Cancer survivor graduates from Daytona State College with his son as inspiration
Also in Your Town: Flagler County Sheriff's Office new K-9 Deputy has a name.
By
Paige Wilson
| 5:58 p.m. June 13, 2017
Josh Laks and his son Judah. Photo courtesy of Josh Laks
Palm Coast Observer
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Josh Laks and his son Judah. Photo courtesy of Josh Laks
Josh Laks walked across the stage at the Ocean Center to receive his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Daytona State College on May 15, 2017. Having gone through chemotherapy and many surgeries in 2015 to overcome his marginal zone lymphoma, this day was a momentous occasion for the Palm Coast resident.
After the ceremony, Laks was greeted with a big hug from his 4-year-old son, Judah, overcoming him with emotion.
“He’s been my strength,” Laks said about Judah. “He’s been my coffee in the morning.”
The 34-year-old worked in machinery for most of his life, but started a job with the Palm Coast Park and Recreation department in May.
“I just know that for my life not having a good upbringing, I just want to do better for my son,” Laks said.
Your Town:
Khalid Muneer, a Palm Coast resident of 25 years, was honored by Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs with the Distinguished Asian American Leader award for his services to the community.
Flagler Palm Coast High School graduate Alfredo Torres received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Israel for 2017-2018. He previously received a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and International Studies from Emory University.
After receiving 2,000 name idea entries, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office decided to name its new K-9 Deputy Valor.
The Take Stock in Children program in Flagler County has been awarded a Gold Performance Level by the Take Stock in Children organization after scores in 16 performance indicators were accessed.
The Flagler Palm Coast High School Starlets earned the All-Around Award for the 2017 Music ‘n Motion Summer Tour, and dancers Dereatha Sanders, Angel Batchelor and Kayla Idzior were awarded pink ribbons, the highest rank, at their evaluations.
Two student teams from Belle Terre Elementary were awarded first place at the Jim Harbin Student Media Festival Statewide Program: For K-2 Animation, “Be My Valentine” created by Lilyonna Adams, Giselle Prado and Samantha North; For K-2 News Feature, “Hurricane News” created by Avery Weingarten and Lawson Pontes.
Palm Coast resident Connor Robbins recently graduated from a week-long Space Academy at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s Official Visitor Center.
