The Great First Coast Hang Up - a note from First Coast News

At First Coast News, we've heard from you, our viewers, about your concerns regarding dangerous driving in Northeast Florida. In particular, distracted driving caused by cell phone use. We have seen too many stories about serious accidents that happen because someone is texting while driving. Texting while driving is dangerous, even deadly.

That's why First Coast News is proud to present The Great First Coast Hang Up, presented by Shands Jacksonville - Trauma One.

Here is what we would like you to do: Make a pledge to stop texting while driving. Or take it a step further to pledge to do your best not to use your cell phone at all while driving. Making a pledge could save your life or someone else's. It's easy. Just click on the box to the right and print out The Great First Coast Hang Up pledge. You can sign it and keep it in your car as a reminder. Ask your family, coworkers, congregation and clubs to do the same.

We encourage everyone - teens, schools, moms, dads, organizations and businesses throughout our community - to join the movement. Be part of The Great First Coast Hang Up!

And after you've joined The Great First Coast Hang Up, share your story with us about why you made the pledge.

Southern Scholarship Foundation - FREE HOUSING!

Do you need money for college? If so, the Southern Scholarhip Foundation can help! It's a non-profit organization which awards qualifying students with housing scholarships on the following campuses:

FSU * UF * FAMU * FGCU * SFCC * TCC

Interested applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA and a demonstrated financial need. Scholarhip recipients live cooperatively in a house with students representing a variety of backgrounds and cultures. They do not pay rent, but are responsible for their fair share of basic household expenses such as food & utilities. The entire cost to the student averages $950 per semester. APPLY HERE!!

Criteria for selection include:

• COMPLETE FAFSA & DEMONSTRATE FINANCIAL NEED

• 3.0+ UNWEIGHTED GPA
• 3 LETTERS OF REFERENCE
• ESSAY (500-750 WORDS) ON PERSONAL CHARACTER
• AWARDS AND ACTIVITIES CONSIDERED
• ACCEPTANCE LETTER FROM FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY, FLORIDA A&M, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, FLORIDA GULF COAST, TALLAHASSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, OR SANTA FE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• WILLING TO SHARE HOUSEHOLD DUTIES

DEADLINE EXTENDED!!! March 1st is no longer the deadline for this application - YOU CAN STILL APPLY!!

CollegeWeekLive is proud to announce CollegeWeekLive FLORIDA DAY

CollegeWeekLive is proud to announce CollegeWeekLive FLORIDA DAY, the first online college fair devoted entirely to schools in Florida! CollegeWeekLive FLORIDA DAY takes place May 6th from 12 PM to 10 PM. Register now for free at: http://www.collegeweeklive.com/

At CollegeWeekLive FLORIDA DAY, students, parents, and guidance counselors can chat live with admissions reps from Florida State University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Lynn University, Miami Dade College, Nova Southeastern University, Rollins College, Saint Leo University, Saint Thomas University, Stetson University, University of Florida, University of Miami, University of South Florida, University of Tampa and more!

Students, parents, and guidance counselors can also participate in online presentations covering Florida related topics. (FSU will be presenting live at 7 PM EST.)

Mark your calendar for May 6th to attend this free online event at:
http://www.CollegeWeekLive.com/

Camp Healing Powers - a therapeutic camp for ages 7-17

Northesat Florida Community Hospice's

Camp Healing Powers

Friday, May 21– Sunday, May 23

Camp Marywood Retreat and Conference Center

Camp Healing Powers is a therapeutic camp experience for children, 7 to 17 years of age, grieving the death of a loved one. Campers engage in age-specific activities focused on grief education, emotion identification and expression, development of coping skills, and maintaining a connection with the loved one.

18th Annual WORLD OF NATIONS CELEBRATION this weekend!

April 29-May 2, 2010

Metropolitan Park Map it

Jacksonville, Florida, USA

World of Nations Celebration Event Map

Have you ever wanted to visit a foreign country? We have your passport ready! The City of Jacksonville and local multicultural friends will bring the world to you with this fascinating cultural destination that showcases the unique diversity of our planet, and puts the wonderful sights, sounds, and tastes of different nations within your reach. Participating countries include:


The Bahamas/Cambodia/China/Colombia/Cuba/Dominican Republic/Ecuador/Ghana/Haiti/India/Italy/Jamaica/Kenya/ Lebanon/Mexico/Nigeria/Panama/Peru/Philippines/Poland/
Puerto Rico/St. Lucia/Senegal/South Africa/South Korea/ Spain/Taiwan/Trinidad & Tobago/Turkey/U.S.A./U.S. Virgin Islands/Venezuela/Vietnam

ADMISSION/TICKET INFORMATION and HOURS OF OPERATION
 
So pack your bags and bring your family, friends and neighbors to Metropolitan Park for an exciting adventure around the world!

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Calling all volunteers!
The City of Jacksonville Office of Special Events is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with upcoming events. Call (904) 630-3690 or email events@coj.net for more information.
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Disabled Services
If you are disabled and need an accommodation to attend a special event, call the Disabled Services Division (904) 630-4940 (Voice), or (904) 630-4933 (TDD).
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Corporate Sponsors
For corporate sponsorship information, call (904) 630-3690 or email jlyons@coj.net.

3rd Annual Green Expo ---- GO GREEN!

The 2010 Jacksonville Green Expo and First Coast Health and Wellness Expo will be held May 15 and 16, at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, 1000 Water Street. More than 100 green businesses and health and wellness exhibitors will be on hand.
Admission is $5.00 and kids under 12 are admitted free.
For additional information, download the attached flyer or contact Martin at 904.236.9966.

