Congratulations to the winners of The Florida Power/4-H District Speech contest held earlier this week at the 4-H Extension Office in Tavares!
Elementary Winners:
* Honorable Mention -- Lwandle Nkomo, Sawgrass Bay, "Small Acts of Kindness"
* 3rd Place -- Lane McMennamy, Sorrento, "Florida Cowboys"
* 2nd Place -- Olivia Roberson, Cypress Ridge, "6-7 Trend"
*1st Place -- Aurora Wold, Minneola Charter, "Honey Bees:
Middle School Winners:
*3rd Place -- Katherine Petit, Wesley Christian, "Being the Oldest Child"
*2nd Place -- Tucker Nelan, Round Lake Charter, "My Poppa"
*1st Place -- Ari Clariett, Mascotte Charter, "Benefits of Playing Video Games"
Elementary Winners:
* Honorable Mention -- Lwandle Nkomo, Sawgrass Bay, "Small Acts of Kindness"
* 3rd Place -- Lane McMennamy, Sorrento, "Florida Cowboys"
* 2nd Place -- Olivia Roberson, Cypress Ridge, "6-7 Trend"
*1st Place -- Aurora Wold, Minneola Charter, "Honey Bees:
Middle School Winners:
*3rd Place -- Katherine Petit, Wesley Christian, "Being the Oldest Child"
*2nd Place -- Tucker Nelan, Round Lake Charter, "My Poppa"
*1st Place -- Ari Clariett, Mascotte Charter, "Benefits of Playing Video Games"
Don't miss this opportunity! Planning for next school year begins now and we need your help. Your child’s Title I school needs to hear from you and how they can improve your child’s educational experience. Take this short survey, and let your voice be heard. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wkxObz1A7JB2xEZ2rbnkRJEH2AHPKcU9q727qm2nEQ8/edit?usp=sharing
Ready for next steps? Start your career in just one year at Lake Technical College! Lake Tech is your gateway to high-demand careers right here in Lake County. With hands-on training in fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology, you’ll gain the real-world skills employers are looking for—fast. Lake Tech puts you to work on projects, builds your expertise, and prepares you for success from day one. Whether you’re passionate about helping others in healthcare, mastering technology, or excelling in skilled trades, Lake Tech has programs designed to match your career and life goals.
Serve up success with CTE hospitality! From event planning and culinary arts to tourism and guest services, hospitality students learn real-world skills that keep people happy, safe, and coming back for more. Lake County Schools students get a head start through the Culinary Arts program offered at East Ridge, Eustis, Lake Minneola, Leesburg, Mount Dora, South Lake, Tavares and Umatilla high schools. This CTE Month, our students are preparing for high-demand careers with growth, creativity, and endless opportunities!
We need your feedback. Please complete the Parent Stakeholder survey today. Find the survey here: https://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/299325/p2577
Manufacturing careers are booming right here in Lake County. It's one of Florida’s fastest-growing industries, powered by cutting-edge technology like robotics, 3D printing, and automation. Professionals in this field are shaping the future of how products are designed, built, and delivered. With competitive salaries, endless opportunities to innovate, and real-world skills students can start learning in high school, through programs such as the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program that we offer at Lake Minneola and South Lake high schools. Manufacturing is an important career path to explore, and for Lake County Schools students, the future in innovation starts now!
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (#TDVAM). Whether you’re concerned about your relationship or if you have questions about dating in general, the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline is here for you 24/7. Text “LOVEIS” to 22522 to speak to an advocate, or visit loveisrespect.org.
Students: Level up your future with CTE Cybersecurity offered at East Ridge High School, and Game/Simulation/Animation Programming offered at Tavares High School! Careers in cybersecurity and gaming combine technology, problem-solving, and creativity. From protecting networks and sensitive data to designing and testing video games, our CTE students gain hands-on experience with the tools and skills top tech employers are looking for. This CTE Month, imagine defending the digital world, creating virtual adventures, and turning tech passion into a high-demand career. With CTE, our students' skills can lead to job security, competitive salaries, and endless opportunities in tech and entertainment!
Protect, serve and succeed with CTE Criminal Justice Operations, a program offered at Mount Dora High School! From law enforcement and forensic science to corrections, investigations, and public safety, criminal justice careers make a real difference in our communities. Our CTE students gain hands-on experience, critical thinking skills, and real-world training that prepare them for these exciting, high-demand careers. This CTE Month, imagine helping others, solving problems, and keeping your community safe. With CTE, our students can turn their passion for justice into a rewarding career!
