The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Health News 01/01/2020

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Third quarter star volunteers are, from left: Rev. Fred Houck, Barbara Weber and Steve Johnson. (Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

These volunteers truly are ‘stars’
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has announced the recipients of its third quarter volunteer Star Awards.

Rev. Fred Houck has been volunteering at the hospital since August 2013 and has accumulated 2,731 life hours and 3,766 merit hours. Rev. Houck has a reputation for his tirelessness in doing the work of the Lord.

Steve Johnson has been a volunteer since April 2011, with a total of 3,438 life hours and 6,068 merit hours.

Johnson began as a courtesy cart driver, which he has expanded to include evenings, and helps in the material management department.

Barbara Weber has been with Regional Medical since November 2016, working as a courier. She also works at the welcome center of the medical office building and the Welcome D center.

Weber has accumulated more than 3,000 life hours and more than 3,500 merit hours.

Mobile mammography
AdventHealth has signed an agreement for the purchase of all the assets of Tampa Bay Mobile Mammography, according to a news release.

Mobile Mammography is a leading provider of 3D services to more than 700 locations in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota areas, including schools, government agencies, corporations and health care clinics.

The transaction was expected to be completed by Dec. 20 and, once official, the mobile services will be part of AdventHealth West Florida Division.

The sale includes Tampa Bay Mobile Mammography’s three specialty buses equipped with Hologic 3D Mammography systems. The 3D system offers more clarity, regardless of breast size or density, increased comfort and more accuracy in diagnosis, detecting subtle lesions and fine calcifications to help pinpoint cancers early.

Tampa Bay Mobile Mammography has screened more than 32,000 women in the last five years.

Fashion show raises money for Gulfside
The annual Charity Fashion Show on Dec. 3, at Heritage Springs Golf & Country Club in Trinity, raised more than $41,000 to support hospice patients and families through Gulfside Hospice.

The sold-out event featured winter and holiday fashions presented by Dillard’s from The Shops at Wiregrass.

Deiah Riley, from ABC Action News, returned to emcee the event for the fourth time, and guests had a seated lunch.

There also was a vendor expo and door prizes.

Regional Medical donates to campaign
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, a Level II Trauma Center, joined the Bayonet Point medical staff in donating $13,000 each to the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and Pasco County School’s Stop the Bleed campaign.

This national initiative aims to train and empower civilians to act swiftly and effectively in trauma situations.

Training is provided by voluntary medical personnel who are experts in the initial stages of trauma management, and is tailored to quick, life-saving measures that can be applied by anybody in the event of an emergency.

Each school is also provided with 15 trauma kits that are placed in strategic locations to be rapidly accessed, in the case of an emergency.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and Pasco County Schools believe that, to be effective, over 100 Pasco County schools should be equipped with the trauma kits.

The initial cost is $250,000 to provide quality and long-lasting kits.

Dr. George Giannakopoulos, Regional Medical chief of staff, decided to jumpstart the campaign with hospital medical staff with the $13,000 donation, and the hospital itself chose to match the donation with an additional $13,000.

Cancer foundation receives funds
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices partnered with the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation to help raise funds and awareness of breast cancer, its symptoms and treatments.

Through the sale of the Foundation’s “End Breast Cancer” specialty tag and cash donations, a total of $7,678.39 was raised to help end the suffering caused by breast cancer.

For details regarding charitable promotions or services provided by the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, contact Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector for communications and special projects, at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

Chalk Talk 01/01/2020

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Free admission to MOSI
The Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., in Tampa, is offering free admission to kindergarten through fifth-grade students in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties through Jan. 6.

Students who present a report card, or any other identification that proves residence in one of the named counties will get free admission to MOSI, with a paid adult admission.

The offer does not include any additional experiences at the museum and cannot be combined with any other discount offer.

For information, visit MOSI.org.

New coffeehouse at Saint Leo
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, will celebrate the opening of its new Benedict’s Coffeehouse on Jan. 13 starting at 10 a.m.

Visitors are invited to check out the newly designed space at the east end of the Kirk Hall lawn (near the recreation basketball court).

The event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, music, giveaways and a reception.

