Destin Chamber Honors Outstanding Members for 2025
The Destin Chamber recently recognized several exceptional individuals and organizations for their leadership, service and commitment to the business community.
Paul Woolman Ambassador of the Year
Brenda Gray, Hilton Garden Inn – Destin/Miramar Beach
“This year’s winner certainly earned the honor. Always smiling or laughing, and just plain having fun, she makes it easy for everyone,” said Jenni Brunson, Okaloosa Gas.
Brunson credited Gray’s role as a major cause of the effectiveness of the entire Ambassador organization.
Ann Gibson Community Service Award
Jessica Holzapple, Shoreline Church
The Ann Gibson Community Service Award, sponsored by Okaloosa Gas, recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding dedication to service and community involvement.
“Since moving to the area in 2011, she has been a driving force behind meaningful change both locally and globally. She has coordinated disaster relief efforts, established community-wide serve days to meet the needs of local organizations, and worked with mission partners around the world, including building a school in Uganda, Africa,” said Brunson.
“As a mom of four, including a child with special needs, her passion for connection and inclusion drives her leadership of initiatives like Night to Shine, a prom night celebrating individuals with special needs, and the reason she was nominated and chosen as the winner.”
Business Person of the Year
Jennifer Gutai Comella, Hand Arendall Harrison Sale
John Sumrall, President of Trustmark’s Emerald Coast Operation, announced Jennifer Gutai Comella as the 2025 Business Person of the Year, which aligns with the organization’s core values of integrity, service, accountability, relationships and solutions.
“She is a 2018 graduate of Destin Forward. She has led numerous state and local organizations as a board member and chair of the board of those organizations. She’s done a great job of becoming known as a top-notch attorney and plays a vital role in the success of her firm. Her involvement locally includes the Destin History and Fishing Museum, HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital, and Destin Water Users boards. She recently served the Destin Chamber Board of Directors and was chairman in 2022,” said Sumrall.
James D. Neilson Sr. Chairman’s Award for Volunteer Service
David Butler, Faith Assembly Christian Church
The James D. Neilson Sr. Chairman’s Award for Volunteer Service is determined by the Chairman of the Board and President & CEO, with input from Chamber staff.
“This year’s winner has gone so far and above that it’s impossible to describe his value to the Destin Chamber and the business community. He attends almost everything the chamber does. He is truly an extension of the staff,” said Brunson.
David Butler was recognized for his many contributions, including being a graduate of the very first Destin Forward class, emceeing HarborWalk Village’s Thursday night All American Concert Series each year, serving on the Chamber Board for the fifth year, and being a multi-year Honorary Commander on Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field.
Trustee Milestones
Trustee membership represents the highest level of commitment to the Destin Chamber and the business community. Trustmark, Warren Averett and Destin – Fort Walton Beach have 20 years of Trustee membership, and Eglin Federal Credit Union was recognized for its five-year commitment.
WFLDAR Honors Student Essayists and Good Citizens
Founded in 2014, the West Florida Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (WFLDAR, NSDAR) recently celebrated local students during its annual American History Essay Contest and Good Citizens Awards Ceremony.
WFLDAR Regent Robbie Carroll welcomed special guests, students, teachers, principals and parents to the event, which recognizes academic excellence and civic character.
The American History Essay Contest invites students in grades 5–8 to explore the nation’s past through creative writing. This year’s theme, “Lunch with a Signer,” coincides with America’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. Students were asked to imagine returning to 1776 to meet a signer of the Declaration of Independence and reflect on how that individual’s service contributed to the nation’s independence.
First place was awarded to sixth grader Connelly Grelle, who selected John Hancock and titled her essay “Put Your John Hancock on That.” In her winning entry, she wrote that Hancock “was passionate about our country becoming independent from Britain” and noted that his famously bold signature was “a statement to King George III.” She referenced the well-known quote attributed to Hancock: “There, I guess King George will be able to read that without his spectacles!” His signature, she explained, symbolized patriotism, courage and unity, inspiring the phrase still used today.
Second place was awarded to Freeport Middle School student Sheilia Bouldridge.
The WFLDAR Good Citizen Program honors outstanding senior high school students who demonstrate dependability, service, leadership and patriotism in their homes, schools and communities. Each recipient receives a Good Citizen pin featuring 13 stars for the original colonies, a blue enamel band representing the DAR and symbols of honor and understanding.
This year’s focus question, “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It,” asked students to reflect on how the characteristics of a good citizen can strengthen the democracy secured by the Patriots of the American Revolution.
