2014-2015 UthMpact Leadership Class IV Activities

UthMpact Leadership Class IV Education Day
October 2014

Students from Polk County high schools have been nominated by school principals and community members to participate in the UthMpact Leadership Class IV for 2014-2015. This unique program, spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance, StandUP Polk Coalition, UthMpact Coalition, and key business and community partners, is designed to help teens develop crucial leadership skills. 

UthMpact Leaders participated in Education Leadership Day in October and enjoyed an inside look at some of the finest educational institutions in our area. The day started off at the Polk County School Board in Bartow, before stops at two beautiful campuses at Southeastern College and Florida Southern College. At both schools, the teens enjoyed campus tours. The final Education Leadership Day stop was for a tour of the newest campus in our county, Florida Polytechnic. It was an exciting and informative day for our UthMpact leaders!

Thank You to Our 2014 Red Ribbon Campaign Sponsors

Thank You to Our
2014 Red Ribbon Campaign Sponsors

InnerAct Alliance would like to recognize and thank our generous sponsorship partners for their support and contributions to make Polk County’s 2^nd Annual Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K and Kids Run a success!

2014 Red Ribbon Kids Fun Run Results

2014 Red Ribbon Kids Fun Run Results

Polk County, FL – The 2014 Red Ribbon Kids Fun Run took place on Saturday, November 8^th, continuing a 23-year tradition of InnerAct Alliance presenting one of the largest Red Ribbon Campaigns in the state.

Over 1,400 students in grade K-8 pre-registered to participate in the Kids Fun Run, and received free registration, a commemorative Run t-shirt, a complimentary children’s book and refreshments. The event was held in conjunction with Polk County’s 2^nd Annual Red Ribbon Half Marathon, presented by Title Sponsor Publix Super Markets, Inc., and a newly-added 5K run on a beautiful race course around picturesque Lake Mirror in downtown Lakeland.

Congratulations to the following Kids Run Winners, as well as to the top 3 elementary schools and top middle school winners of trophies for the largest percentage of participation students, based on school census number.

KINDERGARTEN
Girls                                                                                                      
1^st - Lauren Limback, Polk City                                    

2^nd - Haley Cookson, Highlands Grove                    
3^rd - Kayden Dennis, Highways to Tomorrow                      

Boys
1^st – Stryker Holmes, Carlton Palmore    
2^nd – Jack Straw, South McKeel
3^rd – Clayton Knowles, Philip O’Brien

FIRST GRADE

Girls                                                                                                      
1^st - Lauren Jordan, Lincoln                                                          
2^nd - Lilly Herrin, Valleyview                                                        
3^rd - Juliet Youngblood, Magnolia Montessori                     

Boys
1^st - Brayden Abdon, Lincoln
2^nd - Ethan Roberts, Highlands Grove
3^rd - Charles Brown, Jr., Philip O’Brien

                                                                                                      
SECOND GRADE
Girls                                                                                                      
1^st - Chelsi Williams, South McKeel                                          
2^nd - Avery Smith, Lincoln                                                             
3^rd - Maya McDowell, Scott Lake                                              

Boys
1^st - Jarett Waters, Philip O’Brien
2^nd - Caden Baker, South McKeel
3^rd - DeOndrea Smith, Philip O’Brien

THIRD GRADE
Girls                                                                                                      
1^st - Susie Davis, South McKeel                                  
2^nd - Malayla Minor, Scott Lake                                  

3^rd - Scarlet Kendrick, Highlands Grove                  

Boys
1^st - Jackson Winter, Lincoln

2^nd – Quinn Dejarnette, Blake Academy

3^rd – Connor Triplette, Medulla

FOURTH GRADE
Girls                                                                                                      
1^st - Te’Shantis Myrick, Philip O’Brien                      

2^nd - Ryla Bryant, Wendall Watson                                            

3^rd - Asia Alomia, South McKeel                                

Boys
1^st - Rue Hestand, V, South McKeel

2^nd – Mark Johnson, Lincoln

3^rd – Bryce Zimmerman, Carlton Palmore

FIFTH GRADE
Girls                                                                                                      
1^st - Daniella Guerrero, South McKeel                    
2^nd - Caroline Gardner, Highlands Grove                               
3^rd - Jessica Pierce, Philip O’Brien                                             

