Third Annual Leading Women Symposium & Golf Event Supports Northwest Florida State College with Scholarships for Women
11/20/2009
The third annual ''Leading Women Symposium and Golf Event'', presented by Destin Commons, was held October 19th at Sandestin Golf and Beach Club. The women-only event, unique for its multiple activities, was a tremendous success with more than 115 women participating and raising more than $10,000 that will be used towards scholarships for women that attend Northwest Florida State College.
Organized by the Northwest Florida State College Foundation and a volunteer committee comprised of women from several local businesses, the event provides scholarships for women's educational programs at Northwest Florida State College including the college's Women's Educational Resource Center, teacher education programs, and support for women to participate in the Allyn C. Donaldson Jr. Entrepreneurial Institute, a program housed at the new NWF State College South Walton Center opening in January 2010.
The ''Leading Women'' portion of the golf event included a fun, 9-hole scramble for those with some golf experience and more established women golfers. The winning teams, Certified Constructors' Services, Inc. (1st place - Karen Donaldson, Debbie Henderson, Susan Loehr, and Kim Sawyer); and Gulf Power (2nd place - Sandy Sims, Connie Erickson, Bentina Terry, and Shardra Scott), received jewelry from Master Craftsman John White. Other winners included ''Putting Contest'' winner Jackie Prichard of NWFSC, ''Chipping Contest Winner'' Amanda Wesson of Merrill Lynch the McGovern Group, ''Longest Drive'' winner Jessica Proffitt of Destin Commons, ''Best Dressed'' winners Kristina Trujillo of Destin Commons and Mikelyn Clausen of Merrill Lynch the McGovern Group, and ''Closest to the Pin Winner'' Tami Groth of Destin First Bank.
A highlight of this year's entire event was the symposium and brunch which featured Vicki Hitzges as the keynote speaker. A much sought-after motivational speaker, Hitzges presented ''Put Away the Lawnmower, Charlie, Those Are Trees Out There!'' which taught participants vital skills to use at work and at home to build relationships that last. Hitzges, a former reporter and news anchor in Corpus Christi and Dallas, Texas, inspired the crowd with her high-energy, laugh-provoking, fact-filled presentation.
Event sponsors included presenting sponsor Destin Commons, Merrill Lynch the McGovern Group, Sandra Hanson The Breast Clinic, Northwest Florida Daily News and the Northwest Florida State College Leadership Institute.
Next year's Leading Women Symposium & Golf Event is scheduled for October 18, 2010. For more information call (850) 729-5357 or go online to www.nwfscfoundation.org/LW.