Guests who are one of the first 250 customers will receive a free Benedict’s Coffeehouse travel mug, with purchase.

Benedict’s will feature Starbucks coffees, specialty drinks and teas, and a variety of breakfast sandwiches and lunch items, including salads and snacks.

The coffeehouse name was selected to reflect the school’s Benedictine history and tradition.

The university was found in 1889 by sisters, monks, and priests of the Order of St. Benedict, and the university’s core values are based on the Rule of St. Benedict.

Following the grand opening, the coffeehouse will be open 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, providing students with a place to meet for a class project, take a break with friends, or study with a snack.

There will be indoor and outdoor patio seating, and Wi-Fi.

To learn more, visit SaintLeo.edu/benedicts-coffeehouse.

Music lessons
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, is extending an invitation to community residents near University Campus to register for private music instruction during the 2020 spring semester.

Instructors are available to teach voice, piano, strings, guitar and ukulele.

Residents can register for a single credit of instruction, and lessons will be 30 minutes weekly.

Classes start the week of Jan. 13.

For information, cost and registration, email Dr. Chantelle MacPhee at , and put ‘private music lessons’ in the subject line.

Early release day
Pasco County Schools has implemented a monthly, two-hour-early release time to allow for staff to engage in professional development aligned with student needs, and district and school priorities.

Early release days will take place on the second Wednesday of each month, with the exception of January and May.

The next early release day is Jan. 15.

Schools make AP Honor Roll
Pasco County Schools is one of 250 school districts in the United States and Canada that earned a spot on the 10th annual AP District Honor Roll. The district also was on the fifth annual Honor Roll in 2015, when 547 districts earned the recognition.

The Honor Roll recognizes the district’s commitment to expanding access to Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, while also improving student performance since 2017.

Last school year, 4,484 students were enrolled in AP courses and those students took 8,247 exams, with more than half earning a passing score of 3 or higher.

That is an 8.3% participation increase and a 13.4% performance increase over 2017-2018.

For inclusion on the Honor Roll, the Pasco County school district met the following criteria:

  • Increase participation/access to AP by at least 4%
  • Increase or maintain the percentage of American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students taking exams, and increase or maintain the percentage of these students scoring 3+ on at least one AP exam
  • Improve or maintain performance levels when comparing the 2019 percentage of students scoring a 3 or higher to the 2017 percentage, unless the district has already attained a higher performance level at which more than 70% of its AP students earn a 3 or higher

Military academies nominations
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) has announced that 20 high school students have received nominations for admission into our nation’s military academies: Air Force (USAF), Navy (USNA), Army (USMA) and Merchant Marine (USMMA).

Receiving a nomination to one of the nation’s military academies is a step toward receiving an appointment to the academies.

Nominations are earned based on each student’s interview with Rep. Castor’s Nomination Committee, the student’s academic record, participation in extracurricular activities and demonstrated leadership qualities.

Based upon the process established by law, all U.S. military academies, except the Coast Guard Academy, require a nomination from their member of Congress, U.S. senator or the vice president of the United States.

Parents and students interested in the nomination process can work with their school guidance counselors and visit Castor.house.gov/constituentservices, and click on the Service Academy Nominations link.

The following students from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area have received nominations:

  • Cooper Palasti, Gaither High School (USNA, USMA)
  • Josef Stooks, Steinbrenner High School (USNA)
  • Justin Hileman, Steinbrenner High (USNA, USAFA)

Rep. Castor will announce official appointments at a later date, after being notified of the appointments by the academies.

Foundation is recipient of grant
The South Central Chapter of Joy in Childhood Foundation has approved a grant of $10,000 for The Thomas Promise Foundation.

Joy in Childhood is an independent 501©3 organization powered by Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins Brands, as well as the generosity of their partners, franchisees, employees and guests.

The grant will provide more than 20,000 meals for the foundation, whose mission is to supply weekend meals to food-insecure students in local schools.

Currently, Thomas Promise is in 28 schools in Pasco and Hillsborough counties, serving more than 1,500 bags filled with six meals each weekend to students who may not have certain access to meals when the school breakfast and lunch programs are not in operation.

