Kathie Colgrove

NCR Reporter

The western Nassau community mourns the loss of Baylee Sisson, 21, a U.S. Army serviceman and a 2013 West Nassau High School graduate. 

Sisson became ill in late January from a virus that caused his kidneys and liver to fail, according to grandmother Jeannette Sisson. 

“He got sick over the weekend, last weekend,” she told the Record Monday. “His mom told him he needed to go to a doctor. He had a headache and he went to the clinic.”

Sisson said that he was treated at a clinic where he was stationed, but he was later transported to a hospital off the base. For a short time he was well enough to communicate with family members via social media. 

“But he got worse,” she added. “His kidneys and liver weren’t right and he passed away.”

He died Feb. 2.

Sisson was stationed in Uijeongbu, South Korea. He lived outside of the military base, according to Jeannette Sisson. 

He leaves behind wife Brooke and many extended family members.

The couple married Dec. 26, 2015, according to Sisson’s Facebook page. 

WNHS Athletics posted a Facebook tribute to Sisson, writing, “We are deeply saddened to report the passing of former WNHS baseball player Baylee Sisson. He was serving in the U.S. Army in Korea.”

Warrior Baseball Coach Kyle Fleming fondly recalled Sisson’s team loyalty, positive attitude and bond with teammates. Sisson was also a member of the 2013 all-county baseball team. 

“Baylee was an absolutely wonderful human being,” Fleming wrote via email Monday. “He was always upbeat. He never complained or got upset. He always worked as hard as anyone we had. He hit a go-ahead homerun for us in the 2013 district championship that ended up being the deciding factor in the game. When he came around third, he had the biggest grin you ever saw. I will never forget it.”

Fleming continued, “His teammates adored him and almost all of them have contacted me expressing their sadness. This was a crushing loss for everyone who knew him or might have had the chance to know him. Baylee will always be a Warrior.” 

Sisson said a funeral service was held overseas for those he knew in the military. His remains will be transported back to western Nassau. A memorial service will be held at a later date. 

Three corrections officers are corporals after a recent promotion. Sheriff Bill Leeper held a promotion ceremony Feb. 3, recognizing Nicolas E. Thornton, who has been employed with the sheriff’s office for the past four years; Melissa K. Godbold, who has been employed for the past 15 years and Brian K. Higginbotham, who has been employed for the past five years. They serve within the Nassau County Jail/Detention Facility. Their families attended their promotion ceremony to witness them move up in rank. 

Residents will soon see upgrades to Oxford Street Park in Hilliard.

Town officials received $500,000 for park improvements from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program. Florida Park Services Asst. Director Chuck Hatcher presented a check during the Hilliard Town Council meeting Feb. 2. 

Park renovations include refurbishing existing playground equipment and renovating the basketball court, swimming pool and parking lot. 

A new walking trail, splash pad, covered picnic facility and new security lights will be added for a total of $470,000, according to information from Hilliard Town Clerk Lisa Purvis. 

In other town news, businessman Bobby Franklin told the council of his pending plans to build a new building for C.W. Hilliard American Legion Post 401 members. The current site on U.S. 1 north is leased to members and the lease ends soon, according to Franklin. 

A 1-acre site near the Winn Dixie exit is proposed. The post already sells beer and wine. Franklin asked that the town council consider amending the town code to include the sale of liquor as well. Licensed area restaurants are only allowed to sell beer and wine as long as food sales comprise 51 percent of total sales. 

“The veterans in this town need support from the community,” Franklin said. 

Council President John Beasley said that a veterans building would allow for the sale of beer, wine and liquor. 

The council will meet for a workshop at 6 p.m. Monday to discuss the town’s existing code for the sale of alcoholic beverages. The idea did draw some dissention from the council. Councilman Kenny Sims said he plans to attend the workshop, but he would not support the legalization of liquor sales to any businesses. 

In another agenda item, the council gave a unanimous consensus to approve on first reading Ordinance No. 2017-05, placing a one-year moratorium on the operation of medical marijuana treatment centers and medical marijuana dispensaries. 

Town officials have said that the moratorium could be lifted at any time, in the event that state lawmakers establish legislation before the moratorium ends. 

A public hearing will be held at town hall March 2 at 7 p.m. 

The council also unanimously approved the purchase of a new brush truck for the Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department. The 2017 Ford F-350 brush truck’s total cost with additional features is $37,383. An $11,900 skid unit was also approved for purchase. It will assist the new brush truck. The older brush truck has mechanical issues and is no longer viable, according to Station 4 volunteer Dallis Hunter. 

UF/IFAS Nassau Master Gardener Dee Hester and Callahan Garden Club vice president Lynn Aiello, treasurer Bertie Tanner, president Donna Rau and secretary Lisa Emery join together to celebrate the Callahan club’s 76th birthday. Tanner also served as a master gardener for 20 years. 

Cade Johns stands in a school lunch line to grab and grub. 

The Hilliard Middle-Senior High School sophomore tried the Cowboy Burger from the Grab & Grub food truck parked at the bus loop Feb. 1. 

“I think it’s pretty good. It’s better than that food,” said Johns, referring to regular cafeteria food.

The Cowboy Burger is a featured menu item that consists of an all-beef patty topped with cheese, crispy onion rings, jalapenos and barbecue sauce between baked buns. Red potato salad accompanies the burger. 

“It’s manly,” Johns said. “It’s a cowboy burger. It’s a little fancy.” 

The Nassau County Food and Nutrition Services Department’s first and only food truck rolled out Jan. 17. The food truck stops at all four high schools. 

On hand to prepare and serve meals were Truck Manager Audra Bower and Area Supervisor for Nassau County Schools Food Services Tom Chapp. Hilliard Food Service Manager Sherryl Sims and employee Mary Yake assisted with financial transactions. 

Director of Food and Nutrition Services Lauren Jones said the food truck fulfills a need for added mobility. 

“We were in need of a mobile feeding unit to help with our challenges during summer feeding and transporting food across the county,” she said. “We wanted to design something that not only could be used for summer feeding but also all school year long so that it did not just sit idle during times of the year. We went with a food truck design because it already has an appeal and is an increasing food service trend across the country.”

