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JUPITER, Fla. (CBS12) — As youth sports teams gear up for the fall season, Team Sports Ministries is hosting a special event to mentor young athletes.

Pastor Scott, a representative of the organization, explained that Team Sports Ministries focuses on engaging with student-athletes, building relationships, and empowering them to make a positive impact in their communities.

Gerald Hearns, a former football player at Dwyer High School and Florida Atlantic University, shared how the organization mentors young players through study groups, character development, and family bonding.

“What are we doing to lead the community, giving back? So those mentorship moments have definitely defined who I became and how we are still mentoring young athletes,” Hearns said.

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Bob Puyol, another former college athlete who attended the University of Connecticut, credited Team Sports Ministries with laying a foundation to be a good husband and father. “The man I am, the leader I am today, is because of that foundation that was laid, and I’m thankful that we’re still seeing that impact today,” he said.

Pastor Scott announced an upcoming golf tournament on June 28 at Abacoa Golf Club to raise funds for the organization’s mentoring programs. “Right now we have 30 teams,” he said, adding that there are opportunities for businesses to sponsor holes. The funds raised will support mentoring programs in high schools across the county.

For more information, interested parties can visit the organization’s website.

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Buffalo Wild Wings – Northwest Little League (11/12U)

Cooler than the flip-side of the pillow. That’s how 11-year-old Tucker Butori played in Anaconda last week, and now he’s your Butte Sports Athlete of the Week.

In a barn burner against Anaconda Community Hospital, Butori stepped up and delivered the game of his young life, leading Buffalo Wild Wings to an 8-7 win on the road with just eight players suited up.

Starting at shortstop, Butori was a vacuum, scooping up grounders and locking down the infield. At the plate, he went 2-for-4, including a missile triple down the right-field line that scored two huge runs and gave BWW momentum late.

But the biggest moment came in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs and the tying and winning runs in scoring position, Wild Thing started playing in the background of the timeout pitching change and Butori took the mound. Cool. Calm. Collected. And then — BOOM — he blew a heater by the batter so fast, he froze like a popsicle in January. Strike three. Game over. Buffalo Wild Wings hangs on, 8-7.

And major props to Tucker Cunneen, who played first base in a walking boot after an earlier injury. He turned in highlight-reel picks and went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, helping spark the shorthanded squad. Without him they didn’t even get to play the game.

From shortstop to the mound, with ice in his veins and fire in his heart, Tucker Butori earns this week’s Athlete of the Week.

Candidates for First Lady include Shannon Marcouiller, April Walenski and Jenny Nickels. Mr. Niagara nominees are Mark Marcouiller, Ken Walenski and Mike Nickels.

The community can vote at Forward Financial Credit Union or Nicolet Bank in Niagara through 4 p.m. Friday, June 27. Cost is $1 per vote.

There is no limit to the number of votes — the Women’s Club encourages ballot stuffing.

Royalty will be crowned at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at the Niagara Lions Club Community Picnic at Heights Park.

APRIL WALENSKI

The Niagara Women’s Club thanks all who participate in this year’s fundraiser. Proceeds from the contest will be used to support many of the club’s efforts and events including scholarships for two graduating seniors and its annual East Egg Hunt.

The club has been hosting the Niagara Royalty competition for more than 20 years in coordination with the Niagara Lions Club Community Picnic.

Tiffany Hametner and Gordon Behnke are last year’s reigning royalty.

The 2025 Miss Niagara, Elesia Sweig, also will have her coronation at the picnic June 28, where she will receive her crown and sash from 2024 Miss Niagara Mallory Sanicki.

The Miss Niagara competition has been organized and sponsored by the Niagara Lions Club since 1968.

JENNY NICKELS

This year’s Niagara Royalty candidates are:

— Shannon Marcouiller was born in Texas and raised in Aurora, Wis., but Niagara is her home. She considers it to be a great place to stay and raise her family.

She is married to Mark and they have six children: Casey, Mark Jr., Domenic, Brittany, Cory and Miranda. They are grandparents to Matthew, Giovani and Apollo, with one more coming in October.

She is employed as a store manager at Northwoods IGA.

Shannon has been an active member of the Niagara Lions Club and has been involved with coaching her children’s sport teams.

MARK MARCOUILLER

When she is not working or chasing her 2-year-old grandson who lives and works with them, she enjoys golfing, gardening and spending time with her family.

