Marla Martin, Communications Manager, or Jeff Zipper, Vice President of Communications
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Florida Association of Realtors® Enlist Community Leaders to Judge Scholarship Essay Contest

ORLANDO, Fla., July 18, 2006 -- What do a number of educators, Realtors, business executives, media representatives, civic organizers and elected officials across Florida have in common? They all can add serving as a judge for the Florida Association of Realtors’® (FAR) 2005-2006 Scholarship/Essay Contest for High School Seniors to their resumes of community service.

The topic for the essay contest -- “How Does a Realtor Professional Benefit the Community?” -- provided students with the chance to research a wide range of real estate disciplines. This year, a total of $106,000 in scholarship funding will be awarded by FAR, with student winners in each of the Association’s 13 districts receiving a $5,000 scholarship prize, second-place winners receiving a $1,500 award and each student winning third place earning a $500 award. The 13 district-winning essays now go on to compete for three state FAR scholarship awards -- each worth an additional $5,000.

These state scholarship winners will be announced as part of FAR’s 90th annual Convention and Trade Expo, set for Sept. 13-17, at the Westin Diplomat Resort in Hollywood, Fla.

Florida residents serving as state and district judges volunteer their time and expertise to participate in FAR’s scholarship program and form a distinguished “Who’s Who” list of community leaders from across the state.

Those serving on the state judging panels include: FAR 2006 President Mike Dooley, a Realtor from Hobe Sound; Cathy Whatley, the 2003 president of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and a Jacksonville Realtor; Simone Marstiller, Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation; Dr. Wayne Archer, professor in business administration/real estate studies, University of Florida; Matey Veissi, a member of the Florida Real Estate Commission and a Miami Realtor; Frank Ryll, president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce; Kurt Schultheis, real estate reporter for the Orlando Business Journal; and Dr. Sid Rosenberg, professor of real estate at North Florida University.

District-level judges for FAR's scholarship/essay contest this year include:

District 1: Florida Rep. Bill Proctor (R-St. Augustine); Foy Maloy, publisher and editor of the Fernandina Beach Newsleader & Nassau Record; Bill Haley of Brannon, Brown, Haley & Bullock, P.A.; Al Brennan, director and on-air personality with WFOY (1240 AM) and WAOC (1420 AM) radio stations in St. Augustine; Mrs. Linda King, education advocate and volunteer, Jacksonville; and G. Matthew Wilson, FAR District 1 vice president.

District 2: Blaine O'Neal, mayor of South Daytona; Michele Jordan, president of the Port Orange/South Daytona Chamber of Commerce; Mark Thornell, executive director of the YMCA Port Orange branch; and Shawn Goepfert, FAR District 2 vice president.

District 3: U.S. Congressman Mark Foley (R-Florida); Alan Gerstel, television newscaster; and Nancy Cardone, FAR District 3 vice president.

District 4: Scott Davis, Miami Shores city clerk; Julio Robaina, mayor of Hialeah; Shelley Acoca, Miami Herald; and Israel Ameijeiras, FAR District 4 vice president.

District 5: Kimberly Stalcup, real estate assistant and former teacher; Charles Sobczak, Realtor; Bill Counts, Realtor; Cynthia Shafer, Realtor and child advocate; and Betty Jean Christensen, FAR District 5 vice president.

District 6: Michael Allen, a professor at Stetson University; Lance Williams, writer; Michael Bindman, real estate broker; and Bob Memoli, FAR District 6 vice president.

District 7: Tom Franklin, development consultant; Bob Hedick, broker-owner of The Hedick Group Fine Home Sales; Erna Stanton, retired association executive for the Citrus County Realtors Association; and John Barnes, FAR District 7 vice president.

District 8: Bob Gabordi, executive editor, Tallahassee Democrat; Sheila Costigan, member of the Leon County School Board; and Penny Herman, FAR District 8 vice president.

District 9: Debbie Neale; Auby and Pam Smith; Joe Corbin; Jan H. Cox; and Ben Anderson, FAR District 9 vice president.

District 10: Susan Brewer, broker and real estate appraiser, Brewer Sahm & Webb Inc.; Matt Ruthven, president of the Lakeland Association of Realtors; Jane Tyl, broker-owner Choice Dantzler Properties Inc.; Joyce Tubb, Realtor and real estate appraiser, Tubb Appraisals; and Vera Tungate, FAR District 10 vice president.

District 11: Christine Teel, former vice mayor of Fort Lauderdale; Ms. E. Huizenga Buntrock, owner of Flowers & Found Objects; Dr. Don Rosenblum, dean of arts & sciences, Nova Southeastern University; Jane Wikberg, president of the Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge Brotherhood; Betty Williams, publisher and editor, South Florida Social; and Larry Rowe, FAR District 11 vice president.

District 12: Bob Charles, vice president of distribution, Planet Hollywood; Lori Miller, Realtor with Keller Williams Realty @ the Vista's; Mariza Cortez; and Lydia Pisano, FAR District 12 vice president.

District 13: Harold Bubil, real estate editor, Sarasota Herald-Tribune; Emily Walsh, editor, Osprey Observer; Laura Benson, Realtor and member of the Sarasota School Board; Scott Dennis, TV personality, ABC-TV, Channel 7 News; and Darla Furst, FAR District 13 vice president.

The Florida Association of Realtors (FAR), the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its nearly 155,000 members in 68 boards/associations.

© 2006 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®