Mary Rathman

Local student recognitions
These area students were recognized by their respective schools for the fall semester:

• Alexia Faith Acebo, Lutz, Dean’s List at University of Alabama
• Calee Ash, Lutz, Dean’s List at Harding University in Arkansas
• Cami Ash, Lutz, Dean’s List at Harding University
• Courtney F. Bobo, Lutz, Dean’s List at Samford University in Alabama
• Alexis Burnette, Wesley Chapel, Dean’s List at Furman University in South Carolina
• Rachel Carlson, Lutz, Dean’s List at University of Maine
• Mackenzie Morgan Cuffe, Odessa, President’s List at Clemson University in South Carolina
• Samantha Nicole Cuffe, Odessa, Dean’s List at Clemson University
• Stephanie Leeanne Erickson, Odessa, President’s List at Clemson University
• Dominique Eule, Lutz, Dean’s Honor Roll at Southwestern College in Kansas
• Brycie Gauthier, Lutz, Dean’s Honor Roll at Oklahoma City University
• Jessica Howell, Lutz, Dean’s List at Furman University
• Grace Korta, Lutz, Dean’s List at Mercer University Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics
• Ashley Kubel, Odessa, Dean’s List at Georgia Southern University
• Garren Lewis, Lutz, Dean’s List at Seton Hall University in New Jersey
• Ayson Grace Logrono, Land O’ Lakes, Dean’s List at the College of William & Mary in Virginia
• Nathan Mansour, Odessa, Dean’s List at University of Dayton in Ohio
• Gabriel Montenegro Slowing, Lutz, President’s List at University of Southern Mississippi
• Ebonee A. Nicholes, Lutz, Dean’s List at University of Alabama
• Tyler W. Scarboro, Lutz, Dean’s List at Samford University
• Andrew Jacob Schwitzgebel, Lutz, Dean’s List at University of Alabama
• Taylor Avery Trumbetti, Lutz, Dean’s List at University of Alabama

Bishop McLaughlin open house
Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, 13651 Hays Road in Spring Hill, will host an admissions open house March 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For information or to RSVP, call (727) 857-2600, ext. 244.

Scholarship fundraiser
The Medical Center of Trinity volunteers will host a jewelry sale fundraiser March 9 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and March 10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the hospital’s lobby at 9330 State Road 54. The Masquerade Jewelry and Fashions sale will include jewelry, watches, scarves, rings, umbrellas and more.

The scholarships will benefit local students studying in any area of the medical field.

Music fest needs helpers
The Land O’ Lakes Music Festival is looking for volunteers, for a variety of jobs, to help with its second annual event, scheduled for March 11.

Students can help the community and earn some community service hours at the same time.

For information, call Linda Christle, volunteer coordinator, at (727) 809-3938, or email her at .

 Bus drivers needed
Pasco County Schools is looking for experienced bus drivers or anyone interested in becoming a bus driver.

There will be an information meeting March 15 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Marchman Technical College, 7825 Campus Drive, Building 1, Room 01-036, in New Port Richey.

Guests should bring a driver’s license, social security card or permanent resident card. Those who have worked in a CDL-required (commercial driver’s license) position in the last two years should provide employer’s name, address and fax number.

Prospective drivers must attend an information meeting before being approved for a certification class.

For information, call Pasco County Schools’ Transporation Department at (813) 794-1862.

Lunch & learn, job fair
Pasco-Hernando State College will host a Lunch and Learn March 16 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at its West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey.

Employers can participate in a panel discussion and learn the benefits of hiring an individual with a disability.

Following the lunch, there will be an “open to all” job fair from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those attending can meet with representatives from for profit, government and nonprofit organizations. Participants should dress professionally and bring plenty of resumes.

To register for lunch and learn, visit InclusionWorksLunchAndLearn.eventbrite.com, or call Jackie Eden at (727) 816-3334.

For information about the job fair, email Jackie Eden at or Ana Segovia at .

Scholarship applications
Hillsborough County Social Services and the Community Action Board offer scholarships up to $5,000 to eligible students who want to continue education at an institution of higher learning.

Scholarship applications for the 2017-2018 school year will be accepted through March 31.

Recipients will be notified in writing prior to the the start of the fall semester.

Applications can be downloaded at tinyurl.com/zxvwatv.

Students may submit completed applications online, via email, or hand deliver to any County Community Resource Center.

Pasco child care provider recognized
Kids ‘R’ Kids of Wesley Chapel owner, Bimal Bhojani, was named first runner-up for WEDU’s “Be More Positive” Award, for his donation to the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando’s waitlist for subsidized child care.