The aviation industry is soaring to new heights, and it needs students like those in Lake County Schools! From pilots and drone operators to aviation mechanics and air traffic controllers, these high-skill careers keep the world moving every day. A CTE class is the perfect runway to get started! We offer an Aerospace Technologies program at Eustis, Lake Minneola, and Leesburg high schools, and an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations program at East Ridge High School. Central Florida is at the heart of aerospace innovation, leading the way in air and space exploration. Aerospace engineers and technicians design spacecraft, satellites, and advanced aircraft that shape the future of discovery. If space, technology, and innovation excite you, this high-demand field offers limitless opportunities.
The aviation industry is soaring to new heights, and it needs students like those in Lake County Schools! From pilots and drone operators to aviation mechanics and air traffic controllers, these high-skill careers keep the world moving every day. A CTE class is the perfect runway to get started! We offer an Aerospace Technologies program at Eustis, Lake Minneola, and Leesburg high schools, and an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations program at East Ridge High School. Central Florida is at the heart of aerospace innovation, leading the way in air and space exploration. Aerospace engineers and technicians design spacecraft, satellites, and advanced aircraft that shape the future of discovery. If space, technology, and innovation excite you, this high-demand field offers limitless opportunities.
Shape the Future with CTE Teaching & Early Childhood Education! At East Ridge and Lake Minneola high schools, where we offer the Early Childhood Education track, students gain hands-on experience in classrooms, lesson planning, and child development. This CTE Month, imagine inspiring the next generation, building strong foundations, and creating a lasting impact. With CTE, students can turn their passion for helping others into a rewarding, high-demand career in education! Florida's Future: Powered by Public Schools.
Dating violence is more common than you may think, especially among teens and young adults. In fact, 1 in 3 U.S. teens will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from someone they’re in a relationship with before becoming adults, according to loveisrespect.org. Each February, young adults and their loved ones nationwide raise awareness about teen dating violence through Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). This annual, month-long effort focuses on advocacy and education to stop dating abuse before it starts.
Presidents' Day -- Monday, February 16 -- is a student holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 17.
The American Association of School Administrators honored state superintendents of the year from around the country, including Lake County Schools Superintendent Diane Kornegay, at the association's National Conference on Education in Washington, D.C. , this week. Kornegay was named Florida Superintendent of the Year by the Florida Association of District School Superintendents in December 2025. As the longest-serving appointed superintendent in Florida, she was honored for leading the district to an "A" rating, raising graduation rates to over 90%, and expanding career pathways. Congratulations, Superintendent Kornegay! Thank you for all you do for Lake County Schools!
Florida Agriculture is Growing into the Future, and Lake County's CTE students can be a part of this exciting career field! In 2026, modern agriculture embraces cutting-edge technology, sustainable practices, and exciting new opportunities for which we prepare our students through CTE. Precision agriculture is taking the lead, with farmers using robots, sensors, drones, aerial imagery, and GPS technology to boost efficiency and safety on the farm. Data-driven decisions help farmers optimize crops, protect the environment, and grow smarter than ever. This CTE Friday, explore agricultural careers in technology, sustainability, and data science through CTE courses — and be part of shaping the farms of tomorrow!
Only 3 days left to apply!
The Take Stock in Children application for Lake & Sumter County 8th graders closes February 15, 2026. Students accepted into the program receive caring mentorship and the opportunity to earn a 60-credit-hour college tuition scholarship after graduating from a Florida high school.
Who can apply?
• Current 8th graders at a public middle school
• Lake or Sumter County students
• Meet income eligibility guidelines
• 2.5+ unweighted GPA
• Good attendance and behavior
Don’t wait—time is running out.
Apply now: https://formstack.io/5EBEA
Questions? TSIC@lake.k12.fl.us
#TakeStockInChildren #LakeCountyFL #SumterCountyFL #3DaysLeft #CollegeBound
Did you know that students who complete a CTE program are eligible for the Florida Gold Seal Scholarship, which covers tuition and fees at Florida colleges and state universities? That’s like a ticket to your college dreams! By finishing a CTE program, you not only gain valuable skills for a rewarding career, but you also get financial support to continue your education. It’s the perfect way to invest in both your future career and college journey.
Florida Prepaid’s annual Open Enrollment period is underway, offering
families an opportunity to lock in future college costs at today’s plan prices.
With recent enhancements, planning for higher education is now more
streamlined and affordable. The earlier you begin saving, the greater the long-term benefit. Take advantage of these improvements and secure your child’s future today with a Florida Prepaid 529 Plan. Enroll now at https://bit.ly/4q2cpCD .
families an opportunity to lock in future college costs at today’s plan prices.
With recent enhancements, planning for higher education is now more
streamlined and affordable. The earlier you begin saving, the greater the long-term benefit. Take advantage of these improvements and secure your child’s future today with a Florida Prepaid 529 Plan. Enroll now at https://bit.ly/4q2cpCD .
Today is "Wear Orange Day!" Every Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, we wear orange to show solidarity and raise awareness about dating violence. Everyone deserves healthy relationships!
