The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mike Camunas

Painting with a little bit of paws

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It’s hard to paint with cuteness running around.

Luna Ortiz, of New Tampa, tightly grips a cute puppy while trying to decorate a dog bowl, at the first Painting with Puppies adoption event at B Creative Painting Studio at The Grove at Wesley Chapel on March 23. The Mercy Full Project, a nonprofit dog rescue out of Tampa, brought puppies to run around while participants painted dog bowls and strongly considered taking one of these puppies home. (Mike Camunas)

But that’s what people tried to do at B Creative Painting Studio at the Grove at Wesley Chapel on March 23, when they came to paint dog bowls, but were easily distracted by the throng of cute puppies running around and playing at their ankles during Painting with Puppies.

The Mercy Full Project, a nonprofit dog rescue out of Tampa, brought puppies to run around while participants painted dog bowls and strongly considered taking one of these puppies home. It was the first time the studio hosted the cuteness-overload event, and it doesn’t sound like it will be the last.

“I mean, they are so cute,” B Creative owner Bernadette Blauvelt said. “Of course we want to do it again — how could you not want to take them all home with you?

“We might need to adopt one for a studio dog!”

The Mercy Full Project was founded in October 2019 as a nonprofit that takes in helpless animals from all different situations, such dogs facing euthanasia at shelters, behavioral cases that need longer and special training sessions, owner surrenders, emergency cases of injured or abused animals, and strays from all over the state.

“We get a lot of people from Pasco (County) and this area about adoption,” Mercy Full Project Founder Heydi Acuña said. “We come out to the KRATE (at the Grove) a lot and work with Pasco Animal Services a lot, too. It’s all to help the animals.”

Mercy Full Project always has animals to adopt, both young and old, and is always looking for volunteer help.

To learn more about the Mercy Full Project or inquire about adoption or volunteering, visit MercyFullProjects.org.

Published March 29, 2023

A rescue puppy stands over his brothers to absolute cuteness during Painting with Puppies, a dog adoption awareness event at B Creative Painting Studio at The Grove At Wesley Chapel.
Tampa resident Nery Leon finishes up her designs and paint work on a bowl for her dog, Max, at Creative Painting Studio at The Grove At Wesley Chapel.
From left: Beth Alfonso, Jen Jones and Bernadette Blauvelt hold puppies they might just not let go of, during Painting with Puppies on March 23.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A rescue puppy lovingly enjoys the attention from Wesley Chapel residents Brandy Poblete-Scaglione, left, and Jen Poblete-Scaglione at B Creative Painting Studio at The Grove At Wesley Chapel, during Painting with Puppies.
Stella Cirillo, of Wesley Chapel, just won’t let go of a cute puppy from the Mercy Full Project, a nonprofit dog rescue out of Tampa, at B Creative Painting Studio at The Grove At Wesley Chapel, during Painting with Puppies.
A couple of older rescue pups pose for pictures during Painting with Puppies at B Creative Painting Studio at The Grove At Wesley Chapel.

Steinbrenner band headed across the pond

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It’s time to pack the passports inside their instrument cases.

For members of Steinbrenner High’s band, The Marching Warrior Brigade, they’ll need to have their international travel affairs in order come Dec. 27 when the band heads across the pond to England.

Duncan Sandys, the great-grandson of Winston Churchill, came to Steinbrenner High on March 22 to invite The Marching Warrior Brigade to perform in the 2024 London New Year’s Day Parade. (Mike Camunas)

The 136-member band has been invited to be in the massive 2024 London New Year’s Day Parade, which will feature nearly 10,000 performers.

The streets of London, from Piccadilly Circus to Downing Street, will be packed with more 500,000 spectators. It also will be broadcast to millions, including viewers in the United States, on PBS.

“This is the biggest trip this band has probably done in a while, at least since COVID,” said sophomore Will Gilleland, who plays the clarinet. “In my time in the program, the furthest we’ve gone on a trip is Orlando, so going to a crazy, new place we’ve never been before — it’s incredible!”

Marcos Aquino, left, and Connor Wood, right, cheer during the assembly where Steinbrenner High’s band was invited to perform in the 2024 London New Year’s Day Parade.

This is the second time the Brigade has been invited to this particular parade, as the band was invited to the 2021 edition, though that was canceled due to COVID.

On March 22, Steinbrenner was reinvited, this time with a lively ceremony.

