Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 held its annual awards ceremony at the lodge April 10 and honored outstanding community members who have made a difference. These are chosen by the Exalted Ruler, this year by William Watson III, PER. The lodge’s Elks National Foundation MVS scholarship winner was also recognized. The Firefighter of the Year award was presented to Lt. Mike Belcher by Watson for saving the life a of baby from a burning home this past year. The Educator of the Year award was presented to Nadine Ebri by Dave Hosch, PER. Ebri is an inspiration to many for her vision to help students nationwide learn math through her website and Facebook account. She also wrote a book, “Go Next Door,” to help teach kids to regroup with addition. Cindy Pearson, Duval County School Board member of District 3; Rachael Tutwiler Fortune, executive vice president of Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF); and Dr. Dana Krizner, deputy superintendent of Duval County Schools, were in attendance to see her receive her award. The Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award was presented to Officer Stephen Lutze by lodge member Bob Morgan, who is also retired from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, for helping another agency apprehend a suspect who fled the scene of a January traffic stop. He is pictured with his family; Morgan is on the left. The Enrique S. Camarena award was presented by lodge member AJ Jones to a local Drug Enforcement Officer who is currently working undercover, so their identity needs to stay private. The Most Valuable Student Award was presented by Watson to Brandon Griggs, who was sponsored by the lodge in the Elks National Foundation contest. Griggs was a national top 20 finalist. He will receive $5,000 a year for four years.