Well done to the 2026 recipients of the Drevian J. Mays Scholarship, commemorating the Braden River High athlete fatally shot in 2019.
They are Manatee High’s Ra’Keyah Bean, Cooper Richardson and Jackson Zoller; Southeast’s Isabella Castro-Cardona; Palmetto’s Jada Mays and Maebry Paris; and Braden River’s Keith Potter.
Since 2020 the Foundation has awarded $36,500 in scholarships, continuing its community investment, support for graduating seniors, bringing awareness to gun violence and empowering youth through education, athletics and community support.
The United Community Center’s 13th AV Dream Center and Y3 Investments hosted the awards in conjunction with its sixth annual Drevian J. Mays Basketball Tournament at the Manatee Mustangs Sports Academy.
· Janet Smith is 39. Again.
· Jan Chulock, too.
· Barbara Owsianka, Executive Associate to the Clerk, is May Employee of the Month at the Manatee County Clerk of Court & Comptroller.
· Big ups to Parrish Charter Academy’s first-ever Florida Suncoast League Girls Soccer Champions. Coach Andrea Stoll’s unbeaten (8-0) Lions are Zoey Barrantes, Azaelia Brown, Brooke Cuff, Darci Dennis, Aubrey Fangmeier, Analiz Garcia, Lexi Gatanis, Emma Huber, Penny Jenkover, Jaxie McKee, Kiley Miller, Sierra McKinley, Mattie Obey, Sabella Osterholm, Zoey Preston, Ava Ramon, Julanie Rodriguez, Daniella San, Sophia Smirnova, Ariana Smith, Eyva Theodore and Kinsley Williams.
· Uh, oh! Pete Rutledge is one year shy of the Big 8-0!
· And Pauline Kalbaugh is 106 years young.
· Respect to four members of the Bradenton Police Department recognized at its Annual Awards ceremony.
Distinguished Service Award: Captain Dennis French. The SWAT executive commander’s 26-year career includes fighting street crime and narcotics.
Officer of the Year: Lieutenant William Weldon.The 24-year veteran has spent most of his career on patrol, primarily working the midnight shift.
Civilian of the Year: Maria Cadena is a driving force behind systems used in reporting crime in accurate, timely fashion.
Volunteer of the Year: Pastor Don Sturiano has been a source of strength, support and compassion for 20 years.
· Props to Sam Torres, Parrish Community High third baseman and Hillsborough Community College commit.
· Deputy Ramez Fares is the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy of the Month for March. He was off duty, but joined two civilian bystanders in helping another deputy subdue a suspect during a violent struggle in a shopping center parking lot.
· Science teacher Michael Siberon Guzman is Lincoln Middle’s Striving Trojan of the Week.
· And yours truly will have the privilege of being guest speaker at Tuesday’s Bradenton Kiwanis luncheon, 12:15 p.m. at Kiwanis Hall in the Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W.
Vin’s People runs Sundays. Email Vin Mannix at vinspeople@gmail.com. Or call 941-962-5944.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: VIN’S PEOPLE: Celebrations for Manatee students, officers, and athletes
Reporting by Vin Mannix, Special to the Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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