The Anna Maria Oyster Bar’s 10th summer of “Dive Into Reading” is back and seeks more volunteers. A program that started with 75 mentors at one location now serves the county’s 16 Title 1 elementary schools at six locations with more than 350 mentors.
No experience is necessary. Mentors of all ages are welcome, especially those who are bilingual. High schoolers can earn service hours toward college scholarships. Volunteers are matched for four weekly meetings of learning fun, a free breakfast and many memories.
Sessions are Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30-10:45 a.m., June 2 to June 25. There will be virtual training sessions 10 a.m. Saturday May 30 and 12:30 p.m. Sunday May 31.
To register visit: oysterbar.net/dive-into-reading/
· May Godspeed, Wayne Cortez Beck.
· Well done to Bayshore High’s Senior Awards recipients, whose list of honors include the Alfred Krause Scholarship: Gabriel Falcon Sebriant; SGA Leadership Scholarship: Elton Arellano Cruz; Yale Book Award: Jovaney Jean; Take Stock Manatee: Joshua Bonilla Grillo, Tyler Bulls, Ashely Hernandez Chavarria, Jacqueline Hernandez-Aniceto, Angelo Magliore, Alexandra Ortiz-Diaz; Gamma Rho Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority: Kemely Valdes Morales; J.L. Watkins Memorial Educational Scholarship: Zevanae Walford, Marquis Spry, Marcela Aliaga Arce, Isela Garza-Ortiz; Junior League of Manatee County: Kemely Valdes Morales; The Ivy Foundation: Darcey Ductan, Zevanae Walford; Scout Erby Award: Ava Chavez; SCF Excellence Award: Atsalie Andre; Josten’s Scholarship: Sunny Toth, Jaydis Wiley; DeJuan Williams/Dick Vitale Scholarship: Kaylin Price; Perfect Attendance: Justin Ngov.
Among the BHS Hall of Fame category winners were AVID: Kemely Valdes-Morales; Band: Joshua Bonilla-Grillo; Newspaper: Autumn Faasse; TV Production: Kaila Beraud; Yearbook: Audrey Mejia; Construction: Moses Lewerenz; Dance: Gizzelle Ramirez; ACCESS Dance: Moise Louise-Gene; Electronics-Technology-Business: Andrew Lechleitner; JROTC: Abinel Martinez; Language Arts: Cole Hauser; Mathematics: Michael Walsh; Orchestra: Ayden Christol; PE: Hadassa Louisseize, Marquis Spry; Science: Zevanae Walford; Social Studies: Anyely Martinez Lopez; Theatre: Chase Matherne; Visual Arts: Jada Hills; World Language: Marquan Young; SDMC Program Completers: Jada Hills, Buiding-Trades-Construction; Cole Hauser, Advanced Tech Apps; Ayden Christol, Cypersecurity; Outstanding Male: Marquis Spry; Outstanding Female: Autumn Faasse.
· Say it ain’t so. Dr. Sharon Otis hit the Big 8-0!
· Congrats to Manatee County Public Safety’s leadership promotions, including Bill Shick, Deputy Chief of Clinical Education; Richard Warrick, Shift Training Officer, and Chris Denny, Toby Kidd and Marc Weinstein, Specialty Charge Paramedic-Field Training Officers.
· Chris Manring is 39. Again.
· Mary Ambrogi, too.
· A bow to Nanette Scofield, clinical nurse leader in Blake Hospital’s burn recovery and Colleague of the Month.
· Much respect to Lincoln Memorial Middle math teacher Christy Durocher, the 2026 Manatee Bridging the Gap Hero Award winner, which recognizes an exemplary Title I teacher dedicated to bridging the educational achievement gap. Durocher has taught for 28 years, including 19 at Lincoln.
· Love the sign posted on Bayshore Eye Care’s 26th Street West marquee: “They Said Follow Your Dreams. So I Went Back to Bed.”
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: Volunteers needed for Manatee ‘Dive Into Reading’ program
Reporting by Vin Mannix, Special to the Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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