From the Destin Holiday Classic:
Destin Mayor Sarah “Sam” Seevers, long-time City of Destin Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Lisa Firth and Destin businesswoman Jessica Proffitt have been named as the first recipients of the Destin Holiday Classic’s Women of Honor award.
Mayor Seevers, Firth, and Proffitt will be honored at center court prior to the final game of the opening night of the tournament, Friday, December 27 at the Destin Community Center, between Fort Walton Beach High School and Smith County (Tennessee) High School.
“We are thrilled to be able to recognize and honor these fantastic ladies for their contributions to our community and for the wonderful examples and role models they are to the young ladies in the area,” said Scott McKinney, tournament director. “Each year we will honor three local women who have demonstrated community above self, who give freely of their time and talents, and who are examples of leadership and commitment. Our first three honorees are more than deserving of this recognition.”
Seevers is a long-time resident of Destin and a highly active citizen. Since 2002, she has served as a Destin City Council member and was elected the first female Mayor of Destin in 2010. She is also on the Board of Directors of the Florida League of Mayors and is currently President of the Okaloosa County League of Cities. Mayor Seevers was appointed by Governor Rick Scott to serve as a Commissioner on the Commission on Community Service (Volunteer Florida). She is also the current Chairman of the Okaloosa County RESTORE Act Committee and is also involved in the Community Leaders Program through Eglin Air Force Base.
She is married to Rick Seevers and the couple has two children, Michael and Devin.
Firth has served the City of Destin and its citizens since joining the Parks and Recreation Department in 1996. Prior to joining the City Parks and Rec Department as a full-time employee, Firth volunteered untold hours to the department and served as a coach and sports official for years. She has been recognized numerous times by the City of Destin, the state of Florida and the National Parks and Recreation Services for her work and commitment to her community and profession.
Firth is also a long-time volunteer with the Destin Seafood Festival, citing that her efforts for her hometown of Destin are what she loves the most.
Firth grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota, met her husband Ernest in Alaska and the couple moved to Destin in 1978. They have three children – Ernest, Melissa and Angela, who is married to Eric Hayles – and two grandchildren – Maddox and Kaylynn Hayles.
Proffitt is the President of the very successful company Proffitt PR in Destin, and is involved in many local charitable organizations and activities. She serves the current president of the Northwest Florida Coast Florida Public Relations Chapter and was awarded Member of the Year, For-Profit Communicator of the Year, and also received the President’s Award. Proffitt is the creator of local event, Girls' Night Out which has raised close to $50,000 for area charities.
She serves on the Board of the Directors of the Young Professionals of Walton County and with the Sinfonia Gulf Coast. She was also named as the Florida Public Relations Association Northwest Florida Chapter Communicator of the Year. And, she is a member of the Fort Walton Beach Young Professionals.
Proffitt is engaged to be married to Destin attorney Levin Bracken.
Eight of the top high school girls’ basketball teams from across the South will converge on Destin for the tournament December 27-30 at the Destin Community Center, including the host team, the Fort Walton Beach High School Lady Vikings. A complete tournament bracket as well as tournament ticket information can be found on the tournament’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/2013destinholidayclassic.