The food truck is equipped with a full-size oven, flat-top grill, steam table, warmer, cooler, freezer, sandwich prep unit with cooler, hand-washing sink, a three-compartment sink, outdoor LED lights and speakers. Reach-in coolers are on the truck’s outside for self-service items.

“We wanted to be practical but also appeal to our high school student customer with something fresh and new,” Jones said. 

Another goal is to boost the number of meals distributed among high school students. 

“We chose to visit high school students regularly for several reasons,” Jones said. “The biggest reason is because they have the lowest participation in the school lunch program. Our elementary and middle schools serve between 59 and 67 percent of the students, whereas our high schools are between 42 and 57 percent.”

Menu items derive from local and state growers and business owners whenever possible. 

“The menu items are developed to be specialty,” Jones said. “You can’t go to a food truck and get something plain or normal. The menu will always include unique flavors, spices and food combinations. We wanted to feature local products as much as possible. We will rotate the menu at least monthly as it will only see the students once a week.” 

“Our first menu combination features a fresh all-beef patty raised and processed in Florida from Miami Beef. We also have a fresh garden salad offered every day that features locally grown romaine lettuce from Traders Hill Farm out of Hilliard and tomatoes from Immokalee and Palmetto. … All meals include an option of a fresh garden salad, fresh fruit, milk and/or 100 percent fruit juice.”

The food truck travels to Fernandina Beach High School on Mondays with two lunch periods served. It visits Yulee High School on Tuesdays for four lunch periods and visits Hilliard on Wednesdays for two lunch periods. West Nassau’s students grab grub from the food truck during two lunch periods each Thursday. On Fridays the food truck travels on a rotation, delivering food to the school that deemed it popular that week, according to Jones. 

The food truck will be in service during major events occurring at elementary and middle schools. It also visits the district building to accommodate staff and Adult Education students, according to Jones. 

Approximately 50 to 60 HMSHS students per lunch stop at the food truck.

Freshman Amaya Walker has already visited once before. 

“I like it,” she said. “I like the burger and the potato salad. It’s like what you would eat around town. I could eat it every day.”

Hannah Williams expressed her satisfaction with the extra menu choice. 

“It’s very different than the school lunch,” the sophomore said. “It tastes like when you go out to a restaurant.” 

Jones sees the menu preferences as a growing trend among high school students. 

“They want retail,” she said. “They want what they can purchase in retail food services. And we want to give them something different than the traditional cafeteria environment.” 

Future plans include adding breakfast menu items. 

“There is a ton of data on student eating habits and the reality is they have changed drastically at all age levels over the last 10 years,” Jones said. “Students are pickier – and more food and flavor savvy than ever before – even in the younger age groups. Many students eat out more than they eat at home, making it extremely challenging to accommodate their needs and wants within the federal school lunch and breakfast program due to our limited funds, strict nutrition standards and meal pattern guidelines.”

“All meals are $3.25 for students and include the main entrée, featured side item and the choice of fresh fruit, 100 percent fruit juice, milk, and a fresh garden salad, which are all included in the same price,” Jones said. 

The standard price for a cafeteria lunch is $2.75. The $3.25 food truck lunch includes a 50-cent up charge for the added cost of made-to-order meals.

“The really awesome thing is we are fully integrated with the cafeteria system and if students qualify for free or reduced price meals, they also can eat on the food truck for their regular free or reduced rate,” Jones said. “Our county has 51 percent of students who qualify for free and reduced priced meals – the highest it has ever been, so there are a lot of students who can benefit from this opportunity. Although we have so many students eligible for these benefits, we are only feeding approximately 67 percent of the free students and 64 percent of the reduced students across all four high schools in Nassau County. Our goal is to feed as many students as possible. After only two weeks of operation, our overall percentages are up slightly. We expect it to continue to grow in the coming weeks and months.”

Because the program is new, administrators have not had time to establish enough information to conduct a complete cost analysis. 

“We are still in the developing stage of the program and do not have definite costs to operate the truck on a regular basis,” Jones said. “It will largely depend on how many students participate and other events the truck will go to. We have been able to employ at least one additional person in the food service program and hope that the truck will increase participation and ultimately lead to more jobs as well. The overall costs include, food, labor, gas, diesel and maintenance costs, which will change over time.”

Two different women with the same first name run library branches within the Nassau County Library System. 

Susan McKenney has served for nearly 17 years while Susan Stanley has been employed for six years, with three of those as a librarian. Both women reside in Yulee. 

McKenney previously worked at each branch within Nassau County after working for the UF/IFAS Nassau County Extension Office. She returned to the Bryceville branch in October, having served at the location in years past. 

“Of all the people to leave Bryceville people to, she’s wonderful,” Stanley said of her replacement. 

“I love Bryceville,” McKenney said. “I love the people. There’s a lot of really nice people that were here when I was here before. It’s terrific.” 

Stanley also enjoyed the camaraderie with Bryceville residents but is equally happy to be the branch librarian at Hilliard. She replaces Rosemary Szczygiel, who transferred to the Yulee Branch. 

“I love it,” Stanley said. “I miss the people of Bryceville, but there are wonderful people here too. I’m just doubly blessed. I get to meet more.” 

McKenney’s career allows her to cultivate a love for reading.

“There’s nothing about books I don’t like,” McKenney said. “I’ve been an avid reader ever since I learned how to read. Theoretically, there’s nothing you can’t do if you can read. If you can read the instructions, you can do it.” 

A certified library assistant 3 through the American Library Association, McKenney enjoys making suggestions for books and other publications. 

“I love to do reader advisories and tell people what to read, especially fiction,” she said. “That’s my most favorite thing to do.” 

McKenney is also a purist when it comes to selecting reading materials, opting for traditional books instead of e-books.

“I still read the book,” she said. “I love the way they feel in your hands. When I read, I like to hear it in my own mind. I feel like when I hear someone else’s voice or their inflection, it changes the story for me.” 

More importantly, it’s what McKenney can accomplish for visitors who browse up to 7,599 inventory items, including children and adult DVDs, CDs, newspapers, periodicals, juvenile and young adult books, fiction, nonfiction and large print materials. She is also responsible for coordinating inner-library loans and loans from libraries in other states. 

“The requests come to me and I try to find a library that will loan them out to me and I process them and send them to the patron,” McKenney said. “We also loan books to out-of-county libraries and I process those as well.” 

