logo
A remarkable moment is marked for Lake-Sumter State College graduates

A remarkable moment is marked for Lake-Sumter State College graduates

Yahoo18-05-2025
A grandmother and her granddaughter celebrate a memorable achievement as they both graduate from Lake-Sumter State College with their Associate in Arts degrees.
Four generations of family attended the 71st Commencement Ceremony in the Clermont Arts & Recreation Center to watch 71-year-old Diane Maca and her 19-year-old granddaughter, Payton Kuhn, cross the stage.
'Diane and Payton's journey is a powerful reminder that education is truly transformational at any stage of life,' says Dr. Laura Byrd, Interim President of Lake-Sumter State College.
To make her graduation even more special, Diane's beloved 98-year-old mother, Stella Strusinski, was there to joyfully watch her daughter and great-granddaughter celebrate their graduation.
'This special experience speaks to our commitment to empower students to achieve their goals and inspire change in our community. We are proud to have been part of their story and look forward to seeing all they accomplish.'
Diane and Payton's accomplishment truly stands out as a wonderful family milestone and it beautifully highlights the importance of education at any age.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

My husband takes our sons on a trip without me every summer. They swim, fish, and stay up late, and I enjoy taking time for myself.
My husband takes our sons on a trip without me every summer. They swim, fish, and stay up late, and I enjoy taking time for myself.

Yahoo

time6 days ago

  • Yahoo

My husband takes our sons on a trip without me every summer. They swim, fish, and stay up late, and I enjoy taking time for myself.

Five years ago, my husband took our two sons on a summer trip without me. It became an annual tradition, and it's good for all of us. They get time away together, and I get time at home to myself to recharge. Right now, my two teenage sons are off with my husband on their fifth annual boys' lake trip — a tradition that started a few years ago when I casually suggested they take a getaway without me. It was right after the height of the pandemic, and we were all in need of some breathing room after a year of virtual school and working from home. At first, my staying behind was a practical choice: our pet sitter was unavailable and boarding wasn't an option with two dogs, a cat, and a parrot. That first year, I felt a mix of guilt and anxiety as they drove away. I'd pitched the idea as a chance for them to bond — father and sons, no "default parent" hovering — and I meant it. But once they actually left, I had a pit in my stomach. Had I made a terrible mistake? It was my idea, but I wasn't ready I was a little panicked that first year and didn't know how to fill my alone time. I started a to-do list that morphed into a massive, over-ambitious three-page document. I can't help but laugh at myself now — I'm a former Navy spouse who used to spend months alone at a time. But after a decade of parenting, I had forgotten what it was like to truly be alone in my own house. When my family was getting ready for their first trip without me, I double-checked their packing lists, tucked snacks and notes into backpacks, and offered advice on what to bring. My husband — the Navy guy I trust completely and who's more than capable of organizing a weeklong trip — definitely didn't need my help. He still patiently indulged my anxiety attack as I tucked children's Motrin, Band-Aids, and antibiotic cream into his toiletries bag. It's gotten better every year After that first year, I gradually stopped feeling the need to double-check their packing or toss out last-minute reminders about sunscreen and underwear. My kids are teenagers now, and with the help of their father (not me!), they have the planning and packing down. This year, I was content to watch from the sidelines as they loaded the car with all of the gear they'd need for a week away. The morning they left, I waved from the porch and headed back inside to a quiet house. I've learned to let go. For them, this week is about swimming, fishing, eating junk food, and staying up late watching movies. It's exactly the kind of memory-making experience that doesn't require my involvement — and honestly, they probably benefit from my absence. They come home sunburned and tired, full of stories that don't include me. They've found a place that belongs to the three of them, and rather than being jealous, I love the memories — and confidence — they're building. I've learned to take the time for myself Meanwhile, I get a stretch of time that's entirely my own. In previous years, I've hosted girls' night on my deck or invited a long-distance friend to visit for a few days. This year, I was craving the alone time to focus on some big creative projects. I also binged some shows, read two novels, and reveled in the quiet (and a clean house). As a night owl, I find it liberating not to have to sync up with anyone else's schedule. I eat when I'm hungry rather than at designated family meal times, go to bed as late as I want, and start my day whenever I'm ready. I feel like a teenager with the house to myself while my parents are out of town — only better, because I don't have to sneak anything. After five years of trips, my to-do lists have gotten a little shorter (and focus more on fun), and I've started looking forward to this week almost as much as my family does. I can't wait to see what next year brings. Read the original article on Business Insider Solve the daily Crossword

Fatal Deer Lake plane crash leaves family mourning halfway across the world
Fatal Deer Lake plane crash leaves family mourning halfway across the world