Last spring, 10 children from Pasco County were given an early learning opportunity — a year of free services from Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Wesley Chapel. Bhojani’s donation came at a time when the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties Inc.’s waitlist had more than 1,200 children.

Every year, ABC Action News and WEDU receive dozens of nominations from community members who have encountered everyday heroes throughout the year.

Bhojani joined numerous nonprofit organizations and individuals at the 2017 awards luncheon at the Glazer Family Jewish Community Center in Tampa.

Pepin Academies Pasco wins Samsung contest
Pepin Academies Pasco was named a state winner in the “2017 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow” contest, and will represent Florida in the national competition.

Pepin Academies is a kindergarten through 12th-grade school for boys and girls with learning capabilities.

The school’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) teacher, Carrie Donahue, submitted the entry that was “chosen for its innovative approach to advancing interest in STEAM among its students, as well as making an impact in the local community,” according to Samsung Electronics America officials in a statement.

Pepin Academies Pasco is the only school in Florida, and just one of 50 schools in the United States, to win the state prize.

The school will receive $25,000 in technology, including a video kit for students to create videos to showcase their project development.

Pasco will now go on to Samsung’s national competition with a short video that brings its STEAM “Activity Plan” to life.

Home-schooling ministry
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, offers a Home-schooling Ministry, with weekly co-op at the church, social events and more.

For information, email Linda Holt at .

Middle school essay contest
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s office is accepting entries to Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’ Neill’s Constitutional Officers Essay Contest. The contest runs through March 31.

Middle school students in Pasco County, grades six to eight, in public/charter, private, non-public and home-schools can participate.

In 500 words or less, students must answer the question: “How do you, as a middle school student, benefit from taxes your family, friends and neighbors pay?”

Each entry must include the student’s name, school, grade and contact information.

Entries will be judged by a panel of directors from the tax collector’s office, and will be reviewed on how well the student communicates a response to the question, as well as overall essay structure, appearance and readability.

Students in public/charter schools should submit essays to the school’s principal, who will forward the essay to the tax collector’s office.

Students in private, nonpublic or home-schools should send essays to Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, 8731 Citizens Drive, Room 120, New Port Richey, FL 34654, or by email to .

The deadline is 5 p.m., March 31.

The winning entry will be notified by telephone by April 17.

For information, call Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179.

Woodland remodeling discussion
Woodland Elementary School, 38203 Henry Drive in Zephyrhills, hosted a remodeling project discussion for parents Feb. 28.

The school plans to increase its student capacity from 652 students to 900 students and upgrade its facilities.

There will be an additional building on campus, a conversion of the old cafeteria into classrooms and a STEM lab, a remodel of the restrooms to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, a remodel of the administration office, installation of new school entrance signage, and a redesign of the parking lot and bus loop.

The project will be completed in two phases, which will run from this summer to August, 2018.

For information, call (813) 794-6400.

Middle school essay contest
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s office is accepting entries to Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’ Neill’s Constitutional Officers Essay Contest. The contest runs March 1 through March 31.

Middle school students in Pasco County, grades six to eight, in public/charter, private, non-public and home-schools can participate.

In 500 words or less, students must answer the question: “How do you, as a middle school student, benefit from taxes your family, friends and neighbors pay?”

Each entry must include the student’s name, school, grade and contact information.

Entries will be judged by a panel of directors from the tax collector’s office, and will be reviewed on how well the student communicates a response to the question, as well as overall essay structure, appearance and readability.

Students in public/charter schools should submit essays to the school’s principal, who will forward the essay to the tax collector’s office.

Students in private, nonpublic or home-schools should send essays to Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector, Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, 8731 Citizens Drive, Room 120, New Port Richey, FL 34654, or by email to .

The deadline is 5 p.m., March 31.

The winning entry will be notified by telephone by April 17.

For information, call Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179.

Cox Elementary’s 90th
Rodney B. Cox Elementary, 37615 Martin Luther King Blvd., Dade City, will host a 90th anniversary celebration fundraiser, March 5 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

There will be live entertainment, a memory walk, a silent auction, and vendors.

Tickets are $7 and include lunch, beverage and dessert, and can be purchased in advance or at the door.

For information, call (352) 524-5100.

Bishop McLaughlin open house
Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, 13651 Hays Road in Spring Hill, will host an admissions open house March 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For information or to RSVP, call (727) 857-2600, ext. 244.

