Happy Spring to everyone! As we close the first quarter of 2022, I’m hoping everyone is having a great start to the year. I’ve been enthusiastic about so many wonderful events I’ve been able to attend recently both professionally and personally. It truly feels like the resurgence of being together! Personally, I’m very thankful that after the event was canceled last year, I was able to attend the Whispering Oak Elementary Father Daughter Dance with my daughter, Emmeline!

The Chamber hosted the Big Orange Awards on February 11th at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who attended! You can find information on the winners of the Big Orange Awards on the chamber website, and learn more about all the upcoming events. It is great to have our traditional chamber events in full swing!

And as the children of our community also return to their traditional events, I’m reminded of the great work the Chamber has done to build the Danniel J. Petro Foundation Scholarship. The scholarship fund, administered by the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, was established to make it possible for eligible students from local high schools to further their education at Valencia College, Orange Technical College, or the University of Central Florida. The West Orange Foundation is able to fund the scholarship through the generous contributions of the Petro Family Foundation. Please visit the Chamber’s website to learn more and encourage those you may know who can benefit from this educational scholarship opportunity to apply.

Back to the Father-Daughter Dance, it’s hard not to realize yet again how quickly time goes by. Having last year’s annual dance canceled due to the pandemic, my daughter only has one more of those dances left before her Whispering Oak Elementary days are done. Time has flown by and I plan on spending as much time as possible enjoying our community together and likely visiting many of our Chamber members in the process. I encourage you all to find balance and enjoy your loved ones.

Wishing you all the best!