C

losing out the Mardi Gras 
season, the Junior Achievement 
of Northwest Florida, Inc. 
teamed up with Cordova Lanes 

to present the 2nd annual Mardi Gras 
Bowl. On February 16-17, local businesses 
gathered with their representing teams 
to participate in shifts throughout the 
weekend to raise funds for Financial Literacy 
education in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and 
Okaloosa schools, grades K-12. Teams 
competed for the best game, and the top 
three were awarded a winner’s party. The top 
score was awarded a trophy, to be held for a 
year. 

The Junior Achievement of Northwest 

Florida, Inc. has supplied educational 
services to more than 150,000 students 
through the dedication of its volunteer 
teachers and financial backers, as well as 
its many past and present Board Members. 
The organization also enlists mentors and 
provides them with a briefcase to teach the 
Financial Literacy program. A minimum 
5-week program is taught in several K-12 
schools in the area and focuses on educating 
students on income, the difference between 
wants and needs, how to manage credit, 
budgets, how to build a resume, and how 
to secure and retain a job. The Financial 
Literacy Program was established in 1958, 
and currently provides programming in 
Mont Claire, Oakcrest Title One schools, 
and Oriole Beach Elementary. 

photos & story by

Kristina Wright 

   VIP Pensacola at Cordova Lanes

Brandon Bragg, Cody Panzik & Tyler Joyner

Riley Lerille & Dakota Bowman

Cat & Mike Myhre

Adam & Dianne Hafl eigh

Ann Marie Nusrala, Lindsay Harrison & Heidi Wassmann

John Hodgdon & Michelle Taylor

Mardi Gras 

Bowl 2018

64     |    VIPPensacola.com

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3/25/18   1:47 PM