Boys
1^st - Terrance Bluitt, Carlton Palmore

2^nd – Miles Jeffares, Lincoln

3^rd – Eliab Agnor, Philip O’Brien

MIDDLE SCHOOL
Girls                                                                                                      
1^st  - Elizabeth Solomon, McKeel                                               
2^nd - Anya Bogdanova, Lawton Chiles                                     
3^rd - Chandler Barrett, South McKeel                      

Boys

1^st – Josean Nieves, Sleepy Hill Middle

2^nd – Brandon Ball, Southwest Middle

3^rd - Pedro Hernandez, Kathleen Middle

PARTICIPATION TROPHIES

Top 3 Elementary Schools                                                           

Philip O’Brien Elementary                                                           
Carlton Palmore Elementary
Highlands Grove Elementary

Top Middle School
Lawton Chiles Middle

For additional details and event info, please contact InnerAct Alliance’s executive director, Angie Ellison, at (863) 802-0777. 

InnerAct Alliance and StandUP Polk Recognize Supporters of Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program E-FORCSE

Polk County, FL – Prescription drug abuse is harmful to our community, however the encouraging news is that Florida has made many positive strides since 2010 to overcome the stigma of being known as the “Pill Mill Capital”. 

The Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, known as E-FORCSE^® (Electronic-Florida Online Reporting of Controlled Substance Evaluation Program), was created by the 2009 Florida Legislature to encourage safer prescribing of controlled substances and to reduce drug abuse and diversion within the state. E-FORCSE is currently utilized by over 600 Polk County individuals and practices to help doctors and pharmacists view the prescription history of patients to determine whether misuse may be taking place.

InnerAct Alliance and the StandUP Polk Coalition for a Drug Free Community are helping to further promote this important initiative to prevent prescription drug misuse in our county by distributing copies of the E-FORCSE "Prescriber and Pharmacist Registration Quick Guide" to those in the healthcare community who are not already enrolled in the program and encouraging them to sign up.

We would like to recognize those who have recently agreed to utilize E-FORCSE in their practice:

Edge Pharmacy
Avantica Gondi , MBBS, M.D.
North Lakeland Pain & Trauma
Victoria Rabe-Tagala, M.D.
Alicia Saunders, M.D., Wellmed
Edward J. Williams, D.M.D., P.A.
Winn-Dixie Pharmacy (Ariana Street, Lakeland)

According to a 2014 Nova Southeastern University Study of Florida Physicians, "a majority of participants believe that the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) is a useful tool for monitoring patients' controlled substance histories."  Locally, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd has credited this program with assisting local law enforcement by reducing access to individuals who may possibly be doctor shopping.

For more information on the E-FORCSE and local support of this initiative, please contact InnerAct Alliance's Community Resource Manager, Michelle Shiver, at (863) 802-0777, or by email at: michelle.shiver@inneractalliance.org  

Polk County’s Only Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K & Kids Fun Run Saturday, November 8, 2014 at the Lake Mirror Promenade

Polk County’s Only Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K & Kids Fun Run

Saturday, November 8, 2014 at the Lake Mirror Promenade

Polk County, FL – Polk County’s 2^nd Annual Half Marathon, 5K & Fun Run on Saturday, November 8, 2014 is less than a month away!

Festivities for Red Ribbon Month kicked off on Friday, October 3, 2014 at the Red Ribbon Celebration held at LEGOLAND Florida’s interactive family theme park. About 2,000 people attended the fun family evening for just a $5.00 donation per ticket and enjoyed 6 areas of LEGOLAND, as well as a Vendor Carnival.

The Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K & Fun Run, presented by Title Sponsor Publix Super Markets, Inc., and event partners MidFlorida Credit Union and Badcock Home Furniture & More, is a Family Weekend where parents can compete in the Half Marathon or 5K, and children can participate in the Kids Fun Run. The scenic run course will take place along picturesque Lake Mirror and Lakeland’s beautiful downtown and Lake to Lake area.

Register on the event website at www.RedRibbonHalf.com! Registration is $100 for the Half Marathon and $35 for the 5K.  Start time on November 8^th for the Half Marathon is 7:00 a.m., and the 5K begins at 7:15 a.m. Check-in will begin at 6:00 a.m.

