July 9, 2014 Comments are off MasterKey

My Favorite Home Art Contest

Neal Communities held its 16th annual “My Favorite Home” art contest at Annie Lucy Williams Elementary School in Parrish, Fla. on Wednesday November 12, 2014. Students in all grade levels participated in the program creating an image of a home on paper. The staff at Williams Elementary School selected the top ten finalists for each grade level. Then, a group of community leaders and Neal staff chose the winner for each grade. The Neal team will then select an overall winner, whose art will appear on the cover of the Neal Communities holiday card.

“Each year, I am more impressed at the creativity the children display through their favorite home designs. This is always one of my favorite community endeavors and we are proud to support art programs in our region’s schools,” said Neal Communities’ President, Pat Neal.

Art instructor Nancy Seagle created a detailed lesson plan to incorporate a variety of mediums and materials into the project. Kindergarten students used construction paper collage, first graders used oil pastel technique, second graders used folded houses, third graders used print making collage, fourth graders used pen and ink, and fifth graders used two point linear perspective. “The students thoroughly enjoyed the entire process of learning a new art medium, illustrating their favorite home, and having their artwork displayed around the school. Establishing a foundation for the arts in elementary school is crucial for a child’s growing appreciation and respect for the creative process, and we are thankful to the Neal team for including us in this year’s event,” said Seagle.

Neal Communities donated $1,000 to the school to purchase art supplies. The winning students from each grade level were as follows:

Kindergarten – Briana Pickwood; first grade – Kiley Hoyer; second grade – Samantha Tucker; third grade – Aliya Barnett-Ferarraccio; fourth grade – Emily Greef; fifth grade – Jadon Pacaraw.

Venice High School Scoreboard

Neal Communities made its final installment of a $40,000 donation to Venice High School (VHS) for a new LED screen, now on display inside their gymnasium. The screen and scoreboard made its debut at the first volleyball game played in the brand new gymnasium at VHS last year, but is used for all events at the high school gym.

“We are thrilled to have been able to help the Venice High School Indians celebrate their new gymnasium with this LED screen,” said Pat Neal, president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch-based, new home building company, Neal Communities. “The athletes at the school deserve a state of the art scoreboard worthy of their athletic abilities, and we are pleased to assist,” said Neal.

The new screen is used to display scores, play videos, and show customized messages. It not only benefits the athletes who play in the gym, but also all of the students in school assemblies.

“What a tremendous donation from the Neal Communities team,” said Jack Turgeon, Venice High School Principal. “Our students and staff are so proud to show off this new addition at our many events inside the new gymnasium. It is truly the perfect way to finish off our new gym- it’s like the icing on the cake and we are so thankful to Pat Neal and his all star team!” said Turgeon.

The Venice High School Boys Basketball team had an outstanding season, rounding out the 7th consecutive year the team has been in the top three in the state for team GPA. This is the second time in 20 years that the team has made the “Sweet 16”, and two of the six senior team members attending college will play Division 1 Athletics. The Varsity Girls Basketball team doubled their wins from the previous season to end the year with a 15 – 14 record. After making the state playoffs, and holding the title of district runners-up, the Lady Indians finished off the season by winning 6A Team Academic State Championships with 3.6 GPA, awarded to the team with the highest average GPA. Venice High student athletes also hold the title of 2013 Class 7A State Champions in baseball and excel in other sports at the school include cheerleading, cross country, football, golf, swimming, basketball, soccer, wrestling, weightlifting, softball, tennis and track.

Manatee Elementary Community School

Neal Communities, the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, recently donated $5,000 to B.D. Gullett Elementary School’s Neal Communities Golf Challenge.

Held each Fall, over 65 golfers, including a team from Neal Communities, participated in this year’s golf challenge. The elementary school, which has grown by 100-plus students, raised over $16,000. The funds, including Neal Communities’ donation, have been allocated toward technology for its students.

“Neal Communities is committed to building communities, not just constructing homes,” said Pat Neal, CEO of the Lakewood Ranch based firm. “The company and the people who work here are dedicated personally and professionally to the ongoing success of our communities, including the neighborhoods, their schools and the services that help make life here wonderful.”

The school has already used a portion of the proceeds to purchase tablets for students. “We had a very successful Golf Challenge this year, and are so thankful for Neal Communities and all of our business partner sponsors. The fundraiser has made a significant impact in furthering the technology and educational environment of our wonderful school,” said the Golf Committee Chair.