Volunteer Jessica Morton assists with shelving book returns, clearing book drops and retrieving mail. She has volunteered at the branch for six years.

“I get to see all the new stuff,” she said, adding that she likes, “Checking out the books and DVDs.” 

Heather Griffin is Library Assistant 2 at Hilliard. She helps to ensure that programs and services run smoothly. 

“Heather is wonderful,” Stanley said. “She’s very knowledgeable and loves books. We both feel the same in that we both feel that we both want to help and both want to serve the community.” 

Online access is also available at both branches. 

“You can do just about anything on the computer,” McKenney said. 

Visitors may create job resumes, file tax returns, conduct job searches and government research, email, print pay stubs and access the Internet. 

“We have some seniors so it’s nice for them to not have to drive so far to get to a library,” McKenney said. 

The branch also offers an electronic cloud library consisting of e-books that may be stored electronically. 

 “We’re able to get a better selection,” she said. “If you need help downloading to your electronic device, we’re able to help you with that.” 

The available online search engines assist with research, which may not always be easy to find, according to McKinney.

“Anything you need to know can be found at the library and we know how to find it,” she said. 

Stanley offers various activities and programs at the Hilliard branch. 

She hosts the Brown Bag Book Club on the second Thursday of each month. Book enthusiasts meet to discuss a selected genre. In January the group covered mysteries. February features romance novels while March highlights “The Keeper,” a second in a series of three dystopian novels from David Baldacci. Dystopia is defined as “a society characterized by human misery, as squalor, oppression, disease and overcrowding,” according to dictionary.com.

“Lunch & Learn” is held on the third Thursday of each month. Stanley invites residents to come out and hear professional organizer June Carter outline tips on “The 34-Minute Time Management Process” today at noon.

“Bring your brown bag lunch and learn something,” Stanley said. “I’m trying to provide a wide range of topics. Not just how to declutter but how to put things that are important to you and put them first and learning how to say yes and no to what you’re asked to do.” 

Traders Hill Farm visits for a “Lunch & Learn” March 16. A book sale will be held noon to 7 p.m. March 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 3 and 9 a.m. to noon March 4 at the Hilliard branch. 

Also at the branch, an African-American Read-In is scheduled for Feb. 23 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The West Nassau Mass Choir will also perform. 

Citizens may bring a poem or reading selection or join in to listen to others read a two to three minute piece written by an African-American. Folksinger/songwriter and musician “Mrs. Kate” Carpenter performs songs from her new CD “I Think I Can” April 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilliard Branch Library. The public is invited to attend. 

The library is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays, noon to 8 p.m. 

The Hilliard Branch Library is located at 15821 C.R. 108. Call 904-530-6500. Choose option 4 to learn more. 

The Bryceville Branch Library is located at 7280 Motes Rd. Hours of operation are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays, noon to 8 p.m. Call 904-530-6551 or 844-200-7245 to learn more about the branch. 

A Bryceville father makes a financial plea to help cover his son’s medical expenses. 

Paul Megois created a GoFundMe account after son Dalton, 17, accidentally shot off part of his thumb and index finger Feb. 13.  

Dalton’s parents and grandparents were home at the time of the accident, according to Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper. 

The remaining three fingers were mangled by the accident. He and a friend were shooting at targets in the backyard of the teen’s residence just after 6 p.m. at 1504 County Road 119. According to Megois, Dalton was an experienced marksman, having shot guns since he was 5 years old. 

Dalton was shooting at targets with a World War II Mosin-Nagant bolt-action rifle when he attempted to add a bayonet to the gun’s barrel. However, the bayonet did not slide on as smoothly as he had planned, according to his dad. 

Dalton held his hand over the open barrel, attempting to adjust the bayonet shortly before the gun fired. 

“He knew the gun was chambered but those guns have a de-cocking mechanism and he disengaged the mechanism, and the firing pin still went off,” Megois said.

Dalton was initially transported to UF Health Jacksonville. 

Because a hand specialist was not on duty at the time of his arrival, the teen was transported to Blake Medical Hospital in Bradenton where he is recovering, though Megois said he should be released this week. 

“His spirits are really low,” Megois said. “He will have to undergo multiple surgeries in hopes of saving his fingers.” 

Dalton is a junior at West Nassau High School with plans to study nursing in college while working as a certified nursing assistant. He has already completed some coursework.  

His dad and mom Nicky are trying to keep their son’s spirits high. 

Although Dalton uses caution when he handles firearms, accidents can still happen, his dad said.

“Complacency happens with the most careful gun owners,” Megois said. 

Donations toward Dalton’s medial expenses may be sent via https://www.gofundme.com/daltons-digits.

Johnnie Green and Wanda Saunders were firsts in their field in Nassau County. 

Each was named athletic directors. Green coached and taught at West Nassau High School from 1995 to 2009. 

Saunders has coached at Hilliard Middle-Senior High School since 2001. She has worked as an intensive reading paraprofessional since 2000. Saunders plans to teach soon after earning a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in 2016. During her coaching tenure, she has guided girls in volleyball, track, softball and basketball. She became the first African-American named as athletic director in 2007. She oversaw middle school athletics while Scott Brock oversaw high school athletics. 

Saunders expressed appreciation for then-principal Dr. Brent Tilley.

“Dr. Brent Tilley had faith in me that I was more than qualified for the job even though I was a paraprofessional,” she said. “And for that I will always be grateful.” 

She is married to Myron Saunders, the boys head basketball coach at HMSHS. The couple has two daughters, Brianti, 21, and Reah, 4. 

Saunders gave up the post for medical reasons.

“Reah is the reason why I stopped being the athletic director, because we had a complicated pregnancy,” Saunders recalled. “She’s my miracle baby. That was just a choice that I made.” 

She added later, “I never had any backlash about being a black AD I had more backlash about being a paraprofessional, but Dr. Tilley stood his ground. I think I not only opened doors for African-American women, I opened doors for paraprofessionals that we are just as important in the school system. I think this is a prime example that titles are just titles and it’s the work that paves the way.” 

Likewise, Green did not experience any fallout when he was named as AD at WNHS in 1995, ascending from his former role as the boys basketball coach. He served as AD until 2009. Green replaced Troy Arnold, who was promoted to assistant  principal. 

In addition to teaching math, science, driver’s education and Physical Education at various points throughout his tenure, Green coached track, football, baseball and golf. 

