Mary Rathman

School’s president receives prestigious award
Katherine M. Johnson, president emerita of Pasco-Hernando State College, was honored with the Dr. James L. Wattenbarger Award by the Association of Florida Colleges (AFC) Council of Presidents. The council annually selects a recipient who has advocated for affordable, convenient open access to higher education and who has made significant contributions to Florida’s higher education system.

The award is named for James L. Wattenbarger, renowned as the architect of Florida’s internationally recognized community college system.

During Johnson’s tenure from 2005 to 2015, PHSC established two new full-service campuses — the Spring Hill Campus and the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel.

The college also transitioned to Pasco-Hernando State College in 2014 to reflect adding baccalaureate degrees to the curriculum, in addition to associate degrees and certificate programs.

Johnson retired as PHSC president in 2015, after more than a decade of service. She now resides in Gainesville, and collaborates with the American Association of Community Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and several other community college systems.

Johnson also serves as a leadership development mentor for administrators in higher education.

Discovery Point collects for Toys for Tots
Discovery Point, 5203 Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz, will collect toys, for children age 8 and older, during December for the Toys for Tots program.

Discovery Point Child Development Centers have partnered with the Toys for Tots Foundation this holiday season.

For information, email Kae Holloway at .

Superheroes and science
The National Science Foundation and the National Nanotechnology Initiative are gearing up for this year’s Generation Nano: Superheroes Inspired by Science challenge.

Sixth-grade through 12th-grade students can compete for scholarship money and a trip to Washington D.C., to attend the 2018 USA Science and Engineering Festival.

There will be an honorarium for teachers involved with the winning teams.

Students may compete as individuals or as members of a two-person to three-person team, to create a superhero using science, or tell their story in a short comic or video.

The contest ends Jan. 8 at 11:59 p.m.

To learn more, visit NSF.gov and search “Gen Nano.”

For questions, email .

Mentor training
Take Stock in Children, a program with the Pasco Education Foundation, offers Pasco County students scholarships, mentors and hope.

Female mentors are currently needed at Centennial Middle School, Hudson Middle, Mitchell High and Zephyrhills High. Male mentors are needed at Sunlake High.

Mentors meet at the student’s school two times to four times per month.

Upcoming mentor training dates are Jan. 17 at 1 p.m., and Jan. 22 at 11 a.m.

For information, contact Diane Jerome, mentor coordinator, at (813) 794-2134 or .

Saint Leo ranked eighth by Military Times
Saint Leo University was selected as one of the Military Times: Best Colleges 2018.

Formerly known as Best for Vets, the Military Times: Best Colleges rankings factor in the results of the Military Times annual survey, the most comprehensive school-by-school assessment of veteran and military student services, and rates of academic achievement.

More than 600 colleges took part in this year’s detailed survey.

Saint Leo ranked eighth in the country in the Online & Nontraditional Schools category, which recognizes the university’s commitment to educating military personnel, veterans and their families wherever they may be – even if they are deployed.

In additional to University Campus in St. Leo, students are educated at more than 35 teaching locations, including many located on military bases.

Saint Leo teaches at one of the largest naval bases in the world, Naval Station Norfolk, as well as other bases in Virginia, Florida, California, Texas, South Carolina and Mississippi.

Rankings can be found online at MilitaryTimes.com.

For information about Saint Leo’s commitment to the U.S. military forces and veterans, contact Pamela Martis at (352) 588-8234 or ">.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities’ recipients of the Pasco Education Foundation’s Take Stock in Children program were recognized during a luncheon Nov. 28. Three Pasco County 11th-grade students were honored for their academic achievements, along with their strong involvement in community service. Standing, from left: Kayla Conologue, program coordinator; recipients Alexus Kennedy, Pasco High School; Ashleigh Jackson, Pasco High; and Sydney Kirby, Gulf High; and, Rosanne Heyser, Pasco executive director.

 

 

Take Stock in Children
Take Stock in Children, a need-based scholarship program with the Pasco Education Foundation, announced its application period is now open to students currently in eighth grade attending Pasco County schools.

