Mary Rathman

Zephyrhills High students are strapped in
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point awarded a $500 prize to the students of Zephyrhills High School for the ‘most improved safety belt use’ while driving. ‘Battle of the Belts’ promotes seatbelt use among teens and student organizations were asked to create a unique campaign for their high school to encourage fellow students to wear their seatbelts during every ride in a motor vehicle. Other award categories were for highest seatbelt use, best school campaign, best public service announcement, best poster and best essay. At the check presentation were, from left, Theresa Radeker, the hospital’s trauma program director; the GEICO gecko; Carmen Hoyne, the hospital’s trauma coordinator; and Lt. Steve Frick, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office’s school resource officer representing Zephyrhills High.

Local students receive degrees
Evan Whiting, of Odessa, was among nearly 2,800 graduates who received degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May. Whiting earned a Master of Science degree from Graduate Studies.

Baylor University in Texas bestowed degrees upon Desiree Joy Braun, of Land O’ Lakes, and Aaron William Hatrick, of Zephyrhills. Braun received a Bachelor of Science in biology, and Hatrick received a Master of Arts in English.

Meghan Sfraga received a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Georgian Court University, central and south New Jersey’s only Catholic university.

Thomas University in Georgia handed out degrees to Andrea Roman, of Lutz; Allison Thomas, of Port Richey; and Jordan Patton, of Trinity. Roman received an associate of arts in liberal studies, Thomas received a Bachelor of Arts in humanities, and Patton received a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education.

Devin Brockington, of Zephyrhills, graduated from Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa, with an associate of arts degree in liberal arts.

Levi Mitze, of Dade City, received a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Liberal Arts, Mercer University in Georgia.

Jacqueline Michelle Stickney, of Wesley Chapel, received a bachelor’s degree in fine art from Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. Stickney majored in sequential art, with a minor in graphic illustration.

40th class reunion
Zephyrhills High School will host a 40-year reunion for the Class of 1976 on July 23 at the Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club in Wesley Chapel.

Cocktails start at 5 p.m. There will be music, food and a cash bar.

Anyone from other classes who have friends or siblings in the 1976 class also can attend.

For information, email Cyndi Craig or Suzanne Pulliam Bahr at , or Keith Reeves at .

School supply drive
Gulfside Hospice thrift shops and the Kiwanis Club of Greater West Pasco are partnering for the annual Back to School Supply Drive now through July 26. Items collected will be donated to students in need at Pasco County elementary schools at the start of the school year. Last year, 250 supply filled backpacks were donated to eight Pasco County schools and Healthy Families.

Anyone who donates new school supplies at any of Gulfside’s thrift shops will receive a voucher for 25 percent off a single item in the store.

Items needed include backpacks, colored pencils, crayons, erasers, folders, glue sticks, markers, notebooks, paper, pencil cases, pens, scissors and yellow pencils.

For information about the drive, or to have donation box at your location, call Kirsty Churchill at (727) 845-5707.

Help stuff the bus
Volunteers are needed for the sixth annual “Stuff the Bus for Teachers” on July 29, July 30 and July 31. There are shifts available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. There are sort and pack dates, too. To sign up, visit tiny.cc/2016StuffTheBus or UnitedWayPasco.org.

The Walmart donation sites are on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard in Lutz, State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, Gall Boulevard in Zephyrhills, State Road 54 in New Port Richey, U.S. 19 in Port Richey and U.S. 19 in Hudson.

For questions, call (727) 835-2028.

Fundraiser for scholarships
The volunteers of Medical Center of Trinity will host a fundraiser to raise money for scholarships on Aug. 11 at Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave., in New Port Richey.

There will be a fall fashion show sponsored by Stein Mart, a gift auction and dinner.

The cash bar will be open at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:15 p.m., and the fashion show.

Tickets are $30 and go on sale July 1, and can be purchased from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the hospital’s cafeteria, 9330 State Road 54 in Trinity, by cash or check only.

The deadline to buy tickets is Aug. 5.

Cox Elementary 90th celebration
R.B. Cox Elementary School, in Dade City, is preparing for its 90th year celebration for alumni, current students, current and former staff, families, and the Dade City community, and is asking for photos and memories. The school also will create a montage video, and are looking for alumni interested in being interviewed.

The first event of several celebrations will be the “90th Year Celebration Kickoff” on Sept. 30 at the elementary school.

If you would like to share photos, memories or be interviewed, email .

For information about the celebration, call Margaret “Megan” Fortunato at (727) 644-8561.