Inauguration at Saint Leo
In a Mass celebrated by Abbot Isaac Camacho, OSB, and a formal investiture ceremony, Dr. Jeffrey D. Senese officially became Saint Leo University’s 10th president, on Oct. 11.
Senese made the Oath of Fidelity using the Douay-Rheims Haydock Bible, published in 1893, and was presented with the presidential medallion, which features the university’s core values of community, excellence, integrity, personal development, respect and responsible stewardship.
In his inaugural address, Senese looked to the future of Saint Leo — the promise of growth in the number of students served, the addition of new programs, the expansion of physical locations, and the creation of partnerships among universities.
Halloween at area schools
These local schools will be hosting a variety of Halloween-themed events:
- Bexley Elementary, 4380 Ballantrae Blvd., Land O’ Lakes: Family Literacy Day on Oct. 31 at 9:40 a.m. Families are welcome to attend these classroom collaborations. Call (813) 346-4300.
- Centennial Elementary, 38501 Centennial Road in Dade City: Halloween Book Parade on Oct. 31 at 10 a.m., in the bus loop. Call (352) 524-5000.
- Wiregrass Ranch Elementary, 29732 Wiregrass School Road in Wesley Chapel: Wiregrass Storybook Parade on Oct. 31 at 10 a.m., in the bus loop. Call (813) 346-0700.
- Land O’ Lakes High School, 20325 Gator Lane: Fall Festival with trick-or-treat around the stadium on Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. Call (813) 794-9400.
Saint Leo homecoming
Saint Leo University will host homecoming Nov. 1 to Nov. 3. Alumni and friends are invited to attend the activities over the weekend.
Highlights will include the Class of 1969’s 50th reunion dinner and celebration; Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity’s 30th reunion; Brews & Bites; a Greek Mixer for members of fraternities and sororities; Spirit of Saint Leo Golf Tournament; Brunch with the President; Lions Rally with food trucks and live music; volleyball and men’s soccer games; the homecoming basketball game; and goat yoga.
For the full schedule, and to register, visit Your.SaintLeo.edu/hoco.
For information, call (352) 588-8667, or email .
Jewish scholar to speak
The Saint Leo University Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies will host Jewish studies scholar Ruth Langer on Nov. 5 at 12:30 p.m., in TECO Hall on the campus, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.
This is a free, one-hour lecture on “Rabbis and the Ancient Synagogue.”
Langer is an ordained rabbi and holds a doctorate in Jewish liturgy from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio.
She is a professor of Jewish studies at Boston College and associate director of its Center for Christian-Jewish Learning.
For information, visit SaintLeo.edu.
Medal recipients visit schools
As part of a year-long collaboration with the Medal of Honor Character curriculum and convention team, eight Pasco County schools hosted Medal of Honor recipients.
The schools were selected based on their commitment to exemplifying character traits within their school buildings.
The Medal of Honor recipients shared their experiences and stories of bravery with the students.
The speaking engagements took place at Deer Park Elementary, New Port Richey; Centennial Middle, Dade City; Pine View Middle, Land O’ Lakes High and Rushe Middle, Land O’ Lakes; Paul Smith Middle, Holiday; Hudson High, Hudson; and Wiregrass Ranch High, Wesley Chapel.
Band yard sale
The Zephyrhills High School Band will host an indoor yard sale on Nov. 16 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Zephyrhills First Nazarene, 6155 12th St., to help fund a trip to Washington D.C., to march in the 2020 National Memorial Day parade.
Table rentals for the yard sale are now available. Rent a 5-foot round table and an 8-foot by 10-foot spot for $15; rent an extra table and spot for $10; and rent an extra spot for $5.
The building will open at 7 a.m., for setup.
The deadline for renting is Nov. 8.
For information, call Meggan Nichols, the ZHS Band sponsor fundraiser coordinator, at (813) 403-0700.
Financial aid tip
As high school seniors and their parents look into the college financial aid process, they may come across some unfamiliar terms.
The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) gives this short glossary of financial aid terms that students and parents should be aware of:
- Conversion scholarship/loan. This type of scholarships requires students to provide certain services. If they don’t provide the service, the scholarship becomes a loan.
- Cost of attendance. The total cost of one year of college: tuition, fees, room, meals, supplies, transportation and personal items.
- Expected family contribution (EFC). This is the amount the student and family are expected to pay for the student’s education, based on a formula set by Congress.
- FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid must be submitted by students applying for federal and state aid. Visit FAFSA.gov, to apply.
- Financial need. The difference between the cost of attendance and the EFC.
- Institutional aid. The scholarships, grants and other financial aid programs provide by the college.
- Verification. The process of making sure the information submitted on the FAFSA is correct. The federal government requires colleges to have certain students’ FAFSA information verified.
The KHEAA is a public, nonprofit agency that helps to provide information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost, to improve students’ access to college.
For more information, visit KHEAA.com.
