Special to The Laker/Lutz News

 

TAMPA – Saint Leo University celebrated the Class of 2025 along with some “firsts” as more than 1,400 students crossed the stage in two commencement ceremonies May 7 at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

Twelve students proudly claimed the title of “first” as they are Saint Leo’s first graduates in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program in the College of Health Professions. They participated in a pinning ceremony May 5, pledging to uphold the ethical, scientific and legal standards of their profession. 

Emma Hayhurst, of Merrimack, New Hampshire, said she chose Saint Leo because of the university’s dedication to building a new nursing program. 

“Additionally, Saint Leo’s strong values of compassion, integrity and service reflect the kind of nurse I aspire to be,” said Hayhurst, one of the first graduates.

Another student celebrating being “first” was Forgive Semackor, of Riverview, who became the first graduate in Saint Leo’s Bachelor of Arts in Music Program in 30 years. Saint Leo once again began offering a music major in fall 2023.

“I knew I wanted to be a teacher, and when I found out Saint Leo was re-introducing the major, I decided that it would be a great choice to teach a subject that I was really passionate about,” Semackor said.

The commencement ceremonies also provided an opportunity to recognize the contributions made by two longtime supporters and benefactors of the university. Edward Dadez was named president emeritus, having retired in February after serving as the university’s 11th president. Dadez also is an alumnus who earned a Master of Business Administration degree in 2002.

“During his tenure, Dr. Dadez addressed the challenges that Saint Leo University was facing, he led the faculty and staff, changing the culture of the university, and ensured that Saint Leo had a strong focus on students and their success,” said Edwin Narain, chair of the board of trustees.

Receiving an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree was trustee and alumnus John Picciano, who is the CEO of Oglethorpe Inc. As a student, Picciano served as the president of his fraternity and the Interfraternity Council. He continued a life of service to his community, making a difference in the lives of those with mental health and addiction issues. And he continued his lifelong contributions to his alma mater.

 

Morning Ceremony

Graduating during the morning ceremony were University Campus undergraduate students; master’s degree students in accounting, business administration, computer science, cybersecurity and psychology; and Doctor of Business Administration students.

Recognized as valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2025 with a 4.0 GPA was Kristina Arwady, of Altamonte Springs, who graduated summa cum laude with bachelor’s degrees in management and medical humanities: pre-med with a minor in Spanish and from the Honors Program. Arwady also was a member of the women’s soccer team.

“Over the last three and a half years, Saint Leo University has become my family,” Arwady said. “The people have made this place home, and I am so grateful for the many opportunities and experiences I have had here.” 

Jacqueline Pollok, of Dade City, was the campus salutatorian, graduating summa cum laude with bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice: homeland security and international studies. She also graduated from the Honors Program and was the recipient of the 2025 Clara McDonald Olson Scholarship Excellence Award.

Giving the morning commencement address was Dr. Lauren Wittenberg Weiner, founder and former CEO of WWC Global, an organization dedicated to helping military spouses find career opportunities. In 2018, WWC Global won the largest contract to a woman-owned business in U.S. Special Operations Command headquarters (Tampa) history — the headquarters for the U.S. Navy SEALs and U.S. Army Green Berets. Annual revenue for WWC reached $100 million before Wittenberg Weiner sold it in 2022.

Her advice to the new graduates: Don’t be afraid to take a different path. 

“In my own life, it was the times that I took a huge pivot from what everyone seemed to expect from me that I found my biggest success,” Wittenberg Weiner said. “Thanks to an amazing mentor who guided me the first time I even contemplated taking a path that was different than what was laid out for me, I realized something: Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you have to.”

Wittenberg Weiner said she gathered the information from her naysayers, weighed each decision carefully. 

“I’ll tell you that the four-word response that fueled more of my success than any other words: ‘Oh really? Watch me,” Wittenberg Weiner told the graduates.

Admitting to being a “goody two-shoes,” Wittenberg Weiner said she found ways to upend expectations without breaking the rules. 

