Be like Mason…

I will endeavor to embrace each day,

each task and especially each personal interaction

with a positive, friendly, nonjudgmental,

uplifting and proactive attitude.

I will strive to remember that the attitude I have,

and exhibit, towards my family & friends,

studies, work, play and life in general

speaks volumes to who I am and

where I am headed as a person.

Kylie Flanagan, hanging out at the Root Beer Float station during the 4th Annual Mason G. Smoak 5K & Family Fun Festival

It turned out to be a record breaking day! Not only for our overall 5K race winners (see below for overall winners) but also for record breaking hundreds of participants in the Family Fun Festival. The 4th Annual Mason G Smoak 5K race moved up to the second largest race in Highlands County! The day would not have been possible without the 5K sponsors!

Overall male winner: Renee Gomez – 17:04

Overall female winner – Carolyn Cooper – 25:01

Overall male masters winner – Darryl Wirick – 20:23

Overall female masters winner – Jane Greene – 25:57

Please click here  MASON G SMOAK FOUNDATION 2012 5K RESULTS to see full list

There is more to come in the next week, including more information on sponsors and a podcast of the event.

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The Mason G. Smoak Foundation is announcing the members of Youth Leadership Highlands Class II. The program is a year-long leadership program for high school students in Highlands County. The group also recently conducted an orientation meeting for the class that allowed them to meet the rest of the class and learn more about the program.

This program is designed to expose participants to interpersonal leadership abilities, build leadership competencies like public speaking and decision-making; while simultaneously creating awareness for the need of philanthropy, community service, and civic participation in the lives of Highlands County citizens.

The following students are in Class II of Youth Leadership Highlands Class:

Avon Park High School: Briana Cox, Hannah Farr, Toryana Jones, Logan Lowery, Koy McGrath, Jerrian Perry, Ashlee Robitaille

Florida Virtual School: Traci Reschke

Highlands University Preparatory School: Tanya Carlisle

Lake Placid High School: Lance Feagley, Thomas Henderson, Ashley Royce, Robbye Teal

Sebring High School: Ariel Bauer, Ben Collins, Kaylon Johnson, Hunter Livingston, Katie Stoll, Hannah Tucker

The program is sponsored by the Mason G. Smoak Foundation and hopes to instill in these students a greater appreciation for Highlands County, while encouraging the students to grow personally and academically toward their goals.

(online registration has been closed)

Many would find it difficult to cope with the tragic loss of a husband and father, much less turn his legacy into an enduring example of faith and servitude.  In 2008, that’s exactly what the Smoak family did.

The Mason G. Smoak Foundation was founded to continue the work that Mason had done with several organizations. The Foundation is faith-based and will partner with other non-profit organizations to help children, youth and families in need.

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