“The community accepted me well as the first black AD,” Green said. “They congratulated me and wished me well. They supported me 100 percent. I had an awesome coaching staff as well.” 

Staff members were Hilda Alderman, Chris Hicken, Bobby Hart, Bill Barnes, Rose Way, Richard Pearce, Ted Combs, Audie Ash, Richie Knott, Nick Mirando, Jim Culpepper and Jackie Langford. 

But his new role was not without its demands.

“It was a challenge  – new territory,” Green said. “What I had going in my favor was coaching all those sports. It gave me an idea of how those sports operated. With that being said, I knew how to budget each sport, but the bulk of the revenue came from football.Basketball, baseball and volleyball would normally take care of itself as far as expenses. Also back then gender equality came in so that we could represent males and females. We brought in soccer, bowling, swimming and girls flag football.” 

Green has always been willing to serve others. He has been pastor at St. James Baptist Church since 2006. He is married to Evon Mason Green. The couple has a blended family of five adult children. They also have four grandchildren. 

“What a man does for himself will die with him,” Green said. “What he does for his community will live forever. That’s my philosophy. Sometimes you sacrifice self in order for your community to be better.”

Green expressed admiration for Saunders, saying she was deserving of the post. He also expressed gratitude for then-principal Dr. James Tylk who supported Green’s  promotion years ago. 

“I am very proud of Wanda’s accomplishment,” he said. “She is very persistent in doing the right things. The beauty of the thing is we’re both from Hilliard and that speaks volumes of us – and our community. I’d like to personally thank Dr. Tylk for giving me the opportunity to be the first black athletic director at West Nassau and believing in me.” 

For Saunders, coaching continues to be a passion.

“I feel like I have accomplished a lot and proven to my family and friends that the sky’s the limit, because you don’t know how Brianti was that I still got my degree and could still do that,” the 45-year-old said. “And now I’m raising a 4-year-old. “Reah is going to grow up to see some accolades – not only for her parents but for her older sister as well, so the Lord has truly blessed my family.”

“Goosebumps” author R.L. Stine visited Callahan Intermediate School Friday. Several authors visited area schools via the Amelia Island Book Festival. 

Although Stine’s job as a writer is to “give kids the creeps,” he wasn’t at all creepy. Instead, Stine gently answered children’s questions, engaged the crowd and shared anecdotes from his childhood, including how he began beating out stories at age 9 on an old typewriter he found in his home’s attic. 

The New York Times Best Selling Author was in western Nassau to speak about his latest books and projects. He and wife Jane Waldhorn extended their visit.  

“I’ve never been to Amelia Island before,” he told the Record. “It’s wonderful. We’re going to take a day to relax and return Monday.”

During the school presentation, Stine told how he began writing stories and joke books while growing up in Columbus, Ohio. One Halloween, he and younger brother Bill went trick-or-treating on their own for the first time. The boys wore sheets with cutout eyes to become ghosts. They carried “big shopping bags and silly string” to accommodate their candy and antics. 

As they walked through the neighborhood, their shopping bags bulging with candy, they passed Mrs. Dawson’s house, which stood dark. Later when they returned, a light shone at the woman’s house. 

“But it wasn’t a light, it was a big jack-o’-lantern,” Stine said. “It had big grin and it was lit.” 

When Stine knocked on the door, the jack-o’-lantern’s face changed from a smile to a scowl amid a red glow. Mrs. Dawson appeared in a long gray nightgown that fluttered in the wind, calling out, “Why did you wake me? Why did you wake me?”

He asked her about the jack-o’-lantern and how she made its face change. 

“Jack-o’-lantern? I don’t have a jack-o’-lantern,” she replied. 

After breakfast the next morning, Stine decided to visit Mrs. Dawson’s house and apologize. But movers were loading furniture onto a moving truck. Mrs. Dawson didn’t live there anymore – she had died two weeks earlier. 

“That’s my true ghost story,” Stine quipped. “Thank you very much. Do you think I made up part of that true ghost story?” 

Stine has written his share of horror stories for children and teens and now comic books, having resurrected “Man-Thing,” the Marvel comic book character created in 1971. Stine has given voice to the formerly mute swamp creature in a special five-issue Marvel comic series that will be released next month. 

Also, new “Goosebumps” offering “SlappyWorld Slappy Birthday to You,” about young Ian Barker and his ventriloquist dummy Slappy is available. 

These offerings just add to Stine’s largesse. He has written more than 300 books, with more than 350 million copies sold worldwide. 

Always open to creative ideas, Stine said book titles get in his head first, then the stories start from there. He notes that his favorite “Goosebumps” book is “The Haunted Mask.” The storyline originated from watching son Matt wrestle with a green Frankenstein monster mask that was stuck on his head and wouldn’t come loose. 

“I was a bad parent that day,” Stine joked.  

Instead of helping, he began taking down notes for a new book idea.

An idea came to fruition for Florida author Marlaena Shannon with “Bad Day for Baby Duck.” The book tells of the cruelty of nature and humans and the difficulty of survival. A disclaimer warns readers that the book is written for older audiences: “This story book is not for children.” The colorful illustrations, also by Shannon, outline a gruesome yet humorous story about a brood of ill-fated ducks. 

She has also  written and illustrated “Black and White Cat, White and Black Dog” and “Creatures Real and Imagined.” She is a President’s Book Awards winner according to her Facebook page. She visited West Nassau High School students to highlight “Bad Day for Baby Duck” in April Eason’s art class Friday afternoon. 

A fixture in western Nassau for many years, former WNHS teacher Bobby Hart asks the question, “Karaoke Singing Camels?” 

Through photos and stories, the book recounts his deployments to the Middle East in the early to late 2000s. The U.S. Army veteran visited the JROTC classroom Friday to reminisce about his exploits. 

Poetry filled the room as residents read lines from African-American writers past and present. 

Rosemary Szczygiel hosted the annual African-American Read-In event in the Hilliard Branch Library Feb. 23. The West Nassau Mass Choir led the audience in  “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The choir also sang “Wade in the Water.” 

Now in its 10th year at the branch, participants read favorite poems, prose, biographies and interviews of literary greats, modern writers and music legends in recognition of February’s Black History Month. 

