Page 9 - Hobe Sound Reflections - May '24

Hobe Sound, Page 9

Spotlight from page 8

Character Counts! Update

February 2024 March 2024

Responsibility School Implementation
The Character Counts! pillar of responsibility is instilled in The Martin County School District implemented Character
schools and Clubs through various methods emphasizing Counts! by providing all elementary schools with three
accountability and integrity. In schools, responsibility is "Good Ideas" books, purchased through the Education
fostered by assigning tasks, encouraging timely Foundation of Martin County. These books offer up to 320
completion of assignments, and discussing the lessons focused on teaching students essential values
importance of honesty and self-discipline. Codes of including trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness,
conduct and community expectations reinforce a sense of caring, and citizenship. Elementary and secondary
duty towards oneself and others. Similarly, in Clubs, education teachers underwent training to effectively utilize
responsibility is emphasized through goal-setting, this curriculum. Additionally, digital workshops were
meeting deadlines, and promoting teamwork. Leaders conducted for elementary and middle school educators to
model responsible behavior while guiding members to enhance their understanding and implementation of the
fulfill commitments and contribute positively. Overall, this program
focus on responsibility equips individuals with essential life
skills and attitudes, nurturing reliability and
History of the Joe Kordick Award
conscientiousness in both academic and extracurricular
settings.
Joe Kordick Award Winner The Joe Kordick Awards were established in tribute to Joe Kordick, the founding chairman and
driving force behind Character Counts! in Martin County. Joseph Kordick, a distinguished military
veteran and former Vice President of Ford Motor Company, relocated to Palm City, Florida after
Leigh Anne Campbell, now Leigh Anne Dees, is a proud alumni of South retirement and dedicated himself to community service. He volunteered extensively, particularly in
Fork High School, where she graduated in 2005. Her journey was marked hospice care, counseling terminally ill cancer patients and fundraising for local organizations. Joe's
by a remarkable achievement – the Joe Kordick Award, bestowed upon
commitment extended to leadership roles in various charitable, educational, and civic institutions,
her for her outstanding character and unwavering integrity. This honor,
embodying his belief that character development in youth is a collective effort involving parents,
received during her high school years, left an indelible mark on Leigh
teachers, community leaders, and businesses. His vision led to the creation of Character Counts! in
Anne's life, reinforcing her commitment to authenticity and personal
Martin County, fostering responsibility and integrity among young people through collaborative
growth. Inspired by this recognition, she pursued her passion for
community engagement. The Joe Kordick Awards reflect his enduring legacy of service and
journalism at the University of Florida, earning her bachelor's degree. character development in Martin County.
Today, Leigh Anne reflects on the Joe Kordick Award with deep gratitude,
acknowledging its profound impact on shaping her values and guiding
her path forward.
Character Counts! in the Community
Character Counts! in the Community The collaborative efforts of the Palm City, Jensen Beach,
Hobe Sound, and Indiantown Chambers of Commerce
Students at Hidden Oaks Middle School have been played a pivotal role in supporting the Character Counts!
acknowledged for exemplifying one or more of the pillars of program within Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County and the
CharacterCounts!: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Martin County School District. Their engagement fosters a
Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Nominations for these strong sense of community involvement, emphasizing the
students were submitted by teachers, counselors, or importance of character development among the youth.
community members. Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County is This partnership helps to implement initiatives that instill
pleased to endorse a program that prioritizes good values such as respect, responsibility, fairness, and
character in our children's daily routines. The event was
citizenship, enriching the educational experience and
sponsored by Rob Tweedale at Merrill Lynch.
promoting positive youth development throughout the
county. The commitment these Chambers provided to the
Character Counts! program exemplifies the profound
impact that dedication to good character and citizenship
can have on shaping the future leaders of tomorrow.
Paid Advertisement
SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH CARE
During National Stroke Awareness Month, more than 160,000 deaths a year, according
to the Centers for Disease Control. Preven-
Remember: “Time is Brain.” tive measures include:
• controlling blood pressure, weight,
and diabetes
• exercising regularly and eating right
• quitting smoking
By Sue Goulding
• limiting alcohol consumption
Now that specialists have effective treat-
ment options for strokes, they’re remind- Jupiter Medical Center offers diagnostic
ing patients to seek help immediately at expertise, advanced imaging, and minimal-
the first signs of the hallmark symptoms of ly invasive procedures for the treatment of
these so-called “brain attacks.” stroke. Our comprehensive neurological
team includes the area’s leading doctors in
Why is calling 911 or a visit to the Emer- neurointerventional radiology, neurology
gency Department so important if you or and neurosurgery and are here to provide
someone close to you experiences a facial you with life-saving care.
droop, slurring of speech, or weakness/
numbness of legs on one side of the body?

When someone suffering from an acute
stroke seeks immediate medical attention,
stroke specialists can now provide invasive Jupiter Medical Center’s designation high- At Jupiter Medical Center our compre-
and non-invasive treatments to prevent any lights its advanced imaging technologies, hensive stroke team is prepared to utilize
long-term neurological deficit and disabili- medical equipment, neurological intensive advanced techniques and minimally inva-
ty. “Time is brain” and the faster someone care, and stroke recovery units. It also rein- sive procedures in order to treat all type of
gets to the hospital after the onset of symp- forces the center’s “Time is Brain” concept strokes.
toms, the better the chance of having a full to encourage patients to seek help imme-
recovery. diately. Call 911 If You Experience These
Stroke Symptoms
Quick Diagnosis and Treatment “The longer patients wait to seek medical
are Keys to Recovery attention with the underlying causes of According to the American Heart Associa-
stroke remaining untreated, the higher the tion, common stroke symptoms are:
There are two main types of strokes: isch- likelihood of having permanent brain in- • sudden and brief periods of confusion
emic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke is jury” says Juan Gomez, MD, neuro-inter- • sudden trouble speaking or under-
when there is a blood clot blocking nor- ventional radiologist at JMC. “Calling 911 standing others
mal blood flow to the brain. Hemorrhagic and receiving immediate medical treatment • sudden weakness or numbness in the
stroke is when there is a rupture of a blood at a recognized stroke center dramatically face, arm, or leg, especially on one side Juan Gomez, MD
vessel leading to a brain bleed. Medical increases the chances of recovery. Our goal • sudden trouble seeing in one or both
treatments and surgical interventions for is for our stroke patients to be able to re- eyes
all types of strokes are available to residents turn to their normal lives with no perma- • sudden severe headache with no For more information, contact Jupiter
of Palm Beach County and the Treasure nent deficits such as weakness or paralysis, known cause Medical Center’s Stroke Program
Coast at Jupiter Medical Center, designat- speech-language problems, memory loss, Coordinator at 561-263-5972 or visit
ed nationally as a Thrombectomy-Capable changes in behaviors, personality and mood Strokes represent the fifth-leading cause of jupitermed.com/stroke.
Stroke Center. among others.” death in the U.S. and are responsible for
Paid Advertisement