Mary Rathman

Chalk Talk 04/17/2019

April 17, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Believe, and achieve
Anusha Gupta, of Steinbrenner High School, won first place in the Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest, Category 3. In her essay, Gupta discussed the pioneers in science and technology of Hispanic origins, and highlighted female scientists in particular and their achievements in the field. Her essay also discussed the perseverance of both male and female scientists (many of whom were ridiculed for trying), teaching others to believe in themselves and work hard. Gupta was recognized at a brunch at the Columbia Restaurant in March.

Student artwork exhibit
Pasco-Hernando State College’s Rao Musunuru M.D. Art Gallery, on the West Campus in New Port Richey, will exhibit the artwork of PHSC students April 17 through May 15.

The annual exhibition highlights diverse talent achieved without influence from staff or faculty.

The exhibit includes works of photography, drawing and mixed media, from past and present art students.

Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 .m., and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Admission is free.

For information, call (727) 816-3231.

Martinez Middle fundraiser
Martinez Middle School will host the Martinez FFA (Future Farmers of America) first annual golf tournament on May 4 at 1 p.m., at Heritage Harbor Gulf Golf & Country Club, 19502 Heritage Harbor Parkway in Lutz.

There also will be an auction and dinner.

The cost for an individual golfer is $100, which includes green fees, a cart, balls, a goodie bag, dinner and the auction.

Sponsorships are available starting at $100.

All proceeds will go to improving the school’s agricultural farm.

The deadline for golf entries is April 19.

For information, call Sean Hessel at (813) 363-6384.

Sidewalk Stompers
AdventHealth Tampa partnered with Pride Elementary and Benito Elementary schools in Hillsborough County to sponsor Sidewalk Stompers.

Sidewalk Stompers is a school activity that encourages safe walking as an option to car line drop-off for students.

Pride Elementary started the program earlier this year and has a gold sneaker trophy for the class with the most participants each week. Fifth-graders can volunteer to be Student Ambassadors and are responsible for tracking all the children who walk or bike to school.

AdventHealth Tampa delivered yards signs with safety messages for display along the schools’ driveways, and a banner for the program.

Prizes also were given to Sidewalk Stompers participants.

For information, visit Sidewalk Stompers on Facebook.

Student achievements

Summer Breeze, of Land O’ Lakes, made the fall Dean’s List at Columbus State Community College in Ohio.
Riley Garrison, of Lutz, was initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Florida State University.
Emily Gerber, of Odessa, was selected for the fall Dean’s List at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, where she is majoring in conservation biology. Gerber also has been selected for membership into the school’s chapter of Beta Beta Beta, the national biological honorary society.
Ian Gerhard, of Lutz, graduated from Troy University in Alabama with a Master of Science in Counseling and Psychology.
Eric Holmes, of Odessa, has been named to the fall Dean’s List at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi.
Clare O’ Keefe, of Lutz, was named to the fall Dean’s List at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, where she is majoring in sports management.
Caroline Amanda Meisner, of Lutz, received the Zelda C. Pemberton Education Award from Greensboro College, North Carolina, where she is majoring in theatre education.

Vocational scholarships
Students in east Pasco County who plan to attend vocational schools will have the opportunity for financial assistance through six new scholarships as Wade and Dianna Thomas, of The Thomas Promise Foundation, introduce the Atkins Vocational Scholarship Program.

Funded by the couple and an anonymous donor, the program will provide $1,000 scholarships to three students each in Zephyrhills High School and Pasco High School.

Students must be accepted to a vocational school.

Applications are accessible in the guidance offices of the schools and, in the future, can be found on the Pasco Education Foundation website.

For more information, students should contact Mignon Edwards at Pasco High or April Simons at Zephyrhills High.

Steinbrenner gala
Steinbrenner High School’s football and cheerleading program will host a Leadership & Legacy Gala on May 3 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Cheval Clubhouse, 4312 Cheval Blvd., in Lutz.

This is a casual, family friendly event open to all. The gala will feature a live DJ, a live and a silent auction, a putting contest, hors d’oeuvres, a 50-50 drawing, a cash bar and a raffle.