Her traveling “lunch dates” with her husband are her treasured time.

Her proudest achievement has been raising her kids in the community and watching them become wonderful adults.It has given her a real sense of accomplishment, she said.

When asked what she loves about the community, she said “the people. This is a close-knit community, where you know everyone.”

She also feels “safe” here and loves the beauty the area provides.

KEN WALENSKI

— April Walenski grew up in Escanaba and came to Niagara with her family when she was a sophomore in high school. She graduated from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with a degree in psychology and human development and met her husband, Ken.

After their marriage, they lived in Green Bay until nine years ago, when she began thinking about returning to Niagara. On a visit to her parents, she found a home for sale. It was tugging at her heartstrings but before they could put in an offer it sold. Walenski was finally successful in purchasing the house after more than a year of persistently making offers to the new owner.

She is involved in St. Anthony Catholic Church and coaches SAY Soccer along with her husband.

She enjoys fundraising for worthy causes. She joins Ken as a Christmas character every year, making many visits around the area. She is also very creative and creates the family’s themed Halloween costumes and rides.

Boating and fishing — even learning to bait her own hook — are among her other hobbies.

MIKE NICKELS

She said what she likes best about Niagara is “the people — their willingness to be there when help is needed is so impressive.”

Her proudest accomplishment is their children, followed by being able to purchase their home across from her parents.

— Jenny Nickels grew up in Marinette, Wis., and moved to Niagara in 2015. She is married to Mike and they have a son, Jeffrey. Nickels has an associates degree in police science and has worked with the Marinette County Sheriff Department as a dispatcher. She is currently employed by the City of Niagara as the deputy clerk/treasurer, water and utility billing clerk, and administrative assistant for the Niagara Police Department.

She and her husband are leaders of the Niagara Boy Scout Troop and coach their son’s sports teams. She is a member of the Main Street Makeover Committee, vice president of the PTO, and a member of the National Night Out committee, which coordinates an annual tri-county event at the Northeastern Wisconsin Technical College site in Aurora, Wis., on the first Tuesday in August to highlight emergency services in the area.

Fundraising for worthwhile causes is also important to her, as is spending time at the lake with her family.

Her proudest achievement is her son and the person he is becoming. She loves the fact he enjoys the same activities they do and doing them with his parents.

When asked what she likes best about Niagara, Nickels highlighted the friendly and supportive small-town atmosphere, the opportunities to participate in various community programs and all of the Lions Club activities.

— Mark Marcouiller was born and raised in Niagara and thought it was the perfect place to stay and raise his family. He is married to Shannon — see above — and has six children and three grandchildren, with another arriving in October.

Marcouiller is currently employed at Northwoods IGA, formerly known as Marcouiller’s IGA, as the meat department manager.

When asked what his proudest accomplishment in life was, the former store owner said “keeping the Marcouiller name going through the store that was in the family for 105 years.”

He is a member of the Niagara Lions Club and the Oak Crest Monday Night Golf League, where he not only golfed but coordinated the tee time schedule. Marcouiller also volunteers at the local food pantry, has coached children’s soccer teams and has participated in decorating St. Anthony’s Church for the Christmas season.

His hobbies include golf, gardening, and chasing grandkids. He and Shannon enjoy going on “lunch dates” in communities outside the immediate area.

When asked what he likes about the community, his reply was “the friendliness of the people. You can wave to everyone and no one is afraid to stop and chat.” He also loves the beauty of the area and complimented the Beautification Committee on their contributions, especially the flowers.

— Ken Walenski grew up in Green Bay, Wis., and is married to April — see above — with two children, Mary and Alex. Seven years ago, the family moved to Niagara, where April’s parents resided. Walenski began to work for the Niagara Public School System as a bus driver and custodian. He is known for having a big smile and being “the most fun” bus driver around.

He does maintenance for St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.

Walenski is a member of St. Anthony Church and is involved in community events, including entertaining children as a Christmas character, and dressing up for Halloween with his family in themed costumes, from The Greatest Show in Niagara to Harry Potter. He has been involved with coaching his kid’s many activities and fundraising for worthwhile causes.

In addition to his fishing and hunting hobbies, he is quite a comedian and enjoys entertaining kids.

He said his proudest accomplishment is finding a job he loves that he can continued to do until he is ready to retire.

He said the best thing about Niagara “is the people. They are always there to help if needed and are friendly and welcoming.”

