Mary Rathman

Fine Arts award
The Heritage Arts Center Association presented the $1,000 Nereim Fine Arts Award to Alexandra Barath, a recent graduate of Pasco High School.

The award is given in memory of Gordon and Jean Nereim, the founding members of the organization.

Barath submitted a digital computer drawing entitled, “Pink Cityscape,” that referenced her fascination for both perspective and vast cityscapes.

Her artwork will be featured at next year’s Heritage Arts’ “Moonlight and Ivory” concerts and art show, in February.

Barath will attend the University of Central Florida with a major in experimental animation.

For more information, visit HeritageArts.org.

 

Conference proposals sought
The Florida Organization for Human Services Inc. (FLOHS) will host a virtual conference scheduled for Oct. 6 and Oct. 7. The theme is “Resilient Horizons: Breaking Down Barriers.”

The educational nonprofit is seeing workshop proposals on how to be resilient through trying times, and should focus on how to provide knowledge and skills to help others.

The audience will include students, new practitioners and more established professionals.

Submissions may include interventions, skills, knowledge and wellness, as related to assisting Human Services professionals to master their craft and become more effective leaders.

Presentations are typically 60 minutes to 90 minutes long.

Proposals should target one of the following areas:

• Ethics in Helping Relationships
• Interviewing and Intervention Skills
• Group Work
• Case Management
• Human Development
• Social and Cultural Issues
• Social Problems
• Assessment/Treatment Planning
• Intervention Models/Theories
• Human Behavior
• Social Welfare and Public Policy
• Research, Program Evaluation and Supervision

The deadline for proposals is Aug. 1, and must include a CV/resume, a video (with an introduction of yourself and summary topic) or a 100-word to 300-word abstract.

All applicants that are approved will be notified by Aug. 15.

For additional submission details, or to email a proposal, contact .

Back to School Drive-Thru
The Church @ Myrtle Lake, 2017 Reigler Road in Land O’ Lakes, will host a Back to School Drive-Thru on Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon.

This is a free backpack and school supply giveaway for kindergarten through 12th grade.

One backpack per child in attendance, while supplies last.

For information, visit MyrtleLake.org.

SkillsUSA recognition
Elena Banet, of New Port Richey and a student at Marchman Technical College, was awarded the high school bronze medal in nail care, at the 2021 SkillsUSA Championships, that took place in June.

Students were invited to demonstrate their technical skills, workplace skills and personal skills in 107 hands-on occupational and leadership competitions, including robotics, automotive technology, drafting, criminal justice, aviation maintenance, and public speaking.

Industry leaders from 650 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions planned and evaluated the contestants against their individual standards for entry-level workers.

More than 3,700 students competed at the national showcase of career and technical education, and more than 1,100 gold, silver and bronze medals were presented to students.

Many winners also received industry prizes, tools of their trade or scholarships.

The championship event takes place every year for students in middle school, high school or college/postsecondary programs, as part of the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.

For information, visit SkillsUSA.org.

Student achievements
• Brady Lindauer, of Land O’ Lakes, was named to the Dean’s List at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota – Winona.
• Leia Randall, of Land O’ Lakes, was recognized to the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

Financial aid tip
High school seniors should keep a close eye on deadlines when applying for college financial aid, according to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA).

Staying on top of deadlines can help students earn more in free student aid so they won’t have to depend as much on student loans.

KHEAA offers these tips:

• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible, beginning Oct. 1. To qualify for most state and federal student aid, a student must submit to FAFSA.
• Check with the financial aid offices of the schools to which the student has applied, to determine if they require any forms other than the FAFSA.
• Look for scholarships using the free online scholarship search at CareerOneStop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-scholarships.aspx.
• Attend college fairs and financial aid seminars. If a company charges a fee for helping with applications, remember that students can do that for themselves for free. If the student decides to pay, make sure the company is reputable by checking with the attorney general’s office or the Better Business Bureau.

For more information, visit KHEAA.com.

Pepin Academies names new COO
Pepin Academies has named Monika Perez as its chief operating officer (COO), to oversee its three campuses in Hillsborough and Pasco counties that serve students with learning and learning-related disabilities. She will oversee internal operations across the Pepin campuses, and implement program and facility expansions.

This newly created position comes as part of Pepin Academies’ long-term development plan.

Perez has served Pepin Academies for the past 17 years.

She began her career with the schools as director of Pepin Academy High School, then a ninth through 12th grade charter school, in 2004, and has assumed roles as assistant principal and principal, as well.

