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

Now I Have to Plan My Kid's Perfect Unplanned Summer?
Now I Have to Plan My Kid's Perfect Unplanned Summer?

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Yahoo

Now I Have to Plan My Kid's Perfect Unplanned Summer?

Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. All through elementary school, I attended not a single summer day camp. To use today's parlance, we spent our summers 'rotting.' We rambled around our little town to find friends who were free to hang out, visited the corner store to buy ice cream sandwiches, played board games if it was raining. But mostly, on fair days, we set up camp at the small beach club on the little lake 2 miles from our house, read books, played for hours in the water, got someone else's mom to drive us home so we could stay a little bit later. My sister and I used to compare 'summer legs,' covered with bug bites, scrapes, and the permanent dirt that combined with our tans to leave ghostly impressions of our Teva straps on the tops of our feet. Am I nostalgic? I am. Even at the time, I was nostalgic. I saw myself experience these summers as if looking in from the outside; during long New Hampshire winters I pined so much for the last day of school that it sometimes made me a little bit sick. I favored chapter books published before I was born, depicting the childhoods of the turn of the 20th century, and so viewed my own experiences through that gauzy lens. Winter was for flute practice, overheated classrooms, the less friendly groups of kids that school forced me to be around. Summer was when I could have the rambling adventures children my age were supposed to have, with my actual kindred spirits. We packed picnics, like Betsy, Tacy, and Tib. Canoeing across the lake, clambering on rocks by the shoreline? Some real Swallows and Amazons behavior. This year, my feral old-school childhood summers became a debate, a fad, a little bit of a status symbol. 'Why not let your kids have a 'wild' summer?' asked the Cut in late May. 'Is it OK for your kids to 'rot' all summer?' queried the New York Times earlier this month. These articles feel fairly useless, or even frustrating, to any family without a nonworking summer parent, or to any parent whose child would seize on a planless summer as an excuse to stare at her phone for 14 hours a day. They seem downright bizarre to people who live outside the blue-state, coastal places where one kid's summer of camps—aimed at enhancing and enriching a developing mind—requires an elaborate sign-up strategy and $14,000 in fees. (Where I live, in Ohio, the most expensive camp in town sets you back $250 a week, and I've never had trouble getting my daughter a spot somewhere good enough.) But there's something fascinating about this newfound devotion to summer de-escalation, in search of a connection to a bucolic past. Sociologist Annette Lareau famously called the dominant ethos of upper-middle-class parenting 'concerted cultivation.' 'Summer kid rot' shows how part of cultivation is now, also, de-cultivation. We readers of many legacy-media parenting articles may not be MAHA, but we're certainly quite carefully antimodern. 'Giving your kids everything' has become 'Taking some things away'—day camp, structure, screens, your own overbearing cruise-director presence—in a carefully calibrated recipe meant to produce the very feelings I get when I remember running across the lawn at the tail end of a family friend's barbecue, at twilight on the Fourth of July. Yes, I know this makes it sound as if I grew up in a magic-light ad for a Republican gubernatorial candidate; in some ways, I kind of did. Surely some of my classmates were 'rotting' in the TV way, not the fireflies way. But it's too late: This is what a perfect childhood summer feels like to me. Edan Lepucki, a novelist and Substack writer, wrote a newsletter entry last year about her own plan to skip camp for her kids, making her an early adopter in the summer-rot space. Lepucki is a college lecturer who doesn't have to teach in summer, with a full-time remote-working husband, three kids (5, 9, and nearly 14), and relatives nearby for occasional child care swapping, located in a high-cost-of-living area. For her, the price of camp would have been exorbitant, so she saw the choice to skip it in 2024 as a pragmatic one. She's doing it again this year, with the exception of one week of camp and some family travel. How's it going? 'They're watching TV, reading, drawing, playing Barbies/figures, playing 'baseball' in the yard with a tennis ball and a wiffle ball bat,' she wrote in an email. She doesn't think of this as being the same as 'rotting,' and said she would not let her teenager sleep in super late every day or have the kids 'die on screens for hours.' (These particular kids don't have access to iPads or phones.) It was the way Lepucki talked about a no-camp summer in her Substack last year—'What is childhood if not long afternoons of sunshine and fun, your backpack cobwebbing at the back of the closet, homework a far off concept as you burnish an image of your brand new, back-to-school self? What paradise!'—that first made me wonder if I was doing enough to make my own kid's summers feel properly endless. This is the third year since my own child grew out of having preschool coverage for the summer months—the third year of her day-camp era. There are a few things that have made her summers very different from mine: She's an only child, like an increasing number of American kids. Neither parent is a teacher, like my dad was, with the summer off to drive kids around; our neighborhood is walkable, but until this year, she hasn't quite been old enough, by today's standards, to ramble around and look for kids to hang out with. Besides, most of the other kids we know are … well … at $250-a-week day camp. Despite all this, three weeks into summer, she's acquiring that spaced-out, blissful look; she's deep into piles of middle-grade graphic novels, discovering an affection for Nerds Ropes; she's running into friends at the pool when we go together on the weekends. I know, this is her life, and it's 2025, not 1900 or even 1983. I know it's ridiculous to put on a little Truman Show for her, to strip away just the right parts of modern life so she gets those good feelings I still return to at moments of unmoored anxiety. But even so, next year, friends and I are planning a 'rot camp.' We'll find a good week to leave our calendars mutually blank. One or two of us who work from home in a walkable neighborhood will serve as base. We'll text people we know, figure out what other kids are home; we'll give them some spending money so they can feel what it's like to choose what to do. Yes, we're trying to subtly plan out serendipity, a year in advance. Yes, we're concertedly cultivating. No, my parents didn't think nearly so hard about providing me with my own Happy Hollister days. So I promise that if the kids end up watching a little TV, I'll try to relax.