Another look at your best friends

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Whether your best friend barks or meows, is spunky or mellow, crawls or hops – we know your pets bring a special joy to you throughout the year. We thought we’d take a look back and share some of the pets that were showcased this year in our Pet of the Week feature. Thanks to our readers for sending in their stories and photos. Keep them coming in 2020! And, a look back at the local wildlife photos will be published in our Jan. 1 editions.

Titan: Alicia Locascio, Land O’ Lakes
Winston: Marissa Howe, Lutz

 

 

Theo: Josh and Alison Cagle, Land O’ Lakes
Lucy: Brucker family, Land O’ Lakes
Calvin: Chynna and Samantha Bisconti, Lutz
Luc: Kelsey Parker, Wesley Chapel
Sagan: Sheri and John Thrasher, Wesley Chapel
Max: Katie Wyka, Land O’ Lakes
Lily: Galan family, Land O’ Lakes
Richard Parker: Valerie Sercu and family, Wesley Chapel
Varla: Christopher Hanson, Dade City
Rosie: Laura York, Lutz

 

Chalk Talk 12/25/2019

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(Courtesy of Melonie Monson)

Ten student-citizens honored
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has recognized 10 students for its Citizen of the Month program. Teachers and administration at individual schools nominate students for their exemplary efforts, achievements and contributions to their school, family and community. Students receiving honors for the month of December are: Nicholas Dester, The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Wyatt Farland, The Broach School; Yareliz Pagan Lopez, Chester Taylor Elementary School; Aniya Harrison, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Madisyn Wright, Heritage Academy; Jaylin Jackson, Raymond B. Stewart Middle School; Chloee Dutton, West Zephyrhills Elementary School; Ricky Jiang, Woodland Elementary School; Jeira Melendez, Zephyrhills Christian Academy; and, Lakisia Thomas, Zephyrhills High School.

Winter commencement
Pasco-Hernando State College hosted two winter commencement ceremonies on Dec. 11, to honor graduates earning bachelor degrees, associate degrees, and certificates.

This year’s fall graduates included many ambitious and accomplished students, and some who have encountered adversity in pursuit of a higher education.

Meclina Priestley, of Wesley Chapel, earned an Associate of Arts in drafting and design technology, with honors.

Priestley is a single mother of three daughters, a successful artist, and an Art Fellow at the James Weldon Johnson Foundation.

She also is an artist-in-residence at the Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel, and a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the SkillsUSA club.

Hunter Karius, of Weeki Wachee, is a full-time, first-generation college student who earned his Associate in Arts, with honors.

Karius is the North Campus Student Government Association president, a student ambassador, an enrollment management specialist in the Academic Success Center, and the Florida College System Student Government Association Region Two coordinator.

He plans to attend Nova Southeastern University to study biological sciences, followed by dental school.

Patricia Jauregui, of Dade City, overcame many obstacles, from kidney failure and a transplant as a teen, to developing breast cancer when she was 22 years old.

Jauregui is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Psi Beta. She earned an Associate in Science in nursing, with honors.

She aspires to work as a nurse either in pediatric oncology or in breast oncology.

Adriana Huapilla, of Dade City, has served East Campus as a student ambassador and Student Government Association vice president.

She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Phi Beta Lambda, and is the first generation in her family to earn an Associate in Arts.

Huapilla balances being a full-time student with a full-time job, and often drives family members from home to school or work.

She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in supervision and management, with a concentration in public safety.

Steeven Andrade, of Wesley Chapel, was born in Ecuador and moved to the United States three years ago. It was his first time in college, in another country, and in another language.

By the fall of 2018, he was the Student Government Association vice president at the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

Andrade earned an Associate in Arts, with honors.

He plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in management, with a minor in global business, at the University of South Florida, while working at Publix.

Approximately 345 degrees and certificates were conferred at the winter commencement ceremonies.

Local student recognized as a ‘hero’
Pasco High School student Sally Campbell was honored at a recent hockey game as a Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero of Tomorrow.

Campbell was awarded a $25,000 scholarship and a $25,000 grant to the Hope Lodge, on behalf of Campbell’s nonprofit, Sallybrating With a Cause (And a Little Bit of Paws), which supports community charities, including animals.

