First disturbance more than a month before official start of 2024 Atlantic Hurricane SeasonPainting rain barrels for a good cause
Serena Parisi Credit: WINK News WINK News’ partner Gulfshore Life celebrated the Men & Woman of the Year on Tuesday night. The event honors those who shape Southwest Florida by showcasing their talents and giving back. These eight people make a difference in their community: Bryce Alexander Tracey Galloway Paul Hiltz Marcius Jansen Sandra Kauanui Randy Kurtz Rose O’Dell King Serena Parisi Serena Parisi is the youngest person to ever be recognized as a Woman of the Year. She is a survivor of sexual abuse. Serena’s Law is a law that established a uniform way to report abusers and it is named after her. Sandra Kauanui is Florida Gulf Coast University’s (FGCU) Entrepreneurship School Director. She says for her, being a Woman of the Year is just icing on the cake. All she wanted was to make a difference for her students. “I never think about being Woman of the Year. I think about the impact we can make to every student who walks through FGCU and comes through program,” Kauanui said. Other winners included a chef, builder and the CEO of a health care system. Gulfshore Life has been putting on this event for more than 20 years. WINK News Anchor Lois Thome emceed the event.