Bob Bone, founder and chair of the parade, came to the campus in Lutz, accompanied by Duncan Sandys (pronounced Sands), who is the great-grandson of Winston Churchill.

“I know there is a parade you have here on Thanksgiving, which I think is named after a department store,” Bone told the band, tongue-in-cheek, eliciting laughter from the crowd. “They’re half as big and think they’re a big deal, but we take a look at Macy’s every year to get an idea of what NOT to do!”

Sandys, who now resides in Georgia as ambassador to the parade, told the band about the history and expansiveness of London. He also went over the parade route and briefly talked about his great-grandfather, the United Kingdom’s legendary prime minister in World War II.

“Enjoy every sight you can while there,” he said. “There is just so much history on every corner.”

The Marching Warrior Brigade, Steinbrenner High’s band, listens in excitement as Duncan Sandys, the great-grandson of Winston Churchill, invites the ensemble to perform in the 2024 London New Year’s Day Parade on Jan. 1. The band will travel to London in late December and perform in front of a crowd of hundreds of thousands.

Chip Wood, Steinbrenner’s director of bands, said the international band trip is an exciting and huge undertaking. To help avoid any last-minute disappointments, he’s making sure everyone who is traveling is getting their passports now.

“It’s an extremely well-attended parade,” Wood said. “I wanted to give these kids, and my own son, who is a junior in the band, an epic event with some travel — and I’ve never been to London! … But (passports), the process takes way longer than it used to, so I want to make sure everyone has theirs or updated so they can pack it and go!”

Wood has previous experience leading a band to large-scale events, including taking a band twice to the Rose Bowl Parade in California, the Macy’s parade in New York and even being part of the taping of the Disney World Christmas “parade” in Lake Buena Vista.

At the ceremony, junior piccolo player Meghan Betancourt, was “awarded” being the ceremonial keeper of the official British umbrella. Sandys gave her a small, white umbrella.

Anniak Futo, left, and Katie Cozie anxiously watch a video presentation about the annual London New Year’s Day Parade in which their band, The Marching Warrior Brigade, will perform on Jan. 1.

It’s a relatively new tradition of the parade, but Bone and Sandys present the umbrella to one lucky band member, who must keep the umbrella in his or her personal custody until the parade.

Failure to do so could result in it raining on the parade.

Betancourt’s fellow band members and friends are encouraged to help her be vigilant in protecting the umbrella —  through the threat of an Instagram post, if she slips up on her duty.

“I will feel bad if it rains on the parade,” Betancourt said. “I think they’re all ready to blame me (laughs), ready to post on instagram, if it rains because of me.

“(But) I’m super excited, because I love traveling and I really like playing in front of people,” she added. “Playing in a big parade makes me really happy because I like seeing other people get happy from our performances. And we get performance experience without competition experience — we just get to perform and that will be really good for our program.”

As for what the band’s musical set will be, that decision is an ongoing process.

But one thing is certain, the band leader said. “Whatever it is, they’ll be playing it in London!”

London New Year’s Day Parade
Details: The parade first took place in 1987 as the Lord Mayor of Westminster’s Big Parade, but was renamed in 1994, and for 2000 only it was called the Millennium Parade. More than 500,000 spectators attended the 2023 parade, with even more expected in 2024. Performances from the nearly 10,000 musicians and artists will be screened live on network television on PBS.
For more information on the parade, visit https://lnydp.com/. For more information on the Steinbrenner band, visit HillsboroughSchools.org/steinbrenner.

Published March 29, 2023

Making a pact to act

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World Autism Awareness Day is April 2.

But Land O’ Lakes High International Baccalaureate students Sydney Crenshaw and Sajni Shah have been raising awareness about autism throughout the school year.

Land O’ Lakes High International Baccalaureate students Sydney Crenshaw, left, and Sajni Shah started Action For Autism, a yearlong project aimed at increasing awareness regarding those on the autism spectrum or with special needs, as well as raising money for Special Olympics. (Mike Camunas)

They began their project, Action For Autism, as members of the school club HOSA – Future Health Professionals, which is an international competition based on medicine and health care related topics.

The duo is competing in the Community Awareness Division, which means they set forth to educate the community on a topic of their choice. They chose Autism Spectrum Disorder because they are passionate about embracing neurodiversity and contributing to the awareness of this “disorder” that still comes with a stigma.