Yahoo

time04-08-2025

  • Yahoo

Fatal Deer Lake plane crash leaves family mourning halfway across the world

A fatal plane crash in Deer Lake, Newfoundland and Labrador has left a family grieving on the other side of the world. Shock rippled through the western Newfoundland town of 5,000 people in late July after hearing reports of a small plane crashing near the region's airport. The aircraft was a Piper Navajo twin-engine plane. The pilot, a 54-year-old man, and the lone passenger, a 27-year-old man, were both pronounced dead at the scene. This week, the family identified the passenger to CBC News as Gautham Santosh, from Kerala, India. He was living in Canada to become a pilot. "He just wanted to fly. Ever since he was a child, he wanted to be a pilot," Gautham's sister, Ganga Santosh, told CBC News. Now, she says, her family is in shock and reeling. "Everybody's devastated because of such a thing, no one would dream of it happening," Ganga Santosh said. Always wanted to be a pilot Gautham Santosh is described as a gentleman and his brother-in-law Sonu Prathap said he was a reliable person. "He was someone you can count on once you get to know him," Prathap said. "It sounds cliche, but he was truly like that." Ganga Santosh said her brother was determined to chase his dream and become a pilot. As a child, she says, he was obsessed with planes. "My grandma, she used to say, whichever notebook you open, you'll find images of these airplanes. And he had ideas about all of them, all types of models. He knew the name, he knew how the design was, everything," she said. When it came time to pursue post-secondary education, Ganga Santosh said her brother was convinced to study mechanical engineering. She said their mother considered it the safer career option but he dropped out after his second year in the program. "He was like, 'No, this is not my passion. My passion is flying, like I'm meant for that,' and so at last my mom gave in," Ganga Santosh said. Gautham Santosh moved to Canada in 2019. He studied and worked at the Pacific Professional Flight Centre in British Columbia. Ganga Santosh said he recently started working with the owner of the Piper Navajo twin-engine plane in order to gain more flying hours. "I think it's been three to four weeks now since he's been working there with Kisik," Ganga Santosh said. Last contact On July 26, his family knew he was getting on a plane in Deer Lake. Ganga Santosh said her brother called their mom beforehand. "He had called my mom and said, 'I'm going to the airport, it's my off-day, but there's some work that I need to do, and after that I'm taking a rest,'" she said. Their mother is shaken by the last conversation she had with Gautham Santosh. "The last word he said was that he's taking a rest, which is still hurting my mom so much. She didn't think that it would end in such a kind of rest," Ganga Santosh said. Gautham Santosh had big plans for his future. In the short term, he was going to visit home in September and surprise his mom for Onam, an annual harvest and cultural festival in India. "He's like, 'I'll surprise mommy. I won't tell him I'm coming,'" Ganga Santosh said. "He planned all that, but unfortunately, as you can see, he could not keep up those plans." Repatriation Now, his family is hoping to bring home what they can of his remains. "It was a twin-engine flight, and it was supposed to fly for eight to 10 hours or something. So that much fuel and the crash happened right after take off caused a really huge explosion," she said. "We still do not know how much is left." The crash is currently under investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. Ganga Santosh said whatever is left of her brother is in the hands of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in St. John's. She hopes that in the coming weeks, his remains will be repatriated. "We need him back, because in India, I'm sure you know, we have some last rites and things to be done," Ganga Santosh said. Her brother died doing what he loved, she said. "He just loved it. He used to be like, 'I flew this many hours. I flew 12 hours. I flew straight. It was amazing,'" Ganga Santosh said. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.

I'm a Former Lifeguard—Here Are 6 Water Safety Items You Should Pack for the Beach and Pool 'Just in Case'
I'm a Former Lifeguard—Here Are 6 Water Safety Items You Should Pack for the Beach and Pool 'Just in Case'

Travel + Leisure

time28-07-2025

  • Travel + Leisure

I'm a Former Lifeguard—Here Are 6 Water Safety Items You Should Pack for the Beach and Pool 'Just in Case'

