Mary Rathman

Land O’ Lakes native part of ‘Silent Service’
Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Alfonso, a 2015 Sunlake High School graduate, joined the Navy five years ago.

Today, Alfonso serves aboard the USS Alaska, one of the world’s most advanced nuclear-powered submarines, as an electronics technician (navigation). His responsibilities include operating a nuclear reactor and performing maintenance on the equipment that monitors the reactor, according to a news release.

Known as America’s “Silent Service,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.

“I joined the Navy for the travel and career opportunities, as well as to make new friends,” said Alfonso, in the release.

According to Alfonso, the values required to succeed in the military are similar to those found in Land O’ Lakes.

“Land O’ Lakes taught me to have a positive attitude and keep an open mind,” said Alfonso.

Program & lab fees meeting
The Hillsborough Community College District Board of Trustees will meet on Oct. 27 at 4 p.m., at the Dr. Gwendolyn Stephenson District Administration Center board room, 39 Columbia Drive in Tampa, to consider a new program fee and lab fee increase.

The proposed fees are limited to covering costs incurred by the college and will not generate a profit.

The new fees, if approved, will go into effect in fall 2022.

To see the press release in full, visit News.hccfl.edu/press-releases.

Comments on the new fees may be sent to , and then will be shared during the meeting.

Merit semifinalists
Pasco County is home to seven National Merit semifinalists from five high schools.

These students are among 16,000 high school seniors nationwide competing for about 7,500 scholarships worth about $30 million.

• J.W. Mitchell High School: Leonid Alexeyev and Jacob Bolton
• Land O’ Lakes High: Sohan Malladi and Daniel J. Urbonas
• Pasco High: Kenneth P. Chew
• Sunlake High: Louis E. Cohen
• Wiregrass Ranch: Eric T. Reichard

Scholarship selection weighs a student’s academic record, SAT or ACT scores, participation in school activities, community service, leadership, employment, awards, and other honors and distinctions.

Students also must receive a recommendation from a high school official, and write an essay.

New administrator
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) has named Alysen Heil, Ed.D., as dean of workforce development and career and technical education, according to a news release.

Heil’s experience at PHSC includes roles as the assistant dean of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs and, more recently, assistant dean of workforce programs, career and technical education.

She formerly was a mathematics instructor/chair and co-coordinator of Achieving the Dream and quality enhancement plan (QEP) at Athens Technical College in Georgia, where she was employed for 15 years.

Heil earned an Ed.D. (Doctoral Degree in education) in occupational studies from the University of Georgia; a Master of Science in mathematics from the University of Central Florida; and a Bachelor of Science in secondary education mathematics from the University of South Alabama.

Early release days
Pasco County Schools again will utilize a monthly, early release time to allow for staff to engage in professional development aligned with student needs, and district and school priorities.

Upcoming early release dates are: Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 2, March 9 and April 13.

On each of these days, students will be released two hours early.

The bell times, including the early release times for each school, can be found online at Pasco.k12.fl.us/site/pcs_bell_schedule.

Catholic schools merger
Marymount California University (MCU) and Saint Leo University came together to celebrate the signing of an agreement to merge, according to a news release.

The Catholic institutions agreed to join forces to build upon their historic missions and commitment to offer an innovative, values-based learning environment for students.

When MCU officially becomes part of the Florida-based Saint Leo in January 2023, pending all required regulatory and accreditation approvals, students will have access to more degree options, internships, and other educational opportunities and programs.

Brian Marcotte, MCU president, welcomed Jeffrey Senese, Saint Leo president, and the university’s leadership team to the MCU campus in Rancho Palos Verde, along with Mayor Pro Tem David Bradley.

The agreement was approved on July 29, and the leaders conducted a ceremonial signing on Oct. 4.

After the signing, Senese and the Saint Leo team joined MCU students, faculty and staff for a picnic on the California campus.

“As two universities rooted in the Catholic tradition, focused on the future for students, this newly unified community will offer an innovative, values-based learning environment inspired by individuals in pursuit of a greater purpose,” said Senese, in the release.