Scholarship fundraiser
The Medical Center of Trinity volunteers will host a jewelry sale fundraiser March 9 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and March 10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the hospital’s lobby at 9330 State Road 54. The Masquerade Jewelry and Fashions sale will include jewelry, watches, scarves, rings, umbrellas and more.

The scholarships will benefit local students studying in any area of the medical field.

Scholarship applications
Hillsborough County Social Services and the Community Action Board offer scholarships up to $5,000 to eligible students who want to continue education at an institution of higher learning.

Scholarship applications for the 2017-2018 school year will be accepted through March 31.

Recipients will be notified in writing prior to the the start of the fall semester.

Applications can be downloaded at tinyurl.com/zxvwatv.

Students may submit completed applications online, via email, or hand deliver to any County Community Resource Center.

Knights of Columbus donations
Knights of Columbus Council 8104 of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, in Land O’ Lakes, has donated to a number of area schools through the support of the church’s parishioners.

The Council has donated $5,000 to Bishop McLaughlin High School’s Scholarship Fund.

It also has donated a total of $7,000, through a Tootsie Roll Drive, to be used for disabled students at Denham Oaks Elementary School, Land O’ Lakes High School, Connerton Elementary School and Pine View Middle School.

Saint Leo held veterans info meeting
Saint Leo University hosted a Veterans Community Information Meeting, bringing together various organizations that serve veterans in Pasco County and surrounding counties. Coordination of services is key so that veterans’ needs do not fall through the cracks. Dr. William J. Lennox Jr., university president, spoke at the meeting. Capt. Tait Sanborn of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and student-veteran John Morgan were present, too.

Instructional job fair
Pasco County Schools will host a Spring Instructional Job Fair Feb. 23 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.

The job fair is for teachers and student services employees.

Positions are available at the elementary, middle and high school levels, including: reading, math, science, emotional and behavioral disorders/autism spectrum disorder, school nurse, and behavioral analyst.

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

For information, visit PascoSchools.org, and click on the Job Fair banner at the top of the page.

Those interested also can call Lori Perreault at (813) 794-2845.

Recycled artwork on display
Pasco County Recycling is hosting its annual Art of Recycling contest, back for its 21st year.

Pasco County high school students have created art from trash, and the recycled artwork will be on display in the lobby of the West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Drive in New Port Richey, through Feb. 24.

Creations are judged in 15 categories, including Best Use of Aluminum, Best Use of Plastic, Most Innovative and Best Environmental Concept.

The contest and exhibit help raise awareness of the arts and encourage the practice of recycling.

For information, visit bit.ly/2kdGsIk.

Wesley Chapel High car show

The second annual Wesley Chapel High Car Show will be Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel, with imports, domestics, trucks and student cars.

There also will be food trucks, a disc jockey and kid’s activities.

The show will feature three classes, and handmade trophies will be awarded.

All proceeds will go to the high school’s auto academy.

The show entry fee is $20. Spectator admission is free.

For information, email or .

College night

Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road, will host its annual College Night Feb. 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., for all area high school students (particularly 11th-graders) and parents.

Students can get information about majors, sports, special programs, admission requirements, tuition, financial aid, scholarship availability, future career opportunities and more.

Representatives from state universities; Pasco-Hernando State College; other public and private colleges and universities from Florida and other states; and, the U.S. Military, including Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy, will be available to assist potential applicants.

For information, contact Timothy Durling, WCHS career specialist, at (813) 794-8733 or .

Foundation scholarship
Tampa and St. Petersburg-area Simon properties are seeking applicants for $1 million in scholarships. The Simon Youth Foundation, a national nonprofit that provides educational opportunities for at-risk high school students, is looking for qualified applicants who live near Tampa Premium Outlets, Ellenton Premium Outlets, Tyrone Square and the surrounding communities.

Any student who will graduate in 2017 and lives in the community surrounding a Simon property is eligible. Applicants can check eligibility by entering their zip code at SYF.org/scholarships.

Recipients can receive up to $1,500 to enroll in an accredited college, university, vocational or technical school.

The application period ends March 1.

Home-schooling ministry
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, offers a Home-schooling Ministry, with weekly co-op at the church, social events and more.

For information, email Linda Holt at .

