Governor Ron DeSantis made a surprise visit to Fort Walton Beach High School on Tuesday to announce the inaugural group of schools to receive Florida Purple Star recognition. The Purple Star designation recognizes schools that provide extra support for children of military families. Once the school names were released later that day, it was apparent why Okaloosa County was chosen for the announcement. Thirty-five (35) of the one hundred-fourteen (114) schools receiving the recognition were from right here in Okaloosa County.