“Working with Marymount, Saint Leo University looks forward to making an even more meaningful impact on Catholic higher education from coast to coast,” said Senese.

Humanitarian awards
Fourteen high school students from Pasco County Schools were honored during the Florida Holocaust Museum’s 2021 Anne Frank Humanitarian Award event, held virtually this year.

The award recognizes the outstanding humanitarian actions of high school students who have worked to better the lives of others at their schools and in their communities, according to a news release.

The ceremony included brief videos of area school superintendents congratulating the award winners from their school districts.

“Congratulations to all the Pasco students who have been honored with this prestigious award,” said Pasco County Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning, in a news release.

“It’s so gratifying to know that our teens are being honored for their acts of kindness and for making a difference,” said Browning.

The winners from Pasco County schools are:

• Emma Wegener, Anclote High
• James Cleary, Cypress Creek
• Natalie Smith, Fivay
• Sabrina Tonello, Gulf
• Anya Gorgas, Hudson
• Ashley Colegrove, J.W. Mitchell
• Zeina Benton, Land O’Lakes
• McKenzie Pangallo, Pasco
• Abigail McKone, River Ridge
• Alesiah Manhoo, Sunlake
• Liliana Gonzalez, Wendell Krinn Technical
• Alexi Benitez, Wesley Chapel
• Elyse Alagal, Wiregrass Ranch
• Lataisha Paul, Zephyrhills

Program & lab fees meeting
The Hillsborough Community College District Board of Trustees will meet on Oct. 27 at 4 p.m., at the Dr. Gwendolyn Stephenson District Administration Center board room, 39 Columbia Drive in Tampa, to consider a new program fee and lab fee increase, according to a news release.

The proposed fees are limited to covering costs incurred by the college and will not generate a profit.

The new fees, if approved, will go into effect in fall 2022.

To see the press release in full, visit News.hccfl.edu/press-releases.

Comments on the new fees may be sent to , and then will be shared during the meeting.

Saint Leo names new VP
Dr. Jeffrey D. Senese, president of Saint Leo University, announced the appointment of Dr. Mark Gesner as vice president of community engagement and innovation, according to a news release.

Gesner will serve as a member of the university’s senior leadership team.

Particularly focused in the areas of community impact, social entrepreneurism, and professional development, Gesner will be responsible for advancing community engagement at Saint Leo, building community partnerships, creating new initiatives, and serving on various internal and external boards and committees.

Gesner comes to Saint Leo having served as the executive director of the Hub for Innovation and Community Engaged Learning at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

“I look forward to building relationships and collaborating with the many businesses and organizations in the Tampa area and beyond,” said Gesner, in the release.

“I hope to explore emerging opportunities and discover powerful ways for Saint Leo University to be a catalyst and partner in yielding positive social and economic impact,” said Gesner.

Business partners looking to partner with Saint Leo can email .

Education options
Many students think of education after high school as the traditional four-year college degree.

However, students who don’t want to go that route have other options from which to choose, according to the KHEAA (Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority).

One option is to get a two-year degree that leads to a job in the workforce.

A second option is a diploma or certificate that takes six to 18 months to finish, then find a job. Students often can take advantage of federal and state financial aid programs to help pay for that training.

Military service is another option students have, which doesn’t mean their education has to stop at high school.

All branches of the service have education options for men and women, either while they are in uniform or after their discharge. Many states have college aid programs for National Guard members.

Service members should contact their unit educational office to discuss student aid options.

For information, visit KHEAA.com.

Early release days
Pasco County Schools again will utilize a monthly, early release time to allow for staff to engage in professional development aligned with student needs, and district and school priorities.

Upcoming early release dates are: Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 2, March 9 and April 13.

On each of these days, students will be released two hours early.

The bell times, including the early release times for each school, can be found online at Pasco.k12.fl.us/site/pcs_bell_schedule.

ABC Program is a benefit
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices this summer collected donations for the Pasco County School District’s ABC (Assist, Believe & Care) Program.

