JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICK COOPER

Junior Achievement of Northwest Florida recently honored local residents Leon Walters and Melissa Hagan for their dedication and commitment to Bay County youth.

They received the 2015 Junior Achievement Laureate Award and were added to the organization’s 2015 Business Hall of Fame. Inductees are visionaries, involved in their communities, conduct business with excellence, and display innovative leadership. Laureates serve as role models for the next generation of business leaders.

Leon Walters was honored in part for his strong business leadership in the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division and his community involvement in the Bay Defense Alliance board, Bay Education Foundation board and the Florida State University Panama City STEM Education Council.

Melissa Hagan has led a successful career at Gulf Coast State College as a grant manager, including spearheading a $5 million capital campaign for the Advanced Technology Center. Also, she has been involved in local charities and has served in leadership roles for community organizations such as Girls Inc., and the Salvation Army.

Now residing in Hong Kong, Melissa flew back to Panama City to attend the event.