Page 30 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2019

COASTNOTES
2019 Pat Santucci Award Announced
story by Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce photo by Michael Sunderman
Dick Wilson is the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 recipient of the Pat Santucci Spirit of the Coast award.
“Dick has been an active member of the community including the
Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce for many years,” said Adele Lyons, chamber chief executive officer. “He has given his heart and soul to make this community a better place.”
Col. Dick E. Wilson, USAF (Ret.), graduated from Indiana University and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant. He was stationed at bases all over the world and retired from Keesler AFB as a lieutenant colonel in 1976.
Wilson’s military awards include
Dick Wilson and Kathy Springer
Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Award, Air Medal, Air Force Unit Citation, Commendation Award, and Vietnam Service Award. Upon
retirement, he opened Wilson’s Fishing Camp and in 1988 became superintendent of cultural affairs for Biloxi before his promotion
to lead the new human resources department. He retired from the city in 1995 and opened a new business in Gulfport with his wife and son, Marty, called Art-FX Studio/Gallery.
Wilson served as president of the board for the Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial, served on the board for the Annual Veterans Parade and was president of the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce. He has been a long time volunteer
for the Boys and Girls Club, the Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, and Joppa Shrine Temple.
M ississippi Aquarium will
open in late
2019/early 2020, but it is already making
a big splash for education on
the Gulf Coast. Celebrating the first of many career days, the education department took to the classrooms of Central Elementary in Gulfport to talk about what
it takes to operate a business as intricate as an aquarium.
“At Mississippi Aquarium, we have the privilege of working together in all these different facets,” said Meredith Horn, director of guest experience. “I wanted students to understand
MAKES A
SPLASH FOR EDUCATION
story and photos courtesy of Mississippi Aquarium
that all of these different areas are dependent on one another for success.”
The second graders got the opportunity to present their ideas for the color scheme and name of the main building at Mississippi Aquarium. “We want all students to feel excited about learning and empower them to become the best they can be,” says Horn. “Perhaps they’ll be working at Mississippi Aquarium one day.”
Be sure to follow the progress of Mississippi Aquarium on Facebook and find out how you can learn more about the aquatic wonders of the Gulf and beyond.
FUTURE APPEARANCES: APRIL 6 – Celebrate the Gulf
Marine Education Festival
APRIL 24 – Education Day with the Shuckers MAY 11 – Tern Fest
Mississippi Aquarium | 228.205.4014 | www.msaquarium.org
30 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • April 2019 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net