On Thursday, January 24, 2019, the Youth Leadership Highlands of the Mason G. Smoak Foundation set out to learn about the variety of tourism aspects that are in Highlands County. The first location we went to was the Sebring International Raceway. I really did not know the history behind it was so interesting. We then went to Maxwell Groves, Mr. Maxwell shared about the many experiences he encountered through his life. It was a very powerful story and taught me to keep going

On January 24, 2019 the YLH class VIII had our Tourism day on the North side of Highlands County. Our first stop was the Sebring Racetrack where we learned that the Racetrack was originally an airplane base. The Sebring Racetrack is very well known around the world, even in Europe. There have even been NASCAR drivers in our very own hometown driving on that track! Next, we went to Maxwell’s in Avon Park. This establishment makes their own citrus juices and ice creams. Mr

Today’s “adventure” was a special one! I was able to witness amazing things that my county is blessed with that not many other people can comprehend. Small business is huge for my county, and that makes Highlands County special. We went to tour Maxwell’s, which is a small business only in Avon Park, which grows and packs oranges that they have shipped to places all over the world! I just love the fact that we have a small town like this one, and still we have many companies t

On our tourism day out, I go to learn a lot about different places in our community. For example, I didn’tknow that there was a museum at SFSC. When we went there it was really interesting to see all of the historical objects that had been curated for our state and community. The art exhibit that was displayed there was also very cool. The pieces were unique, colorful, and looked like a lot of dedication had been put into them. It was nice to learn about the history of Highla