Grand Strand Newsmakers

MOAA Grand Strand hosts 4th Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser

The Grand Strand Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is sponsoring its 4th Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser in conjunction with Myrtle Beach Military Appreciation Days 2017.

From 2014-2016, proceeds from the Golf Tournament Fundraiser funded: $17,000 in college scholarships for ten junior ROTC (JROTC) students from Horry and Georgetown counties; more than $2000 for wounded service member visits to Myrtle Beach; 300 blankets for homeless veterans and bottled water and sleeping bags for low country veterans displaced by floods; and participation as a major partner in the annual Stand-Down serving 338 homeless veterans in Georgetown and Horry counties, among other activities. Proceeds from the 2017 fundraiser will fund similar programs supporting homeless, low income, and wounded veterans and highachieving high school students needing financial assistance.

The MOAA Grand Strand Chapter is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization comprised of retired, former, and active duty military officers and their spouses who volunteer their time.

Approximately 92 percent of all donations and revenues go directly to fund Chapter assistance to needy veterans and high school students.

“Since the Golf Fundraiser started in 2014, MOAA Grand Strand has tripled its annual donations to needy veterans and JROTC high school students,” notes Chapter President David Townsend.

“Our ongoing success depends upon the support of individuals and businesses along the Grand Strand—such as Monarch Roofing, this year’s major corporate sponsor.”

To sign-up or donate to the Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser, go to grandstrandmoaa.com.

For more information, contact Greg Youngman, Tournament Chair, at gyoungman@sc.rr.com or John Short at jshort1020@aol.com. The reservation deadline is May 11, 2017.

Registration and lunch on May 25th are from 12-2pm, with a Shotgun Start at 2pm at Heritage Golf Club. The Fundraiser also includes Silent Auction and Raffle opportunities.

Homeless and financially needy veterans and their families reside throughout Horry and Georgetown counties. Similarly, area high school students struggle to fund their dreams of pursuing a college degree and serving as an officer in the U.S. military. MOAA Grand Strand Chapter programs are dedicated to serving these neighbors.

Myrtle Beach Students Prepare For International Aerospace Competition in April 2017

The Myrtle Beach Campus of Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) announced a generous donation of $3,000 from Myrtle Air Services to fund students in their annual participation in the annual Aerospace Maintenance Skills Competition (AMC). The competition will be held April 24-27. The competition is held annually in conjunction with Aviation Week’s MRO Americas.

The 2017 event will take place on April 25-27 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

“We couldn’t be happier to sponsor the PIA Team. Not only have we hired several graduates but we have an ongoing partnership with the school allowing students to see hands-on work at our facility. We look forward to watching them compete at the MRO Americas event,” said Adam Salkeld, Base Manager, Myrtle Air Services.

Under the direction of PIA faculty member Greg Davis, a team of five students will compete: Lindsey Jackson, Victoria Schultz, Eric Almeter, Matt Cetera, and Lucas Foreman.

The team is currently practicing twice weekly after school from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Students are working on their competition categories and developing team skills, preparing for unknown variables by depending on the unique perspectives and experience of each team member. Competition categories include commercial aviation, general aviation, space, school, military and MRO/OEM.

According to Davis, student participation is an indicator of the team’s commitment to their professional development. “As a prestigious, annual event, the networking opportunity at AMC is enormous for an elite group of student competitors who will have the opportunity to connect with aviation industry pros.” said Davis.

Previous winners have included Virgin Galactic, Southwest Airlines, Air China, Alaska Airlines, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Coast Guard, Boeing and FedEx.

The Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC) is a venue for teams of certificated Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and students enrolled in either FAA, EASA, CASA or equivalently authorized schools as well as personnel of any country’s Armed Forces that are involved in the aircraft maintenance and spacecraft maintenance field. Uncertificated Aircraft Technicians and Aircraft Engineers employed with a MRO/OEM company are also eligible to compete.

“AMC is an opportunity for students to test their combined abilities against those of their peers,” said Peg Skalican, Campus Director of PIA Myrtle Beach. “It’s an exciting competition that’s focused on continuously raising the standards for today’s aviation maintenance professionals to provide safe, airworthy aircraft,” said Skalican.

