This event isn’t just another party. The Englewood Florida Chamber of Commerce is throwing Derby After Dark for 200 lucky guests, honoring Cherie DeVaux, a Lemon Bay High School grad turned acclaimed Thoroughbred trainer. She’s put Englewood on the map, and the Chamber wants her to know the community stands behind her.

“Cherie is the definition of hometown excellence. She grew up right here, walked the halls of Lemon Bay High, and now she’s making waves in horse racing,” said Kim Parks, Membership Coordinator. “We’re excited to celebrate her achievements and to remind her just how much her hometown admires her.” 

The night promises more than a toast; it’s a full Derby-themed experience. Expect top-notch food from Smoke & Thyme and desserts courtesy of The Sorbet Society. Sportsman’s Pub supplies the drinks; Mark Knauf, CPA, leads a bourbon tasting. There’s live music from Crossfire Creek, “The Most Wanted Rock Country Band in the Land,” plus appearances from Passion Folkloria, a specialty cigar lounge by CigarsAccessories.Com, and a fun photo setup thanks to Englewood Lock & Key. Abel’s Marine is gifting every guest a custom whiskey glass with cutouts for your cigar, turning the keepsake into something you’ll actually want to take home. LECOM Englewood Family Practice steps in as Title Sponsor, further rooting the event in community support.

But Derby After Dark goes beyond glitter and bourbon. All proceeds support scholarships for Lemon Bay High School students and fund community events year-round: Pioneer Days, the Christmas tree lighting, the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, and more. Honoring Cherie isn’t just a celebration of her personal success; it’s a commitment to the next generation of Lemon Bay graduates, giving them opportunities to shine.

There are still tickets and sponsorships, but with only 200 seats, they won’t last long. Pull out those boots and hats, get ready to celebrate, and mark your spot at the races.

The Englewood Florida Chamber of Commerce doesn’t just host events; it drives the local economy, connects businesses, and takes pride in building a stronger, more vibrant Englewood. Through networking, advocacy, scholarships, and community programs, the Chamber works every day to make this town a great place to call home.

Click here for more information about this important event.

The post From Lemon Bay to the Winner’s Circle: Englewood Set to Celebrate Triple Crown Royalty Cherie DeVaux appeared first on Englewood Review.

Alongside them, eight college students are seeing their scholarships renewed, recognition for their ongoing efforts to bring empathy, inclusion, and kindness to their communities. These students have played a part in EOD’s Coexistence Clubs, leading projects and conversations that make their schools more welcoming places.

This year’s scholarship winners include Madelyn Francolini from Venice High School, who’s headed to the University of Pittsburgh to study applied developmental psychology. Madelyn spent over two years with the Coexistence Club, and she points to Venice Elementary School’s Bucket Fillers Reading Day as a turning point for her. She says moments like these taught her that being a “bucket filler” means stepping up, sometimes out of her comfort zone, to spread kindness in real ways.

Taylor Humphrey, graduating from Booker High School, is Florida International University-bound, where she plans to study nursing. After four years with her school’s Coexistence Club, Taylor credits the group with helping her connect with different people and building her confidence to turn good intentions into real action.

The third high school recipient, Abigail Lauber from Riverview High School, will study psychology at the University of South Florida. Abigail spent four years with her Coexistence Club and says she witnessed firsthand how a single act of kindness can change someone’s entire outlook.

These three new scholars join eight others who are continuing their college journeys with EOD’s support:

Bryson Day graduated from Venice High and is now a junior studying mechanical engineering at the University of South Florida. Bryson says he’s learned to respect others’ perspectives, and that staying true to EOD’s ideals shapes how he interacts with those around him.

Kennedy Flatch (Riverview High School) and Melissa Graham (Riverview High School) are both juniors at Florida State University, one pursuing marketing, the other in biological sciences. 

Max Hunter, a Venice High alum, is now a sophomore at FSU studying risk management.

Melora Saing from Booker High is studying biology as a sophomore at the University of Florida. 

Kasey-Huong Nguyen, another Venice graduate, is now a senior at UF, focusing on nutritional sciences.

Lucia Warren, from Booker, is a senior at USF majoring in marketing. Lucia says walking among EOD’s public art exhibits still reminds her how vital it is to try understanding experiences different from her own.

Finally, Mateo Rizzo, also from Booker, is a senior at UF studying aerospace engineering. He shares that embracing differences has become a way of life for him, a practice that’s made him a better teammate, leader, and person.

Patrick Arthur Jackson, EOD’s vice president of learning and engagement, says the scholarship program celebrates students taking action to make their communities more compassionate. He sees a real impact: “These students don’t just carry EOD’s values—they turn them into everyday habits. Watching them carry this forward into college and beyond, influencing the people around them, is what inspires us most.”

Coexistence Clubs now exist at many local schools, including Booker, North Port, Venice, Sarasota, and Riverview High School, Imagine North Port, Suncoast Polytech, and Woodland Middle School. These clubs anchor EOD’s educational programs, with students leading service projects, sparking dialogue, and building more inclusive communities.

For over two decades, Embracing Our Differences has centered its work around an outdoor art exhibition that voices messages of respect and acceptance. This annual event is the heartbeat of a slate of year-round programs, using art to inspire new thinking and bring people together.

Embracing Our Differences is a nonprofit that celebrates and uplifts our individuality and common humanity through art and education. Their annual juried art exhibition and educational initiatives give teachers, students, and the community tools to build understanding and acceptance. 

To learn more about Embracing Our Differences, visit their website or call 941-404-5710. More information is available at embracingourdifferences.org.

The post Embracing Our Differences Awards Scholarships to 11 Local High School and College Students appeared first on Englewood Review.