Michael Taylor outlined the origin of Black History Month, which began in 1915, just 50 years after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the U.S. Carter G. Woodson and minister Jesse E. Moorland sponsored a national African-American history week in 1926, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass,” according to information from Taylor. 

Also that evening, the Rev. Lorenzo Morgan shared a decades-old interview of singer James Brown about his 1968 song, “Say it Loud: I’m Black and I’m Proud.” 

In the song Brown produced, it notes, “We’d rather die on our feet than keep a’ living on our knees.” 

Morgan said the song caused a backlash among Brown’s white audience, causing the singer to lose most of its members. 

Morgan said that the lyrics were a call for African-Americans to become financially independent – it wasn’t necessarily an anthem for them to rise against the government as many had interpreted when the song was released.  

Meanwhile, Maya Ang-elou sought to provide African-American women a voice. 

Austin Dinwiddie read her biography, outlining her poetry, civil rights activism, acting career on stage and screen and diverse writing career. 

Angelou was a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. She wrote many books and essays including the autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” 

She was born April 4, 1928. She died May 28, 2014. 

Among several other readings, Jessica Morton shared selections from “Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson. The teen story is written in verse and details the author’s childhood as an African-American growing up in New York and South Carolina during the 1960s and 1970s. Woodson is a New York Times bestselling author, a National Book Award winner, a Newberry Honor Book winner and a Coretta Scott King Award winner. She writes books for children, teens and young adults. 

Stone Dinwiddie read, “I, too, Sing America,” by Langston Hughes. 

The poem tells of an African-American man sent to the kitchen to eat because his skin is a darker shade from the others. Despite this, the character proudly proclaims that, “I, too, am America.”

Angie Hall read a biography of Gwendolyn Brooks, the first African-American author to win a Pulitzer Prize, according to the Poetry Foundation. She was also a poetry consultant to the Library of Congress. 

Brooks won the Pulitzer for the poem “Annie Allen.” It tells of an African-American girl as she grows into adulthood under trying socioeconomic conditions. Brooks was born June 7, 1917. She died Dec. 3, 2000. 

Nationally celebrated, the African-American Read-In is in its 28th year.

West Nassau High School seniors were awarded academic letter jackets for their scholastic achievements.  

Principal Curtis Gaus awarded the jackets Monday to students who earned a score of 3 or higher on Advanced Placement exams as part of the AP Scholar Program. 

The AP Scholar Program is sponsored by the College Board. It honors students who have achieved success in multiple Advanced Placement exams. The national exams are given and scored by the College Board. 

AP exams are offered during the first two weeks of May to students who take AP courses. A score of 3 or higher on an exam earns college credit at most universities. 

Upon successful completion, students earned college credit through AP exams in human geography, European history, United States history, American government, macroeconomics, psychology, English literature and composition, English language and composition and calculus.

West Nassau scholars earning scores of 3 or higher on two AP exams who are successfully completing at least one additional AP course during their senior year are Haley Bedford, Makayla Dorner, Seth Harper, Haley Hursey and Caitlyn Tompkins.

Earning scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams are Nisha Patel, Bailey Sharkey, Caimin Shuman and Evalis Wong-Arocho.

AP Scholars with Honor earning an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams, are Nicholas Jordan and Justin Smith.

Finally, Zachary Chancey is the AP Scholar with Distinction who has earned an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken. He has scored a 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

The Callahan Town Council opted to pass a one-year moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries. 

Councilmembers want more time to consider how dispensaries would operate, voting 3-2 on first reading Feb. 21 with councilmen Marty Fontes and David Mellecker dissenting. 

Town Attorney Jeb Branham introduced Ordinance 2017-O01, which the council discussed, with Fontes in favor of medical marijuana dispensaries. He reminded the council that in November a majority of Nassau County’s citizens voted in approval of physician-prescribed marijuana use. 

He said that dispensaries are not any different than establishments that offer alcoholic beverage sales. Also, with so many suffering from the ravages of cancer, he said that people should be able to purchase medicinal marijuana legally for medicinal purposes. 

“I’d much rather have someone that needs it legally, than for them to get it from a street corner or order it from Colorado,” Fontes said. 

Councilwoman Kathy Smith favored a moratorium because it will give state legislators and the town time to decide how to govern sales and operation. 

Councilwoman Janet Shaw agreed with Smith. 

Mellecker said that a moratorium wouldn’t prevent business owners from opening dispensaries outside of the town’s limits. 

“It’s coming,” Smith said. “We’re not going to stop it.” 

Mayor Bobby Rau said that he didn’t see a problem with the moratorium because it gives the state time to decide, adding that he has seen instances where legislators have rushed into making decisions in the past. 

Mellecker reiterated that dispensaries could be “right outside our door.” 

“We don’t have any monitoring rights anyway,” Rau said.

A public hearing on the issue will be held Monday night.

Turning to another item, Callahan Volunteer Station 5 Chief Joey Osteen expressed a need for approximately 16 new radios by December 2018. 

Nassau County Fire Rescue plans to upgrade all its radios across the board by that deadline. 

“That’s going to be an issue we’d like the council to talk about,” Osteen said. 

Station 5 would need to upgrade its radios to stay online with NCFR. 

It could cost from $80,000 to $125,000 to replace the old radios, Osteen said. 

He also plans to ensure the radios are compatible with Hilliard’s Volunteer Fire Department for intercommunication purposes. 

Osteen also needs to replace the station’s extrication equipment initially purchased in 1994. He said the equipment is outdated and can no longer cut through the materials used to manufacture new vehicles. 

Fontes asked if there were any grants available. 

Osteen has researched grants from the Florida Forest Service and sandwich chain Firehouse Subs but he hasn’t finalized any terms. 

Another apparatus is also in need of approximately $6,000 in repairs, according to Osteen. 

“We’re going to a lot of places to get grants on things,” Council President Ken Bass said. 

To go toward expenses, Osteen said the firefighters have also considered utilizing funds raised from the Northeast Florida Fair booth. 

The council will also consider whether to add the expense of eventually hiring Nassau County lobbyist Mark Anderson. He accompanied former District 5 Nassau County Commissioner Junior Boatright on a visit to the council chambers. Boatright apprised the council of Anderson’s accomplishments via negotiations with state politicians. Anderson already receives a salary of $60,000 from Nassau County to tackle county issues. 