An additional opportunity also is open for those with a severe disability or chronic illness for those in eighth to 10th grade.

Eligibility requirements and online applications are posted on TakeStockInPasco.org or PascoEducationFoundation.org.

Applications must be submitted no later than Jan. 17.

Discovery Point collects for Toys for Tots
Discovery Point, 5203 Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz, will collect toys, for children age 8 and older, during December for the Toys for Tots program.

Discovery Point Child Development Centers have partnered with the Toys for Tots Foundation for this holiday season.

For information, email Kae Holloway at .

Superheroes and science
The National Science Foundation and the National Nanotechnology Initiative are gearing up for this year’s Generation Nano: Superheroes Inspired by Science challenge.

Sixth-grade through 12th-grade students can compete for scholarship money and a trip to Washington D.C., to attend the 2018 USA Science and Engineering Festival.

There will be an honorarium for teachers involved with the winning teams.

Students may compete as individuals or as members of a two-person to three-person team, to create a superhero using science, or tell their story in a short comic or video.

The contest ends Jan. 8 at 11:59 p.m.

To learn more, visit NSF.gov and search “Gen Nano.”

For questions, email .

Pasco School Board elects new chairs
The District School Board of Pasco County elected Cynthia Armstrong board chairman and Alison Crumbley board vice chairman.

Armstrong represents District 3 on the board. She was first elected in 2010, and was re-elected without opposition in 2014. Armstrong has served as vice chairman and chairman of the board. She is a former science teacher and adjunct professor, and currently works in real estate.

Armstrong earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Wake Forest University and her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of South Florida.

Crumbley represents District 4 on the board. She was elected in 2010 to fulfill the remaining two years of an unfulfilled term, and was re-elected without opposition in 2012 and 2016.

This is her second stint as vice chairman; she served as chairman in 2014.

Crumbley is a public relations/marketing director for a commercial real estate firm. She has previous experience managing an international advertising agency office and as an advertising account executive.

Crumbley graduated from Gulf High School and has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Florida.

Phillips family donates $1 million for scholarships
Ted and Avis Phillips, founders of Phillips and Jordan headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, and owners of 4G Ranch in Pasco County, donated $1 million to Lincoln Memorial University to create an endowment fund for nursing scholarships.

The Ted and Avis Phillips Endowed Nursing Scholarship Fund will provide academic scholarships to assist nursing students at the LMU-Tampa Extending Learning Site.

Recipients of the scholarships will be deemed “Phillips Scholars,” with first priority given to students from Pasco County.

Secondary priority will be given to qualified students from Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Sumter or Hernando counties.

Scholarships will be awarded for both part-time and full-time students on an annual basis.

For information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, email .

‘Angels’ deliver homemade gifts to students
Two Heritage Pines retirement community groups, Angels in the Pines, made hats, scarves and wooden toys for underprivileged students at Hudson Elementary School, whose families may not be able to afford such things. The retirees also deliver gifts to other schools in the Hudson and Shady Hills areas.

Every class at Hudson Elementary visited the media center Dec. 8 to choose a toy and scarf/hat, and then the class sat together to open the gifts at the same time.

More than 83 percent of the students at Hudson Elementary are considered low income.

Replenishing needed school supplies
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club donated and delivered a truck filled with teachers’ supplies, paper products and cleaning items to Buchanan Middle School in Tampa, in response to the school’s request for help. The school was open to the public and used as a temporary shelter during Hurricane Irma, during which time supply closets were virtually emptied of these items. Gail Howard, left, and Pat Wagner stand next to the donations.

 

 

 

 

Hospital hosts hands-on science program
The Perry Initiative hosted a one-day hands-on science program at Medical Center of Trinity to help get young women interested in pursuing careers in orthopedic surgery and engineering.

Forty students were selected from 16 local high schools to attend the all-day program.

Students performed surgical simulations to correct scoliosis deformity, fix a broken leg, and repair a rotator cuff.