He feels that the area is known for being peaceful and quiet. Traffic is much lighter compared with the city, he said.

— Mike Nickels, formerly of Norway, moved to Niagara in 2012. He is married to Jennie — see above — and they have a son. He has an associate degree in corrections from Bay College and is a sheriff’s deputy with the Marinette County Sheriff’s Office.

The couple restarted the Boy Scouts program in Niagara and currently lead the group. He also coaches, referees and umpires youth sports in the community.

Nickels is involved with the Tri-County National Night Out Committee that organizes the annual event at the NWTC site in Aurora.

His proudest accomplishment is his son, Jeffrey, and enjoys spending time with him and watching him grow up.

What he likes best about Niagara are “all of the activities for the kids and the generosity of local people in providing parks and game fields for them.” He appreciates the fundraisers that support youth sports opportunities.

LEARNING HISTORY OF CITY — The Sycamore Youth Center offered a Historic Homes and Architecture Camp to 45 local youth. The event featured hands-on experiences and tours of historic homes and churches along Fourth Street. Participants constructed cardboard models of their favorites.
— Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Today’s young students had the opportunity to explore the rich history of downtown Steubenville.

A Historic Homes and Architecture Camp took place at the Sycamore Youth Center, where 45 local students took part in hands-on experiences pertaining to architectural design.

The camp, led by Sarah Wear of Franciscan University of Steubenville, offered the children an opportunity to tour numerous historic homes and churches along Fourth Street, according to Sycamore Executive Director Bobbyjon Bauman.

Each day, participants learned to identify architectural styles and unique design elements, deepening their appreciation for the structures that have shaped Steubenville’s landscape.

Following walking tours, campers returned to the center and constructed cardboard models of their favorite buildings. They incorporated details such as stained-glass windows, which were created using colored tissue paper, mullioned windows, wrap-around porches, timber framing, towers and more.

“What an incredible week,” Bauman commented. “Our students were fully engaged from start to finish — learning, creating and connecting with the history of their city. This camp beautifully combined creativity with education, and we’re grateful to Sarah for leading such a meaningful experience.”

The Historic Homes and Architecture Camp is one of 18 free summer camps offered through the Sycamore Youth Center.

These camps are designed to educate, inspire and equip students through programs in the arts, technology, life skills and community service.

Sycamore continues to serve hundreds of area youth each year through its mission of providing educational enrichment and positive mentorship rooted in community values.

For information or to register for upcoming programs, visit sycamorecenter.com.

LOWNDES CO – Lowndes County Fire Rescue announces that Sergeant John Griffith was recently named Firefighter of the Year.

Release:

Lowndes County Fire Rescue is proud to recognize Sergeant John Griffith for being named Firefighter of the Year by the Exchange Club of Valdosta. This prestigious honor reflects Sergeant Griffith’s dedication, professionalism, and strength of character—qualities that continue to leave a lasting impact on both the department and the greater community.

Sergeant Griffith is known for his unwavering determination and competitive spirit, giving 100 percent to every call, training session, and leadership opportunity. He leads one of the department’s top-performing truck companies and is a firm believer in the power of teamwork, consistently setting a high standard for those who serve alongside him. His “no-quit” attitude and commitment to completing every task with excellence define his approach to public service.

Sergeant Griffith is constantly seeking opportunities to grow professionally. He actively pursues additional training and education to expand his skillset and further enhance the service he provides to Lowndes County residents.

Outside of the fire department, Sergeant Griffith’s dedication to service continues through his involvement in youth sports. He coaches softball, baseball, and football with the same passion, energy, and leadership that define his professional role—making a positive difference in the lives of young athletes throughout the community.

Perhaps the most powerful demonstration of his character came during one of the most difficult times in his life. When his wife was diagnosed with a brain tumor, Sergeant Griffith took a leave of absence to care for her and their children. Despite the uncertainty, he remained steadfast and strong. Thankfully, his wife recovered, and John returned to duty with the same passion, commitment, and mentorship that have long defined his career. The overwhelming support he received from his peers during this time is a testament to the deep respect he has earned throughout the department.

“Sergeant Griffith is the kind of firefighter every department hopes to have,” said Fire Chief Billy Young. “He leads with heart, grit, and integrity—never backing down from a challenge and always putting his crew and community first. This recognition is more than well deserved, and we are incredibly proud of him.”

For more information about Lowndes County Fire Rescue, please visit www.lowndescounty.com.