“As a young overachiever, I got really good at knowing all of the rules and all of the expectations,” Wittenberg Weiner said. “But what I didn’t realize until later is that there is a ton of space, in both those written and unwritten rules, to find your own authentic path to your own version of success.”

 

Afternoon Ceremony

Graduating during the afternoon ceremony were Center for Online Learning and education center undergraduate students; World Campus students (studying internationally); master’s degree students in creative writing, criminal justice, education, education specialist, instructional design, social work, and theology; and doctoral students in criminal justice and education.

Being recognized among students from Saint Leo’s Center for Online Learning were top performers, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 cumulative GPA, were Frances Wesby from Grovetown, Georgia, who earned a bachelor’s in business administration, and Kamera Woodruff from Madison, who earned a bachelor’s in elementary education.

The top performer for Saint Leo’s graduating seniors from its education centers, with a 4.0 cumulative GPA and graduating summa cum laude, was Leslie Willis from Brooksville, who earned a bachelor’s in elementary education.

Giving the commencement address for the afternoon ceremony was retired Maj. Gen. James S. Hartsell, executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Hartsell, who earned the nickname “Hammer,” leads the 1,500-member department responsible for serving the nation’s third largest veteran population. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps with honor for 37 years of active and reserve duty, beginning as an enlisted Marine in 1981 and completing distinguished and highly decorated military career as a major general. 

A native of Florida, Hartsell’s 22-year civilian career in the health care industry included serving in marketing, product management, U.S. and global business development, hospital administration and health care leadership. Upon retirement from the Marine Corps, he moved back to Florida and joined the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, where he launched the Future Operations Division.

Hartsell said his “mission will be accomplished” if the students kept a key word, key phrase and a key memory that “you can carry with you in your heart, your mind and your spirit as you embark on your exciting new life pathways as graduates of Saint Leo University.”

That key word he hopes they use for the rest of their lives is “resilience,” and the key phrase is “be the change: say ‘I will.’” The key memory is their fellow alumnus, Evin B. Hartsell, who earned a bachelor’s in psychology in 2016 and master’s in business posthumously in 2018.

Evin, the Hartsells’ second son, was born with a rare congenital neuromuscular dystrophy disease. While he was never able to walk and had to use a ventilator to breathe, he was filled with “self-generated determination to make a difference in the world by finding ways to help others to better themselves,” Hartsell said. “He did this by becoming a Big Brother counselor; an advocate by volunteering at the James R. Haley Veterans Medical Center; by helping charter the Phoenix Rising Power wheelchair soccer team; by helping to charter the Kappa Sigma fraternity at Saint Leo Leo; and by writing an autobiography that he entitled Abled in a Disabled World where he boldly shares his life’s journey of physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual challenges and discouragements and disappointments, and yet eventually his life victories.

“Graduates, like your fellow Saint Leo alumnus Evin Hartsell, regardless of what life circumstances you may find yourself in after today, you too can choose to be resilient and to be the change for the better.”

 

LAND O’ LAKES – Members of the District School Board of Pasco County approved a proclamation designating May 5 to 9 as Teacher Appreciation Week.

Each member also took some time to express gratitude for the work of Pasco County Schools  teachers. These were not hollow words as most school board members have experience in education while one member, Colleen Beaudoin, fought back tears during her remarks. 

Here is what each member had to say: 

 

Colleen Beaudoin, District 2

We often see students come to our board meetings for recognitions that include outstanding achievements in science fair and National History Day; our Cambridge, IB, AP recognition; artistic and musical performances; athletics; and more. 

The accomplishments of these students are in a large part made possible because of the dedicated teachers in this district who provide extra opportunities and support both inside and outside the classroom. 

I just want to thank all the teachers who go that extra mile to challenge and coach our remarkable students. 

There are also many students who we do not have the privilege of recognizing at our meetings. These students are also remarkable and they too have compassionate teachers who work tirelessly to help them reach their goals. 

Thank you for not giving up on our students who have special challenges and needs. Thank you for providing accommodations and for taking time to speak with concerned parents.

Thank you for helping that seventh-grader overcome a paralyzing fear of large spaces, so that one day he could deliver a thesis presentation in a packed university auditorium. 