Save the Date: 8th Annual Reading Celebration

Join Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals for a celebration of reading and “going green” during the 8th annual Reading Celebration, organized by Duval County Public Schools, WJCT, Jacksonville Public Libraries and Chartwells-Thompson.
Members of the Superintendent’s Reading Club will receive medals and enjoy a day filled with fun activities including a parade, story time with celebrity readers, free books and prize giveaways.
****The celebration will be held Saturday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Metropolitan Park, 1410 Gator Bowl Boulevard.

7th - 12th graders: JTA Jingle Jam Contest

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is expanding its summer program to include the first ever jingle contest! The contest opened April 15th and runs through May 14th. Youth in grades 7-12 will have the opportunity to compose music and sing jingle lyrics that JTA wrote about taking transit to a baseball game. To enter, you will need to upload your 30-second audition video to JTA's website or deliver them to JTA offices. Up to three grand prize winners will be selected!
Prize pack may include: an opportunity to record your audio version of the jingle in a professional recording studio and have it aired on local radio stations; the winning videos will play on the big screen at an upcoming Jacksonville Suns' baseball game; a summer youth pass, good for the entire summer! Look for the posters around Ed White campus!

2010 JTA Youth Jingle Jam Contest Registration
2010 JTA Youth Jingle Jam Contest Rules
JTA Youth Jingle Jam Lyrics

Interested in Dual Enrollment? 2010 Fall Registration is April 28th!

DUAL ENROLLMENT FALL REGISTRATION

Date: Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Time: 8:30 AM to 3 PM

[11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Lunch break: office closed: no registration]

Location: Kent Campus, Building D, Room 120

In order to register students must:
• Meet all minimum GPA and assessment requirements.
• Submit fully signed Application for College Credit form (for new students) or Permission to Re-register form (for returning students). Please copy on a single 2-sided page if possible.
• Submit high school transcripts with cumulative GPA.
• Submit qualifying ACT, SAT, or CPT test scores (for new students).
• Select course reference numbers; come with pre-selected alternative course reference numbers as well, in case your choices are unavailable.
• Submit letter of release from St. Johns River Community College (new Clay or St. Johns school district students only).
• Be able to complete college course(s) prior to high school graduation date.

Class schedules are available on-line at http://www.fscj.edu
For questions, contact Monica Murr at mmurr@fscj.edu

FAMU's School of Business & Industry Student Reception

The FAMU School of Business and Industry (SBI) will be hosting a reception for interested students and families. This is a great opportunity to learn about the many degree offerings, lucrative domestic and international internships, scholarships, relationship building through networking with key executives, and strong alumni network at SBI. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn more about FAMU and it's School of Business and Industry!

 

When: Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Where: Schultz Center

4019 Boulevard Center Drive

Jacksonville, Florida 32207

Time: 6:00pm—7:30pm

African American Females: ANOTHER scholarship opportunity!

The members of Eta Phi Beta Sorority are proud to offer scholarships to deserving African American female high school seniors. Each young lady is selected on the basis of the following criteria:

• graduating senior from a Duval county high school
• 2.5 cumulative GPA
• two recommendation forms
• copy of transcript and college acceptance letter

The deadline for the return of all information is May 1, 2010

See Mrs. Curran in guidance for an application

Tournament Bowling Club of Jacksonville Scholarship

Graduating seniors: a $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a deserving High School graduate that has decided to further their education by attending a college or university of their choice. If you would like more information about the organization or if you would like to download the application, visit www.tbcjax.org. The application deadline is extended to May 5, 2010.

See Mrs. Curran in guidance for a paper/hard copy of the application.

PFLAG Scholarship Opportunity

PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is awarding $2,000 in scholarships to OUT lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students who reside in the Jacksonville area. The scholarship application can be found at:
WWW.PFLAGJAX.ORG
The application deadline for applications is June 1, 2010

Annual Turkish Food & Music Festival @ the Amity Turkish Cultural Center

Sunday, April 18th 2010
10:00am - 7:00pm

FREE ADMISSION

Please make your reservation at www.JaxTurkishFest.com

4540 Southside Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32216

Turkish Food

Turkish Music

Turkish Calligraphy

Turkish Handcrafts

Turkish Folklore

Turkish Coffee

Turkish Delight

Turkish Tea!

PepsiCo Youth Scholarship

Do you have a 2.5 GPA? Are you planning on attending and earning a degree from an accredited post-secondary institution? Well, with 2 letters of recommendation, an essay of no more than 250 words and a completed application turned in by May 1 (postmarked by April 28) you might be eligible for the PepsiCo Youth Scholarship!

See Mrs. Curran in guidance for an application.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Scholarship

The City of the Great City Schools is pleased to announce a new scholarship program exclusively for Great City school graduating seniors who plan to pursue postsecondary education in STEM fields.

4 scholarships for 2 males and 2 females ---$5,000 each --- will be awarded to 2 African American and 2 Hispanic students on behalf of the former NASA astronaut, physician and businessman, Bernard Harris.

Please see the application for specific eligibility. The deadline is May 14th.

See Mrs. Curran in guidance for an application.

Beta Alpha Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Scholarship

AMOUNT: from $250 to $500
FOR: All seniors who are planning to attend a 2 year college or a four year university
DEADLINE: May 15, 2010
**A brief interview may follow if you are selected. ALL applicants will be notified by phone.
***Must have 3 letters of recommendation
SEE MRS. CURRAN in guidance for an application!!

Welcome Back Commanders!

We sure hope you had a well rested spring break! Now that the 3rd quarter is over and done with, report cards will be going out this week. Be sure to talk to your teachers about grade recovery if you see any Ds or Fs in that 3rd quarter!! Seniors - keep your eyes open for upcoming scholarship posts and deadlines. Welcome back, Commanders!