Pictured: Lake Technical College Executive Director Deanna Thomas, Lake County Schools Chancellor Diane Cornegay and Lake-Sumter State College President Dr. Heather Bigard.
The South Lake Chamber of Commerce, a nonprofit organization that supports the local business community, held its monthly breakfast meeting at the Clermont City Center on Friday, August 16. The event brought together education leaders from Lake County to share their perspectives for the new school year and beyond.
Keynote speakers included Dr. Heather Bigard, President of Lake-Sumter State University, Deanna Thomas, Executive Director of Lake Technical College, and Diane Cornegay, Chancellor of Lake County Schools. Each a trailblazer in their own right, these notable women have been at the forefront of shaping education in the region.
Dr. Heather Bigard, Lake-Sumter State College's seventh president and the first woman to hold the position, spoke about the college's recent successes. Under her leadership, the college has seen a significant increase in student enrollment. She also highlighted LakeWorks Pathways, a partnership program with Lake Technical College aimed at providing students with seamless educational opportunities.
DeAnna Thomas, who has been with Lake Technical College for nearly 18 years, spoke about her role as executive director and her passion for helping students achieve their career goals. Her dedication to student success has been a driving force behind the college's growth and positive impact on the community.
Diane Kornegay, Lake County Superintendent of Schools since 2016, shared her vision for the future of education in the county. With advanced degrees in Educational Leadership and Education from the University of North Florida, Diane has been committed to strengthening educational programs and services to better meet the needs of local students.
Photo: Brian Broadway for Find, Feed and Restore
The breakfast was sponsored by Brian Broadway of Find, Feed & Restore, a nonprofit that provides housing solutions for families with children, including Housing First, Affordable Housing and Homeless Neverbeing Avoidance. Attendees were encouraged to visit the organization's website to learn more about their work.
Photo: Nancy Srodes, Project Scholars – Pig on the Pond, Inc.
Nancy Slowes of Project Scholars – Pig on the Pond, Inc. also took the stage to speak about the organization's mission. Each year, Project Scholars awards $10,000 in scholarships to four outstanding students in Southlake County, with funding provided through the annual Pig on the Pond Community Festival, which is scheduled to take place October 11-13 at Waterfront Park.
Photo by Roshni Graydus of Apex Health Direct Primary Care.
Roshni Graydus of Apex Health Direct Primary Care, a co-sponsor of the event, emphasised the importance of long-term health and personalised healthcare. She urged participants to visit the Apex Health DPC website to find out more about their services.
The breakfast provided a valuable opportunity for community leaders to network, collaborate and discuss the future of education and health in Lake County.
