Ovations

+ LECOM students earn white coats
Medical and pharmacy students at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine celebrated their transition from classroom study to a clinical education during a special White Coat ceremony Jan. 28, at Harvest United Methodist Church.

Nearly 140 pharmacy students and 200 medical students received their white coats during the ceremony.
The ceremony is a LECOM tradition meant to inspire future health care professionals to commit to the highest principles related to the practice of medicine and pharmacy, respectively.

+ Ranch photogs earn honors at show
Two members of the Lakewood Ranch Digital Photography Club earned praise for their work at the 28th annual Senior Friendship Center Photographic Competition and Show.

Lori Rothstein won first-place honors for color photography, and Rich Rothstein earned first place for in the black-and-white category.

This year’s show will feature 72 of the 300 prints submitted. The pictures will be on display through March 14, at the Senior Friendship Center, 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota.

+ East filmmakers earn spot in festival
Look out, Hollywood!

“The Good Kids,” a film produced by students from Willis Elementary, Braden River and Nolan middle schools, The Out-of-Door Academy and Lakewood Ranch High School, was selected recently for the 2012 Gasparilla International Film Festival.

The festival will be held March 29 through April 1, in Tampa.

+ ODA earns top award from ACS
When students at The Out-of-Door Academy geared up for their Relay for Life event last year, they set their fundraising goals high.

Little did they know, however, the $75,000 they raised would rank them fourth nationally for fundraising by schools with 1,000 students or less.

“It was an amazing experience,” ODA student Jordon Brown said of last year’s Relay for Life. “(Cancer) really is something that affects everyone. We proved we could make a difference.”

During a special assembly Jan. 25, representatives of the American Cancer Society presented ODA’s student body with a special plaque honoring ODA with the Top Youth Award for its achievement.

“It’s really a big accomplishment for them,” American Cancer Society Area Executive Director Cynthia Dunlap said.

+ Golf center swings big for Miracle League
The Miracle League of Manasota recently received more than $5,000 toward its mission of providing children and adults with special needs a chance to play baseball.

Sarasota-based Evie’s Golf Center donated more than $5,300, which it had raised during a special golf contest held at the center every Sunday during Tampa Bay Buccaneers games. Each week, the golfing contestants who shot closest to the pin were able to advance to the finals, which were held during the Super Bowl.

“We are very thankful to the entire team at Evie’s and their volunteers for the contribution and commitment they have shown in helping our league,” Miracle League President Bob Mitchell said.

The Miracle League is working to build a synthetic-surface baseball field and amenities in Longwood Park.