VOLUME 5 ISSUE 18
Kentucky Derby May 4
$2
Events locally Pg B6
MAY 3 - MAY 9, 2024
Marion County could see volunteer chaplains in schools after passage of state law By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
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mong the many bills Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law this legislative session, the “School Chaplains” bill will allow for volunteer
chaplains to be integrated into Marion County Public Schools to offer voluntary prayer during the school day for students and staff. School Board member Sarah James brought up the recently passed legislation at the most recent school board meeting
on April 23, recommending that the board, superintendent and school board attorney begin to work on policies that will align with the new state statute. The School Chaplains Bill, or House Bill 891, allows each school district’s school boards or charter school’s governing
boards to adopt a policy to authorize volunteer school chaplains “to provide supports, services and programs” to students, according to the bill’s summary. One of the bill’s biggest supporters was local philanthropist Brad Dinkins, See School, page A3
Abe’s gift THE SKY’S THE LIMIT 5-year-old boy’s organs are donated after tragic death, saving multiple lives By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
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hen one family was struck by unimaginable tragedy, they couldn’t imagine why they would lose their child so unexpectedly. What helped ease their grief was the knowledge that their son’s death provided a gift so that others may live. Alexander “Abe” Everts, 5, was pulled from a swimming pool at his home on Northeast 12th Avenue on April 17. He died April 25 at UF Health Shands Hospital. In arguably the hardest moments of their lives, Abe’s parents, Alexander Everts and Lindsey Kemp, made the courageous decision to donate his organs so that other people may receive much-needed transplants. “I had an opportunity to save some kids and save another parent from feeling like how I’m feeling with the worst thing I’ve ever experienced,” Kemp said. “There was just no other option but to just do it. It’s the right thing. It’s an opportunity to have his legacy live on.” Abe’s heart, liver and kidneys were successfully transplanted to four different people in need. Abe’s donation took place on April 25, during National Donate Life Month and National Pediatric Transplant Week. Everts, Abe’s father, offered advice for other parents in the wake of his loss. “I’d implore people to be present in your See Abe, page A3
Shyenne Bryant broke the Florida state record for most skydives in a single day on April 21 with an impressive 78 jumps [Courtesy of Shyenne Bryant]
Ocala woman breaks state record for most skydiving jumps in a day By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com
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s one Ocala woman plummeted toward the earth for the 78th time in 24 hours, she broke the Florida state record for most skydives in a single day. Skydiving enthusiast Shyenne Bryant is not your average skydiver—apart from setting this impressive record, she’s also afraid of heights. Just over a year
ago, Bryant turned to Central Florida Skydiving to fuel her adrenaline-seeking personality and get over her fear of heights in a sky-high way. “It’s definitely an adrenaline high, even once you come down and get back on the ground,” Bryant said. “It’s a pretty special feeling.” Bryant, 26, went skydiving for the first time in April of last year and said she “just instantly fell in love with it.” In her first year of skydiving alone, she
logged an impressive 430 jumps. “I’ve been pretty certain my whole life that I never wanted to skydive,” Bryant said. “I’ve had a pretty intense fear of heights my whole life—I actually still do.” Bryant set out to break the record not long ago, when on a regular day she logged 10 jumps and said she wished she could do it all day long. On April 21, she and her team originally set out to break See Skydiving, page A2
NAACP T HONORS ADVOCATES
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
The annual Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet acknowledged several local members and featured presentations about voting rights and awareness.
he 42nd annual Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet, which is the main fundraiser and awards ceremony for the Marion County Branch of the NAACP, was held April 26 at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place. The theme of the banquet was “Protecting Our Vote,” with several speakers and guests discussing recent changes in Florida laws that may impact voter registration or turnout. About 175 guests heard comments from several NAACP local officials and dignitaries. Incoming chapter president Jerone Gamble, taking the reins from outgoing president James D. Stockton III, said violence like the shooting death of “A.J.” Owens, affordable housing and proper teaching of Black history are a few of the current issues facing the community. “The future will be determined by our vote. There are too many registered voters not going to the polls,” Gamble said. Guest speaker Jerron Hawkins was a student and 2016 See NAACP, page A2 Loretta Jenkins gets a hug from Bishop James D. Stockton III, the immediate past NAACP President, as she receives the President’s Award from him during the NAACP 5114 Marion County Branch 42nd Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place in Ocala on Friday, April 26, 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.
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Stamp Out Hunger....................... A5 TPO Requests Public Input........ A8 State News...................................... A9 Ocala Rider Wins Award............ B1 Calendar......................................... B5
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