The program was created to provide financial assistance to students and their families who are experiencing economic hardship, especially when those needs interfere with the student’s ability to be academically successful.

The monies collected go into a fund that teachers can use when they see or learn of a need a child may have.

“The management and staff of each of the five tax collector offices in the county chose which school in their respective community they wanted to donate their funds to,” said Fasano, in a news release.

“Each office earmarked $1,000 for a school in need. In addition, due to the generosity of the community, a sixth school was also the recipient of a $1,000 donation,” commented Fasano.

The schools chosen by each office were:

• Dade City Office: Rodney Cox Elementary School, Dade City
• Gulf Harbors Office: Marlowe Elementary, New Port Richey
• Land O’ Lakes Office: Pine View Elementary, Land O’ Lakes
• New Port Richey Office: Chasco Elementary, New Port Richey
• Wesley Chapel Office: Veterans Elementary, Wesley Chapel
• Additional school: Gulfside Elementary, Holiday

“The strain of COVID only adds to the pressure families are under during these uncertain times. Children without food, adequate clothing or other unmet needs often suffer academically. The ABC Program was designed to help students and their families who are experiencing hardship or crisis,” said Fasano.

For more information, visit PascoTaxes.com.

College Success Awards
Three Pasco County high schools — Land O’ Lakes High, J.W. Mitchell High and Wiregrass Ranch — have been named recipients of the College Success Award, which recognizes high schools for college preparation and enrollment, as well as postsecondary success, according to a news release.

In winning the award, the schools join 1,838 high schools in 25 states that met the standards to earn the Great Schools College Success Award. GreatSchools.org is a nonprofit that provides a wealth of school information to parents and families to help them make informed decisions to guide their students’ futures.

Award-winners are determined by a methodology that evaluates school-level data on college preparation, college enrollment, and college performance.

In addition to a review of overall student college readiness and test scores, the schools are rated on their record of success with students, broken down by demographics, race and ethnicity, socio-economic status, and disability status.

“Congratulations to the high schools that earned this honor,” said Pasco County Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning, in the release.

“This truly reinforces the district’s vision of students achieving success in college, career and life,” said Browning.

To see a full list of Florida award winners, as well as details on how the schools earned the recognition, visit GreatSchools.org/gk/csa-winners/.

Peace Corps prep partner
The Peace Corps announced the University of South Florida (USF) ranked No. 2 among schools on the agency’s list of top Peace Corps Prep certificate-issuing partners in 2021.

USF issued 58 Peace Corps Prep certificates to the graduating class of 2021.

Two-hundred-fifty students were enrolled in the Peace Corps program during the 2020-2021 academic year.

“At this pivotal time in our history, young people have a crucial role to play,” said Carol Spahn, Peace Corps acting director, in a news release.

“Through the Peace Corps Prep program, these schools have equipped students with the skills and understanding necessary to help communities near and far recover from the multidimensional and global shocks of the pandemic,” said Spahn.

The top certificate-issuing partners, ranked one through 10, are: Virginia Commonwealth University; University of South Florida; University of Florida; Mercer University; Monmouth University; University of California Education Abroad Program; Elon University; University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; Walsh University; and Pacific Lutheran University.

For information about the Peace Corps Prep program at USF, contact Lauren Strange at or 813-974-6148.

Social work conference
Saint Leo University will host its seventh-annual Social Work Conference on Oct. 8, using a virtual platform, for both established professionals and those interested in the field.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Social Workers are Essential.”

Those attending can learn the ways in which social needs and social work practices have evolved and changed since COVID-19.

There will be a keynote panel at 9 a.m.

Other speakers and session presenters will share information on issues including: mental health and substance abuse; trauma and sexual assault response; social work and counseling needs in public schools; patterns evident in school shootings; food insecurity; improving cross-cultural connections; and more.

Sessions will end around 3:30 p.m.

Admission is $20. Admission and continuing education credit will be available for $40 (payment accepted online).

Saint Leo students and alumni will be admitted free, but must register.

To learn more and to register, visit SaintLeo.edu/annual-social-work-conference.