CLASS NOTES: FPC dance team wins first place

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

PALM COAST--- Flagler Palm Coast High School hip-hop team Supremacy won first place Jan. 24, in the Varsity Hip-Hop division at the Cheer and Dance Competition Showdown in O-Town, in Orlando. The team is led by Coach Wendy Ellis and Jose Soto.

Hutson files Animal Cruelty bill
State Rep. Travis Hutson announced the filing of his Animal Cruelty bill, HB 637. This bill, which was filed Friday, Jan. 17, will allow for tougher animal-abuse penalties and simplify the animal-abuse reporting process.

During Hutson's Flagler Mock Committee last year, select Flagler County high school students presented, debated and voted on their own ideas for how to improve Florida. Many students presented bills relating to the treatment and welfare of animals in Florida. Several student ideas have made it into this legislative package, including the winner of the student vote, Flagler Palm Coast Junior Morgan Purtlebaugh’s proposed bill giving veterinarians and their assistants an option to report animal abuse.

Hutson is currently working through the legislative process to have Morgan's and her fellow students' concerns addressed.

“Many of the students in our Mock Committee had interests in animal-abuse laws,” Hutson said. “By taking this package on, we can ensure that their ideas can be heard in Tallahassee. We will work hard to make sure our winner, Morgan Purtlebaugh, has a chance to speak on this legislation before a committee. It’s the first quarter, and we have a long way to go, but at least we are in the game.”

Buddy Taylor thespians head to states
Congratulations to the Buddy Taylor Musical Theater Class, directed by Ann Paris, who will be representing Palm Coast at Florida Jr. Thespian State Festival in Melbourne this Saturday, Feb. 8.

They will be performing their seven acts that received a Superior rating at districts in November.
The group will also be presenting a free showcase in the Buddy Taylor Theater 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6.

Students competing are as follows: Austin Branning, Cherokee Brown, Michael Brown, Trevor Dunham, David Flores, Gerald Kitt, Kiona Lane, Lauren Lilly, Sarah Main, Michael Mendoza, Alexis Padgitt, Serena Pezzullo, Amy Raleigh, Kyle Ryan, Samantha Schumaker, Chris Turknett, and Kiana Vanzuuk.