“In my experience, when I meet autistic people or children, I treat them like anyone else, but that’s not always the case,” said Crenshaw, who is a junior. “It’s not a visible condition, so most people don’t even know this person has autism because they can act in a variety of ways when they’re on the spectrum.

“Not a lot of people show they have autism, and we’ve seen that a lot, but autism isn’t something you should treat differently,” Crenshaw added. “Autistic people are people.”

Shah says people on the autism spectrum should have the same chances and opportunities as their “neurotypical counterparts.”

That’s why Shah is working to increase awareness about autism.

“A lot of people with autism don’t receive accommodations they need to thrive in society the way you or I might,” said Shah, who is a senior. “That’s frustrating to see because they are very smart people.

“I hope to make these kids feel seen and important and raise awareness that autism is not a stigma and never has to be,” she added. “These kids, given the same chances and opportunities, can be productive and live great lives.”

Sajni Shah and camper Layla Gile make tie-dyed shirts at Dream Oaks Camp in Bradenton. (Courtesy of Sydney Crenshaw)

So far, the students, through Action For Autism, have organized multiple events, interviewed an autistic person and occupational therapist for their YouTube channel, and received $600 in grant money. Using that money, they created other fundraisers, such as selling Autism Awareness bracelets and bags, as well as created posters and fliers with autism facts and hung them around the school and community.

They also have worked with the Light The Torch Campaign, which helps raise money for the Special Olympics.

“Mainly speaking of autism, I’ve seen how it affects children, and adults, in all very different ways,” Shah said. “There is not one way it affects people, so we just want to understand the patterns and more about it, that way if more people are aware and understanding, then people will understand autism better.”

Both students work with several organizations that help with special needs people, including Special Olympics and Council for Exceptional Children.

Shah also worked at Dream Oaks Camp in Bradenton, which works with children with special needs and chronic illnesses from the ages of 7 to 17.

“Working at Dream Oaks Camp inspired me to work with more people with special needs and autism,” Shah said. “What started as a part-time job grew into a project and something more that I want to continue to do.”

Dr. Louis Florence, the teacher who oversees the HOSA club, isn’t overly familiar with the duo’s project or its specifics — there’s 108 members in HOSA and Florence’s job is just to manage the kids and be as hands-off as possible — but he does know that students such as Crenshaw and Shah will bring their very best to their projects.

“We’re talking about some of the smartest people around that are interested in working or serving in the medical field,” Florence said. “They’re really self-starters, which is amazing, and they’re students who are excited about the medical field, but can become anything, from doctors to other health care professionals.”

Crenshaw and Shah’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.

“Sanji is awesome and the vice president of the group,” Florence said. “Sydney is awesome, too. Two very high-quality individuals that already have the drive to go out and make a difference in the medical field, and in this case, helping autism awareness.

“These two are great, shining examples of the type of kids who join this club and love to see all the work they do for their yearlong projects.”

Plus, the students’ devotion to autism awareness is prodigious.

“I know just how much I love these kids — they’re so much fun,” Crenshaw said. “I personally do it because autistic people are still people — I’ve said that a lot, but it’s true!”

Action For Autism
Details: Land O’ Lakes High International Baccalaureate students Sydney Crenshaw and Sajni Shah created this program as part of an international competition through the school club, HOSA – Future Health Professionals. The students chose to educate the community on the topic of autism spectrum disorder. They are passionate about embracing neurodiversity and contributing to the awareness of autism. Their campaign included organizing multiple events, interviewing an autistic person and occupational therapist for their YouTube channel, receiving $600 in grant money and raising additional money for the Special Olympics.
To donate, email or Venmo @sajni_shah12.
For more information or to follow Action for Autism on social media, visit https://linktr.ee/actionforautism.

Published March 29, 2023

Local teams compete during Spring Break

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Spring Break typically is a time for beach trips or relaxing, but not for everyone. Several high school baseball and softball players skipped working on their tan — at least for a few days — so they could compete in annual tournaments in March.

Here are the results of teams and individual performances of players in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

2023 Saladino Tournament
It was the 42nd edition of the prestigious tournament started by Tony Saladino and now run by his family and foundation. This year, the tournament expanded to have more divisions, from Gold, Silver and Bronze. Steinbrenner, Gaither and Wharton competed in the Gold Division, while Freedom played in the Silver. Each team was guaranteed four games.