Perez received a Bachelor of Science in communication disorders from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Education in educational leadership from the University of South Florida.

In addition to her roles at Pepin, she also has served on numerous charter school application review committees to advance educational choice in the community.

Her service to Pepin Academies and the community earned her Pepin’s Peregrine Falcon Outstanding Employee award in 2017.

For more information about the schools, visit PepinAcademies.com.

Super Saturday
Saint Leo University will host Super Saturday on July 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at University Campus, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

Students committed to joining Saint Leo for the fall semester, as well as those who are still making a college decision, can acquaint themselves with the school’s academics, community, and student services, while completing preparations for August classes.

Admission to the event is free. Family and friends can attend.

The event will include games, novelties, crafts, music, food trucks, prizes and a large giveaway.

A VIP reception for the incoming class will provide guests with the chance to meet future classmates and other Saint Leo families.

Those attending will have access to class registration, financial aid meetings, department presentations, housing selection, parking registration, student ID photos, tours, residence hall walk-throughs, and more.

Students also can bring transcripts for the final round of the fall 2021 instant admission sessions, complete an on-site application, take placement exams, submit a deposit, and meet with staff from various departments.

The use of face coverings or masks is required for all individuals who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 while on campus.

To register for Super Saturday, visit SaintLeo.edu/visit-campus.

For information and questions, contact the Office of Admissions at 352-588-8283 or .

B.E.S.T. Academy back on campus
AdventHealth Tampa on June 29 welcomed students from the Brain Expansions Scholastic Training (B.E.S.T.) Academy back on campus for the first time since the pandemic.

The high school students learned hands-only CPR, experienced a coding exercise, and heard from an AdventHealth heart surgeon.

The summer program provides students with hands-on clinical experience in the hospital setting, and teaches students the skills to continue their education and pursue future careers in health care.

To learn more about the academy, visit BestMedicalAcademy.org.

Constitution seminar
Saint Leo University’s Department of Criminal Justice will host its Summer Institute seminar program, with four days focused on a discussion of “The Constitution, Social Justice, and Modern America.”

Criminal justice faculty and guest speakers will delve into several constitutional amendments, and the contemporary discussions and legal arguments about how the amendments are interpreted.

The institute is scheduled for July 19 through July 22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., each day.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Those who attend will be issued a certificate, upon completion of the seminar.

To sign up, email , with the words “2021 Summer Institute” in the email subject line, to request a Zoom registration link.

Course fee adjustments
Pasco-Hernando State College’s (PHSC) District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at its July 20 board meeting at 6 p.m., at the West Campus in New Port Richey.

Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for DBOT consideration by PHSC’s Council of Academic Affairs, a committee that includes representation by administrators, deans, academic department chairs, program directors, faculty and staff.

Fee adjustments relate to vendor increases for workforce courses, laboratories, and program testing.

Some fees may be covered by financial aid, scholarships and grants.

For details regarding proposed fee adjustments, justification for the fees, and fee implementation details, visit Policies.PHSC.edu/policies-and-procedures/public-disclosure.

Employment Fair
Pasco County Schools will host its sixth annual Pasco Community Public Employment Fair on July 21 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Ave., in Hudson.

Those in attendance can meet managers from Pasco County Schools, Pasco County Emergency Services, Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Pasco County Tax Collector, Pasco Board of County Commissioners, and more.

Register online at bit.ly/3vR7Kr8.

Capstone program grant
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) celebrated the success of the Achievement Capstone Program, a scholarship program that grants financial assistance to high-achieving, underrepresented college graduates of historically Black colleges and universities and predominantly Black institutions.

The NMSC joined the UNCF at Clark Atlanta University, to commemorate the scholarship’s five-year milestone, where NMSC President Timothy E. McGuire presented UNCF President Dr. Michael L. Lomax with an additional $2.1 million grant for the program.

“UNCF is honored to continue the legacy of a program that has meant so much to Black college students who struggled to finance their higher education,” said Lomax, in a news release.

“I am proud of the work that UNCF has done with this program in helping ensure a college degree is not only a dream but a possibility.”

McGuire added that NMSC is proud of its partnership with UNCF and the work and stewardship to carry on the name, mission and legacy of the National Achievement Scholarship Program, which has recognized and honored many Black American scholars since the first awards were presented in 1965.

“We believe this further investment in the Achievement Capstone Program is proof of our great confidence in UNCF to carry on this important mission for many years to come,” said McGuire, in the release.