Summary:
Dueling Dragons of Orlando Dragon Boat Team (a.k.a. “Cops and Kids”) is a partnership between officers from the Orlando Police Department and teenagers from three City youth programs: OPD's Operation Positive Direction, FPR's Parramore Kidz Zone, and FPR's Recreation Division. The cops and kids have joined together to become a one-of-a-kind, competitive year-round racing team, participating as volunteers, and learning teamwork and trust through the ancient sport of dragon boating. In the process, stereotypes come down, profiles melt away and lives change for the better.
Dueling Dragons is about half way through its sixth season and just returned from a 4-day trip to compete in Colorado Springs. Fifty-three team members flew to Colorado, enjoyed customized tours at both the Olympic Training Center and the US Air Force Academy and then had a very successful competition.
Mayor Dyer will call upon FPR Director Lisa Early and OPD Chief John Mina to introduce Andrea Eliscu, a community volunteer who created and operates the program in collaboration with the City. Ms. Eliscu will make brief remarks, show a brief video recap, followed by photos in front of the dais. |