Anderson recently met with Rau and Town Manager Mike Williams to discuss the possibility of working as a lobbyist for the town. 

Town officials have projects on tap, including expansions to the water and sewer system and a possible new town hall. 

Anderson has been successful in the permitting and funding processes involving Thomas Creek, garnering approximately $600,000 per year to pay for desnagging the creek, according to Boatright. 

Anderson was instrumental in locating $9 million in funds for widening sections of State Road 115. With Anderson’s urging, the Florida Department of Transportation expedited the funds that Rick Scott vetoed in 2016, Boatright said. 

He would also work with Anderson on projects, the former commissioner said. 

Anderson requested a $30,000 annual salary from the Town of Callahan, but said that his fee is negotiable. He doesn’t lobby for any small towns presently. 

“What I get retained to do is to go after the things you want me to go after,” Anderson said. 

Bass said cost is a factor.

“And it isn’t in the budget yet,” he said. 

The council plans to discuss the proposal further. Branham said a contract could also be bid out competitively, perhaps driving the cost down even lower. 

A West Nassau High School graduate and Callahan native serves in the U.S. Navy with Commander Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Petty Officer Third Class Austin Raulerson works as an aviation ordnance man and operates out of Naval Air Station Lemoore in California.

Raulerson is responsible for the safe loading and arming of ordnance on aircrafts.

“I enjoy loading ordnance because I know my job makes a difference,” Raulerson said.

“Lemoore has been home to the Navy’s west coast strike fighter community since 1980, when strike fighter squadron VFA-125 was the first squadron established to train Navy and Marine Corps aviators in the F/A-18 Hornet,” said Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, commander in the Naval Air Forces.

The strike fighter wing, headquartered at NAS Lemoore, ensures that each squadron is fully combat-ready to conduct carrier-based, all-weather, attack, fighter and support missions for the Pacific Fleet.

“I like working within my division,” Raulerson said.

With the CSFWP consisting of more than 20 squadrons, highly specialized jobs range from training new aviators to maintaining airframes and engines, to handling and flying aircraft.

“I've learned the importance of effective leadership and how to work well with others,” Raulerson said. 

Lauren Moore often colors her world with hues of purple, pink, blue and yellow.

The Callahan artist and home stylist recently painted several renderings for New York Times Best Selling Author R.L. Stine. When he visited Callahan Intermediate School in February, her paintings of several “Goosebumbs” book covers lined the stage to welcome the well-known writer. 

It was a major project for Moore, 27, and she was thrilled when Stine autographed her artwork. 

“I always like to help any way I can,” she said. “I like to see how well I can paint.” 

Moore shares her world with boyfriend Mark O’Quinn, an acoustic guitarist, singer and songwriter. The couple has been together for two years. His mom, Carol, is a librarian at CIS. The two women often work on art and craft projects together.

“My mom will give her all kinds of projects and it’s a challenge – but it will push her,” O’Quinn said, adding that Carol once needed a hat representing various characters from “The Wizard of Oz,” which Moore created just for her. 

The two women have established a collaborative relationship. 

“It’s cool because my mom’s creative,” O’Quinn said. “I met Lauren, my mom met Lauren and she really likes her – and it’s always good when your mom likes your girlfriend. I gained an amazing girlfriend and she gained this amazing partner. They basically think of something and come up with all kinds of creative ideas.” 

Moore’s love of color began in kindergarten when she was given a dinosaur coloring sheet. The prehistoric creatures were depicted blowing bubbles. 

“My favorite colors are the rainbow because I like how they fade into each other,” Moore said.

She blended the same color spectrum into the dinosaurs, similar to the commercial art made popular by Lisa Frank. 

Frank markets children’s and adult coloring books, unicorn-themed notebooks, pens, activity books and numerous products in rainbow hues. 

Even in home décor, Moore’s distinct vision allows her to see treasure while some might see trash.

“I’ll see something and I’ll see the shape of it and where some people might want to throw it in the garbage I see its potential with a crazy color change or with some glitter or something,” she said. 

Moore has completed a couple of painted furniture projects for CIS as well. 

O’Quinn enjoys the colorful palette and retro furniture she has repurposed in their home. 

“I’m a musician, so my mind’s completely open to things,” he said. “Who wouldn’t want to walk into a home and see color? It’s not so bad coming home and seeing things that make you happy. It’s what you make of it and what you enjoy. It’s one of the first things that I noticed about her and appreciated about her. It makes me happy.” 

The couple loves to travel, especially to Disney theme parks. They have already visited Disney World in Orlando and Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif. 

Plans include visiting the theme parks in Shanghai, Paris and Tokyo. 

O’Quinn has already visited Disneyland in Paris and would like to again visit. 

For now the pair is focused on their respective projects as they express themselves individually and artistically. O’Quinn begins a regular weekly engagement Tuesday evening, performing at Slider’s Seaside Grill in Fernandina Beach. 

“It’s crazy to be able to do something you love and make a living off it,” the 36-year-old said. “I love all kinds of music. But there’s nothing like going back to raw, classic music where you read the lyrics.”

He looks to Moore as his muse when penning songs. 

“I like older songs,” O’Quinn said. “She gives me ideas. She definitely inspires me. We work off each other.”

He’d also like to take his music to new audiences. 

“What haven’t I done yet? How can I make this my own? We’ll go to all these different places – my girlfriend has a 9 year old – why haven’t I done a children’s record? It would make people happy,” he said. “Why not work on a kids’ record that wouldn’t annoy adults?” 

Moore has found that O’Quinn inspires her and relates to her creative processes.

“Before I met him, I had all these thoughts and ideas in my brain – and now since I met Mark, he understands my ideas,” she said. 

As they forge their lives and artistic futures, the couple has discovered a formula that appears to work. 

“Together we encourage each other on all of our projects,” O’Quinn said. “And there’s no limit. Whatever the idea is – or the project – there is no impossibility between us. We try to make our dreams a reality. Why not?”

He added, “In this area where others might say that’s crazy, we say, it’s a challenge – and it’s exciting.” 

Nassau School District Science Fair participants from Callahan, Fernandina Beach and Yulee middle schools had loads of questions that were actually answered at their science fairs.  

For example, does the temperature affect how long glow sticks last? What is the effect of age on smiling? Which surface at school has the most germs?