The keynote speaker will be former Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson.

For sponsorship opportunities and tickets, visit SteinbrennerGalaAndGolf.com.

Caught in the act

April 10, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Sarah Shannon, of Land O’ Lakes, caught her three pets being nice to each other, taking an afternoon nap together. Snoozing are Sundae, a 3-year-old English bulldog; 1-year-old Kenny and 4-year-old Kingsley.

Goldfinch brilliance

April 10, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Lillian Cucuzza, of Land O’ Lakes, has had male and female goldfinches hanging around her feeder, and said the birds are finally turning their beautiful yellow colors. The male goldfinch is bright yellow with a black cap on his head. Note: the background on the photo is not edited out, but is due to the aperture on the camera Cucuzza used.

New appointment

April 10, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has appointed Jennifer Robinson as vice president of human resources.

Robinson comes to Bayonet Point Hospital from St. Petersburg General Hospital, where she served as vice president of human resources for nearly five years.

She has had various human resources positions since 2000 and in HCA since 2009.

Robinson has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, graduating magna cum laude from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts.

She is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management and has served in a variety of community leadership positions, including the Hope Fund Campaign coordinator from 2010 to 2018, HCA Innovator Award coordinator from 2011 to 2018, and Frist Humanitarian Campaign coordinator from 2010 to 2018.

Chalk Talk 04/10/2019

April 10, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Lending a hand
Leslie Lewis, of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, helps a student during the annual Lutz Elementary School’s ‘Olden Day 2019.’ Club members helped with various arts and crafts projects for the celebration. For information on the club, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org.

Chili Cook-off
Charles Rushe Middle School, 18654 Mentmore Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, will host its sixth annual Chili Cook-off on April 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Samples of chili (mild to red hot) will be served up by teachers and staff, Rushe PTSA and Pasco County school-related officers.

There also will be live music by Safety Third.

Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

Proceeds will help support the Rushe Middle School Fellowship of Christian Students.

For information, call (813) 346-1200.

Mobile dental services
The Department of Health Pasco County is partnering with the Pasco County School Board to provide preventive dental services for students in Title 1 schools in Pasco County.

The dental bus will travel to selected schools to give dental assessments, sealants, fluoride varnish, and education for the students.

School schedules for the East side of Pasco County are as follows:

April 15 to April 18: Woodland Elementary
April 22 to April 25: Centennial Elementary
April 29 to May 2: West Zephyrhills Elementary
May 6 to May 9: San Antonio Elementary
May 13 to May 16: Quail Hollow Elementary
May 20 to May 23: Lacoochee Elementary

In order for a child to be seen on the bus, the required forms must be completed and signed by a parent or guardian.

For more information, visit Pasco.FloridaHealth.gov and click on “Smile Care A Van.”

Course fee meeting
Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees will meet April 16 at 6 p.m., to consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees, at the West Campus, 20130 Ridge Road in New Port Richey.

Many adjustments relate to vendor increases for workforce courses, laboratories and program testing. Some fees may be covered by financial aid, scholarships and grants.

For details regarding proposed fee adjustments, justification of fees and fee implementation details, visit Policies.phsc.edu.

Robotics team qualifies
The River Ridge High School’s robotics team, Royal Robotics, won the Greater Pittsburgh Regional and, with the win, once again qualifies for the championship round in Houston, Texas on April 17 through April 20.

This is the third time in four years the team has qualified through regional wins, including earning the Rookie All Star Award in 2016.

Students will compete against and learn from teams from all over the world, as well as network and speak with representatives from countless colleges and tech companies.

There also will be an auction and dinner.

The cost for an individual golfer is $100, which includes green fees, a cart, balls, a goodie bag, dinner and the auction.

Sponsorships are available starting at $100.

All proceeds will go to improving the school’s agricultural farm.

The deadline for golf entries is April 19.

For information, call Sean Hessel at (813) 363-6384.

Class reunion
Hillsborough High School’s 65th Class of 1954 Reunion will take place April 27 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, indoors.