Boater urges safety after rescuing father, sons on capsized jet ski in Lake Michigan
Boater urges safety after rescuing father, sons on capsized jet ski in Lake Michigan

CBS News

time6 days ago

  • CBS News

Boater urges safety after rescuing father, sons on capsized jet ski in Lake Michigan

Father, son rescued by boaters after jet ski flips over on Lake Michigan Father, son rescued by boaters after jet ski flips over on Lake Michigan Father, son rescued by boaters after jet ski flips over on Lake Michigan Chicago's lakefront can be quite inviting this time of year, but those who venture out — whether on a boat or a jet ski — are advised they had best be prepared for the worst. On Father's Day, Lake Michigan took a dangerous turn for a father and his teenage sons out for a jet ski ride. Video showed a father and sons in the water after the jet ski flipped. Kevin Foote and his friends were heading back to Belmont Harbor on a boat on Sunday, when they spotted the jet skiers clearly in distress right at the mouth of the harbor. "It's a dangerous spot," said Foote. "It's the high-traffic spot where everybody's going in and out of the harbor — and as I mentioned before, you know, once that jet ski is flipped over and once a person is floating in the water, you're pretty darn low to the water." Such circumstances make it harder for those entering the mouth of the harbor to see other watercraft entering the mouth, Foote explained. So Foote and his friends decided to help out — and not by jumping in. "The only thing worse about having somebody in the water is having somebody else in the water," said Foote. Foote and his crew are members of the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac — so they're skillful. They blocked the jet skiers from other boaters who might have run into them, and then helped the jet skiers get onto their boat. "By the time they got out of the water, they were cold," said Foote, "and you know, flipping one of those things and being in the water is a lot of effort." While the yacht club members helped the father and sons, Foote points out the jet skiers were prepared. They all wore life vests. "You've got to make sure it fits, that it's comfortable, that you'll actually wear it," Foote said. And as more people venture out to Lake Michigan, safety must remain a top priority. There were 51 drownings in Lake Michigan in 2024, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. There have been nine already this year. "I think it also is a great reminder of just what's in your control and what's not in your control," said Foote. Foote said the father and sons were shaken, but extremely grateful for the help. In this case, everyone walked away safely — but of course, that is not always the case.

I'm a Former Lifeguard—Here Are 10 Water Safety Items You Should Pack 'Just in Case'
I'm a Former Lifeguard—Here Are 10 Water Safety Items You Should Pack 'Just in Case'

Travel + Leisure

time15-06-2025

  • Travel + Leisure

I'm a Former Lifeguard—Here Are 10 Water Safety Items You Should Pack '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