2016 West Volusian of the Year

Mary Anne Rogers May 5, 2016
Freedom Playground Committee-590
Members of the Freedom Playground committee, from left to right: Mimi Hill, chair; Jeanne Peterson, co-chair; Sabrina Brees, co-chair and Stephanie Bryson, fundraising co-chair.

Stetson University Executive Assistant to the Dean of the School of Music Jeanne Peterson was named the 2016 West Volusian of the Year for her work and contributions in the new construction of DeLand’s Freedom Playground at Bill Dreggors’ Park. Peterson is credited for her part in the effort to raise money and organize volunteers to build Freedom Playground Next Generation.

Nearly 1,500 volunteers, including members of Stetson University’s Women’s Lacrosse team and Greek Life, participated in building the playground after $320,000 was raised for its construction. The Freedom Playground Next Generation opened in November 2015, and replaced a previous playground built in 1991.

Peterson, and the other committee members pictured above, were recognized on Thursday, May 5, at the 25th Annual Albert D. Downs Wild Game Feast held in the Tommy Lawrence Arena, Volusia County Fairgrounds. It was sponsored by the DeLand Breakfast Rotary.