  • Freedom: The Patriots, coming off a historic season in 2022, are struggling this season, including going winless in Saladino’s Silver Division. Freedom dropped games to King, Hillsborough, Leto and East Bay, respectively, while only scoring runs in the 9-7 loss to Hillsborough. In that game, Joey Wey drove in three runs, Brayden Nanns two runs, and Tommy Bradley and Ryan Acord both had an RBI.
  • Gaither: The Cowboys went 1-3 in Saladino play, with the only win being 10-3 over Wharton on March 11. Losses to Plant, Plant City and Jesuit (the eventual Saladino champion) were by a combined score of 16-6. In the win over Wharton, Jackson Mirza and Scout Simpson both drove in two RBI, while Josh Choe, David Pina, Nico Lopez and Jeffery Cavicchi all drove in a run apiece.
  • Steinbrenner: The Warriors went 1-3 in their Saladino games, losing to Bloomingdale 7-2 on March 11, 14-4 to Strawberry Crest on March 14 and 5-0 to Jefferson on March 15. The team’s lone win came in a close 5-4 win over Newsome on March 13. Dominic Sardegna drove in three RBI over those four games, while Joshua Stephens went a combined 4-for-11 with a two-run homer vs. Strawberry Crest. Bryce Andrews picked up a save in the win over Newsome.
  • Wharton: The Wildcats also went 1-3 in the tournament, losing to Gaither, Jesuit and Robinson, but then trounced Plant City 15-7 on March 14. Senior David Ascano went 7-for-11 with five RBI over the four games, while Caden Long drove in four in the blowout vs. Plant City. Justis Meadows and Jariel Garriga both drove in two RBI in that game, as well.

2023 Farm Bureau Classic
The annual baseball tournament featuring Pasco and Hernando county teams came down to a couple of Pasco County teams, with the Land O’ Lakes Gators walking away as runner-up and Mitchell, once again, taking the crown. The Mustangs won the championship game, with a score of 6-3 on March 17, which may very well foreshadow how the Class 6A-District 5 shakes out the rest of the season and into the postseason.

  • Bishop McLaughlin: The Hurricanes, coming off a stunning upset of nationally ranked Clearwater Calvary Christian on March 9, went 1-2 in the Classic, topping Fivay on March 14, but dropping matches to Hernando and Nature Coast on March 13 and March 15, respectively. In the 11-1 win over Fivay, Logan McGann went 3-for-5 with three RBI, while Tyler Pizzo, Keither Jacobs and Christopher Rodriguez all drove in two RBI apiece. Freshman Zorre Wright notched the walk-off hit vs. Springstead, while vs. River Ridge, senior Jake Carrillo drove in two RBI.
  • Cypress Creek: The Coyotes went 1-2 in the tournament, and while they grabbed a big 13-1 win over South Sumter, they dropped back-to-back games to Land O’ Lakes and Hernando by a combined score of 22-0. In the Coyotes win, sophomore Evertt Burgess went 3-for-3 with three RBI and a triple, while Ryan Maggy, Max Menendez and Braden Alexander all drove in two RBI each.
  • Land O’ Lakes: The Gators, the aforementioned runners-up, dominated in their wins on the way to the final vs. Mitchell, outsourcing Weeki Wachee, Cypress Creek and Wesley Chapel, respectively, a combined 25-8. In those wins, William Colon drove in five in two of the games, Gavin Jusino drove in two vs. Cypress Creek, and Brad Bloxsom and Dylan Makowski both drove in two RBI vs. Wesley Chapel. Anderson Gutierrez struck out 11 in the Cypress Creek game. 
  • In the championship game vs. Mitchell, the Gators grabbed a quick 2-0 lead, but saw it slip away throughout the game despite six hits, an RBI by C.J. Chalk and pitcher Sutton Christie striking out seven over four innings.
  • Wesley Chapel: The Wildcats were able to go 2-1, including facing Land O’ Lakes in the semifinals, though dropped that game 10-5. In their back-to-back wins, the Wildcats eked out a couple of one-run wins: first 7-6 over Springstead in nine innings and then 8-7 over River Ridge.

2023 Bay Made Fastpitch Elite Invitational
In just its second year, the popularity and competitiveness of this tournament has already grown. Organizer Will Turner hosted three days of games at Greco Softball Complex in Temple Terrace, but also returned all but one of the competitive teams from last year’s inaugural tournament, while expanding the field to 16 teams.