Science fairs, which are supported by the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair, are S.T.E.M. competitions that have operated in Florida for more than 62 years. 

A science fair is a systemic process by which students compete school-wide, regionally, nationally and internationally. Allowing for the exploration of personal interest areas, these competitions heighten student interest in science, math and computer science. 

By promoting the cognitive and intellectual development of students, science fairs are authentic, hands-on experiences through scientific investigations. These competitions also foster the development of students’ sense of their own capabilities and qualities.

All of the students who advanced to the Regional Fair are already winners of their school science fairs. Two Nassau County students were awarded honorable mention in the engineering category of the Regional Fair – Sarah Lucovsky from Callahan Middle and Ryan Maurer from Fernandina Beach.

Various improvement projects could eventually wind their way into western Nassau. 

Several projects pend the Nassau County Board of Commissioners approval March 27, including clearing outfall ditches for drainage maintenance in Nassau Oaks. The county has set aside $379,000 for the project. 

Additionally, $483,000 has been allocated to place asphalt millings and add a double-chip seal on Nassau Oaks Drive and Colby Drive as well as asphalt overlay on the paved section of Colby Drive, according to County Manager Shanea Jones. The chip seal is comprised of aggregate and polymer so that the asphalt millings hold up longer against the wear and tear of traffic. 

Pratt Siding, Sauls and Wedgewood roads received upgrades recently, smoothing out the washboard effect. 

State Road 115 is slated for a $9 million road-widening project in 2018. Completion should be done by 2020, Jones wrote via email Monday. 

County officials seek the state’s assistance for another road project that is long overdue. Crawford Road has been scheduled for paving, but a section of the right-of-way is owned by Norfolk Southern Railway. The entire budget was $6,499,456 with county funding at $1,916,459. 

“Contingent upon BOCC approval at the public hearing March 27, the total budget will be increased to $8,764,683 with county funding (of) $4,181,686 and state funding (of) $4,582,997,” Jones wrote. “This is due to having to realign the road because of a lack of agreement with Norfolk Southern for a right of way. We are requesting the state to increase their funding amount so this additional cost isn’t solely a county expense but we will not know for a while if they will fund part of the increased cost.”

In other public safety news, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office should receive $1 million for proposed public safety training center on a 40-acre site near Sandhill. 

“The sheriff and fire rescue are holding regular meetings to discuss and develop a site plan,” Jones wrote. “In the meantime, we have submitted a request to the state to consider funding an additional $1.5 million to assist the county in developing the site. We will not know until the legislative session ends if we will be granted state funding for this project.” 

State legislators convened in Tallahassee Tuesday for their first day of a new session. 

Also Nassau County Fire Rescue is scheduled to receive $78,712 for 110 ballistic body armor vests and 35 helmets. 

“We want to keep our firefighters safe,” Commissioner George Spicer said.

In other public safety news, five new doors were installed at the Nassau County Jail. The doors cost $28,995. The board approved the purchase Dec. 21. 

“The doors were 14 years old and had damage due to inmates kicking the doors over the years,” Jones wrote. “They could no longer be repaired and the county needed to fully replace the controls and hardware to ensure they will lock.”

The Nassau County Courthouse and jail could receive lightning rods to deflect lightning for a cost of $113,850. 

Nassau County Facilities Maintenance Director Frank Mashuda informed the board recently that yearly lightning strikes have caused security cameras in the parking lot of the justice center to shut down and electronic doors, lightning, plumbing and air conditioning systems to falter, which led to security issues resulting in “substantial emergency repairs,” according to Jones. 

A few years ago, Callahan Town Councilman Marty Fontes expressed an interest in reviving plans for a regional park in western Nassau. While county funding remains elusive even now, state funding might be a possibility. 

“We do not have any funding dedicated to this project at this time; however, the BOCC made the West Side regional park a legislative priority and has submitted a request to the state requesting $898,000,” Jones noted. 

“If approved, the BOCC will be able to begin developing the Mizell Tract into a West Side regional park.”

The Nassau County Record introduces an exciting new digital component to its readers and advertisers with the launch of a new local online digital business directory – Nassau Marketplace.

Nassau Marketplace is the Nassau County Record’s answer to our customers’ request to provide a digital companion to the newspaper’s traditional print and website advertising. Nassau Marketplace provides a print, digital, social media and online search ability boost to local businesses.

“Our new digital business directory, Nassau Marketplace, is an exciting new digital platform for local businesses to utilize in their marketing strategies,” said Regional Publisher Foy Maloy. “Nassau Marketplace represents a big step forward for our advertisers in exposing their business message in print and digital platforms to the residents of Nassau County. It is mobile friendly, social media connected, searchable and has full mapping capability through Google Maps.”

Included in the investment of a print ad, Nassau County Record advertisers get a free business profile on Nassau Marketplace that includes the business’ website, social media links, address and phone, photo and an information/business description paragraph. 

The advertiser’s print ad that was published in the Record is also displayed with the business profile on Nassau Marketplace. Every page view of Nassau Marketplace helps boost the business’ ranking on search engines like Google, improving the business’ reach and digital access. The advertisers’ print ads can also be shared on their social media platforms.

Additionally, the Nassau Marketplace is linked to Camden Marketplace in Camden County, Ga., expanding its reach. This means readers and potential customers throughout Nassau and Camden counties will see every advertiser’s digital profile and print ad. 

Log on to nassaucountyrecord.com and click on the Nassau Marketplace button at the top right of our home page, www.nassaucountyrecord.com. Browse the categories and check out all of the local businesses and their special offers.

To advertise in the Nassau County Record and add your business to the Nassau Marketplace, contact Samantha Coxwell at advertising@nassaucountyrecord.com or give her a call today at 879-2727.

Callahan Middle School’s Brad Underhill steers his career in a new direction.

After a 15-year education career, the assistant principal was named the Nassau County School District’s transportation director. The Nassau County School Board unanimously approved the transition Feb. 23. 

Underhill began his new role March 6, replacing David Buchanan. 

The new director said his primary goal will be “getting kids to school safely.” 

As part of his duties, Underhill oversees maintenance of all buses and fleet vehicles in addition to more than 120 employees, including about 100 bus drivers and aides, about 20 mechanics and office staff.  