Throughout the day, the participants also heard from prominent women surgeons, engineers, and business women in the field of orthopedics.

The Perry Initiative is a nonprofit organization that hosts outreach programs worldwide.

For information, visit PerryInitiative.org.

Alumni celebration
After many years of celebrating Alumni Weekend in the spring, Saint Leo University marked a return to recognizing the school’s alumni during Homecoming in the fall.

The pop-rock band Smash Mouth highlighted the Lions’ tailgate festivities; alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends took part in games and food trucks; and graduates of Saint Leo Prep and Holy Name Academy had reunions.

Joe Thompson and Brooke Bonsted, members of the 2017 Saint Leo University Homecoming Court, were crowned king and queen.

Activities also included a marriage proposal from Stephen Pinol to Kim Estrada, both in the Class of 2016.

Free Rock School jam session
The Patel Conservatory will host a free Rock School Jam Session and Open House Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon, for fifth grade through adult. Rock School classes will start Jan. 20.

Jam session participants will jam together and get tips on musicianship from Rock School creator and instructor Lee Ahlin.

Instruments provided at the jam session will include keyboards, bass guitars and drum sets. Those playing other instruments, such as guitars, are asked to bring their own.

Those attending a jam session and register for Rock School before Jan. 1 will receive a 15 percent enrollment discount. If students cannot attend, they can still join Rock School by auditioning Jan. 6 or Jan. 9.

Registration for the jam session is available online at PatelConservatory.asapconnected.com, or by emailing .

For information about Patel Conservatory, call (813) 222-1040.

Spring registration
Currently enrolled and returning Pasco-Hernando State College students should register for spring classes, which begin Jan. 8.

New students should contact PHSC now, or visit Admissions.phsc.edu, for information. The application fee is $25.

The last day for students to register in person at the Brooksville, Dade City, New Port Richey, Spring Hill or Wesley Chapel locations for spring classes is Dec. 15 before 4:30 p.m.

Current students can continue to register for spring term online during the winter break, which is Dec. 16 through Jan. 1 for all campuses.

For more information, visit PHSC.edu.

Home-school performing arts
The 2nd Stage Studio Theater, 1875 Nursery Road in Clearwater, will offer Home-school Performing Arts Classes on Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting Jan. 18.

The classes offered include band, chorus, musical theater, dance, and acting/improvisation.

The home-school classes will be taught by industry professionals.

For information and questions, call (727) 641-1391, email , or visit 2ndstage77.com.

Top Florida schools
WalletHub analysts have compared nearly 1,000 higher-education institutions in the United States, based on 26 key measures grouped into seven categories such as Student Selectivity, Cost & Financing, and Career Outcomes.

The data set ranges from student-faculty ratio to graduate rate to post-attendance median salary.

The top 10 colleges and universities in Florida, ranked 1 to 10, are: University of Florida, University of Miami, Ave Maria University, University of South Florida, Florida State University, Florida Southern College, University of Central Florida, Florida Institute of Technology, Nova Southeastern University and Florida International University.

 

Youth art contest winners
The Medical Center of Trinity announced the award recipients for its sixth annual Expressions of Thanks Youth Art Contest.

More than 700 entries from students in kindergarten through 12th grade were received from 31 schools, including home schools.

The entries, which included art, compositions and poems, honored veterans of all branches of service.

 

Recipients of a $25 gift card were: Alison M., Genesis School; Aaliyah R., Connerton Elementary; Gavin C., Hudson Elementary; Whitney D., Dayspring Academy; Ariana S., Dayspring Academy; Audrey L., Pine View Elementary; Austin W., Hudson Middle; Stella T., Seven Springs Middle; Isabella M., River Ridge Middle; Roberto T., Hudson High; Erika W., River Ridge High; Brenda A., Harry Schwettman Education Center; and, Megan G., Ridgewood High.

The grand prize recipients who had a choice of a bicycle or iPod were Emily B., Genesis School; Lily H., Longleaf Elementary; Mia M., Genesis Preparatory School; and, Faith G., Ridgewood High.

