I

n February, Dr. and Mrs. Nitin Bawa hosted a successful first-ever Destin 
High School (DHS) Fundraiser with auction items raising over $19,000. 
Along with proceeds from many Destin businesses and residents, the 
project raised over $97,000, to complete Phase 1, funding the charter 

application, which is now in the hands of the Okaloosa County School District 
for approval.

Due to this success of the fundraiser the Destin High School Executive Board 

invited all of the people who supported their vision and mission for a Destin 
High School to the Hyatt Place in Grand Boulevard Sandestin for coffee & 
refreshments on March 28. The event served as an appreciation breakfast and a 
town hall style meeting to update donors and supporters on the current status 
of the charter application, answer questions the attendees had and take a group 
photo. 

Upon approval of the charter, the project has a financial goal of $490,000 to 

complete all steps necessary to open for the 2020 school year. 

Some highlights since of Phase 1 include: 
• The community has donated over $97,000.
• Statement of ability to finance and develop source of funds for Destin 

High School was received from HIGHMARK, who toured potential site 
locations for the        new school.

• Once the charter is approved the HIGHMARK firm will serve as 

negotiator, facility developer and financier for the school facility.

• First National Bank offered DHS additional support through a $200,000 

loan.

• The board is hoping the community will volunteer for the many DHS 

committees that are needed.

• High school age students looking for service hours are needed to help with 

office-type work, including stuffing envelopes, applying postage, etc.

photos & story by

Zhalman Harris

   VIP Destin at Hyatt Place in Grand Boulevard

!"#"$%&''$()*+,*"#%-$(+./+0,

DHS

32     |    VIPDestinMagazine.com

Kathryn Rockwell & Daniel Frankfurt

Leigh Moore, Myra Williams, Keith Howard & Lynn Wesson

Sarah Stone & Lauren Martin

Megan Suggs & Angie Salazar

Lori Leath Smith & Ashly Vannoy

32 Event_DHSDonor_May19.indd   1

4/25/19   9:51 AM