Local student attends UN conference
Jacob Goetz, of Odessa, was among the 12 students with Tallahassee Community College’s Model UN team that traveled to Washington D.C., to attend the Model United Nations conference. The group of students represented Spain, and received plaudits for their work, and visited historical sites.

The overall work of the team in their respective UN committees earned them an Honorable Delegation Award.

Two students, Ramlah Mahboob and Sean Rutten, were recognized with a Position Paper Award, based on their research and written policies submitted to the conference.

Student achievement
Ether Olatunji, of Lutz, graduated from the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities at Florida A&M University.

Olaunji was among more than 600 students who received degrees during the school’s winter commencements.

Kissy loves the park

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Kissy is a 10-year-old Yorkie. She is very friendly and loves to go kayaking. Kissy dislikes loud noises, unless she is the one making them. She loves wearing the dresses her mom sews for her. Kissy lives with her mom, Odalis Diaz, in Wesley Chapel.

A ‘ground rattler’

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Sharon Thompson spotted this pygmy rattlesnake outside her home in Country Walk, in Wesley Chapel. Its tail’s tiny rattle is prone to breaking off. This snake gives birth to live young and does not lay eggs. It feeds on insects, frogs, lizards, small snakes, nestling birds and mice.

Chalk Talk 12/18/2019

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Remembering the end of a war
About 30 people attended the interdisciplinary at Saint Leo University on World War I & Peace, 1919-2019 Conference in honor of the centennial of the end of World War I.

From left: Stephen Okey, Frank Orlando and Daniel DuBois spoke at the interdisciplinary at Saint Leo University on World War I & Peace, 1919-2019. (Courtesy of Jo-Ann Johnston)

University President Jeffrey D. Senese delivered the formal welcome to the conference audience.

Psychology professor Christopher Cronin gave a presentation on shell shock and modern post-traumatic stress disorder diagnoses.

English faculty member Chantelle MacPhee, originally from Canada, recited the battle poem “In Flanders Field,” written by Canadian poet-physician John McCrae, who died during wartime service.

And, a popular panel drew questions about theologian Stephen Okey’s remarks on how Pope Benedict XV viewed the war, Frank Orlando’s presentation on how the power of American presidents changed domestically after the peace treaty, and historian Daniel DuBois’ lecture on how the war set the stage for China’s current place in world affairs.

Those in attendance could view items on display, too, including war posters, photos and paintings from the WWI era, and artifacts including helmets, and medals and ribbons awarded to soldiers.

Saint Leo professor Marco Rimanelli organized the conference and assembled the collection of memorabilia. He is a professor of political science.

School board reorganizes
The District School Board of Pasco County elected Colleen Beaudoin, District 2, as chair, and Allen Altman, District 1, as vice chair. Both positions are for one-year terms.

New buddy benches
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Dec. 12 at Denham Oaks Elementary in Lutz for the newly installed Buddy Benches.

Through a Systems of Care grant opportunity, the Pasco County school district was able to expand compassionate schools work by purchasing 13 Buddy Benches. The bench is a simple idea to foster friendship on the playground, to promote an inclusive school community.

Children who are feeling emotional or lonely can sit on the bench as a clear signal to others on the playground that they are in need of social connection.

Students in the schools with Buddy Benches will receive instructions on how to respond when they see a peer sitting on the bench.

Upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremonies at area schools include:

  • Cox Elementary School, 37615 Martin Luther King Blvd., Dade City: Dec. 20 at 2 p.m.
  • Bexley Elementary School, 4380 Ballantrae Blvd., Land O’ Lakes: Jan. 16 at 8 a.m.
  • New River Elementary School, 4710 River Glen Blvd., Wesley Chapel: Jan. 22 at 8:40 a.m.

Financial aid tip
According to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), high school seniors should keep track of deadlines for applying for college financial aid.