  • Gaither: The Cowboys, at 9-2 this season, picked up the team’s first loss in the tournament, coming at the hands of Bloomingdale 7-2, as well as a second loss: 12-2 to Parrish Community. On March 17, Gaither had back-to-back wins over Lakeland George Jenkins and Palmetto, respectively. The Cowboys are led by seniors Mimi Gooden and Alexsandra Wilkes, who have a combined 20 RBI through nine games.
  • Land O’ Lakes: The Gators went winless in their four games at the Invitational, losing to Hernando, Sickles, Palmetto and George Jenkins. The Gators managed 15 runs in two of the losses, but were shut out 22-0 in losses to Hernando and Palmetto. Against Sickles, sophomore Jaila Mitchell went 3-for-3 with two RBI, while vs. George Jenkins, junior Kiersten Stevens went 4-for-4 with seven RBI and two runs scored. 
  • Steinbrenner: The Warriors made it to the semifinals, one of the four teams left in the Gold Bracket, with wins over George Jenkins 8-3 and River Ridge 3-2. The Warriors lost the semifinal match vs. eventual champ Clearwater Calvary Christian 9-2, and the Gold Bracket Consolation game vs. Hernando 8-3. In the Warriors’ two wins, Lily Holtje drove in four RBI, while in the team’s two losses, Saige Simpson drove in two runs. Emma Kindle also had a two-RBI game in the win over George Jenkins and Jaily Bellamy had an RBI on a 2-for-3 game vs. River Ridge.

Published March 29, 2023

Home Run Derby

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The Land O’ Lakes Recreational Complex will host the inaugural “At Bat 4 Autism” Home Run Derby on April 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Field No. 9, 3032 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

Cost is $3 per batter, with each participant receiving five outs. There will be four age divisions (8 to 10, 11 to 13, 14 to 17, 18 and older. The contest will use a point system for the distance the ball travels. Each batter will hit their round from a pitching machine that will be provided.

There will be prizes for the winner of each age division. There also will be raffles for prizes at the event. Guests should bring cash to purchase raffle tickets. All proceeds from the raffles will benefit mental health recreational inclusion programming.

Register in person or online at https://secure.rec1.com/FL/pasco-county-fl/catalog.

For more information, call 813-929-1220.

Scholarship tournament 

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Heritage Christian Community Baptist Church in Lutz has scheduled its annual Heritage Golf Tournament on April 29 at 8 a.m., at Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., Land O’ Lakes. Cost is $100 per player or $400 per foursome; registration includes cart and green fees, goody bag, snacks, lunch, awards and contests. Proceeds benefit the Heritage Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c) affiliated with the church.

To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/48x96xaa. For more information, call Associate Pastor Bovell Crews at 863-712-4772 or Deacon Dolan Yates at 813-340-5236.

Youth Basketball League

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Summer Coed Youth Basketball League Registration at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex is open for the eight-week season that will run from June 3 to July 29.  Cost is $45 per player and includes a game jersey; the purchase of an annual membership card ($10) is required.

The league will consist of age divisions of 6 and 7, 8 through 10, and 11 through 13. All games will be played on Saturdays. There also will be an assessment for all age divisions on April 29. The 6 and 7 division will be at 10 a.m., followed by the 8 to 10 at 12:30 p.m., and 11 to 13 at 3 p.m. Practice days to be determined later, with those starting two weeks after the assessment date.

Space is limited. Register in person or online at https://secure.rec1.com/FL/pasco-county-fl/catalog. For more information, call 813-929-1220.

Bridging the gap — using Popsicle sticks

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William Bryan searched the internet.

That was a no-brainer for the senior at Saint Leo University, who is majoring in cybersecurity.

William Bryan, a Saint Leo University senior majoring in cybersecurity, won the Ninth Annual Bridge-Building Competition on March 9. The contest involved students building bridges using nothing more than 200 Popsicle sticks and Elmer’s glue. Bridges were judged on their strength, aesthetics of design and other factors. Bryan’s bridge, Bridge-It, supported a record-breaking 93.8 pounds. (Mike Camunas)

But his search didn’t yield the answers he was seeking.

“I did look online, but it’s not as easy as going online and finding something because there is no right way to build a Popsicle stick bridge,” Bryan said. “Each competition has different parameters, from the amount of sticks you can use to specific dimensions.

“I really don’t know that much about engineering, but I knew that I needed triangles — and to get as much glue on the surface area as possible. The rest surprised me”

His biggest surprise, however, came in the way that he won Saint Leo University’s Ninth Annual Bridge-Building Competition on March 9.