For more about the AMC: https://www.aerospacemaintenancecompetition.com/.

Leadership Grand Strand Now Accepting Applications for Class XXXVIII

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s (MBACC) nine-month leadership program, Leadership Grand Strand, is now accepting applications for Class XXXVIII. The upcoming program, sponsored by the MBACC, will commence in August 2017 and run through May 2018. The purpose of Leadership Grand Strand is to develop a corps of informed, committed and qualified individuals capable of providing dynamic leadership for the Grand Strand area.

Leadership Grand Strand explores topics like Grand Strand history, tourism and economic development, government and politics, education, law enforcement, human services and the arts. Alumni serve on community boards and commissions and in key decision-making positions throughout the Grand Strand.

Leadership Grand Strand is open to citizens who have resided in Horry or Georgetown County continuously for at least one year prior to the application date. Candidates may be nominated by an organization or may nominate themselves. Program participation is limited, with selection reflecting the demographic, geographic and professional diversity of the Myrtle Beach area.

Criteria for selection include evidence of leadership abilities, potential to provide leadership to the Grand Strand, interest in community affairs, desire to volunteer and commitment to become more involved in the Grand Strand community. Participants and their sponsoring organizations must be willing to invest the time required for members to fully participate in the program, which includes a two-day retreat in September, a full day of classes the first Thursday of each month and 75 hours of community service. Regular attendance is imperative and mandatory.

Applications, which require three letters of reference, must be typed and are due by June 30, 2017. Applications are available online at LeadershipGrandStrand.com. Tuition is $999 per person.

Scholarship opportunities are also available through the William F. Pritchard Scholarship fund. Those interested in applying for a scholarship are encouraged to visit the Leadership Grand Strand web site and fill out a scholarship application.

For more information, visit www.LeadershipGrandStrand.com or call 843-916-7222.

CCU’s Relay for Life raises more than $100,000

Coastal Carolina University's Relay for Life, held April 8 and 9, raised $103,351 at the 12-hour event, beating its goal of $100,000; the fundraising continues through August.

Forty-six teams, with more than 900 participants and more than 1,000 walkers, took part in the event, with all the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

“The Relay for Life event on our campus gives our broader community a glimpse into the amazing things our students can accomplish when they are working together,” said Debbie Conner, vice president for campus life and student engagement. “It is an event that combines great philanthropic efforts and our campus community.”

The top three fundraising teams were the Colleges Against Cancer Leadership Team; Sigma Phi Epsilon and Sigma Kappa; and Gamma Phi Beta and Kappa Sigma.

Donnelly Wolf, a sophomore from Murfreesboro, Tenn., and captain of CCU’s professional golf management team, has volunteered for Relay for Life since his senior year in high school. He does it because his own family has been cancer-free, but many of his friends’ families have not. During the Relay, the team made a giant board game called “Operation” for walkers to play and enjoy.

“My favorite moment from this year’s event was during the CCU baseball game against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette on April 8,” said Wolf. “I led the team captains’ walk around the warning track, and it was so special to see both the teams and their fans stop what they were doing to congratulate us on our success. The Louisiana fan base and players even walked over and thanked us for what we were doing. It was a very special moment I will never forget!”

CCU started Relay for Life events on its campus in 2007. The walk is between six and 24 hours, and teams are required to have at least one person walking at all times. According to the American Cancer Society, this is “to signify that cancer never sleeps. Cancer patients don’t stop because they’re tired, and for one night, neither do we.” Throughout the duration of the event, participants take part in activities and ceremonies to remember those who have passed due to cancer, those who are still fighting, and those affected by cancer.

Optimist Club hosts annual oratorical contest

The North Strand Optimist Club of North Myrtle Beach held its annual Oratorical Contest at North Myrtle Beach Middle School on March 22, 2017. The speech topic was “What the World Gains from Optimism”. Ten students from North Myrtle Middle School and N. Myrtle Beach High School participated in this event. The top 2 orators advanced to The state competition in Columbia on May 6, 2017.

American Legion honors longtime members

Three longtime members of American Legion Post 186 were recognized recently at a general meeting.

This story was originally published April 20, 2017 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Grand Strand Newsmakers."