The cost is $5 at the door, and includes a catered chicken and pork barbecue lunch.

For information and to RSVP by April 15, email Bob Carpenter at , or call Maxine Smith Law at (813) 996-4860.

National Scholars Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications through April 30 for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program.

The program aims to increase the number of minority students studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences and other agriculture-related disciplines.

The program is available to high school seniors entering their freshmen year of college, and rising college sophomores and juniors.

The scholarship is renewable each year and contingent on satisfactory academic performance and normal progress toward the bachelor’s degree.

For information and applications, visit tinyurl.com/yxa8g3ln.

Educator Appreciation weekends
Barnes & Noble at The Shops at Wiregrass will offer prekindergarten to 12th-grade educators 25 percent off most books, toys, games, movies, music and more, every Saturday and Sunday in April.

Participants can also use their educator card and get a free tall Starbucks fresh-brewed hot or iced coffee; and, receive a free tote when you signup in store, while supplies last.

Simon likes to snuggle

April 3, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Simon, who speaks with a British accent, is 7 years old and is the best little Yorkie. He is not a barker unless someone is at the door or if you mention the word ‘mail.’ Simon enjoys watching the birds come to the bird feeder, and his favorite treat is baby carrots. Simon’s proud parents are Beth and Ray Ross, of Land O’ Lakes.

The circle of life

April 3, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Betsy Crisp saw this vulture standing proudly over his discovery in front of the emergency gates to Magnolia Point in Land O’ Lakes. Crisp suspects the soft shell turtle was probably hit by a car.

Health News 04/03/2019

April 3, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Health survey
The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Pasco counties are partnering with local area hospitals on a comprehensive survey to better understand and address the health needs of communities in the Greater Tampa Bay area.

The 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment collects data from residents on nutrition, physical activity, access to care, and mental health.

The survey for Pasco County residents is available in English at bit.ly/pascohealth, or in Spanish at bit.ly/pascohealthSpanish.

A link to the survey also is available on participating county health department websites.

Residents can access the survey through April 21.

Hospital to test footwear sanitizing stations
AdventHealth Connerton will be the first specialty acute care facility in the nation to test the PathO3Gen Solutions Footwear Sanitizing Stations to maximize infection control for patients and their families.

The patented, new technology uses proactive Solestice 3/15 Technology to kill superbugs, such as MRSA and C. difficile, which can be transmitted from the bottoms of shoes to patients, staff and visitors.

Within 6 seconds of stepping onto the station, a person’s shoes are decontaminated, decreasing the spread of infectious illness.

Nine of the innovative stations will be tested throughout the facility.

AdventHealth Connerton is partnering with Green Earth Medical Solutions in St. Petersburg to bring this one-of-a-kind technology to the facility.

Chalk Talk 04/03/2019

April 3, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Officers make a big, and ‘little,’ difference
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay would like to thank the Dade City Police Department for dedicating its time and effort to the ‘Littles’ at Rodney B. Cox Elementary in Dade City. The officers embody the mission of BBBS perfectly, which is to provide children facing adversity with professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships that will change their lives for the better. Their devotion to serving the community and enthusiasm for their ‘Littles’ has not gone unnoticed.

Financial Literacy Expos
Pasco County Schools, along with various partners, will present a Financial Literacy Expo on April 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road.

Participants can learn about creating a financial plan, college funding/financial aid, planning for retirement, legal documents to protect your family, and more.

Magnet applications
Pasco County Schools will accept magnet applications during the second Pasco Pathways open enrollment period through April 5.

Seats are still available at specific grade levels for the following schools and programs:

Wendell Krinn Technical High School
Pasco High School Cambridge International
Pasco Middle School Cambridge International
San Antonio Elementary Cambridge International

For information or to apply, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/ed_choice.

The dental bus will travel to selected schools to give dental assessments, sealants, fluoride varnish, and education for the students.

