Mary Rathman

Local student receives award
Each year, the City of Tampa Water Department recognizes outstanding STEM Fair projects at the elementary, junior and senior school levels with the Drinking Water Award. Lilienn Carpenter, a fifth-grade student at Sunlake Academy of Math & Science, in Lutz, this year received the award in the Hillsborough County elementary division, presented by Mayor Jane Castor. Carpenter competed with 1,800 other elementary students in Hillsborough County.

Student achievements

• Andrea Denton, of Wesley Chapel, was recognized to the Provost’s Honor Roll at Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas. Denton is majoring in respiratory care.
• Timothy John Elko, of Lutz, was named to the University of Mississippi, Oxford spring Dean’s Honor Roll.

Local graduates
The University of Tampa (UT) hosted a virtual ceremony on May 8 to honor 1,781 degree-seeking candidates at the school’s 152nd commencement.

The event was viewed online by the students, family members and friends, UT faculty and staff, and the general public.

Graduating students in The Laker/Lutz News area include:

• Alex Prendes, of Odessa, Bachelor of Arts – history
• Alex Riccio, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science – accounting
• Breanna Sumner, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science – criminology and criminal justice
• Brieanna Rekow, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science – human performance
• Emalee Jansen, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science – accounting
• Hayley Jewett, of Odessa, Bachelor of Arts – psychology
• Kaitlyn Thomas, of Odessa, Bachelor of Arts – design
• Kaylyn Burroughs, of Odessa, Bachelor of Science – nursing
• Lisa Jungmann, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science – criminology and criminal justice
• Olivia Trinder, of Odessa, Bachelor of Science – nursing
• Spender Anderson, of Odessa, Bachelor of Science – cybersecurity
• Sydney Milton, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science – education, elementary
• Terese Okulski, of Odessa, Bachelor of Science – nursing
• Trevor Toma, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science – cybersecurity

Each graduate received a personalized video commemorating their achievement.

College transfer tips
The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) offers these tips for students who plan to transfer between colleges this year.

Talk to a financial aid officer at your current school to ask if you owe anything or to find out if you can get a refund. Also make sure you have done everything you need to do to get financial aid when you transfer.

In addition, students should contact the registrar’s office at their new school to find out which current school credits and grades will transfer.

Each college should have a contact person who can answer any questions to help make the transition.

For more information, visit KHEAA.com.

Community service
The Goodwill-Suncoast volunteer program for high school students has pivoted to a virtual format this year.

Students in J.A.G. (Junior Ambassadors of Goodwill) can earn up to 25 hours of community service.

The virtual program allows students to volunteer on their own, at the direction of Goodwill Volunteer Services. Each program activity supports a different aspect of Goodwill’s mission.

To learn more, visit Goodwill-suncoast.org/junior-ambassadors.

Students earn merit recognition
Three students from Lexington Oaks were honored by the Lexington Oaks Women’s Club with a merit award and lunch at Glory Days. Each year, the women’s club provides monies to a few resident recipients to offset the cost of their college education. All Lexington Oaks high school seniors and college students can complete an application and submit it to the club’s merit award committee. The 2022 merit applications will be available in the Lexington Oaks Community Center, in October. The 2021 merit award winners are, from left, Jacqueline Maher, Joseph Vreeland and Taryn Clower.

Community service
The Goodwill-Suncoast volunteer program for high school students has pivoted to a virtual format this year.

Students in J.A.G. (Junior Ambassadors of Goodwill) can earn up to 25 hours of community service.

The virtual program allows students to volunteer on their own, at the direction of Goodwill Volunteer Services. Each program activity supports a different aspect of Goodwill’s mission.

To learn more, visit Goodwill-suncoast.org/junior-ambassadors.

Student achievements

• Garrett Evan Ashley, of Lutz, graduated from the University of Mississippi – Oxford with a Bachelor of Arts in Sport and Recreation Administration.
• Jesse Andrew Fox, of Odessa, graduated from the University of Mississippi – Oxford with a Bachelor of Business Administration.
• Ryan Furlong, of Lutz, participated in Virtual Service Week 2021 while pursuing a degree in Business Economics at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. Themes during Virtual Service Week centered around social justice, health care and mental health, hunger and the homeless, the environment and sustainability, and issues on borders and migration.
• Dinesh Kumar Kannabiran Vasudevan, of Odessa, completed a Master of Science in Project Management at the University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, Kentucky.
• Jake Metrosky, of Land O’ Lakes, graduated magna cum laude from Flagler College in St. Augustine
• Kobe Speros, of Land O’ Lakes, graduated from Flagler College in St. Augustine
• Amy Stanton, of Odessa, was inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, and initiated at Georgia College & State University, in Milledgeville, Georgia.

Hillel opens preschool
The Forman Early Learning Center, a Hillel-JCC Jewish preschool, will host a grand opening on May 23 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Hillel Academy, 2020 W. Fletcher Ave., in Tampa.

