Local student aims high
Rebecca Urbonas, Sunlake High School Class of 2018 valedictorian, graduated from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, summa cum laude, after three years, at the age of 19.
She also received recognition for achieving Max Planck Honors for her research and defense of her undergraduate thesis in the area of neuroscience.
Urbonas was one of 67 students, out of more than 6,000 applicants, to be admitted into the medical school at the Charles Schmidt College of Medicine at FAU, to continue her studies to become a medical doctor.
She was inducted on Aug. 6 into the FAU medical school at the annual White Coat Ceremony for the Class of 2025, where she received her white coat as an M1, at the age of 20.
Vocational center
Hope Services will host a grand opening ribbon-cutting of a Vocational Training Center on Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Wesley Chapel Recreation Center Complex, 7727 Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel.
There will be inflatables, food trucks, games, music, sports clinics, refreshments and more. The first 750 people will receive a free goodie bag.
Intro to Acting
The Live Oak Theatre Company will offer an Introduction to Acting program on Aug. 30, Sept. 13, Sept. 20 and Sept. 27 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for the Arts, 21030 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville. The program is for ages 7 to 18.
Topics will include basic acting skills and the principles of acting; theater terminology; theater etiquette; the use of humor; and memorizing and delivering monologs.
Tuition is $40 for the four-day course.
To register, call 352-593-0270, or email .
Performing arts fundraiser
In celebration of the upcoming 50th anniversary of Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC), the PHSC Foundation will host a fundraiser on Sept. 9, at the Instructional Performing Arts Center, 8657 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.
The foundation’s goal is to raise $1 million to help students with scholarships.
During the 2020-2021 academic year, the PHSC Foundation has assisted nearly 950 students with $1.2 million in scholarship funding.
The presenting sponsor for the event is the Musunuru family. Dr. Rao Musunuru has been serving as a member of the District Board of Trustees for PHSC for the past 22 years.
For information, contact Lisa Richardson, associate vice president of alumni and college relations/executive director of the PHSC Foundation, at or 727-816-3410.
Adopt a Classroom
Pepin Academies Foundation is hosting its second annual Adopt a Classroom campaign to help equip teachers and students with needed school supplies.
Individuals and businesses can participate by sponsoring or adopting a classroom, with the option to donate to one Pepin Academies campus or support all three of its Tampa Bay-area campuses.
Teachers will have the opportunity to identify their own classroom needs, which is an important step in granting schools the flexibility to adapt teaching practices to suit the individual needs of the students.
Adopt a Classroom donations can be made online at tinyurl.com/y34hzd72.
Board reappointments
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the reappointment of Dr. Rao Musunuru and Alvaro Hernandez to the Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) District Board of Trustees (DBOT).
Dr. Musunuru, current vice chair, PHSC DBOT, has been a board member since 1999.
He is a cardiologist affiliated with Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point since 1981, and over the years, has served as chief of medicine, chief of staff, and chair of the board of trustees for the center’s heart institute.
Dr. Musunuru is a past recipient of the Southern Regional Trustee Leadership Award from the National Association of Community Colleges.
Alvaro Hernandez is a market vice president for Humana.
He is a past member of the PHSC DBOT and serves on the boards of the Behavioral Health Community Council, the Starting Right Now Foundation, and Humana’s Bold Goal Community Brain Trust.
Hernandez earned his bachelor degree and master degree in international business from Nova Southeastern University.
Both Dr. Musunuru and Hernandez have been reappointed for a term through May 31, 2025.
Shoe & sock drive
The Two Good Soles Shoes and Socks Drive is underway through Oct. 22, with the Pasco County government and constitutional offices working together to collect footwear for kids in Pasco County schools.
Last year’s drive yielded 1,746 pairs of shoes and 5,773 pairs of socks.
Social workers will distribute the items to Pasco County Schools students at the end of October. Drop-off locations/collection boxes are at the offices of the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller, the Pasco County Property Appraiser, and the Pasco County Tax Collector.
