In the sun-soaked, alligator-infested, orange-juice-producing, roller-coaster-riding, flip-flop-wearing state of Florida, a bunch of brave and adventurous kids are turning the traditional tropical landscape on its head. They are swapping sand for ice, and palm trees for hockey sticks. Yes, you heard it right! Florida, the glorious land of the sun, has a troop of cool-as-cucumber kids, who play HOCKEY. Now, let me introduce you to our imaginary friend, Freddy the Flamingo. Freddy, with his long, bendy neck and pink feathers, is a flamingo who plays hockey. He stands on one leg and scores goals with the other, and he plays as the star goalie for the Florida Feathered Fury. He's probably the only flamingo you'll ever meet who prefers ice skates over flip-flops any day of the week! These Floridian kids are as unique as our friend Freddy. They slap shots in the sunshine and practice puck handling under palm trees. They race around the rink, faster than a gator down a slip-n-slide, turning the heat up on the ice. Their parents watch, sipping on cold drinks, and wondering where their beach-loving, sand-castle-building babies have gone. But, it's not all fun and games. These kids put in hard work. You should see their alarm clocks, ringing before the sun even thinks about waking up. And they might be the only Floridians who love when the temperature drops a bit. Because down in Florida, you don't need snow to have fun. All you need is a hockey stick, an ice rink, and a group of friends who don't mind falling on their butts every now and then. So next time you think of Florida, remember it's not just about beaches and oranges. It's also about a bunch of cool kids and a hockey-playing flamingo named Freddy!
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The US Engineering League is a prominent nationwide establishment that passionately supports STEM-focused education. We believe in the power of experiential learning and thus emphasize hands-on learning through competitive challenges. Since our inception in 2018, we have been the proud USA National Office for the acclaimed World Robot Olympiad, a global robotics competition that has over 35,000 participants from more than 80 countries. In addition to robotics, our educational offerings span across various STEM sectors such as coding, eSports, engineering, science and more. We're delighted to be connected with several of the most prominent STEM competition organizations. Our primary learning center is nestled in the heart of Naperville, IL. However, we understand the importance of accessibility and have therefore expanded our reach. We offer our well-rounded programs at a range of locations including schools, community centers, park districts, libraries, and even religious institutions. We are committed to making our educational opportunities available to as many children as possible, regardless of their location. At the US Engineering League, we're not just about teaching; we're about inspiring. We take immense pride in our ability to inspire the younger generation to master the skills that are vital for long-term success in STEM-based careers. We strongly believe that nurturing these skills from a young age can set the foundation for a successful and rewarding career in the rapidly evolving STEM fields.
Family-friendly events have also been part of the Hertz Arena experience, such as the annual Lee County Fair, Sesame Street Live, Disney Junior Holiday, Paw Patrol Live, Monster Jam, and more. Hertz Arena has come a long way since its opening in 1998. Since then, the arena has hosted over 300 events, featuring a variety of entertainment including concerts, sports, and family-friendly events. From the Boston Pops to Cirque du Soleil, the Harlem Globetrotters to Impractical Jokers, and Jeff Dunham to Jim Gaffigan, the arena has no shortage of amazing acts. Music fans have enjoyed performances from a plethora of top-tier artists including Cher, Elton John, Alabama, Alan Jackson, Bad Bunny, Barry Manilow, Bob Seger, Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton, Def Leppard, Eric Church, Godsmack, Greta Van Fleet, Guns N’ Roses, Hank Williams Jr., Hillsong United, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marc Anthony, Miranda Lambert, Newsboys, Shinedown, Steve Miller Band, Sting, Stone Temple Pilots, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, and ZZ Top. Additionally, the arena has hosted a variety of family-friendly events such as the Lee County Fair, Sesame Street Live, Disney Junior Holiday, Paw Patrol Live, and Monster Jam. With such an impressive lineup, Hertz Arena is sure to continue to bring amazing entertainment to Southwest Florida for many years to come.