 

Chambers honors citizens of the month
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce has recognized these students as January Citizens of the Month: Susanna Rom, Academy at the Farm; Kayla Rosales, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Sidney Deese, Saint Anthony Catholic School; Aubrey Prescott, Centennial Elementary; Ethan Dixon, Lacoochee Elementary; Madalyn Grace Irvin, Pasco Elementary; Daniela Alvarez, Rodney B. Cox Elementary; Manuel Servindelamora, San Antonio Elementary; Yahir Torres, Centennial Middle; Teon Ifill, Pasco Middle; Brianna Moser, James Irvin Educaiotn Center; and, Paul Leon, Pasco High.

Elementary school opens clothes closet
Mittye P. Locke Elementary School in New Port Richey opened a Locke Closet and Resource Center Feb. 4, to provide no-cost clothing to families in need.

The school staff collected 3,000 new clothing items through a partnership with New Threads of Hope in Wisconsin. Clothing was available in all sizes for men, women, boys and girls.

Families received invitations and were asked to RSVP to shop for clothing.

Also offered were community resources for counseling, youth services, jobs, food, shelter and more.

Shady Hills hosts first track meet field trip
Shady Hills Elementary School hosted its first Track Meet Field Trip Feb. 10 at Crews Lake Middle School. The event was part of the after-school Shady Hills Harrier Running Club, which is in its second year.

Since its formation, the club has amassed a roster of 110 students who run every Tuesday and Thursday.

The students tally their accumulated miles to earn rewards and participation in Oak Hill Hospital’s Five Points of Life Kids Marathon, in April.

Students also receive tips on stretching, nutrition and running techniques.

Pine View’s week of service
Pine View Middle School’s inaugural Great Week of Service is Feb. 13 through Feb. 17, as part of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, to encourage giving back to the community, and to learn from and reflect on the experiences.

As part of the week, students will host a car wash for first responders, and make tug toys and collect treats for animals at Pasco County Animal Services. The car wash is daily from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The toy making will take place throughout the week in art classes.

The students also will mentor at Cox Elementary School in Dade City on Feb. 16, and volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries in Holiday on Feb. 17.

The school will collect these donations: clean, old towels and T-shirts (for tug toys), Pup-Peroni and/or Milk-Bone dog treats, Tempations cat treats, carwash soap (not dish soap), sponges and scrub brushes.

For information, call Pine View at (813) 794-4800.

Parent information nights
San Antonio Elementary School will host three parent information nights to share information about the Cambridge Programme with east Pasco families. Each session begins at 6:30 p.m.:

• Feb. 16, San Antonio Elementary, 32416 Darby Road in Dade City
• Feb. 20, Centennial Elementary, 38501 Centennial Road in Dade City
• Feb. 23, Wesley Chapel Elementary, 30243 Wells Road

The Cambridge Programme will be offered in the 2017-2018 school year. The program is a comprehensive approach to teaching and learning with an international curriculum model that provides students with a rigorous educational experience.

For information, call San Antonio Elementary at (352) 524-5300, or visit PascoSchools.org, and click on the Schools link at the top.

Home-schooling ministry
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, offers a Home-schooling Ministry, with weekly co-op at the church, social events and more.

For information, email Linda Holt at .

Local students earn degrees
The following students have earned degrees from their respective schools:

• Angel Ramos, of Wesley Chapel, Bachelor of Science in exercise science from Missouri Valley College
• Colin Allan Pritchard, of Odessa, Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Clemson University, South Carolina
• Alissa Belasco, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science in applied science from Youngstown State University, Ohio

Learning Gate looking for sponsors, auction items
Learning Gate Community School in Lutz will host its 13th annual Silent Auction Night on March 4 at the University Area Community Development Center. All the proceeds will benefit Learning Gate students.

The school is looking for auction items, sponsors, raffles prizes or gift certificates. All items received will be highlighted to advertise the company. Pickup is available for any donations provided. Donations are tax deductible.

For information, call Michele Northrup at (813) 948-4190, ext. 313, or visit LearningGate.org

Local students make dean’s lists
The following students from Lutz made the fall Dean’s List at their respective schools:

• Natalia Campos, Valdosta State University, Georgia
• Sarah Fechtel, Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee
• Cameron Hair, Columbia College, Salt Lake City Campus, Utah
• Kyle McCann, Belmont University
• Katelyn Preiboy, Belmont University
• Katie Quintana, Berry College, Rome, Georgia
• Katie Wynn, Belmont University

Tori Anderson, of Odessa, also made the fall Dean’s List at Berry College.

Marchman hosts a sneak peek
The Fred K. Marchman Technical College, 7825 Campus Drive in New Port Richey, hosted a Sneak Peek campus showcase Feb. 2 for prospective high school students and adults who wanted to learn about next year’s program options.

