The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Chalk Talk 03/06/2019

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(Courtsey of Melonie Monson)

Students of the Month
The Greater Zephyrhills Students of the Month are chosen by the teachers and administration of their individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. Receiving recognition for February were: Pablo Martinez, The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Ava Mazurkiewicz, The Broach School; Aiden Hill, Chester Taylor Elementary School; Nicole John, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Sierra Pittenger, Heritage Academy; Ava Stephens, Raymond B. Stewart Middle School; Jaxon Smith, West Zephyrhills Elementary School; Sammy Adams, Woodland Elementary School; and, Serenity Wolf, Zephyrhills High School.

STEAM Night
Lutz Elementary School, 202 Fifth Ave., S.E., will host a STEAM Night on March 7 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The event will include an art show; performances by the K-8 student rock band and a DJ; interactive math, science and technology exhibits; robotics; coding; a Book Fair and more.

For information, visit Lutz.hysdhc.org.

Spring job fair
Pasco County Schools will host a job fair for teachers, maintenance technicians, bus drivers and other positions on March 7 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at River Ridge High School, 11646 Town Center Road in New Port Richey.

Applicants can get on-the-spot interviews and prizes for participating.

Positions available at the elementary, middle and high school levels include:

  • Food and Nutrition Services
  • Plant manager
  • Intermediate elementary teacher
  • Child care assistants
  • Registrars
  • Sports coaches
  • Licensed practical nurse
  • Custodian
  • Bus drivers

For information and to register, visit PascoHires2019.eventbrite.com.

Social work conference
Saint Leo University’s social work programs will sponsor a one-day conference March 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

Social workers, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, human service and criminal justice system professionals can attend.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Ruth A. Brandwein, winner of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Social Workers.

Brandwein and faculty experts from Saint Leo and the broader community will give presentations throughout the day, based on the theme “Transformative Social Work: Solutions, Action, Hope.”

For information, and how to access the program and registration form, contact Jilliam Gartner, academic coordinator, at (352) 588-7732 or .

Hillel Academy gala
Hillel Academy’s 46th Annual Gift of Gold Gala will take place March 9 at 7:30 p.m., at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC, 522 N. Howard Ave., in Tampa.

The event will honor long-time Hillel supporters, the Fisch family, in recognition of their donation of the new Torah.

There will be a Havdalah experience, including a dinner, silent auction with mobile bidding, and music and dancing.

Cocktail attire and Kosher dietary laws will be observed.

For tickets, visit HillelAcademyTampa.ejoinme.org.

For information, call (813) 963-2242.

College & career fair
Wesley Chapel High School will host its annual College and Career Fair on March 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the gymnasium, for students and parents in the surrounding areas.

Guests can meet with representatives from more than 40 colleges, universities, technical schools and military branches.

Representatives will be on-hand to offer current information about diverse programs, scholarships and financial aid, and career opportunities available through each institution.

Admission is free.

For information, contact Kelly Faysash at (813) 794-8717 or .

Merit scholar finalist
Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School senior Hannah Holliday has been selected as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and is the only student in a Diocese of St. Petersburg high school to be named a finalist.

To become a finalist, a semifinalist must submit a detailed scholarship application, which provides information on the student’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, a demonstration of leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.

National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from the group of finalists.

Three types of scholarships will be offered in the spring.

YEA! Award nominations
All students who live in Hillsborough County are eligible for the YEA! Awards, whether they attend private or public schools, or are home-schooled. Anyone can nominate a student.

Each year, six winners, three from high school and three from middle school, are chosen in one of three categories: Leadership, Success Despite Difficult Odds and Volunteer or Community Service.

The deadline to nominate a student is March 11 at 5 p.m.

Winners will be notified in April, and the award ceremony will take place May 1 at 9 a.m., in the second-floor board room at the County Center in Tampa.

Applications are now open at tinyurl.com/y6bjjg73.

Theater receives state landmark designation

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The historic Tampa Theatre has been designated a Florida Treasured Landmark through a proclamation by State Rep. Jackie Toledo (R-Tampa).

(File)

Toledo has also contacted the Florida Department of State to have the theater officially recognized with a Florida Historical Marker.

“Since its opening nearly a century ago, the Tampa Theatre has brought people together of all ages and all walks of life to celebrate the arts,” Toledo said, in a release.

“The Tampa Theatre is also an architectural jewel that leaves patrons in awe of its splendor and ornate detail. Truly unique, this Tampa treasure is one of the most beautiful and iconic movie theaters in the world,” she added.

Designed by architect John Eberson, the theater opened on Oct. 15, 1926 to a sold-out audience.

Today, it draws more than 140,000 people annually and is managed by the nonprofit Tampa Theatre Foundation.

The venue hosts more than 600 events every year, and is one of the most heavily used locale of its kind in the United States.

Tampa Theatre is at 711 N. Franklin St., in downtown Tampa.

