or notices in the neighboring hotels, the turnout for the four Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses was remarkable.  Observed Bert Fitzgibbons, “We had about 3200 people attend those four Masses, nearly double the number at the same number of Masses held last year in the High School cafeteria.”

The Church will be formally dedicated at 5 pm on Saturday January 16, with Bishop Thomas Wenski of the Orlando Diocese presiding.

Details about Corpus Christi Catholic Church can be found at www.celebrationcatholic.org.

Originally posted 2009-12-29 10:00:16.

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Originally posted 2009-09-21 20:02:33.

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