“Also, we transport a little over 6,200 students to and from school daily, countywide,” Underhill wrote via email Monday.  

He was among 20 applicants from throughout the U.S. who applied for the post. 

Underhill said that he brings “creativity and problem-solving” to his new job. 

CMS Principal Kim Harrison has worked alongside Underhill since the 2014-15 academic year. 

“We’re going to miss him,” she said. “He’s been here. He’s done a great job. He’s really been instrumental for our school.” 

Harrison added, “He’s a very logical guy and a great problem-solver. I know he’s going to do great things. And he always does what’s great for kids.” 

Instead of an assistant principal post, an interim dean of students will be hired to fill the gap for the school year’s remainder, according to Harrison. An assistant principal could be named prior to the upcoming school year. 

Harrison plans to submit a recommendation for the interim dean for the school board’s approval. The school board will meet April 13 at Yulee Middle School at 6 p.m. 

Actual job interviews can bring on the jitters so mock interviews are a way to prepare.

At least Hilliard Middle-Senior High School junior Cameron Driggers thinks so. 

“It gives me good practice for later on – one of those times that we get real world experience in the classroom,” he said Friday morning. 

Dressed in a dark suit with a resume in hand, Driggers prepared for his first go-round with an interviewer from an area business. He and approximately 130 other students were scheduled to undergo interviews as part of an annual school project. 

At least 30 business representatives from civil, military and public/private entities in Nassau, Duval and surrounding counties interviewed Communities in Schools Nassau County high school students. Teacher Bettina Conner’s gifted students served breakfast, assisted sign-ins and welcomed guests. 

Driggers would like to become either a film director or actor, but understanding the competitive nature of acting, he is also considering a career in either engineering or architecture. 

In preparation, he takes drafting classes three times a week at the Lewis “Red” Bean Nassau Technical Center in Yulee. To move toward his acting goal, he volunteers with the Amelia Community Theatre. 

Meanwhile, sophomore Madison Puckett just turned 16. She would like to pursue a career in aviation, but would also enjoy working as soon as possible. 

“I haven’t really figured it out yet,” Puckett said. “But what I’d really like to do is air traffic control.” 

Callahan’s Badcock Home Furniture and More storeowner Matt Outler has worked in the industry since 1979. He interviewed Maci Potts, who plans to study physical therapy in college. 

This was Outler’s first visit as a business representative for the event. 

“It’s interesting,” he said. “I’m encouraged that the school puts the effort into preparing the students for the interview process, job preparation and for life. That’s just very encouraging for me. They need their education and they need some life skills too.” 

CIS Program Director Dr. Bernita Dinwiddie and Career Coach Hilda Loyd have coached the students for several weeks.

“This is a really, really great experience for the students and the businesses,” Dinwiddie said. “We appreciate the businesses that help with this. For the kids it’s an invaluable experience in preparing them for their future.” 

Charles Tipton shook hands with Lisa Tyson following her interview. The freshman plans to study nursing in college. Tipton is senior admission representative for the Jacksonville-based CDA Technical Institute. He has worked in the industry for a decade, assisting students with their post-secondary education plans. 

“I’ve really enjoyed being here today,” Tipton said. “It’s a great opportunity to listen to the students and hear their values, dreams and aspirations.”

Students took the stage Friday night to share their love of Christ with others during the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Explosion.

The event, held in West Nassau High School’s cafeteria, brought together a variety of religious backgrounds to praise God and bring awareness to FCA. Nearly 80 people attended.

“We’d been real low in numbers in FCA so we’re trying to get the word out to the student body,” FCA president Ayden Havener said. 

FCA has about 10 to 15 students who regularly attend meetings at 8:30 a.m. every Wednesday, but Havener wants to see that number grow. His own faith has strengthened further through his involvement with FCA.

“I got the feel for speaking in front of people and preparing a message,” he said, adding that he plans to further himself in the ministry one day, possibly serving as an evangelist.

The idea of hosting a large event came to the group about three months ago and FCA sponsors Bea Mitchell, Scarlette Cockrell, Jane Hicken and Meshelle Beatty worked with the students to pull it together.

WNHS alumnus and former NFL player Frank Murphy and Dan Binette of Young Life delivered the main messages.

Binette spoke to those in attendance early on, encouraging audience participation through games.

“His tactic is to break the ice and then go for your heart,” Havener said.

The Westside Band, Shelby Crews, Allen Melton and JonVonte Jones performed musical selections throughout the evening. Almariah Melton danced and the group 4:12 from Kings Road Baptist Church performed a skit about the sins people choose to make and how Jesus died for them on the cross.

Murphy’s message was directed at the need to focus on God first and sports second.

“That’s only a piece of you, not all of you,” he said about the sports athletes excel in. “I want you to understand that you have a life worth living.” 

Murphy offered three main points during his speech. “Are you in the right position to receive the blessing of God?” he asked. “Make sure your passion is not under the wrong purpose. Passion gives out but purpose never will.”

He also added that you have to “put down the fake I.D.” 

“When you put down the fake I.D., you get the opportunity for the real I.D. to be exposed.”

“Only you can put definition behind your own name,” he continued, telling the students they had to choose what roles would define them, such as lazy or active and honest or liar.

Murphy concluded that student athletes must surround themselves with the right people. He said celebrities may act like they’re very important people, but that God is the most important VIP.

“Fan is short for fantasy,” Murphy said, referring to those in the stands cheering on their favorite teams. “These fans were living a fantasy through me. ... Young ladies, never let a man live a fantasy through you. Young men, never let a woman live a fantasy through you.”

Havener has heard Murphy speak at football camps and was encouraged to hear him speak again.

The Rev. John Krulish, Joe Strawn and J.C. Sims also helped throughout the event, which was made possible by donations from The Journey Church, Callahan Food Discount, Lyndon Godwin, Buford Grove Baptist Church, David Hart, Matt Outler, Paul Schwend, Aisha Houston and Archie Mitchell, Jr.

Havener said FCA members appreciate the support and want to continue to do more. “Even though it was called an explosion, it didn’t explode, but I feel a little fire,” he said.

He wants to plan another event before he graduates in May.

“I’m not sure (what), but I want to see something big,” Havener added. “I feel like something bigger and better is going to come along. I know this was called explosion, but I don’t think it exploded. I want explosion 2.0.”