Mary Rathman

Scholarship essay contest
The Holliday Karatinos Law Firm PLLC Scholarship Program is sponsoring an essay contest to help high school seniors and college students in Florida interested in pursuing an institution of higher education.

Students can submit a one-page essay of 600 words on Personal Injury: Concussions in Sports, addressing whether they think there is enough emphasis on safety in sports to prevent concussions, and what the student thinks should be done to curb concussions in high school athletics.

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent U.S. resident, be accepted to an institution of higher learning, and a high school senior (who is 18 years of age or older, or has written parental consent) or college student (two-year tech, four-year university, colleges, undergraduates).

A combined total of $4,500 in scholarship grants will be awarded.

The deadline for essay submissions is April 1. Winners will be contacted and announced by April 15.

For complete details, visit Holliday Karatinos Law Firm PLLC on Facebook.

Chamber names Student Citizens
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce recognized Student Citizens for the month of February, selected for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community.

The students honored were Jodie Baldwin, The Broach School; Austin Jacobs, Chester W. Taylor Elementary School; Rae-Lynn Agosto, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Sabrina Mraz, Heritage Academy; Nicholas Dester, Hope Ranch Learning Academy; Devin Eubanks, Raymond B. Stewart Middle; Caitlyn Eudy, West Zephyrhills Elementary; Taylor Lee, Woodland Elementary; and Keith Brockington, Zephyrhills High School.

Chorus and orff concert
The All County Elementary Chorus & Orff Concert will take place March 12 at 4 p.m., at the Wesley Chapel Center for the Arts, 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.

The chorus will perform “Oh Shenandoah,” “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “Charlotte Town” and “A Distant Shore.”

The orff musicians will perform “Masquerade Ball,” “Linus and Lucy,” “Do Re Mi,” “We Are Young” and “More Than a Feeling.”

Chris Edwards from Pinellas County will be the guest clinician.

The Cinderella Project is back
Pasco County high school girls who have no budget for prom can once again choose a free ensemble with help from The Cinderella Project.

The project provides brand new and gently used prom dresses, and accessories, at no cost to young ladies with financial need. Donations (dresses, shoes, purses and costume jewelry) are currently being accepted at any Pasco County high school.

Girls can try on and pick out ensembles on March 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Youth and Family Alternatives Building, 38022 River Road in Dade City.

Girls who would like to select a dress and accessories must bring a school ID badge.

For information, or to make a tax deductible cash donation, call (727) 463-4306.

Crews Lake Middle to revive garden
As part of a semester-long “Making a Difference in My Community” theme, Pasco eSchool elementary students will conduct a Garden Day at Crews Lake Middle School, 15144 Shady Hills Road in Spring Hill, on March 12 at 10 a.m.

The students will put new soil in the vertical garden towers, and transplant vegetables they grew from seeds into the new soil.

The produce will be used in school lunches, sent home with students and families, and/or used in community programs such as food pantries.

Volunteers are welcome. Participants can bring a picnic lunch and gloves, and wear clothes that they don’t mind getting dirty.

Saint Leo info sessions
Saint Leo University’s Adult Education Center at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Spring Hill campus will offer a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education in the fall semester.

Information sessions will be offered in Pasco County on March 14 from 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., at the New Port Richey campus; and on March 19 at 10 a.m., at University campus in St. Leo.

In Hernando County, sessions will be offered on March 17 at 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., at the Spring Hill campus.

Those attending the information sessions will have the application fee waived. For information or to RSVP, visit SaintLeo.edu/RSVP.

History fair at Porter Campus
Pasco-Hernando State College will host a Wesley Chapel History Fair on March 31 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Participants will hear stories and anecdotes relating to the area’s rich and colorful history with special presentations.

Madonna Jervis Wise will discuss her newest book, “Images of America: Wesley Chapel.”

1. Thomas Touchton, founding chairman of the Tampa Bay History Center, will introduce the historical connection with Wesley Chapel and his exhibit at the center.

Angelo Liranzo, librarian, will provide a hands-on demonstration of local historical resources.

For information, visit PHSC.edu.

Constitutional essay contest
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, as part of Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’ Neill’s Constitutional Officers Essay Contest, will accept entries at his office. The contest runs through March 31.

The contest is for Pasco County middle school students in sixth to eighth grade. Students of Pasco’s public/charter, private, nonpublic and home-schools can participate.

In 500 words or less, students must answer the question “Do You Think Taxes are Too High or Too Low? Why?”

Entries will be reviewed on how well the student communicates his or her response, as well as overall essay structure, appearance and readability.

Students in public/charter schools are asked to submit their essays to their principal, who will forward them to the tax collector’s office.

Students in private, nonpublic or home-schools may send essays directly to Greg Giordano, director of customer relations, Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, 8731 Citizens Drive, Room 120, New Port Richey, FL 34654.

Entries will be accepted up until 5 p.m., March 31.

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

Round Up at John Long Middle
Dr. John Long Middle School, 2025 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will host the annual PTSA “Round Up” on April 8 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

This is its largest community event to support the continued “A” rated education needs of the students. There will be games, prizes, food and a disc jockey.

For information, visit JohnLongPTSA on Facebook, or call (813) 346-6200.

Free math circle program
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, is offering its free, weekly Math Circle program for area middle and high school students. The program includes hands-on activities that engage young people and help them sustain an enthusiasm for mathematics.

Sessions are on Thursdays, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., through May 12 in Lewis Hall, Room 207. There will be no class on March 17, due to Spring Break.

For information, contact Monika Kiss at (352) 588-8836 or .