JACKSON COUNTY FLORIDAN * www.jcfloridan.com Cottondale FFA takes the stage at State Convention The Cottondale FFA took the stage several times at the 86th FFA State Convention this summer. Ten students from Cottondale attended the convention representing both the high and middle school chapters. The FFA State Convention is a time to elect new state officers, attend sessions and workshops, compete andbe recognized for this past school year's accomplishments. And the Cottondale FFA had its fair share of time onstage. Several teams and individuals were recognized. At the second general session, both the Cottondale High and Middle School FFA chapters were recognized as Premier Chapters. The Premier Chapter Award was initiated to recognize superior achievement by chapters in Agricultural Education and the FFA. To be eligible for this award, a chapter must be proficient in several areas, which includes alumni and community partnerships, financial planning, and public relations, along with recruitment and other FFA activities. Logan Deese of the middle school chapter was also recognized at the second general session for his top 10 placing in the Ag Electrification event. During the third general session, High School Pa- SUBMITTED PHOTOS Cottondale High and Middle FFA chapter attendees are (front, from left): Skylar Dominquez, Mason Taylor, Gabble Tovar, Laramie Pooser, Kender Kikilidis and FFA adviser Stan Scurlock; (back, from left) Breana Spooner, Austin Baxley, Colby Hargrove, Logan Deese and Miranda, Sapp. rade of Champions Aus- gree is the highest honor individualsandteamswere tin Baxley was recognized bestowed upon any regu- in their correct groups to with a trophy for his 3rd- lar member of the Florida go onstage. Other duties of place finish in the state FFA Association. Austin courtesy corps members tractor-driving event. Col- Baxley from the Cotton- are securing doors during by Hargrove went onstage dale High FFA Chapter was sessions and workshops, also for his 3rd-place finish one of these members who assisting in the movein Horticulture. Colby also received their State FFA ment of special guests went onstage to receive the Degree during the eighth and groups, and assisting trophy for the Ag Commu- general session. with career development nications team 3rd-place Skylar Dominquez from events. She was recogfinish at state finals. Mi- the middle school chap- nized along with the other randa Sapp was presented ter was selected this past courtesy corps members a trophy for the Ag. Sales spring to serve as a cour- at the 10th general session & Service team's 5th-place tesy corps member at onstage, receiving their offinish at finals, this convention. Duties of ficial courtesy corps pin. Florida FFA announced courtesy corps members Overall it was a successthe names of 334 students vary. They help assist with ful year for the Cottondale who had submitted an the works of making the FFA chapters, and they application and were se- convention go smoothly are looking forward to lected as candidates to re- and efficiently. Skylar was next year's convention in ceive the coveted State FFA a backstage assistant. She hopes of more honors and Degree. The State FFA De- helped make sure winning recognition. The Cottondale FFAAg issues team aia a presentation on uMU labeling at the 86th Florida FFA Convention. The team- did presented the issue in a TV talk-show format and the name of their program was"SOS The Help Network". Their issue's topic was titled "Label to Know, Or NO to Labeling:'" Pictured (left to right) are Kender Kikilidis, Colby Hargrove, Breana Spooner, Mason Taylor and Miranda Sapp. From left are: Laramie Pooser, recipient ot tne Premier Cnapter Plaque; Colby Hargrove, 3rd place, Horticulture; and Logan Deese, Top 10 finalist in the Ag. Electrification Essay Contest. BCF prepares for new semester As the beginning of the 2014 fall semester at The Baptist College of Florida quickly approaches, preparations are well underway for the arrival of new students and the excitement of seeing returning students back on campus. Even though there is still time to enroll in classes, the administration, faculty and staff are, gearing up for all of the upcoming events that are part of this new chapter in the life of the school. Over. the summer, through the hard work and sacrifices of volunteer mission teams from churches throughout the state, the campus has undergone a significant face-lift with a fresh coatofpaintandnumerous facility improvements. Steady progress has been made on BCF President Thomas A. Kinchen's 20/20 Vision, including the demolition of several married housing units and construction beginning on the Deese Center, which will serve as the new cafeteria and student center at the college. The considerable progress on the Deese Center is evident by the removal of the fence, strategically aligned surveying equipment and the bulldozers, front-end loaders and dump trucks rolling in and out, packing down dirt preparing a solid foundation. Preparing a solid foundation is exactly what BCF is all about. Through ,the process of training men and women for areas of leadership, ministry and virtually every area of life, BCF highlights the required Bible courses contained within the curriculum. BCF offers 23 degrees ranging from contemporary