In a record-breaking rout, his bridge — Bridge-It — held 98.3 pounds. He had expected his bridge would support about 40 pounds. When he shattered the record, spectators in Shelby Auditorium erupted with applause.

His bridge was among 10 in the contest, in which teams ranging from one to three members, sought to build the strongest possible bridge using only Elmer’s glue and no more than 200 standard Popsicle sticks.

The entries had to bridge a 1.2-meter span. 

Ebony Rolle, left, and Asha Burns watch as their bridge, Doja, collapses before they added barely any weight to it.

To test the strength, a bucket was hooked to the bottom of the bridge and contestants added bags of rocks until the span broke.

Bryan eventually ran out of rocks, so he placed a large heavy bucket on top of the bridge, which broke under the weight.

“When I was in middle school, there was a Popsicle (stick) bridge competition, but I wasn’t able to do it because I wasn’t invited,” said Bryan, who was accompanied by his wife, Jacquelyn.

“So this was a bit of redemption (laughs).”

Saint Leo has been hosting this competition for nearly a decade and it has always been open to all students, not just the ones who know more about physics, which is a requirement of biology majors. Many of those competing are biology majors.

Popsicle stick bridges were built, and then broken, during Saint Leo University’s Ninth Annual Bridge-Building Competition March 9.

Dr. Harsha Perera, assistant professor of physics and physical sciences in the College of Arts and Science, said that is part of the appeal of watching the competition.

“We even had someone from psychology sign up, so it’s for everyone. I believe this event sparked the enthusiasm for all the students regardless of their age or their major to learn engineering techniques on designing and building a bridge with the given material.”

For biology major Alex Keeler, she was just looking for a little fun during midterms.

She and her teammates, Juan Jimenez and Hannah Evers, dubbed their bridge,  “Jahkeg” — their initials. It was named Most Aesthetically Pleasing.

“I’m not going to lie,” Keeler said. “The extra-credit component definitely played into (entering the competition). … But we know just the bare minimum of physics, so we also went with what we found on Google.”

Perera added the competition will remain open to the public, not just Saint Leo students.

“We would love for high school students or middle schoolers to come and try the competition, especially if they’re interested in physics,” she said. “We welcome the public, and hopefully one day they’ll take us up on it.

“We’re pretty sure they’ll enjoy it as much as our college students did.”

Published March 22, 2023

Local author fair helps boost literacy awareness

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It was a look at local books.

When the Dade City Heritage and Cultural Museum had its inaugural Local Author Fair on March 11, it provided a place for writers to show off and sell their books, connect with readers and to promote literacy.

Steve Altier, from Valrico, smiles as he talks about some of his books, such as ‘Lizardville’ and ‘The Ghost Hunter’ series during the Local Author Fair at the Dade City Heritage and Cultural Museum on March 11. (Mike Camunas)

For all the festivals and events that are held throughout town during the year, there wasn’t one focusing solely on reading.

Until now.

“We just noticed there was a need for it in this community — we noticed that this town has a lot of festivals and family friendly events, but nothing for literacy,” said Museum Volunteer Director Jayde Archbold, who organized the author fair. “But it worked out great, and I think people are having a great time, so, yeah, we’re going to want it to be a yearly thing now.”

The event was held in the old Atlantic Coastline Train Depot, which is the museum’s home.

Janet Watson, of Wesley Chapel, autographs her book for a fan and customer at the Local Author Fair at the Dade City Heritage and Cultural Museum on March 11. The inaugural event hosted more than 25 local authors from Pasco County, but also as far as from Brandon to Sarasota to Hernando County. The event gave authors the opportunity to promote themselves, their books and reading.

More than 25 authors — from Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties — were there to display books they’ve written and to sell them, discuss them and even do readings from them.

“We didn’t have a specific geographic area that we targeted authors, just a general area near to Dade City,” Archbold said. “We were just happy that when we put it out there, promoting it for authors to sign up, that we had such a great response that we had to stop because of our limited space. We accepted as many (authors) as we could, but we might need a bigger space — or maybe do it outside next year.”

The event was sponsored by Dade City booksellers, Lighthouse Books and The Book Shack, as well as American Pizza Oven.

Local authors in attendance included Janet Watson and J.L. LaPointe.