For more information, visit TampaTheatre.org.

Mickey is in training

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Mickey is a 5-month-old goldendoodle. He is in training and working hard to be a service dog. Mickey enjoys going to Petco and visiting with his trainer, Slyvie, and loves playing fetch in the backyard. Mickey is shown here with his mom, Melissa Murphy. Other proud family members include dad Justin Teisch, brother Gavin Murphy, and sister Gabriella Teisch, of Wesley Chapel.

A striking visitor

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Kathy Mullen snapped this photo, in front of her shop, ‘The Snappy Gator,’ on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. The sandhill crane was attempting to dry out after a recent rain.

Stepping into another’s shoes

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‘Blind’ diners enter the Silverthorn Country Club during the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind’s fifth annual Dining in the Dark event. The event raises funds for services and helps to increase the public’s understanding of vision impairment. More than 120 guests wore blindfolds while eating the first course of their meal, to experience how difficult it can be to use a fork without the aid of vision. Some diners had no idea what they were eating. The mission of the Lighthouse is to provide people with visual impairments the skills needed to achieve maximum independence. For information, visit LVIB.org, or call (727) 815-0303.

(Courtesy of Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind)

Chalk Talk 02/27/2019

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Union Park celebrates its school
In the few months that Union Park Charter Academy (UPCA) in Wesley Chapel has been open, there have been many exciting events and accomplishments.

Bethany JeanCharles, Madeline Arthur and Lucas LaMarche march through the halls to celebrate 100 Days of School. (Courtesy of Deborah D. Lynch)

The Kinder Community at Union Park celebrated 100 Days of School with crafts, individually decorated T-shirts, and a parade through the corridors met with cheers from the upper grades and staff.

The school’s soccer team led by Coach Frank Richardson had its first win against Hillsborough Academy of Math and Science.

Fifth- and sixth-graders received a visit by the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, a federally chartered nonprofit youth organization for youth ages 10 to 17.

The UPCA’s Jr. Thespians team, under the direction of Myndee Washington, received five medals in competition in Orlando.

And, gifted students are exploring and researching ways to help provide clean water, preparing lessons about electricity for younger students, and investigating their own curiosities.

The school serves kindergarten through sixth grade for the current school year, but will be adding seventh and eighth grades in the upcoming two academic years.

For information, call Danielle Rosario at (813) 358-7306, ext. 1008.

Become a crossing guard
School crossing guards are trained by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

The mission of a crossing guard is to oversee elementary school children as they cross busy streets upon arriving at and departing from school.

If interested, call Ken Mizerek, crossing guard supervisor, at (727) 277-7200, or visit PascoSheriff.com/careers.

Bridge-breaking contest
Saint Leo University’s Department of Mathematics and Science will present its annual bridge-breaking competition March 4 at 6 p.m., in Selby Auditorium, Lewis Hall, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

Teams of Saint Leo students constructed model bridges from lightweight wooden sticks and glue, adhering to strict rules on materials and dimensions.

The audience can vote on which bridge is most attractive, and faculty members will test each bridge to see which one can hold the most weight before it breaks.

Admission is free.

For information or preferred seating, contact Leo Ondrovic at (352) 588-7408 or .

STEAM Night
Lutz Elementary School, 202 Fifth Ave., S.E., will host a STEAM Night on March 7 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The event will include an art show; performances by the K-8 student rock band and a DJ; interactive math, science and technology exhibits; robotics; coding; a Book Fair and more.

For information, visit Lutz.hysdhc.org.

Spring job fair
Pasco County Schools will host a job fair for teachers, maintenance technicians, bus drivers and other positions on March 7 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at River Ridge High School, 11646 Town Center Road in New Port Richey.

Applicants can get on-the-spot interviews and prizes for participating.

Positions available at the elementary, middle and high school levels include:

  • Food and Nutrition Services
  • Plant manager
  • Intermediate elementary teacher
  • Child care assistants
  • Registrars
  • Sports coaches
  • Licensed practical nurse
  • Custodian
  • Bus drivers

For information and to register, visit PascoHires2019.eventbrite.com.

Social work conference
Saint Leo University’s social work programs will sponsor a one-day conference March 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

Social workers, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, human service and criminal justice system professionals can attend.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Ruth A. Brandwein, winner of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Social Workers.

Brandwein and faculty experts from Saint Leo and the broader community will give presentations throughout the day, based on the theme “Transformative Social Work: Solutions, Action, Hope.”

For information, and how to access the program and registration form, contact Jilliam Gartner, academic coordinator, at (352) 588-7732 or .

Hillel Academy gala
Hillel Academy’s 46th Annual Gift of Gold Gala will take place March 9 at 7:30 p.m., at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC, 522 N. Howard Ave., in Tampa.

The event will honor long-time Hillel supporters, the Fisch family, in recognition of their donation of the new Torah.