worship ministry, biblical studies, elementary education, business leadership, to missions and missions. with a concentration iii aviation. The foundational courses within each degree program are solid and designed to equip the next generation with the skills and knowledge they will need to change the world. BCF students will begin classes Aug. 18, eager to acquire the education, credentials arid training to prepare them for the future. In addition to the ex- citement of simply taking classes, students look forward to the inspirational chapel services, Missions Conference, Prayer Conference and team-building , events held on campus such as the BCF Amazing Race, BCF Olympics, Lakeside Echo, Candyland and intramural sports. All of these opportunities offer the potential for spiritual growth and the probability of creating lifelong' friendships and memories. If you are interested in knowing more about The B13aptist College of Florida, call 263-3261,: ext. 460, or visit the website at www.baptistcollege.edu. It is not too late to register for the fall semester. Family preparedness and health expo Are you ready? Got a plan? Need help? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Jackson Hospital are pleased to announce the Second Annual Family Preparedness and Health Expo, on Sept. 6 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 3141 College St., Marianna. Jackson Hospital will be in charge of free eye and ear screenings, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings. There will also be more than 50 exhibits with handouts, demonstrations and experts to answer your questions on such subjects as beekeeping; dry-pack and home canning; composting; care of rabbits, goats and chickens; ,woodcutting; and tool sharpening, to name a few. A free lunch will be provided and door prizes will be presented. There is' something for every age. Mark your calendars and come enjoy-a wonderful learning experience. Follow us on Facebook Jackson County Floridan Judge skeptical about fixing map now TheAssociated Press TALLAHASSEE-AFloridajudge saidThursdaythat he's "extremely skeptical" about changing the state's congressional districts before the 2014 elections. Duringathree-hourhearing that included echoes of past Florida courtroom clashes over elections, lawyers argued over how soon a new congressional map should be drawn up. Circuit Judge Terry Lewis earlier this month threw out Florida's current congressional map, saying it is illegal because districts were drawn to benefit the Republican Party. State legislative leaders said they would accept the decision and not challenge it further. But Lewis has yet to decide who should draw the new districts, or just as importantly, when they should be put in place. That triggered a vigorous back-and-forth in his courtroom over which side was engaged in partisan behavior, or washarming voters. Lawyers for the coalition that sued the Florida Leg-. islature argued that lawmakers can't be trusted to put in districts that meet the "Fair Districts" amendments adopted by voters four years ago. They asked Lewis to adopt a remedial map they gave him this week and postpone the Aug. 26 primary election in order to put in the new districts in place. Attorneys representing the state contended any changes now would spark chaos and confusion and pointed out that the groups want to cut short the amount of time military voters have to send in ballots from overseas. They also raised questions as to whether' Lewis has the ability to move around election dates set by state and federal law. Lewis did not rule from the bench, saying instead he would make a final determination by the end of next week. But he also made it clear he was unsure about what he could do legally, and whether it was too late to make any changes now. Attorneys for both sides made it clear that they may appeal, or even file a new lawsuit, depending on what the judge decides. John Devaney, an attorney representing some of the groups that sued the Legislature, saidhis organization may ask a federal court to intervene if Florida moves ahead with an election that relies on a map deemed unconstitutional. In 2010, the state's voters adopted "Fair Districts" amendments to the state constitution saying legislators could 'no longer draw up districts to favor incumbents or a political party, a practice known as gerrymandering. Lewis agreed there was enough evidence to show that two districts violated the new standards. One is the sprawling territory stretching from Jacksonville to Orlando that's home to Democratic U.S. Rep. Corinne Brown. The other is a central Plorida district that is home to U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, a Republican. The new map presented by the league and other groups would completely shift Brown's district to north Florida so that instead of running down the middle of the state, it would stretch from Jacksonville all the way to Gadsden County just west of Tallahassee. BEN SAUNDERS, D.M.D. PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY ' 4711 Highway 90 East * Marianna, FL (Between Burger King & Big Lots) 526-SPIT Carat The FIVE L's Color Clarity Cut W CONFIDENCE. Marianna's Most Trusted Jeweler Est. 1971 latson 850.482.4037 watsonjewelers.com FRIDAY, JULY 25,2014 + 3AF LOCHL. & TE