Shelby Mander, a Dade City native and teacher at nearby Centennial Elementary, was there, too, promoting her children’s book, “Petunia the Piccolo Player.” It tells the story of a musical elephant, Petunia Pachyderm, and her journey to make it to a big show.

Shelby Mander, a Dade City native and elementary school teacher, wrote her children’s book, ‘Petunia The Piccolo Player’ and promoted it at the Local Author Fair at the Dade City Heritage and Cultural Museum on March 11.

“I think (the fair) is the little push I need to start getting sales of my book,” Mander said. “This was a great way to meet other authors and see their works, see their set up and see how they do it, too.

“It’s been a great turnout from authors and from potential readers,” she added. “And I’ve really enjoyed hearing the stories, too. Not just hearing authors read excerpts from their books, but their stories about what they went through to get published, from beginning to end, to get their books made.”

Archbold is a librarian at Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center in Odessa and has worked for Pasco County Libraries for five years. For her, the event is about bringing literacy and local author awareness to Dade City, as well as the rest of Pasco County.

“There are local authors out there, making waves with their books, so we want to promote them,” she said. I think people underestimate the value of libraries to the community, or think that libraries are just for children now. Libraries, and this (fair), bring together local authors to show people what is out there, that people in the community, maybe even their neighbors, are out here writing, reading and promoting books that are good.

“People need to know who is around them that is contributing positive things in their community, so they can support them,” she added. “It’s always, ‘Support your local business, support your local artist, support your local events in the community.’

“So why not support your local authors, too?”

Published March 22, 2023

2022-2023 Sunshine Athletic Conference Winter Awards

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The Sunshine Athletic Conference, which is made up of the 14 public high school athletic programs in Pasco County, announced its 2022-2023 Winter All-Conference Teams and Players, voted on by the sports’ respective coaches.

The awards are split into East and West divisions of the county. Here are the East Division First Teams and the players and coaches of the year.

Wiregrass Ranch High School forward Alex Rodriguez led the 18-6 Bulls with 21 goals. (Courtesy of Dave Wilson)

Boys Soccer
​​Team Champion: Sunlake High School
Offensive Player of the Year: Alex Rodriguez, Wiregrass Ranch
Defensive Player of the Year: Reece Jamieson, Wesley Chapel
Coach of the Year: Sam Koleduk, Sunlake
First Team
Forward – Alex Rodriguez, Wiregrass Ranch
Forward – Will Fotopulous, Sunlake
Midfield – Matias Gonzales, Sunlake
Midfield – Alexei Leon, Wiregrass Ranch
Midfield – Juan Sanchez, Pasco
Defense – Jeremy Caruso, Wiregrass Ranch
Defense – Reece Jamieson, Wesley Chapel
Defense – Paul Grzelczyk, Sunlake
Goalkeeper – Nate Nobl, Sunlake
Utility – Dylan Ortiz, Sunlake
Utility – Mykall Lewis, Wiregrass Ranch

Sunlake High School junior Taylor Campbell tied the team record for most goals (26) and assists (15) in a season, propelling the Seahawks to its first state tournament appearance. (Courtesy of Sunlake Athletics)
Cypress Creek High School senior soccer player Abbie Pittman. (Courtesy of Jessica Herzek)

Girls Soccer
​​Team Champion: Cypress Creek High School
Offensive Player of the Year: Campbell Taylor, Sunlake
Defensive Player of the Year: Abbie Pittman, Cypress Creek
Coach of the Year: Jami Finan, Sunlake
First Team:

Forward – Campbell Taylor, Sunlake
Forward – Allison Souers, Cypress Creek
Midfield – Nemesis Arroyo, Wesley Chapel
Midfield – Maya Hinz, Sunlake
Midfield – Lex Mangione, Wesley Chapel

Midfield – Isabella Wood, Sunlake

Defense – Hannah Fulop, Cypress Creek
Defense – Bianca Martinez, Sunlake
Defense – Abbie Pittman, Cypress Creek
Goalkeeper – Alex Capocy, Cypress Creek
Utility – Emily Doonan, Wesley Chapel

Boys Basketball
​​Team Champion: Wiregrass Ranch High School
Player of the Year: Trey Murray, Wesley Chapel
Coach of the Year: Jeremy Calzone, Wiregrass Ranch
First Team:
Trey Murray, Wesley Chapel
Landy Colyer, Land O’ Lakes
Amon Whitlow, Cypress Creek
Kennen Ayala, Land O’ Lakes
K.J. Smith, Wiregrass Ranch