Registration for the Kids Fun Run for students in grades K-8 is FREE and includes a commemorative Run t-shirt for pre-registered participants, along with free refreshments! Registration check-in will take place at the Lake Mirror Auditorium, starting at 7:00 a.m. The Fun Run will start at 8:00 a.m. at Lake Mirror Promenade, 121 S. Lake Ave., in Lakeland, and follow a route that will loop around Lake Mirror and end back in the Promenade area. Awards will be given for first, second, and third place runners in gender categories, as well as to the top 3 elementary schools and top middle school with the largest percentage of participating students, based on school census number.

For additional details and event info, please contact InnerAct Alliance’s executive director, Angie Ellison, at (863) 802-0777. Info is also available at: www.redribbonhalf.com, on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/RedRibbonHalf and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedRibbonRunSeries

Red Ribbon Kickoff Event at LEGOLAND Florida - Friday, October 3, 2014

Red Ribbon Kickoff Event at LEGOLAND Florida
Friday, October 3, 2014 – 6:30 to 9:30 PM

Polk County, FL – Are you looking for something fun to do with your family this Friday? Come out to Red Ribbon Celebration Kick-Off Event this Friday evening, October 3, 2014, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at LEGOLAND Florida’s interactive theme park for families with children ages 2-12.

Families interested in attending must pre-order tickets in advance for a $5.00 donation per ticket to cover parking and admission to 6 areas of LEGOLAND. Simply visit the event web site at www.RedRibbonHalf.com  and click on the LEGOLAND Store Tab to order. Once your order is complete, you will receive a confirmation of the purchase sent via email that can be used to pick up tickets at the LEGOLAND Will Call window in front of the park on the evening of October 3^rd. Tickets may be used on October 3, 2014 only. Admission is limited to the first 5,000 people.

This is a special event to kickoff the popular Red Ribbon Campaign during the month of October leading up to Polk County’s 2^nd Annual Half Marathon, 5K & Fun Run on Saturday, November 8, 2014. The Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K & Fun Run, presented by Title Sponsor Publix Super Markets, Inc., and event partners MidFlorida Credit Union and Badcock Home Furniture & More, is a Family Weekend where parents can compete in the Half Marathon or 5K, and children can participate in the free Kids Fun Run. The scenic run course will take place along picturesque Lake Mirror and Lakeland’s beautiful downtown and Lake to Lake area.

For details, please contact InnerAct Alliance’s executive director, Angie Ellison at (863) 802-0777. Info is also available at the official event website at: www.redribbonhalf.com, on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/RedRibbonHalf and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedRibbonRunSeries

Red Ribbon Wellness Challenge! Saturday, November 8, 2014 at the Lake Mirror Promenade

Red Ribbon Wellness Challenge!
Saturday, November 8, 2014 at the Lake Mirror Promenade

Polk County, FL – Polk County’s 2^nd Annual Half Marathon is coming up on Saturday, November 8^th and two of our biggest community supporters, Bob Cleghorn of OMS Insurance Group, and Sal Campisi, Jr. of Regal Automotive Group, are challenging local businesses, civic organizations, and community groups to form teams for the Red Ribbon Wellness Challenge!

The Red Ribbon Half Marathon, 5K & Kids Fun Run, presented by Title Sponsor Publix Super Markets, Inc., and event partners MidFlorida Credit Union and Badcock Home Furniture & More, is a family weekend where parents can compete in the Half Marathon or the new 5K, and children can participate in the FREE Kids Run. The scenic course runs along picturesque Lake Mirror and Lakeland’s beautiful downtown and lake-to-lake area.

Red Ribbon Wellness Challenge teams can compete for a Traveling Trophy for the Most Participation! The Half Marathon, which begins at 7 AM, is specifically for runners. Walkers and runners may participate in the 5K at 7:15 AM. Any Team Captain who recruits 10 or more members will receive their registration FREE!

Online registration can be completed on the event website at www.RedRibbonHalf.com. The fee for Red Ribbon Half Marathon Runners is $85 for those who register by October 12^th and increases to $100 on October 13^th. Fee for the 5K is $30 for runners/walkers who sign up by October 12^th, and increases to $35 on October 13^th.  A LIVERUNWELL coupon can be used for $10 OFF REGISTRATION for a limited time!

Contact InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777 to set up your team today! Any questions may be directed to Angie Ellison or Emily Plank. Info is also available on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/RedRibbonHalf and on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/RedRibbonRunSeries