Thank you for not giving up on the student who struggled with writing, so that one day\ he could type that paper and share his research. 

Thank you for spending time with the young lady who needed additional help with math, so that she could go on to become a nurse and help others. 

Thank you for seeing past the challenging behaviors and seeing the potential in every child. Being a teacher is not for the faint of heart. It is hard. I am grateful for all you do for our students and our families. You are exceptional. 

Thank you for your dedication, professionalism and passion during Teacher Appreciation Week and always. 

 

Megan Harding, District 5 

As a former teacher and now a proud member of our school board, I want to take a moment during Teacher Appreciation Week to thank you, not for just what you do, but for who you are. 

I know firsthand that teaching is not just a profession, it’s a calling, it’s early mornings, long evenings and 100 small decisions each day that shape lives in ways most people never see.

You Inspire curiosity, meet challenges with resilience and show up day after day with dedication and heart. The impact you have goes far beyond test scores and report cards. You’re shaping confidence, building character and helping students see the potential in themselves – sometimes before they can even see it on their own. 

As someone who has walked in your shoes, I see you, I appreciate you and I want you to know that your work matters. It matters deeply. 

Thank you for your service, your passion and your unwavering commitment to our students. 

Know that this week, and every week, I celebrate and I’m thankful for you. 

 

Cynthia Armstrong, District 3

I do want to express my gratitude and how proud I am of our teachers and the staff that support them.

Often at the end of a hard day, a teacher thinks, “Am I really doing anything constructive here? Am I having an impact?”

But I just want to say, it’s a career of delayed gratification. It’s after you’ve been a teacher for years and the students grow up and then they come back and visit you or see you in the gym and say, “You were my teacher. You were fantastic. You did so much for me.”

And you had not a clue that you were even reaching them, that they even knew you existed. 

It’s something that you just need to remember when you’re down that the students that are out there do remember you and will come back and thank you. 

I just really want to express the gratification that we have for the work that you do all year.

I’m sorry we have to wrap it all up in just one week. It’s really something that is ongoing. 

 

Jessica Wright, District 4

I know that some of our schools celebrate on different weeks, just depending on testing. 

As a teacher, I know how hard it can be to kind of slow down and enjoy those appreciation moments, especially during such a busy time of year.

Sometimes you can almost be like, “Oh I don’t want to stop for a plate of tacos. I have things to do.” But enjoy the plate of tacos. Take a moment and just take a breather. 

I also just wanted to encourage our administration as well to take as much off our teachers’ plates as you can – not just during Teacher Appreciation Week, but all the time, especially if they’re showing up for those extras.

If they’re there in the evenings, if they’re staying late – comp time. We support comp time here, so give them that flexibility to make sure they can manage everything and show them appreciation through your actions and not just your words. 

So I just wanted to say thank you to everybody.

 

Al Hernandez, District 1

Teaching is definitely a calling. This is Teacher Appreciation Week, so I want to say thank you to all of our teachers for their continued hard work and support. 

 

Proclamation Recognizing Teacher Appreciation Week 

Whereas, teachers are the backbone of America’s system of free public schools; and 

Whereas, great teachers bring powerful learning experiences to students through innovative, engaging, and personalized approaches to teaching and learning that prepare them to lead fulfilling, successful lives; and 

Whereas, teachers challenge and inspire students every day to change the world; and 

Whereas, teachers keep American democracy alive by laying the foundation for good citizenship and strong communities; and 

Whereas, teachers continue to influence us long after our school days are only memories by instilling a love of learning and a lifetime commitment to seeking new knowledge; and 

Whereas, teachers fulfill our mission of providing a world class education for all students, and help us achieve our vision that all of our students will achieve success in college, career, and life. 

Now, therefore, the District School Board of Pasco County does hereby proclaim the week of May 5 – 9, 2025, as Teacher Appreciation Week, and encourages Pasco County businesses to join us in recognizing Teacher Appreciation Week. 

Duly signed at a regular public meeting this 6th day of May 2025. 

The District School Board of Pasco County, Florida