Mary Rathman

Zephyrhills chamber honors students
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce recognized Student Citizens for the month of April at a ceremony in their honor.

Each month, one student from nine area schools is selected for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community.

The students honored were Austin Patterson, The Broach School; Emilo Gutierrez, Chester W. Taylor Elementary; Aiden Sobers, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Trevin Teets, Heritage Academy; William Harbuck, Hope Ranch Learning Academy; Madison Driggers, Raymond B. Stewart Middle; Shane Diaz-Valenzuela, West Zephyrhills Elementary; Joshua Darden, Woodland Elementary; and Jasmine Potwin, Zephyrhills High.

Gabriel Quinn wins essay contest
As part of Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’ Neill’s Constitutional Officers Essay Contest, Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s office received 290 essays from middle school students throughout Pasco County answering the question, “Do you think taxes are too high or too low? Why?”

A panel of judges, not knowing the age, gender, grade or school of each entrant, chose the essay written by Gabriel Quinn, a student at St. Anthony’s Catholic School in San Antonio, as the winning submission. Quinn’s essay best communicated his response to the topic question while meeting the contest criteria of overall essay structure, appearance and readability.

Quinn received a $300 Best Buy gift card at a ceremony in April. All entrants in the contest received a personal letter from Fasano thanking them for their participation.

Pilot Club recognizes students
The Pilot Club of Zephyrhills honored “Top Dog” students from Stewart Middle School for their academics and leadership roles in the school. The students recognized for the third quarter were Aaron Shaffer, Skyler Goodspeed, Jesse Fierro-Richards, Hannah Smith, Jorlyanys Suarez-Ayala, Sophia Martin, Alena Chavez, Ashley Ocasio and Isaak Voyles.

Saint Leo adult education
Saint Leo University’s Adult Education Center at University Campus will host an information session on May 19, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Pasco County School Board office at 20425 Gator Lane, Portable A, in Land O’ Lakes.

Another session is scheduled for May 21, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in TECO Hall in the School of Business building at the university’s main campus in St. Leo.

A 10 percent discount is offered for all bachelor’s degree programs through the Pasco County School Board corporate partnership with Saint Leo University.

Honor Day in Wesley Chapel
Citizens Concerned for Students will recognize the public middle and high school African-American students who have earned the honor roll at least once during the current school year. The annual awards ceremony, known as Honor Day, will celebrate more than 1,000 students to earn the achievement this year.

The ceremony will take place May 21 at 6 p.m., at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel. For information, visit HonorDayPasco.org.

There also will be a College and Career Fair at 4 p.m., in the adjacent Wesley Chapel High School gymnasium.

Both the awards ceremony and fair are free.

Prom Promise at Wiregrass Ranch
Prom Promise brings together local first responders who visit high schools during prom season to inform students of the importance of making good decisions on prom night.

Using student actors from each high school who are dressed in prom attire and splattered with fake blood, the first responders illustrate the tragic events that can occur when a student gets drunk at the prom, and then drives away and crashes into another carload of prom-goers.

After the crash, the firefighters, paramedics and police officers converge on the scene, and students see the intense activity that follows, including a Bayflite helicopter ready to transport the trauma patients.

The presentations are coordinated with school SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) groups and the school resource officers.

Prom Promise will make an appearance at Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd, in Wesley Chapel, on May 20 at 8:30 a.m., in the stadium.

Virtual school opens enrollment
Florida Virtual School Full Time, a statewide online public school, will open enrollment for grades six to 12 on June 1.

Combining Florida-certified teachers, a proven curriculum, technology tools and community experiences, FLVS Full Time delivers a high-quality, online education to students who benefit from an individualized approach to learning.

Parents can enroll students online at FLVSFT.com.

Summer VPK enrollment
Primrose School at Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes, will offer a summer PVK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) program for eligible families and children. This is a free program for children who have not yet used a VPK voucher and turned 4 years old before Sept. 1, 2015.

Classes will begin on June 14 through Aug. 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an hour rest at 12:30 p.m.

50-year class reunion
The Chamberlain High School Class of 1966 is planning a 50-year class reunion on Oct. 14 and Oct. 15. The committee needs help locating the Class of 1966 graduates.

If you graduated in 1966 and would like to have your name included for future updates and information, send your name (including maiden name), email, current address, home and/or cellphone number, and spouse’s name to

If you know anyone else in the class who has not yet been contacted, email their name and contact information to the same email address.