The KHEAA offers these tips:

  • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible.
  • Check with the financial aid offices of the schools to which you’ve applied, to determine if they require any forms other than the FAFSA.
  • Look for scholarships using a free online scholarship search.
  • Attend any college fairs and financial aid seminars offered at your high school or in your area. If a company charges a fee for helping with applications, remember that you can do that yourself for free. If you decide to pay for help, make sure the company is reputable by checking with the state attorney general’s office or the Better Business Bureau in your area, as well as the area where the firm is located.

The public, nonprofit agency KHEAA was established in 1966 to improve students’ access to college. It provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents.

For information, visit KHEAA.com.

Saint Leo service day
The Saint Leo University community united far and wide to perform volunteer acts in honor of those who served in the U.S. military.

While some of the volunteer opportunities were organized by the university, employees also could work with the organization or agency of their choice.

Some of the projects included cleaning a 1-mile stretch of a downtown Tampa street, to feeding the homeless in a park in Savannah, Georgia; from making toys and treats at University Campus for rescue animals, to sorting items at a Habitat for Humanity store in Newport News, Virginia.

Iman Johnson, a student at Saint Leo’s University Campus, helped in the Peaceful Reflections Garden and said, in a release, he “felt compelled to volunteer….My grandfather served.” Johnson is a graduate assistant for the men’s basketball team.

Delaney Chrisco, a women’s lacrosse player, said, “I want to give back and grow the community, since I’m a senior.

“We want to leave on a good note,” she added.

Paws of Love, a nonprofit organization, also was on campus to make dog treats and toys to donate to Pasco County Animal Services in Land O’ Lakes.

Participants in the Service Day also worked with other community partners, including San Antonio Elementary School; A Helping Rock homeless shelter in Zephyrhills; Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppe, Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, and Rodney B. Cox Elementary School, all in Dade City; and, Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School in Shady Hills.

Inspiration found in the city, and the hills

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As a member of Life Church in Wesley Chapel, Demene Benjamin embarked on a nine-day missionary trip with Life Church and Life Church International to Guatemala and El Salvador, in November.

Demene Benjamin took part in a nine-day mission trip to Guatemala and El Salvador, focusing on outreach and the love of Jesus. (Courtesy of Demene Benjamin)

The mission was a passionate drive to give hope by sharing the love of Jesus, and to inspire change, said Benjamin, who is manager of CMX Cinemas, at The Grove at Wesley Chapel.

In Guatemala, alongside Pastor Luis Pedro Solares, the team visited with an orphanage in the mountains — providing education and meals, as well as life skills to moms in the community. There was also the opportunity to learn both Spanish and English. It was here that one of Benjamin’s teammates took polaroid photos of the kids, who were amazed to see themselves in a picture taken by a camera.

Children from an orphanage in Guatemala get together for a group photo. During the mission trip, the children were amazed to see themselves in pictures.

In El Salvador the team found more laborious work, but also an unconditional love for the city. Life Church partnered with Pastor Paco Rosales on sharing and inspiring hope. The team also had the opportunity to visit the well system Pastor Paco is working on that will provide a life source for the people who suffer from liver failure, kidney and heart issues, as a result of dehydration. With donations, the well is expected to be up and running before the end of the year and will provide the community with free, clean water.

The group also served inside an El Salvador church, serving the elders and adding fresh paint to the sanctuary.

Along the way, Benjamin said she found two countries connected in love.

“It was an overwhelming and majestic trip,” she said, and inspired her to seek more opportunities to demonstrate unconditional love.

For information about the church missions, call Natalie Dougherty at (813) 973-2230.

Published December 11, 2019

New game celebrates Dade City

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(Courtesy of Florida Pioneer Museum & Village)

Still looking for a unique Christmas gift for someone who likes board games? Check this out — Dade City Opoly.

The game features local Dade City businesses, and is being sold as a fundraiser for the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, at the price of $40 each.

Over the next few months, the museum also will be raffling off 10 games autographed by The Bellamy Brothers, who have a spot on the game’s board.

Raffle tickets are sold at the museum, 25602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City.

To order Dade City Opoly online, visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org.

Or, to pick up a game, stop by one of these Dade City businesses: Lori Anne’s, The Book Shack, Flint Creek Outfitters, The Garden of Eden Spa, Quilts on Plum Lane, or the museum itself.

Published December 11, 2019