Guests could also tour the campus and meet instructors. Breakout sessions provided more information on applications and financial assistance.

For information, call Alicia Leary, assistant principal, at (727) 774-1700.

Bayonet Point rededication
Bayonet Point Middle School, 11125 Little Road in New Port Richey, hosted a rededication ceremony Feb. 7, to celebrate the past, present and future of the changes the school has undergone.

The school closed to undergo a yearlong renovation, and reopened this year as one of the first ever combined STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and LATIC (learner-active, technology-infused classroom) middle magnet schools in the United States.

The event featured a short program, student performances and refreshments.

For information, call Mary Ann Lazzarino at (727) 774-7400.

Black History presentation
Pasco-Hernando State College will host a “Reading, Writing and the Making of Black History” presentation by Andrew J. Skerritt Feb. 9 at the following campuses:

• 9:45 a.m., at West Campus, New Port Richey, 10230 Ridge Road
• 2 p.m., at Spring Hill Campus, 450 Beverly Court
• 6 p.m., at Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel

For information, visit PHSC.edu/calendar.

Online business courses
Pasco-Hernando State College, in partnership with Ed2Go, will offer new instructor-led online courses on starting a business.

Classes will be offered monthly, and new business course topics that begin on Feb. 15 include Start Your Own Business, Start and Operate Your Own Home-Based Business, Start Your Own Online Business, and Creating a Successful Business Plan.

Ed2Go offers more than 300 online courses on a variety of topics.

To view a complete list of online, noncredit courses, or to register, visit Ed2Go.com/phsc.

For information, call (727) 816-3123, or email .

Vote for mascot before Feb. 19
The final day to vote for a new Pasco-Hernando State College mascot is Feb. 19.

Community members and PHSC faculty, staff, students and alumni can cast a vote at PHSC.edu/mascot.

Mascot recommendations were ranked, resulting in these three mascot names rising to the top in the order of votes received: Suns, Rangers, Cubs. Also up for voting consideration are Bobcats, Coyotes and Golden Eagles.

Conquor, the sword-wielding mascot representing the Conquistadors since 1993, will officially retire in the spring. A retirement celebration is scheduled at the college’s annual Athletic Awards Ceremony in April.

Bishop McLaughlin 5K
Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, 13651 Hays Road in Spring Hill, will host a Category 5K/Fun Run & Family Event Feb. 25 at the school’s athletic fields.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. The cost is $10 for children ages 6 to 12, $20 for students, and $30 for adults.

Other family events include a corn hole tournament and putt-putt golf.

Online registration and payment is available at BMCHS.com.

For information, call (727) 857-2600.

Virtual run for safe schools
Pasco County Schools is hosting its annual Together We Stand Virtual 5K Run for Safe Schools through Feb. 28.

A virtual race enables participants to track their time from any location, whether running or walking inside or outside, even if they are participating in another race.

Proceeds from the run will be used to provide scholarships for Pasco County high school students to attend the Summer Youth Leadership Institute hosted by Sunrise of Pasco.

Remaining funds will be used to help provide additional school and district-based student leadership activities.

The cost is $5 for students, $10 for Pasco County school staff, and $20 for the general public.

To register, visit bit.ly/2kcgYO1.

For information, contact Jenna Sage at (727) 774-2442 or .

School choice applications
Pasco County School’s choice application window runs through March 1.

Those who applied for a magnet school also can submit a school choice application for a traditional Pasco County school.

School choice applications can be accessed on the district website, PascoSchools.org, by clicking on the school choice banner at the top.

If a student currently is attending a school on school choice, parents do not need to reapply unless their address has changed after initial approval, they reside outside Pasco County, their school was impacted by boundary changes, or the student will be moving to the next school level (such as elementary to middle or middle to high school).

Families who live in another county must submit a release from their home county within the open enrollment period.

Students who reside in Pasco County will be given first consideration for school choice enrollment.

Applications that have not been entirely completed will not be considered.

Families requesting choice enrollment for more than one child must complete a separate application for each child.

Learning Gate looking for sponsors, auction items
Learning Gate Community School in Lutz will host its 13th annual Silent Auction Night on March 4 at the University Area Community Development Center. All the proceeds will benefit Learning Gate students.

The school is looking for auction items, sponsors, raffles prizes or gift certificates. All items received will be highlighted to advertise the company. Pickup is available for any donations provided. Donations are tax deductible.

For information, call Michele Northrup at (813) 948-4190, ext. 313, or visit LearningGate.org.

