Person of Interest

Person of Interest: Karen Elliott

Executive director of Rafiki Foundation is on a mission to save African children. Vital stats: Born and raised in Houston, Texas. Resides in Eustis. Executive director of the Rafiki Foundation. Graduated from Southern Methodist University. What is the Rafiki Foundation’s…

Person of Interest: Ebo Reul Isaac Entsuah

Finding crumbs after hitting the ground running. Photo: Nicole Hamel Vital Stats 27 years old. Ebo means “boy born on Tuesday,” and he was actually born in Toronto on a Tuesday. Family includes parents, two older sisters, fiancée Morgan Ana,…

Person of Interest: Abigail Zechman

Young Numismatist hopes to inspire other kids with her knowledge of coin collecting. Vital stats: 19 years old. Will graduate with an AA from LSSC this semester. Will attend UCF for elementary education. Collection consists of thousands of coins. Plans…

Person of Interest: Turning the page on a new life

Reading transforms Eustis woman’s life. Photos: Douglas Tyler On paper, Johnnie Coley seemed pretty much set. A 35-year social worker, published author, COVID-19 survivor and college-scholarship basketball player with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in human services…

Person of Interest: Keshia Rytter

School resource deputy with Lake County Sheriff’s Office has heart for kids. Photo: Nicole Hamel Vital stats: Born in New York and moved to Groveland as a child. Resided in Leesburg for 14+ years before moving to Davenport last March. …

Person of Interest: Rob Price

New Visit Lake director wants county to be a place where tourism comes naturally. Photos: Douglas Tyler Vital stats Started as director of Visit Lake on Aug. 17. Previously was director of tourism development for Visit Tampa Bay. Certified Destination…

Person of Interest: Steve Smith

Clermont man has heart for propelling people forward. Photo: Nicole Hamel Vital Stats: Retired from banking industry in Columbus, Ohio. Moved to Clermont to help care for in-laws. Steve’s family includes wife Linda Smith, four adult children and 11 grandchildren.…

Person of Interest: For the love of pets

Dr. Tracie Wilson treats every dog and cat with extra dose of TLC at Animal Medical Center in Eustis. Photo: Douglas Tyler Vital Stats Grew up in Central Florida. Owns two dogs: Babe and Rowdy; and cats Dublin and Sun…

Person of Interest: Mariah Wallis

Founder of Clermont Compassion strives to give back. Photos: Anthony Rao Vital Stats 22 years old. Sixth-generation Clermont resident. Graduated from Valencia College with a degree in baking and pastry management. Tell me about Clermont Compassion: Every month, Clermont Compassion…

Person of Interest: Duke Jackson

Elections Support Director for Lake County Supervisor of Elections. Photo: Nicole Hamel Vital Stats Has worked 21 years at this job in his hometown of Tavares. Carmen, his wife of 33 years, also works in the Supervisor of Elections office.…