Conference a Success

Dear Editor,

I want to take this opportunity to thank the many merchants and citizens of Gulf County for the tremendous support you each gave to help make the February 12th Celebration of Young Women Athletes' Conference such a success.

First to Paula Denton who planned the menu with no thought given to making it easy for herself, worked selflessly through the night to cook an amazing cajun meal for the 90 girls, guests and speakers. We thank you. The girl's loved it and said, " It was the best"!

In this struggling economy and trying times we are especially grateful to the merchants who helped. George Duren and the staff of the Piggly Wiggly rescued us at the last moment by finding 28 quarts of chicken stock and teaching me that I need never go out of town to buy groceries again without first letting the folks at the Pig first make a bid for our event. His donation was sincerely appreciated as is his generosity to the organizations and schools in our area. Patti Blalock from Sunset Coastal Grill furnished the girls favorite rolls, baking them and sending them, hot,  to the college, with butter included.  Mary Lou Cumbie furnished the world's best brownies for the event. Lynne Carr squeezed us in,at the last minute, and on Valentine's Day, and created a beautiful bouquet to help us honor one of our girls.  For door prizes we want to thank Active Styles Tanning Salon, Active Styles Hair Salon, Amanda's Bistro, Coastal Fitness Center, Emerald Coast Jewelry, JC Nails, Joseph's Cottage, Peppers Mexican Restaurant, Persnickety, Portside Trading Company, Sassy Nails, The Fuss, Trendy Handbags and Vision Bank.

Brenda Galloway and the staff of the Gulf/Franklin Center of Gulf Coast Community College were so welcoming to our young women and Mark Lamberson, especially, helped organize the site and arrange the AV equipment . This year we were so appreciative of the support of Gregg Wolfe, Athletic Director at Gulf Coast Community College who exemplified the "Community" in the college's name. He helped us recruit Coach Mary Scovell and Dr. Carrie Baker as speakers for the day, sent door prizes from the athletic department and made it possible for us to offer new and exciting opportunities for our young women athletes.

Jenny Mercuri brought her expertise to the conference and introduced the girls to Yoga. She graciously gave her time so that young women athletes could learn the art of relaxation and letting go of stress, skills they can use in athletic competitions and academic testing.

Coach Wayne Taylor spent hours of his personal time providing layout and design for the program and creating a Play Like A Girl DVD spotlighting women's sports in Gulf County. His contributions added a real touch of class to our efforts. Tim Wilder, Gulf County Superintendent of Schools, Principals Debbie Baxley, Wewahitchka High School and Duane McFarland, Port St. Joe High School and the teachers and staffs of both schools, we thank you. It is because of your continued support of this event and other activities of the Women Athletes Supporting Women Athletes organization that we are able to provide valuable opportunities and new experiences in women's sports. 

 And finally, a personal thanks from me to the members of Women Athletes Supporting Women Athletes organization: Tammy Cannington, Joan Cleckley, Kim Kurnitsky, Lisa Logan, Heather Luckarift, and Natalie Shoaf. Your commitment continues to make such a difference in the lives of every female athlete. I am constantly amazed at what you are able to accomplish. Thank you for your efforts and for your continuing support of our dreams for the young women whose lives we are fortunate enough to touch.

To all of the above, thank you all for helping us SUPPORT and CELEBRATE  the young women athletes in Gulf County.

You Give Me Hope,

Zebe Schmitt, Chair

Women Athletes Supporting Women Athletes