Before diving into the world of travel writing, I made a living patrolling pool decks. I was 15 when I first got my lifeguarding certification, and I ended up loving the line of work so much that I soon became a lifeguard instructor, and later, a waterpark manager. For seven years, I spent my summers teaching CPR and responding to first aid emergencies. On any given afternoon, I was tasked with ensuring the safety of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people. This experience made me into the safety-conscious traveller I am today, and I still find myself using the knowledge I gained as a lifeguard. Curious to know what safety tips this former lifeguard has up her sleeve? Keep scrolling for the six products I recommend for staying safe by the pool, at the beach, and on the lake. Here, you'll find water safety items I routinely stock up on every summer, including polarized sunglasses, SPF 50+ products, and water shoes. You'll also find life-saving safety gear—including life jackets, wound-clotting powder, and neon swimsuits—that I think deserve a permanent spot in your beach bag, based on my experiences in the field. One of the biggest mistakes I see families make—whether at the pool, beach, or lake—is the improper use of inflatables. Arm floaties and baby pool floats may look cute for family photos, but they aren't reliable in terms of keeping non-swimmers above water. They pop easily, and inflating them to the proper limit can be difficult. Plus, it can be tough to know if they have a small leak or whether you've pushed the inflation valve deeply enough to stop the release of air. In fact, my waterpark banned the use of outside inflatables entirely because of how hazardous they can be. I strongly recommend that non-swimmers and weak swimmers—regardless of age—only use U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)-approved devices. Unlike floaties, USCG-approved life jackets are made with durable, buoyant foam and typically have adjustable straps that allow you to fit the vest more closely around the midsection, preventing the wearer from slipping out of them. Amazon has several different options, ranging from infant life jackets to toddler puddle jumpers to plus-sized adult life vests, all suited for a wide range of activities. Practicing good water safety starts on land. That includes reading pool rules, putting on appropriate life jackets, checking weather reports for possible lightning storms, and shockingly enough, choosing the right swimsuit color. In the event that you or your loved one needs rescuing at a public pool, on the lake, or at the beach, the color of your swimsuit can determine how quickly first responders can find you. White, pale blue, gray, and green swimsuits can be some of the hardest swimsuits to spot in a pool, while darker colors, like navy and black, can be difficult to detect in open water. This summer, opt for bright colors and bold prints that are distinguishable in the water. Think: Neon orange, red, yellow, green, pink, and purple. Amazon is a treasure trove of vibrant bikinis, one-piece swimsuits, and swim trunks that are both on-trend and water-safe. Some of the most serious injuries I encountered while working as a waterpark manager involved patrons slipping and falling by running too quickly across floor tiles or trying to climb up a slippery pool feature. Now, as a former lifeguard who loves soaking up the sun lakeside and at beach destinations, I often see foot-related injuries of the outdoor variety: Slipping on smooth river rocks, foot scrapes caused by coral, and burnt soles due to walking across burning-hot sand. This summer, I recommend dipping your toes (pun intended) in the world of water shoes, if you haven't already. I personally own these Affinest water shoes from Amazon; they have an adjustable bungee cord lace and thick, treaded outsoles that have kept my feet protected while river rafting, kayaking, and snorkeling. If you prefer to keep your toes free, I recommend investing in a pair of active, anti-slip sandals, like these Teva Hurricane Xlt2 sandals, that you can wear in and out of the water. There's nothing worse than the first sunburn of the summer, but the good news is, you can avoid it by slathering on plenty of SPF throughout the day. A good rule of thumb is to reach for sunscreen that's water-resistant and has an SPF rating of at least 30, and to reapply it at least every two hours. As a waterpark lifeguard manager, I encouraged my lifeguards to double-check the most commonly-forgotten areas before taking place on the stand, including the tops of their feet, their ears, their shoulders, and even their lips (yes, your lips need SPF, too). Besides sunscreen, I also recommend stocking up on burn remedy products, too—just in case. This Alocane Max Emergency Burn Gel is suited to treat first-degree burns; it contains lidocaine hydrochloride to provide quick-acting pain and itch relief, benzalkonium chloride to prevent infections, and aloe to soothe irritated skin. For minor sunburns, though, sometimes a good aloe gel is all you need for relief—for this, I recommend reaching for products that are free of added fragrances and irritating ingredients, like this Badger Organic Aloe Vera Gel, which is safe to use on both the face and body. Note: Always consult with your doctor before using over-the-counter products. Sand, sunscreen, chlorine, saltwater, and UV rays: This summer fivesome can leave your eyes itchy, sore, and sensitive. It may seem like a redundant tip, but I recommend stocking up for summer with several pairs of swim goggles and polarized sunglasses. Should you lose your goggles in the Pacific Ocean or accidentally step on your tried-and-true shades while walking, you'll have a backup pair ready to go. I personally own several pairs of Bircen sunglasses—they're stylish, budget-friendly, and come in a wide variety of colors and styles. Plus, they provide UV400 protection against the sun's harmful rays. There are plenty of decent swim goggles on the market, but as a former lifeguard and childhood competitive swimmer, I only buy my goggles from Speedo. As for removing chlorine, saltwater, sand granules, or even rogue eyelashes from your eyes, any gentle eyewash solution will do the trick. However, thoroughly rinsing your eyes can be difficult if you (or your child) hate using eye drops. For this, I recommend throwing a pressurized eye wash cup into your beach bag. All you have to do is fill it up with your eye wash, lean your open eye over the opening, and squeeze the silicone handle. This will swish the eye wash in and around your eye, thoroughly cleaning it of any debris. I'm the first to admit that crochet crossbody bags and raffia beach totes are adorable for summer, but these options tend to do diddly squat when it comes to protecting your gear from sand, surf, and exploded bottles of sunscreen. If you won't step foot on the beach without one, I recommend at least throwing a waterproof pouch or toiletry bag inside to protect your phone, medications, SPF products, and other essentials from the elements. Personally, I hate the idea of getting anything I own wet, whether it's my towel, snacks, or beach reads. Waterproof dry bags are the way to go if you're a lover of water activities—they're durable, roomy, and actually waterproof, making them great companions near any water source. As for what goes inside that bag, I recommend investing in a quality, compact first aid kit. I love this option from M2 Basics. It fits into the palm of your hand and comes with multiple types of bandages and wound dressings—but unlike some other small first aid kits, it also comes with an emergency blanket to fight off water-induced hypothermia, a CPR face mask, and a tourniquet to stop heavy blood flow. Speaking of blood flow, I also recommend throwing a pack of BleedStop into your first aid kit, just in case. Water exposure can make it incredibly difficult for wounds to naturally form a blood clot, and this powder can help in an emergency. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store