On March 3, the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation hosted its 6th Annual College & Career Fair at Beachside Church, and it was a tremendous success. More than 400 students from Choctawhatchee High School and Niceville High School attended, exploring future career and educational pathways.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Beachside Church for graciously hosting the event. Their continued support and willingness to go above and beyond made it possible to welcome nearly 70 vendors and hundreds of students in a well-organized and welcoming environment.
A special shout-out goes to our students from Okaloosa Up, as well as the school district’s Maintenance and Transportation Departments, who helped with preparation before the event. We also extend sincere gratitude to the teachers—Mr. Jackson, Ms. Darnell, Ms. Dunson, Ms. Norman, and Mr. Broaddus—for escorting students to the event. Additionally, we thank the administrators from Niceville and Choctaw for coordinating permission slips and supporting students throughout the day, ensuring the event ran smoothly and that students were safe and well cared for.
This event would not have been possible without the dedication of our incredible volunteers:
Sara Mathis, Claire Erk, Bob Bennett, Cindy Gates, Paul McNeely, Diane Fraser, Kim Cox, Michele Burns, Hilary DeMers, and Debbie Tate. A special thank you to Lori Hupp and Laura Spolski, who stepped in wherever needed and truly went above and beyond to ensure the day ran seamlessly.
We are also deeply grateful to John Spolski, Executive Director of the Public Schools Foundation and Assistant Superintendent, whose ongoing support makes opportunities like this possible for our students.
This event was made possible through grant funding from the Florida Lottery – Lighting the Way to a Brighter Future Grant, and we are sincerely thankful for that support.
During the fair, students connected with colleges, universities, technical schools, military recruiters, banks and credit unions, local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and other community organizations, helping them take meaningful steps toward making informed decisions about their futures.
Once again, thank you to our community for showing up, stepping up, and supporting our students. Your partnership truly makes a difference.