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Diverted Dollar$  The Real Cost of School Choice
AUG 13,
Doors open 10:30am
The August Hot Topics will look at Florida’s recent voucher law that helps parents pay for homeschooling or private schools and how the money is being diverted from public schools. Already the effects are being felt locally. Orange County Public Schools have announced a projected loss of 3,130 students in the 2025-26 year, which will result in a $27.8 million loss in state funding and require cutbacks in all departments.
The moderator is Beth Kassab, editor of the Winter Park Voice.

  • Stephanie Vanos, member of the OCPS School Board
  • Annie Martin, an investigative reporter for the Orlando Sentinel who has worked extensively on education
    stories

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Panelists

 

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Accordion Widget
Moderator: Beth Kassab
Moderator: Beth Kassab

MODERATOR: Beth Kassab


Beth Kassab is a Central Florida native and long-time journalist who has devoted her career to local news. She arrived at the Winter Park Voice in 2023 with a strong passion for telling the stories of the people and organizations who help define this region.

Beth spent 20 years at the Orlando Sentinel where she covered politics, education, courts, business and local government and also wrote a popular column. She has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, NBC Nightly News, WMFE, WUCF and Fox35.


Beth graduated from the University of Florida, where she was editor-in-chief of the Independent Florida Alligator and served as chairwoman of UF’s Department of Journalism Advisory Board from 2018-2020.


In 2018, she was a finalist for the Scripps Howard First Amendment Award and has been recognized for her body of work by the Florida Society of News Editors.



Beth volunteers as a peer mentor for patients and caregivers at the American Brain Tumor Association.

Accordion Widget
Annie Martin
Annie Martin

Annie Martin


Annie Martin is an investigative journalist for the Orlando Sentinel.


A Washington state native, Annie graduated from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.


She previously worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal and the Battle Creek Enquirer in Michigan. Annie is an avid runner and reader. She loves exploring all of Florida’s natural wonders.

Accordion Widget
Stephanie Vanos
Stephanie Vanos

Due to an unforeseen event, this panelist had to pull out of the event.

Heather Wilkie


Executive Director, Zebra Youth


Heather Wilkie is the executive director of Zebra Youth, a groundbreaking, nonprofit organization committed to empowering LGBTQ+ youth to thrive. She has led the organization since 2010, overseeing award-winning programs that provide crucial mental health counseling, support and housing to thousands of LGBTQ+ youths ages 13-24 in Central Florida.


Heather, a licensed mental health counselor and graduate of Rollins College in Winter Park, has been a dynamic and energetic advocate for global change and equality. Her leadership has been instrumental in Zebra Youth's evolution into a leading provider of services to victims and families affected by the tragic Pulse shooting. She continues to lead efforts to ensure that LGBTQ+ youth in Central Florida have a safe space to turn to and has been at the forefront of groundbreaking research to identify and address gaps in services for homeless LGBTQ+ youth.


In addition to her exceptional work in the nonprofit sector, Wilkie is an LGBTQ+ activist. She participates in advocacy efforts related to the community while also serving on several vital leadership committees, including the Board of Directors for The Pride Chamber, Equality Florida's Orlando Gala Steering Committee, the Orange County Domestic Violence Committee’s Public Awareness & Education Committee, the One Orlando Alliance, and Orange County Public School’s Mental Health Commission.


Wilkie has received numerous accolades, including the Heart of Florida United Way’s Change Maker Impact 2025 award, Orlando Weekly's "People We Love" 2024, Harbor House of Central Florida’s Champion of Equality award and Orlando Magazine’s “Women of the Year” award, and the Orlando Sentinel’s “People Who Make Orlando a Better Place to Live” recognition.

2025 Hot Topics RECAP


Read the complete RECAP for JUNE 11 event.


If you attended the event or watched it on our Facebook Live stream or YouTube, please consider completing a short evaluation that will take 5 minutes or less to complete:
JUNE 11 Event Evaluation
Slideshow
2025 Hot Topics June: Defending LGBTQ+ Rights

MAY 11 RECAP
Unkindest Cuts: The Cost of Government Downsizing

APR 9 RECAP
Annual Meeting with guest speaker,
SOE, Dr. Karen Castor Dentel

MAR 12 RECAP
Unsheltered: Criminalized and Cast Aside

FEB 12 RECAP
Voices of Labor: The African American Journey

JAN 8 RECAP
Immigration: What is next for central Florida?

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2024 Hot Topics RECAP

November RECAP
How FL Can Reduce Gun Violence
October RECAP
Hispanic Heritage Month
September RECAP
State Attorney Candidate Forum
August RECAP
Civil Discourse, not Civil War 

July RECAP
Judicial Candidate Forum
June RECAP
SOE Candidate Forum
MAY Recap
Abortion in Florida
APR Recap
The Unshine State: FL Open Records


MAR Recap
Running in Place: Legislative Session Review
FEB Recap
Black History Month
JAN Recap
Healthy Communities

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Parking Options

PLEASE NOTE: If you have a disability or any additional needs and require assistance in order to fully participate in League activities, please email lwvpat.grierson@gmail.com
You will be contacted to discuss your specific needs.

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Sponsors are vital to our work to empower voters by providing timely information for the benefit of non-partisan civic engagement in our community. To further explore how becoming a Hot Topics Sponsor can align with your business goals, please contact LWVOC Vice President, Lee Rambeau Kemp HERE

A range of sponsorship levels are available.

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