Saint Leo launches Benedictine Society
ST. LEO – Saint Leo University has launched the Benedictine Society, a leadership giving program aimed at expanding access to Catholic higher education.
The program seeks multi-year leadership gifts to help close the tuition gap for Catholic students.
“Across the country, there are thousands of remarkable students graduating from Catholic high schools who have the talent, discipline and values to thrive at Saint Leo, but don’t have the resources necessarily to afford a Saint Leo education,” President Jim Burkee said.
Funds will support the Catholic Benedictine Scholars Program, which provides four-year, tuition-free scholarships to high-achieving Catholic students with financial need.
On the web: giving.saintleo.edu/campaigns/benedictine-society.
Children’s book addresses bullying, self-acceptance
FORT MYERS – A new children’s book by Mike Stonecypher explores bullying and the importance of self-acceptance.
“There’s a Girebra in the Forest” follows Obi, a young okapi whose unusual appearance makes him the target of ridicule from other forest animals. With support from his mother and guidance from an adult giraffe, Obi sets out to confront those who mocked him and embrace his identity.
“I want my readers to take away the sense that it is OK to be different from the norm,” Stonecypher said. “And that you must not crumble under the pressure to dislike oneself, but be proud of who you are and always have the courage to stand up for who you are.”
The book encourages children to recognize their own worth, resist harmful labels and understand that being different is not a weakness but a strength.
The book is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Quick Hits
- Kaylin Villeme, an educator of more than 30 years, has joined Victory High School. Villeme grew up in Tampa and taught in Hillsborough County Public Schools for 28 years. She also has experience serving adults with disabilities.
- Steven Cope, of Odessa, graduated from Millersville University of Pennsylvania in December with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Engineering and Technology Management.
- Magdalena Coxon, of Lutz, made the dean’s list at University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. Students must have a term grade point average between 3.2 and 3.69.
- Mikayla Croissant, of Lutz, made the president’s list at St. Augustine. Croissant had to earn at least a 4.0 GPA with at least 12 semester hours of graded credit.
- Lauren Harbour, of Lutz, has been named to the dean’s honor roll at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. Harbour is a freshman majoring in psychology.
- Zayne Jack, of Lutz, was named to the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Honors List for the fall semester. Jack is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
- Katie Strand, of San Antonio, made the dean’s list at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Strand is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
- Scott Tassone, a physical education coach at Oakstead Elementary, has been nominated by the Tampa Bay Lightning to represent the Bay Area against other NHL teams in the Future Goals, Most Valuable Teacher campaign.