The expansion program includes children ages 1 to 4, to serve the growing need of Jewish early childhood education in northeast Tampa.

The new 6,500-square-foot center has 10,000 square feet of playground area, right on the academy’s campus.

The Hillel-JCC program is bilingual — Hebrew and English — and is focused on the growth of each and every child as he or she develops.

Children participate in experiential learning, through a Jewish lens, as they transition to elementary school.

In addition to outside time, the program includes music, art, cooking and physical education classes, and runs Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

During the grand opening, visitors can check out the classrooms, play on the playground, view the toddler teaching kitchen and meet the educators.

All children will receive a special gift, too.

Visit HillelAcademyTampa.com/academics/preschool, for information about the early learning center.

Financial aid tip
The federal government requires many students who submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASA) to verify information reported on the FAFSA, according to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA). Parents also will have to provide information.

Students requiring verification are chosen by the U.S. Department of Education.

The KHEAA advises students and parents to take the verification process seriously, as any financial aid can be held back until the process is complete. Putting it off can lead to frustration if the process isn’t finished when classes are ready to start.

Colleges may do the verifications on their own or may contract with an agency to handle the process.

The KHEAA is a public, nonprofit agency established to improve student access to college. It provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents.

For information, visit KHEAA.com.

Students of the Month
Five students from Raymond B. Stewart Middle School were honored as The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Students of the Month.

Students are chosen by the teachers and administration for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their individual school, family and community.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, chamber members delivered a certificate and goody bag to each student, in lieu of the ceremony that usually takes place.

The students receiving honors were Logan Forbes, sixth grade; Amara Hays, eighth grade; Nyla Nobles, eighth grade; Karsten Osgood, seventh grade; and Elizabeth Wagoner, eighth grade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writers retreat
Saint Leo University will host its eighth Sandhill Writers Retreat, virtually, on May 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., via Zoom.

The retreat is for writers of all experience levels, and sessions and workshops will cover a variety of topics, conducted by prominent writers.

Topics will include: Fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, nature writing, writing for veterans, spoken word and performance, publishing, and creating literary community.

The complete program showing all classes, teacher biographies, and digital access to a local bookstore carrying titles from the workshop authors is available at SaintLeo.edu/sandhill-writers-retreat.

Fees are between $25 and $45, with additional charges for optional consultations or master classes.

Those attending the retreat and other members of the public also are invited to register to attend a free reading featuring veteran-author Brian Turner, of Orlando, on May 14 at 7 p.m., also via Zoom.

Fee adjustment review
Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will meet on May 18 at 6 p.m., at the Spring Hill Campus, to consider the approval of proposed adjusted course-related fees.

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.

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

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

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

Questions or concerns about the proposed fees should be directed to the appropriate dean listed on the web page.

Hillel opens preschool
The Forman Early Learning Center, a Hillel-JCC Jewish preschool, will host a grand opening on May 23 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Hillel Academy, 2020 W. Fletcher Ave., in Tampa.

The expansion program includes children ages 1 to 4, to serve the growing need of Jewish early childhood education in northeast Tampa.

The new 6,500-square-foot center has 10,000 square feet of playground area, right on the academy’s campus.

The Hillel-JCC program is bilingual — Hebrew and English — and is focused on the growth of each and every child as he or she develops.

Children participate in experiential learning, through a Jewish lens, as they transition to elementary school.

In addition to outside time, the program includes music, art, cooking and physical education classes, and runs Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

During the grand opening, visitors can check out the classrooms, play on the playground, view the toddler teaching kitchen and meet the educators.

All children will receive a special gift, too.

Visit HillelAcademyTampa.com/academics/preschool, for information about the early learning center.

In-person graduations
Pasco County Schools will host in-person graduations in school stadiums, unless otherwise noted.

This year, each graduate will be allowed to have four guests — two guests to accompany the graduate on the field, and two seated in the bleachers.

“We know how important it is to the graduates to walk across the stage and receive their diploma in person. And we know how important it is to have family there to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime experiences,” said Kurt Browning, Pasco superintendent of schools.

Here is a complete list of graduation dates and times for the schools in The Laker/Lutz news coverage area:

• May 26 at 6 p.m.: Marchman Technical College, at River Ridge High Performing Arts Center
• May 27 at 6 p.m.: Pasco eSchool, Idlewild Baptist Church
• June 1 at 6 p.m.: Wendell Krinn Technical High School, in the school’s gymnasium
• June 2 at 7 p.m.: Cypress Creek High School
• June 3 at 9 a.m.: Zephyrhills High School
• June 3 at 7 p.m.: Wiregrass Ranch High School
• June 4 at 7 p.m.: Land O’ Lakes High School
• June 4 at 7 p.m.: Wesley Chapel High School
• June 4 at 7:30 p.m.: Pasco High School
• June 5 at 9 a.m.: Sunlake High School

For more information, email Stephen Hegarty at ">.