 

New academy info session
The North Tampa Christian Academy (a new early childhood through 12th grade school under construction in Wesley Chapel) will host a Parent Meet-and-Greet/Information Session Dec. 4 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway. Light refreshments will be served.

The school is slated to open in August 2018.

To RSVP, call (813) 591-0309.

Letter-writing session
The Global Studies Club at Saint Leo University will host its annual campus activity in support of Write for Rights, a campaign sponsored by Amnesty International, the global human rights organization, Dec. 4 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., in Kirk Hall, Room 308.

Materials will be available from Amnesty International about individuals or groups that are suffering oppression or human rights abuses in a variety of countries.

The activity is to generate letters of support to the afflicted individuals or groups to boost morale.

Project participants also can write separate letters to the responsible government authorities to advocate for freedom, justice or protection for the oppressed individuals.

Sample letters, writing supplies and refreshments will be provided.

For information, email Patricia Campion at .

Information also can be found online at Write.AmnestyUSA.org.

Order of the Gown induction
Julia Elizabeth Peacock, of Lutz, was inducted into the Order of the Gown at the University of the South, a school comprised of a College of Arts and Sciences, and a School of Theology, in the Tennessee Cumberland Plateau.

The Order of the Gown is an academic honor society and a student government body among U.S. colleges and universities. Since 1875, the Order has remained the body responsible for maintaining the spirit, traditions and ideals of the University of the South.

The wearing of the gown is both a sign of academic achievement and a promise to uphold the school’s ideals and traditions.

Peacock is the daughter of Catherine and Nicholas E. Peacock.

Free Rock School jam session
The Patel Conservatory will host a free Rock School Jam Session and Open House Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon, for fifth grade through adult. Rock School classes will start Jan. 20.

Jam session participants will jam together and get tips on musicianship from Rock School creator and instructor Lee Ahlin.

Instruments provided at the jam session will include keyboards, bass guitars and drum sets. Those playing other instruments, such as guitars, are asked to bring their own.

Those attending a jam session and register for Rock School before Jan. 1 will receive a 15 percent enrollment discount. If students cannot attend, they can still join Rock School by auditioning Jan. 6 or Jan. 9.

Registration for the jam session is available online at PatelConservatory.asapconnected.com, or by emailing .

For information about Patel Conservatory, call (813) 222-1040.

Schools compete in recycling challenge
Fifteen schools participated in Pasco County Schools’ “A Bag’s Life” plastic bag recycling challenge.

When the contest closed Nov. 15, in recognition of America Recycles Day, Odessa Elementary School emerged as the winner, amassing more than 2,494 pounds of plastic bags.

Gulf Trace Elementary collected 823 pounds, and Bexley Elementary collected 725 pounds, in a close battle for second place.

For winning, Odessa Elementary will receive a bench made of recycled plastic bags from the contest sponsor Trex. The presentation will be made Dec. 4 at 10:30 a.m., at the school, 12810 Interlaken Road in New Port Richey.

In addition to the main contest, two other challenges were issued —  a race to collect the most plastic bags by Halloween and an art contest to design the plastic bag collection boxes.

Odessa and Gulf Trace elementary schools each won a $100 Walmart gift card for the most bags, and Lacoochee Elementary won first place in the box design contest.

Combined, the 15 schools collected almost three tons of plastic bags, or more than 300,000 individual bags.

Art grants available
The Arts Council’s Professional Development for Artists Grant Program recognizes the value and important contributions of creative individuals to the cultural vitality of Hillsborough County.

The program’s intent is to support and develop a vibrant, creative community that inspires, energizes and stimulates prosperity for residents and visitors alike.

The annual grant program provides financial support to emerging or established artists in a variety of disciplines.

The program is open to literary performing and visual artists residing in Hillsborough County.

Applications for grants must be submitted with proper documentation by 4 p.m., Dec. 15.

For information, visit TampaArts.org.