The 2026 Good Citizen Award recognized first-place winner Anaya Patel of Seacoast Collegiate High School, with runners-up Elijah Brooks Ordis of Destin High School and Austin Hays Hostetler of South Walton High School.
Destin Ranks #5
No surprise to any of us! Destin shines at #5 in the newly released 2026 U.S. News and World Report for ‘Best Family Beach Vacations in the U.S.’ Our beautiful City also took honors as #7 for overall ‘Best Family Vacations in the U.S.’ The Best Vacations rankings identify the top destinations for travelers across a variety of categories. U.S. News travel editors thoroughly evaluate more than 1,500 destinations and score them based on multiple facets; users also vote on destinations within each ranking.
Destin Park & Play
The City of Destin launched a new paid parking program, Destin Park & Play. Partnering with LAZ Parking, a nationally recognized leader in municipal parking management, allows a modern approach to enhance convenience and improve parking availability. Destin Park & Play is a mobile-friendly system that allows users to pay quickly by scanning a QR code or texting to start a session. No app download is required, making parking in our Harbor and Beach Districts easier.
Parking rates remain:
$20 for 4 hours in the Beach Parking District
$15 per day in the Harbor Parking District
Free for Destin residents with a Parking decal
LAZ technology will also be used to collect boat launch fees at Joe’s Bayou Boat Launch. The launch fee remains $25. This updated system will provide a simple, convenient way to pay on-site while helping the City manage the facility more efficiently.
One of the many perks of being a Destin resident is access to free parking in City-managed areas with a Resident Parking Pass. Our residents (within the corporate limits) are encouraged to pick up their free Resident Parking Pass. Passes are available at City Hall, Destin Community Center or you can register online via our website. You need your Driver’s License and Vehicle Registration to get your free pass. Limit two passes per Destin household.
Prepaid 2-Year College Scholarships for OCSD Students
Superintendent Marcus Chambers announced the opportunity for three Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) students to receive Florida Prepaid 2-Year College Scholarships!
- Student must be a Senior
- Student must attend a public high school in the Okaloosa County School District
- Student is going to pursue a career in education
- Student must meet the basic requirements to hold a Florida Prepaid College Plan
Applications are available now and must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm on Friday, March 20, 2026.
Each student may submit only one application and must provide the following:
- Fill out the digital application in its entirety
- Submit a current transcript (You will upload a digital copy on the application)
- Submit SAT/ACT/PSAT Scores (You will need to provide a digital copy of test score documentation on the application)
- Submit a completed District form MIS 4217 with Community Service Hours (You will need to provide a digital copy on the application)
- Submit a video essay in .MP4, .M4V, .MOV, or .WMV file format (You will upload this on the application) The video can be no longer than two minutes (02:00) and should explain why you have chosen to pursue a career in education.
Please have these items collected and accessible while completing the application. You will not be able to save and come back to your application. It will need to be completed and submitted in the same session. All required documentation and application elements (video essay) must be submitted as outlined in the instructions provided by the deadline or the application will be disqualified.
Apply at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfX-Nh1cRuyH6geebEfgCBsIGZazI1MTtNt4QOxuzMXJ1dPg/viewform
The Florida Prepaid Superintendent Scholarship Recipients will be notified by Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
For questions, e-mail: catherine.card@okaloosaschools.com.
Okaloosa Schools Earn National AP Honor Roll Recognition
The Okaloosa County School District announced that Choctawhatchee High School, Fort Walton Beach High School and Niceville High School have been named to the 2025 College Board AP School Honor Roll, a national distinction recognizing schools that expand access to Advanced Placement coursework while supporting strong student outcomes.
- Choctawhatchee High School earned Gold recognition.
- Fort Walton Beach High School earned Silver recognition.
- Niceville High School earned Silver recognition.
The AP School Honor Roll recognizes high schools that meet rigorous benchmarks in college readiness and student achievement, based on data from their most recent graduating class. Schools are evaluated on broad access to AP coursework, student success on AP exams, and sustained participation in advanced academics.
“Recognition on the AP School Honor Roll is a testament to the dedication of our students, teachers, and school leaders,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “Choctawhatchee High School’s Gold distinction and the Silver recognition earned by Fort Walton Beach and Niceville High Schools reflect our district’s continued commitment to academic excellence and preparing students for future success.”
Destin Best Boating Destination
Booking data places Destin among the best boating destinations, based on demand across the U.S. and Caribbean.