School schedules for the East side of Pasco County are as follows:

April 8 to April 11: Chester Taylor Elementary
April 15 to April 18: Woodland Elementary
April 22 to April 25: Centennial Elementary
April 29 to May 2: West Zephyrhills Elementary
May 6 to May 9: San Antonio Elementary
May 13 to May 16: Quail Hollow Elementary
May 20 to May 23: Lacoochee Elementary

In order for a child to be seen on the bus, the required forms must be completed and signed by a parent or guardian.

For more information, visit Pasco.FloridaHealth.gov and click on “Smile Care A Van.”

The cost is $5 at the door, and includes a catered chicken and pork barbecue lunch.

For information and to RSVP by April 15, email Bob Carpenter at , or call Maxine Smith Law at (813) 996-4860.

College scholarships
Hillsborough County Social Services, in partnership with the Community Action Board, is accepting applications for its annual Community Action Board Scholarship program that assists with post-secondary education tuition.

The scholarships, worth up to $5,000, are awarded to students to help alleviate some of the financial burden college tuition creates.

Candidates must be between 16 and 24 years old, and have a high school diploma or GED equivalent (16-year-olds can apply if they are a graduating senior); must have a minimum GPA of 2.5; must reside in Hillsborough County; and, must have a household income that falls within 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

The deadline to apply is April 15.

For more information, call (813) 301-7341.

Vocational scholarshipsStudents in east Pasco County who plan to attend vocational schools will have the opportunity for financial assistance through six new scholarships as Wade and Dianna Thomas, of The Thomas Promise Foundation, introduce the Atkins Vocational Scholarship Program.

Funded by the couple and an anonymous donor, the program will provide $1,000 scholarships to three students each in Zephyrhills High School and Pasco High School.

Students must be accepted to a vocational school.

Applications are accessible in the guidance offices of the schools and, in the future, can be found on the Pasco Education Foundation website.

For more information, students should contact Mignon Edwards at Pasco High or April Simons at Zephyrhills High.

Free prom dresses
Belle of the Ball will once again offer free prom dresses and accessories April 6 and April 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to in-need high school girls. The ‘boutique’ shop is at 1210 Holt Ave., in Clearwater.

Dresses will be available for prom, homecoming and military balls. No referral letter is necessary and no appointment is needed.

A $1 to $5 donation will be accepted, but is not required.

For information, visit BelleOfTheBallProject.com, or visit Tampa Bay Area Belle of the Ball on Facebook.

Saint Leo offers new scholarship program

April 3, 2019 By Mary Rathman

Saint Leo University has launched a new scholarship program to make higher education more accessible to Catholic high school students in Florida.

Available for students beginning in the fall, the Catholic Promise Scholarship will award Florida students, who have attended four years at a Catholic high school, with an annual scholarship of $14,000 toward their tuition at Saint Leo’s University Campus.

The scholarship will be renewable each year, for up to four years — amounting to a cumulative total of up to $56,000 in financial aid by the time the student graduates.

When combined with the Florida Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) grant of $3,500 per year and an annual $5,500 to $7,500 in Stafford Loans, Saint Leo University’s annual tuition will be significantly reduced for recipients of the Catholic Promise Scholarship every year.

“As the first of its kind in Saint Leo history, the Catholic Promise Scholarship will effectively bring the cost of a high-quality, private, liberal arts education within the reach of many Catholic high school students across the state of Florida,” said Dr. Senthil Kumar, Saint Leo University vice president for University Campus Admissions & Center for Global Engagement, in a release.

Students must meet the following requirements:

Complete four years at a Catholic high school
Have an unweighted 3.0 GPA
Be a U.S. Citizen and Florida resident
Attend Saint Leo at University Campus
Live on campus all four years
Maintain a 2.5 GPA and full-time status while earning a degree

This commitment to promoting accessibility and affordability of Catholic higher education demonstrates Saint Leo’s Benedictine core values, both as an institution and pillar of the Catholic community, according to university officials.

Saint Leo University will host a Catholic Promise Scholarship Open House on April 7 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., on its main campus, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo. Prospective students and their families, school counselors, and the public can attend, at no cost. Mass will be celebrated as part of the open house events at the Saint Leo Abbey Church at 10 a.m.

To register for the open house, call (352) 588-8283.

Published April 3, 2019