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Sometimes the best way to understand the way things are is to learn about how things began.
Octavia Walton is said to have named Tallahassee. Octavia was called "White Dove of Peace" by area natives.
Examine best practices for highly effective learning environments during the pioneer days (then) compared to our current school systems (now).
Keynote speaker and local historian Sam Carnley utilizes the same research, investigation, and report writing skills he used as a field auditor for the Florida Office of the Auditor General to delve into the history of Walton County, a fascination which has kept him engrossed for many years. Sam loves the compelling stories of local personalities and how they came to establish and build Walton County over the past 200 years. Like many locals, born during the mid-20th century, Sam was born in his grandparents’ home. Although he was born in New Harmony, he grew up in the community of Children’s Home, and graduated from Paxton School in 1961. Eventually, he went on to earn an AA from Pensacola Junior College and then a BA in Accounting from the University of West Florida.
However, Sam’s current interest in absorbing the history of Walton County found its genesis when he joined the Walton County Heritage Association (WCHA) in 2013. He is particularly interested in uncovering the untold stories of Panhandle personalities whose stories he loves to share. Discovering the engaging facts about such noted residents as Gladys Milton and Jacqueline Cochran has inspired Sam to record their inspirational histories. Since becoming the WCHA newsletter (“Walton Relations & History”) writer, editor, and publisher in 2016, Sam has published numerous articles, in addition to having several books published. These publications will surely serve to educate and inspire the younger generations of Walton County residents to take ownership the rich and fascinating history of his county.
Sam Carnley
Bruce is a Walton County native. Except for a twenty-some-odd year stint in the U. S. Air Force, he has resided in Walton County on the banks of Alaqua Creek. He has held a life-long interest in the history of his home county and has accumulated a treasure trove of information about it. There is nothing he loves more than to talk about that history and how it came to be among the things in life he most enjoys.
Bruce became a metal detecting enthusiast, finding historical artifacts throughout Walton County. His findings led him to investigate the County's history, and his love of history further bloomed.
You can read Bruce's full bio at this link and the exciting artifacts he has found through metal detecting: https://www.waltoncountyheritage.org/GenSoc/NL2021Aug.pdf
Bruce Cosson
Brenda Rees's life has taken her a variety of places, but it brought her full circle back to her roots and its history. Rees was born at Lakeside Hospital in DeFuniak Springs on Oct. 9, 1953, the second child of Mac and Gloria Anderson. She was baptized at 1st Methodist Church in DeFuniak Springs. Rees finished high school and college in Texas, earning a degree in journalism and a master's in education administration. She lived 20-plus years in Texas and 11 in Alaska. In Alaska, Rees worked for U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski and the Chamber of Commerce. While in Alaska, she was one of five people appointed to do redistricting. She returned to Texas for four more years and worked as a campaign manager for a congressional race there. In 1998, Rees returned to South Walton permanently to the beach house her family built in 1989 while living in Alaska. However, retirement has not slowed Rees down. She became the Northwest Florida director for the Bush/Gore presidential campaign, and Representative Bev Kilmer asked her to be her legislative aide. Rees then opened a legislative office for Kilmer in Walton County. Since then, Rees has stayed busy substitute teaching, serving as chair of Walton County History Association. She is involved with the South Walton Community Council, treasurer of the TT Wentworth museum in Pensacola, she is an active member of Point Washington United Methodist Church, and in 2006 she went back to school to do post-graduate research on the area's history at the University of West Florida. Since then, Rees has spoken many times to various groups about the area's history. She has presented several times at the Florida Chautauqua, spoken to the Kiwanis club, and at the Walton County Heritage Museum.
At this year's assembly, enjoy a fascinating "living history tribute" of Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert (played by Brenda Rees), a published woman author and writing peer of Harriet Beecher Stowe and Louisa Mae Alcott in the mid 1800's. Discussing Octavia's world travels from her book "Souvenirs of Travel," Brenda Rees will portray the famous Belle of the South and daughter of Walton County's namesake. This one-time Florida resident is brought to life through her Florida territorial days' adventures, conversations with the well-traveled of America, and stories with the rich and famous of the world. Promoting freedom was instilled by her grandfather, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Brenda Rees
A. Russell Hughes is a Crestview High School graduate and continued his education at Langston University in Oklahoma and The University of West Florida where he earned his Master of Educational Leadership. His experience in education spans almost 30 years and includes serving as a classroom teacher, dean of students at the high school level, head coach and assistant principal at the middle school level, principal at the middle and high school level, and now as the Superintendent of Schools since November 2016. Mr. Hughes is a lifelong learner and is currently pursuing his Doctoral Degree in Biblical Studies. He is certified as a superintendent through the Florida Association of District School Superintendents. He serves on many committees including Florida School Music Association, Panhandle Area Education Consortium Board of Directors, and the Walton County Economic Development Alliance. Mr. Hughes has also been recognized as one of 24 “Superintendents to Watch” in the nation by the National School Public Relations Association for his commitment to strong communication. While Superintendent, Walton County School District has been designated by the State Board of Education as an academically high performing school district and back-to-back “A” District.
A. Russell Hughes