The ranking comes from an analysis of Spring Break 2025 bookings on BoatBooker, which tracked where travelers booked boating experiences during the busiest weeks of the season. Destin’s inclusion reflects its reputation as a boating-friendly destination along Florida’s Emerald Coast, known for clear waters, accessible marinas, and a wide range of on-the-water activities. From sightseeing cruises and dolphin tours to private charters and family-friendly outings, the area offers boating experiences that appeal to Spring Break travelers of all ages.
With calm Gulf waters and easy access to Choctawhatchee Bay, Destin provides a balance of scenic boating and convenience, making it a reliable choice for visitors looking to spend time on the water without the crowds of larger resort cities.
“Destin continues to attract travelers who want approachable, memorable boating experiences in a relaxed coastal setting,” said Vukan Simic, CEO of BoatBooker. “That accessibility plays a key role in its consistent Spring Break demand.”
While the ranking is based on last year’s data, it offers insight into where Spring Break boating demand tends to concentrate as travelers plan upcoming trips.
BoatBooker analyzed internal booking data from trips scheduled during peak Spring Break weeks, defined as March 10 through April 6, 2025. Destinations were ranked based on total completed bookings during this period. The analysis focused on the 10 destinations with the highest Spring Break boating demand across the United States and the Caribbean. More on the analysis here.
The 10 Best Boating Towns for Spring Break include:
Destin, FL
Nassau, Bahamas
Islamorada, FL
Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Naples, FL
Marathon, FL
Sarasota, FL
West Bay, Cayman Islands
George Town, Cayman Islands
Cancún, Mexico
Fort Walton Beach High School to Host Third Annual Viking Voyage Career Fair
Fort Walton Beach High School will host its Third Annual Viking Voyage Career Fair on Friday, April 10, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the school gymnasium, bringing together students, businesses, and community partners for a meaningful day of career exploration and connection.
The Viking Voyage Career Fair, where VOYAGE stands for Vikings Networking with Organizations Yielding an Opportunity for Great Exploration of careers, is designed to connect classroom learning with real-world career pathways. The mission of the event is to provide students with valuable opportunities to network, explore career options, and gain insight into the skills and experiences needed to transition from school to the workforce successfully. More than 1,500 students in grades 9–12 are expected to participate, allowing local employers, businesses, and alumni to engage directly with students, discuss job requirements, share industry knowledge, and highlight future career and workforce opportunities.
Fort Walton Beach High School is actively seeking employers, business leaders, and alumni to participate in this exciting event and help inspire the next generation of professionals. Businesses interested in participating are encouraged to contact Dr. Linda Dugan by email at Linda.Dugan@okaloosaschools.com or by phone at (850) 833-3300. Fort Walton Beach High School looks forward to partnering with the community to make the 2026 Viking Voyage Career Fair another successful and impactful experience for students.
Okaloosa Students Excel at 2026 East Panhandle Regional Science and Engineering Fair
Students from Okaloosa and Walton counties showcased their creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking at the 2026 East Panhandle Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The projects were presented on February 11 at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds, with the Awards Ceremony held February 17 at Beachside Community Church.
Professional scientists and engineers served as judges, conducting personal interviews with each student. These discussions provided feedback, guidance, and exposure to role models in science and engineering, helping students communicate their work using real-world scientific language and methodology.
“The quality and innovation of these projects highlight the next generation of scientists and engineers,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “We are proud of all the students who participated and inspired us with their ideas.”
Awards recognized outstanding projects across multiple categories, with first-place winners required to meet specific point thresholds. State Finalists were selected based on overall scores, ensuring top performers had the opportunity to advance. We sincerely thank our sponsors, Air Force Research Lab, Modern Technology Solutions, Inc., Mr. Terry Wade, and the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA) for their generous support.
Congratulations to all award winners for their creativity, dedication, and outstanding achievements! For a full list of winners, special awards, and photos from the event, visit https://www.okaloosaschools.com/o/ocsd/page/2026-science-fair-awards.
Choctawhatchee Audubon March 5 Evening Presentation: Endangered Beach Mice in the Southeastern United States
Jordan Wingate, Natural Resources Coordinator for Destin-Fort Walton Beach, will present a free public program on endangered beach mice in the southeastern United States on March 5. The event will be held in Room 800 on the second floor of the Chandler Center (northwest door, 519 Helms St.) at Crosspoint Church in Niceville. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the presentation at 7 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.
