Mary Rathman

School paper earns first
Wharton High School’s school newspaper, the Blue & White, was named a Most Outstanding High School Newspaper 2020-2021 by the American Scholastic Association.

“This is the best we’ve ever done in this national competition,” said Kyle LoJacono, Blue & White adviser, in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

“Not only did they (students) create one of the best student-run high school newspapers in the nation, but they did it with half the staff working from home while e-learning, and half in person. That speaks to their dedication and also their ability to communicate and get the job done under less-than-ideal circumstances,” said LoJacono.

Blue & White’s editor-in-chief, Callie Zack, is the third person in her family to be on the newspaper staff at Wharton. LoJacono noted: “We had a great mix of leadership styles.”

Student achievements

Dean’s List:

• Jose Bautista, of Lutz, Avila University, Kansas City, Missouri
• Jennifer Clifford, of Lutz, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
• Moriah Davis, of Lutz, University of Alabama
• Sydney Fleeman, of Odessa, Valdosta State University, Georgia
• Michelle Graham, of Lutz, Mercer University, Macon, Georgia
• Olivia Jablonski, of Odessa, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama
• Emily Leonard, of Wesley Chapel, Mercer University
• Brianna Pearson, of Lutz, The College of Saint Rose, Albany, New York
• Angelo Sardegna, of Lutz, Curry College, Milton, Massachusetts
• Sierra Sosa, of Odessa, Samford University
• Christiana Till, of Odessa, University of Alabama
• Troy Tsotsos, of Land O’ Lakes, Mercer University
• William Tucker, of Lutz, Samford University

President’s List:

• Jack Houser, of Odessa, University of Alabama
• Elijah James, of Odessa, Kennesaw State University, Georgia
• Emily Ymiolek, of Lutz, University of Alabama

Graduate degrees:

• William George Albrecht, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science in engineering, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, Louisiana
• Clare O’Keefe, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science in sports management, Endicott College, Beverly, Massachusetts
• Royce Pope, of Lutz, Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, Centre College, Danville, Kentucky
• Sydnee Turner, of Lutz, Associate of Science in nursing, Lincoln Memorial University, Tampa

Unlimited bus rides
Students can ride Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) Department buses on regular routes all summer for just $20.

The special student rate is effective now through Aug. 31.

The Summer Haul Pass can be purchased at these locations:

• Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Office, West and East Pasco Government Centers
• Pasco-Hernando State College bookstores in Dade City, New Port Richey and Wesley Chapel
• PCPT Administrative Office, 8620 Galen Wilson Blvd., Port Richey
• All Pasco County Libraries

For information about the pass, bus routes and schedules, visit RidePCPT.com.

Free vaccinations
The Florida Department of Health – Pasco County is teaming up with Pasco County Schools and Health Hero to offer free COVID-19 vaccinations to Pasco County students age 12 and older.

The free vaccinations also will be made available to children’s eligible family members.

Students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian to receive the vaccine.

The Pfizer vaccine will be distributed at several school locations around the county.

Appointments are required to ensure a smooth and efficient experience.

July 12:

• J.W. Mitchell High School, 2323 Little Road, Trinity – 8 a.m. to noon, in the cafeteria. Enter the school from Photonics Drive and park in the first parking lot on the right.

July 13:

• Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O’ Lakes – 8 a.m. to noon. Park in the student parking area.

July 14:

• Pasco High School, 36850 State Road 52, Dade City – 8 a.m. to noon. From State Road 52, pull in after the tennis courts and park in the staff or gym parking lot.
• Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel – 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Park in the faculty parking lot and take the sidewalk between Building 300 and the main office.

Parents are encouraged to fill out the online registration available from the school district website (Pasco.k12.fl.us), and select from the available dates, times and locations.

An individual registration form must be completed for the student and every additional family member.

Summer food service
Pasco County School’s Summer Food Service program will continue through July 27, at selected school campuses and at bus stop locations around the county.

All school location meal packs will contain seven breakfasts and seven lunches, and will be provided curbside on Tuesdays only, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., to anyone age 18 and younger.

East Pasco school sites include: Cypress Creek High, Double Branch Elementary, New River Elementary, Pasco High, Quail Hollow Elementary, R.B. Cox Elementary, R.B. Stewart Middle, San Antonio Elementary, Sand Pine Elementary, Watergrass Elementary, Wesley Chapel Elementary, Wesley Chapel High, West Zephyrhills Elementary, Wiregrass Ranch High and Woodland Elementary.

In Central Pasco: Connerton Elementary, Lake Myrtle Elementary, Oakstead Elementary, Odessa Elementary, Sanders Memorial Elementary and Sunlake High.

Students attending PLACE or Extended School Year programs at the schools will receive their meals on campus and are not eligible to participate in curbside meal pickup.

School bus stops will distribute meal packs on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For bus stop locations and menus, and to participate in the meal pickups, visit tinyurl.com/3mp6x4dh.

For questions, email .