 

Pilot Club honors ‘top dogs’
The Pilot Club of Zephyrhills recognized the Second Quarter Top Dog winners from Stewart Middle School with a Hungry Howie’s luncheon. The club honors students for academics and leadership roles in the school. The students receiving a certificate and gold dog tag are Anthony Agosto, Emma McKelvey, Emily Gillett, Tamya Simms, Noah McCarty, Naman Holmes, Taija McCullough, Jenny Delcastillo and Joshua Fain.

Prep school open house
Classical Preparatory School, 16500 Lyceum Way in Land O’ Lakes, will host an open house Feb. 2, for those interested in learning more about a liberal arts education, for kindergarten through 11th grade.

Guests are invited to attend at 5 p.m., or 6:15 p.m., to meet Headmaster Ben Davis.

The school also has open enrollment for the 2017-2018 school year through Feb. 24. Applications are being accepted online at ClassicalPrepEnrollment.org.

For information, call (813) 803-7903.

Preschool open house
Mary’s House, at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, will host an open house Feb. 2 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Guests can visit the classrooms while they are in session, and see first-hand the happenings at the preschool.

Open registration for parishioners begins Feb. 8.

For information, visit LadyRosary.org, or call (813) 948-5999.

The World of a Teen
Steinbrenner High School, 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz, will again host “The World of a Teen” program on Feb. 7 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in the school auditorium.

A panel will discuss the challenges facing today’s teens, including drugs, alcohol, stress, social media, relationships, college and more.

Participants can email questions in advance to .

For information, call (813) 792-5131.

Pasco schools’ graduation rates
The Pasco County Schools graduation rate increased half a percentage point in 2016, rising from 78.6 percent in 2015 to 79.1 percent.

The district’s virtual school, Pasco eSchool, recorded a 100 percent graduation rate, up from 97.8 percent in 2015.

The graduation rate for at-risk students increased by more than 10 percentage points, from 50.2 percent in 2015 to 60.6 percent in 2016.

The rate for students with disabilities improved from 56.8 percent in 2015 to 60.60 percent in 2016, and the rate for English language learners rose from 57.1 percent to 59.4 percent.

The graduation rates for these local area schools fell: Land O’ Lakes High School, from 90.7 percent in 2015 down to 87.3 percent in 2016; Pasco High, from 77.6 percent to 73.6 percent; Sunlake High, 87.1 percent to 85.9 percent; Wesley Chapel High, 84.7 percent to 82.8 percent; and, Wiregrass Ranch, from 91.7 percent to 90.5 percent.

Zephyrhills High’s graduation rate increased slightly from 78.6 percent in 2015 to 79.1 percent in 2016.

Nursing accreditation review
Pasco-Hernando State College will host a site review for the continuing accreditation of its associate degree nursing program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

The review visit will take place Feb. 8 at 2 p.m., on the West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey.

The public is invited to meet the site visit team in person and share comments about the program.

Written comments also are welcome and can be submitted to Public Notice of Upcoming ACEN Accreditation Review Visit, Dr. Marsal Stoll, chief executive officer, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, 3343 Peachtree Road N.E., Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia 30326.

Comments can also be emailed to .

The deadline for comments is Feb. 3.

Seeking scholarship applications
Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts is now accepting applications for the 2017 Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarship Program, open to high school juniors and seniors in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

The program provides financial support to Tampa Bay students to help them pursue higher education in the arts.

Each year, TBBCA awards $15,000 to six Tampa Bay area students based on merit and artistic ability, in the fields of instrumental music, vocal music, theater, dance, visual arts and literary arts. The scholarship can be used for tuition at the college, university or professional arts training program of the student’s choice.

Applications can be downloaded at TBBCA.org/programs-events/art-stars-scholarships. For an email copy of application, contact Susana Weymouth at .

There is no fee to apply.

The deadline for the completed application packet is Feb. 20. Winners will be announced in April.

Marchman offers ASE testing
Marchman Technical College, 7825 Campus Drive in New Port Richey, will now offer ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification testing, available for automotive service technology, automotive collision and repair students; and, automotive professionals in Pasco, Hillsborough, Citrus and Pinellas counties.

Prior to scheduling an exam at Marchman’s assessment center, candidates must create a MyASE account at ASE.com. After registering and paying for exams, the exam can be scheduled at www.FKMTC.edu. A state-issued ID and an ASE eligibility ID must be presented on the day of the exam.

The current registration window ends on Feb. 24.

For information, contact Michael Andujar at (727) 774-1861 or .