There will be a Havdalah experience, including a dinner, silent auction with mobile bidding, and music and dancing.

Cocktail attire and Kosher dietary laws will be observed.

For tickets, visit HillelAcademyTampa.ejoinme.org.

For information, call (813) 963-2242.

Pasco Schools receives grant
Pasco County Schools, in collaboration with Youth and Family Alternatives, and Premier Community Health Center, received $100,000 in federal funding to enhance its efforts to improve the physical and mental health of students and families in the Holiday area.

These services are delivered through the School Based Health Center, at Gulfside Elementary, a Community Partnership School.

The current program has provided dental services to approximately 500 students within surrounding neighborhoods.

Parent and students also were provided with education regarding nutrition and disease prevention/management, mental health counseling and limited direct health services.

For information on the grant, visit inyurl.com/y3rxtkku.

A ‘designer’ dog

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Winston (Winnie) is a 5-year-old goldendoodle. His favorite spot is on the sofa where he has a direct line of sight to everything happening in the kitchen. Winston’s proud owner is Marissa Howe, of Lutz.

Ready for its close-up

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Myron Patterson, of Zephyrhills, snapped this photo of a true green anole in his garden. This reptile is sometimes called the American chameleon because it can change color, but it is not a true chameleon. The green anole changes color because of changes in temperature, humidity, health and mood, not to blend into its background.

Chalk Talk 02/20/2019

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(Courtesy of Melody Floyd)

Citizens of the Month
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce has announced its January Citizens of the Month. The students recognized were: Orihime Morales, Academy at the Lakes; Sarai Guzman, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Aeryn Borges, Saint Anthony Catholic School; Kaylee Coates, Centennial Elementary School; Paola Morales, Lacoochee Elementary School; Aubrey Fraser, Pasco Elementary School; Jesus Garcia, Rodney B. Cox Elementary School; Arisbeth Ramos-Gutierrez, Cox Elementary; Rylee Addison Boucher, Centennial STEM Magnet Middle School; Cody Kramer, Centennial STEM; Ivan Mendoza, Pasco Middle School; and Andrew Martin, James Irvin Education Center.

Head Start interviews
In-person interviews will take place in February for families interested in applying for Head Start/Early Head Start services through the Pasco County Early Childhood Programs for the 2019-2020 school year.

These comprehensive early education programs are for children from at-risk backgrounds, birth to age 5.

The curriculum includes early math and readings skills to help children build the abilities needed to be successful in school and in life.

For information on requirements and locations, visit PascoSchools.org/ecp.

Football fundraiser
Land O’ Lakes High School’s football program will host a breakfast fundraiser Feb. 23 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at First United Methodist Church (just south of the school), 6209 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

The cost is $7 at the door for pancakes and breakfast meats.

To purchase tickets in advance, email .

Academy open house
North Tampa Christian Academy, 5585 E. County Line Road in Wesley Chapel, will host an open house Feb. 24 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The school serves age 2 to 12th grade.

There will be campus tours (starting in Building 1), nature trail exploration, and a meet-and-greet with teachers.

For information, call (813) 991-0801.

Scholarship benefit
The Republican Party of Pasco Scholarship Committee will host its inaugural “5 for 5 Dinner” on Feb. 26 at Benedetto’s Restaurant Italiano in Land O’ Lakes, to benefit its scholarship fund.

The five-course meal aims to raise $5,000 for five $1,000 scholarships for Pasco County seniors graduating in the spring.

To help sponsor this event, contact Sandy Graves at (813) 817-3011 or .

Pack-a-Sack program
One Community Now’s annual Hunger Walk on behalf of the Pack-a-Sack 4 Kids Program is the February featured charity at all five locations of the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office.

The Hunger Walk directly funds the Pack-a-Sack program to help food relief efforts for students in danger of not having food to eat over the weekend.

For information on making a donation, call Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

Student achievements

  • Kelsey Bognar, of Lutz, earned a spot on the fall Dean’s List at Hofstra University, in Hempstead, New York
  • Natalie Dambrosio, of Lutz, was recognized for award-winning work on Tallahassee Community College’s art and literary magazine, Eyrie. The publication was ranked as ‘Excellent’ in the 2018 NCTE Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines (REALM) Program.

New CEO named

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Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind has named Jonathan Fister as CEO.

Fister joins the Lighthouse after founding the Keystone Non-Profit Management Group, and serving as its president and CEO for more than 35 years.

He also has been president and CEO of the National Association of Blind Children for the past 11 years, and served as president of several organizations that advocate for the visually impaired and blind, including the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind, Pennsylvania Industries for the Blind & Handicapped, and Mercer County Human Services Council.

Fister also was named Mercer County Business Person of the Year 2000-2001, received the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind Meritorious Service Award 2002, and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Pennsylvania Senate Citation 2018.

For information about Lighthouse services and clients, visit LVIB.org.