Sincere best wishes to Scott Paravicini, Lakewood Ranch High’s head football coach, and much respect to his players for the good will they’ve generated on his behalf. When Paravicini, a former Mustang himself, was recently diagnosed with colon cancer, the Mustangs, led by punter Caua Magno, took it upon themselves to start a GoFundMe for “Coach P.” With players kicking in $10s and $20s, that noble gesture has gained traction around the school and community, according to Rhiannon Hutchinson, the Lakewood Ranch Touchdown Club president helping manage the account. Paravicini was a former Mustang assistant coach for three seasons and spent four seasons at Bradenton Christian, one as head coach, before returning to his alma mater in 2023. Since then, according to Hutchinson, Paravicini has changed the program’s culture and instilled the feeling of family. Now they’re rallying around him. If you’d like to join them, visit gofundme.com/f/support-coach-ps-fight-against-cancer. · Kim and Tom Neitzel named their bundle of love, Grant. · Guidance Clerk Natalie Hill is Lincoln Memorial Middle’s latest Striving Trojan Award winner. · Happy trails to Bradenton Police Master Patrol Officer Josh Small, retiring after 23 years. · If you’re a high school senior who lives or works on Anna Maria Island or have parents working there and you’re aiming at a career requiring certification, licensing or apprenticeship, check out the John van Zandt Scholarship. It offers $2,500 to $5,000 for those considering fields such as the building trades, culinary arts, firefighting, health care and more. Return the application to Jillian Ptak, Center of AMI Director of Development, at development@centerami.org. The deadline is Thursday.Questions? Call 941-778-1908, extension 201. · Eric Ausborn, Project Manager for Property Management, is Manatee County Government April Team Member of the Month.· Props to Mike Meehan, recently honored by the Palma Sola Scenic Highway Commission. Averaging 40 trips per year in his golf cart, Mike has picked up more than 16 tons of litter over a decade along both sides of the Palma Sola Causeway as well as 75th Street West up to 17th Avenue West. That’s a 9-mile trek and takes two-and-a-half hours. · Jennifer Ameres is 39. Again. · Bunni Roberts, too. · Lastly, when we reviewed and signed our tax returns at CPA Jeff Gingerich’s office, one couldn’t help notice the pithy words written on the whiteboard behind him: “Annoyance Fee to Client – $1,600.” Good thing Sherri handles our taxes.
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: Lakewood Ranch athletes rally for head football coach
Reporting by Vin Mannix, Special to the Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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