Military academies nominees
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor has announced the names of 24 students, representing more than a dozen local high schools, that received nominations for admission into the nation’s military academies: Air Force (USAFA), Navy (USNA), Army (USMA), and Merchant Marine (USMMA), in a news release.
Nominations are earned based upon each student’s interview with Castor’s nomination committee, their academic record, participation in extracurricular activities and demonstrated leadership qualities.
Based upon the process established by federal law, all U.S. military academies, except the Coast Guard Academy, require either a service-connected or congressional nomination (from a member of Congress, U.S. senator, or the vice president of the United States).
Nominees who receive an appointment from a U.S. military academy will attend their respective academies in the 2021-2022 school year.
Nominated students in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area are Leo Sterns, Gaither High School and Valdosta State (Georgia), USAFA; and Sohan Khanvilkar, Steinbrenner High School, USAFA.
‘The Perfect Storm’
Saint Leo University and FIRST-Florida’s Forensics Institute for Research Security & Tactics will present a look at how officials deployed and the best practices they implemented at “The Perfect Storm 2020: Navigating a Historic Hurricane Season during a Global Pandemic Symposium” on Dec. 17 at 10 a.m., via Zoom.
The free webinar will discuss lessons learned from public safety officials regarding their preparedness and response efforts during the current COVID-19 pandemic and what turned into the most active hurricane season in history.
Federal, state and local officials will exchange perspectives and ideas, and offer the best practices to improve all phases of emergency management.
The event is open to the public, criminal justice and emergency management personnel, Saint Leo students, prospective students, and alumni.
To register, visit SaintLeo.edu/perfectstorm.
Open application windows
The Pasco Pathways Innovative Programs and School Choice selections for the 2021-2022 school year can be found online at Pasco.k12.fl.us/school_choice_catalog/catalog.
The controlled open enrollment window for elementary and secondary grades opens on Jan. 7 at 8 a.m., and closes on Jan. 21 at 4:30 p.m.
Acceptance notifications for secondary grades will be made between Feb. 19 and Feb. 28.
Elementary grades acceptance notifications will be from March 12 and March 26.
To complete a school choice application, a parent must have an active parent account in myStudent.
Water conservation contest
More than 1,700 local students showcased their creativity for conservation during the 11th annual Water Awareness Poster Contest, featuring student artwork from 26 classrooms across 14 elementary schools.
The contest, hosted by Pasco County Utilities and the Florida Government Utility Authority, in collaboration with Pasco County Schools, was aimed at educating future generations about the importance of sustainable water.
This year’s “Drippy’s Big Adventure” detective theme took students on a journey, with mascot Drippy, to solve the mystery of where water comes from, how it’s cleaned and how it arrives in their homes.
Student artwork was judged based on science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) learning standards.
Each award-winning student received a trophy and admission passes from this year’s sponsors: Bricks & Minifigs, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, The Florida Aquarium, The Lift Adventure Park and Urban Air Adventure Park.
All participants students received a free kid’s meal from Chick-fil-A of Trinity and a free ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery & Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory of Trinity.
Visit WaterContest.org for details on next year’s registration dates, and the winning artwork.
Student achievements
Hanley Riggs, of Lutz, qualified for the fall 2020 Dean’s List at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
These local students graduated from the University of Tampa:
- Kathryn Adamski, Lutz: Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations
- Bryce Benedict, Lutz: Master of Science in Finance
- Cory Burke, Odessa: Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship
- Mesa Danglert, Lutz: Master of Science in Entrepreneurship
- Kearsten DeGolyer, Odessa: Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
- Emma Gombert, Lutz: Master of Business Administration
- Brooke Santiesteban, Lutz: Bachelor of Science in Human Performance
- Trevor Toma, Lutz: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
- Jeffrey Valente, Lutz: Master of Science in Accounting
Victory High School
Victory High School, the first Recovery High School in Tampa Bay, will open on Jan. 6 in the Calvary Chapel Worship Center, 6825 Trouble Creek Road in New Port Richey. The space will be leased, as the school is not part of the church ministry.
Victory High is a private, nonprofit school for teens in recovery from substance-use disorders or co-occurring disorders, according to the school’s website. And, all staff and volunteers are trained in trauma responsive services.
For information, visit VictoryHighSchool.net, or email .