Girls Basketball
​​Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes High School
Player of the Year: Jaylin Neder, Land O’ Lakes
Coach of the Year: Peter Livingston, Wesley Chapel
First Team:
Jaylin Neder, Land O’ Lakes
Dayla Christopher, Wesley Chapel
Allison McCullough, Zephyrhills
Amaiya Potter, Wiregrass Ranch
Alexandria Gonzales, Sunlake

The Land O’ Lakes High School wrestling team won its third-straight SAC title this season. (Courtesy of Eddie Marley)

Wrestling
​​Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes High School
Boys Wrestler of the Year: Cassidy Grubbs, Pasco
Coach of the Year: Eddie Marley, Land O’ Lakes
Boys First Team:
106 – Francesco Alagna, Cypress Creek
113 – Ashton Horvath, Sunlake
120 – Marco Rivera, Sunlake
126 – Jet Griffis, Land O’ Lakes
132 – Brandon Austin, Land O’ Lakes
138 – Charles Griffis, Land O’ Lakes
145 – Wyatt Green, Land O’ Lakes
152 – Leomany Casado, Land O’ Lakes
160 – Nicholas Iserino, Wesley Chapel
170 – Hudson Merkle, Cypress Creek
182 – Brunco Ingalls, Pasco
195 – Brody Switzer, Zephyrhills
220 – Cassidy Grubbs, Pasco
285 – Garry Gilbert, Land O’ Lakes

Girls First Team:
100 – Kohana Martinez, Zephyrhills
105 – Gabrielle Thompson, Wesley Chapel
110 – Brooke Pickering, Land O’ Lakes
115 – Izabella Kullman, Sunlake High
120 – Gabrielle Asabi, Wesley Chapel
125 – Sofia Palacio, Wesley Chapel
135 – Kristy Moore, Sunlake
140 – Nicollette Watson, Wiregrass Ranch
145 – Nevaeh Tdedman, Pasco
155 – Alliyah Trahan, Wesley Chapel
170 – Megan Preston, Wiregrass Ranch
190 – Paisley Murphy, Wesley Chapel

Sunlake High School state champion lifter Elena Kulubya brought home the gold medal in the 169-pound weight class, performing a 165-pound snatch and a 215-pound clean and jerk. (Courtesy of Brett Hodros)

Girls Weightlifting
Olympic ​​Team Champion: Zephyrhills High School
Traditional Team Co-Champions: Sunlake and Zephyrhills
Olympic Lifter of the Year: Elena Kubuya, Sunlake
Traditional Lifter of the Year: Makiyah Nickerson, Sunlake
Coach of the Year: Brett Hodros, Sunlake
Olympic First Team:
101 – Gabriella Gonzalez, Cypress Creek
110 – Sienna Silvest, Cypress Creek
119 – Peyton Leidy, Zephyrhills
129 – Arianna Manzano, Cypress Creek
139 – Makiyah Nickerson, Sunlake
154 – Morgan Stewart, Wiregrass Ranch
169 – Elena Kulubya, Sunlake
183 – Carolina Crim, Sunlake
199 – Bella Patrias, Zephyrhills
Unlimited – Kennedy Arnot, Zephyrhills

Traditional First Team:
101 – Gabriella Gonzalez, Cypress Creek
110 – Sienna Silvest, Cypress Creek
119 – Peyton Leidy, Zephyrhills
129 – Sharibel Vazquez, Zephyrhills
139 – Makiyah Nickerson, Sunlake
154 – Nicole Bouserhal, Sunlake
169 – Elena Kulubya, Sunlake
183 – Autumn Spoon, Zephyrhills
199 – Bella Patrias, Zephyrhills
Unlimited – Kennedy Arnot, Zephyrhills

Cheerleading
​​Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes
Cheerleader of the Year: Mia Allen, Land O’ Lakes
Coach of the Year: Ashley Linden, Land O’ Lakes
First Team:
Mia Allen, Land O’ Lakes
Katy Quandt, Land O’ Lakes
Gianna Ocasio, Land O’ Lakes
Lariah Coraham, Zephyrhills
Calli Catalanotto, Cypress Creek
Lauren Rossman, Cypress Creek
Hailey Gouldbourne, Wesley Chapel
MaJenna Frontado, Wesley Chapel
Bella Hicks, Pasco
Mackenzie Piotrowski, Pasco

Published March 22, 2023