Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

A local moms group is working to empower women at the Sunrise of Pasco County shelter for abused women by providing them with purses.

Brie Hertz, co-leader of Wesley Chapel Mothers & More, said she thinks it is a perfect community service project for the group.

“The women going to Sunrise are in their darkest hour,” Hertz said. “A woman’s symbol of her power is her purse. It is the mission of Mothers & More to improve the lives of women through education, support and advocacy and Sunrise does that for women.”

The group is a part of the national Mothers & More organization and is made up of women from Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and New Tampa. The Power of the Purse is a national program the organization does every year around Mother’s Day.

Four boxes for donations are at Sage Salon & Spa at Connerton in Land O’ Lakes, Kidz Club of Tampa Palms in New Tampa, Seal Swim School in Lutz and My Gym Children’s Fitness Center in Wesley Chapel until May 12. Those wishing to donate can also contact the moms club at .

Tracey Tanner of Land O’ Lakes, co-leader of the group, said this is one of her favorite service projects.

“We are looking for modestly-used purses,” Tanner said. “We don’t want to get purses that look old and worn. As a woman, your power is in your purse. It is symbolic of a woman’s power. I love doing this because we are reaching out to other mothers.”

The group is also hoping to fill the purses with brand-new toiletry items.

“We are working on getting new toiletry items donated from places like Target, Wal-Mart and CVS,” Tanner said. “We want to fill the purses with them.”

Stacy Lee of New Tampa is the community outreach coordinator for the group. She said she loves helping out the women at Sunrise. Last year the organization donated 101 purses to The Spring, a domestic abuse shelter in Tampa.

“Based on the services they perform, we figured it was the perfect place,” Lee said. “Last year we donated all the purses to The Spring. This year we decided to give them to Sunrise because they are for Pasco County.”

The group will present the purses and toiletry items to a representative from Sunrise at their May 19^th meeting.

Trish Kley, director of development, said she is excited about the help from the moms club.

“Many times the women leave with nothing and they can’t get back in,” Kley said. “It is especially nice for the ladies in the shelter who have court appearances. We have a clothes closet for women going to court that we are looking forward to matching up the outfits with purses.”

The moms group primarily focuses on the mother with mom’s night outs, couples’ night outs, a scrap booking club and a book club in addition to the kid focused activities like play groups and events like Busch Gardens and zoo outings.

“We focus on the mother because we value all the work mothers do,” Tanner said. “We are a group for working mothers as well as stay-at-home moms.”

The club is looking for new members. For more information, visit mothersandmore.org/chapters/wesleychapel.

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

The seven kids on the Thomas E. Weightman Middle School Odyssey of the Mind Food Court team were excited when they found out they are going to the World Finals in Michigan.

The Weightman Middle School and two Wesley Chapel Elementary students’ uncanny ability to turn everything into a pun or joke helped them place second out of 19 teams at the statewide Odyssey of the Mind competition at the University of Central Florida in Orlando April 10. It is the first time Weightman has had a team go to the world competition, which will be May 26 to 29 at Michigan State University.

The Wesley Chapel team also won the Ranatra Fusca award, which is the highest honor any team can get from Odyssey. Dylan Passero, 12, said he was very proud of his team’s accomplishment.

“They only give out 11 awards for all 235 teams,” Passero said. “It is the highest honor a team can obtain.”

Odyssey of the Mind is an international education program that provides problem-solving opportunities for kids from kindergarten through college. Team members creatively solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to putting on plays. Teams can solve problems in one of four categories including car, structure, theatrical, classics and technical.

The Weightman team chose to solve the theatrical problem. Freda Abercrombie, Gulf Coast regional director, said the team was able to reference all the Odyssey problems in their play.

“In the theatrical problem, teams are scored heavily on their performance and humor,” Abercrombie said. “This team’s strength was that almost every line is some sort of pun or joke.”

Passero said he loves the humor in the play.

“The main point is for one food item to accuse another of being unhealthy,” Passero said.  “Cereal accused milk of being a serial killer. Then a jury made up of five food items had to answer if cereal was correct in this claim.”

Tyler Maister, 13, said he likes the competition because it allows him to be creative.

“It is a way to siphon off my creativity,” Maister said. “It is great for the people who are not good at sports to have that team feeling.”

Marci Williams, team coach, said the seven kids have come together to form a great team.

“In the beginning, it was hard because they were new to each other and they didn’t know each other,” Williams said. “They have become very comfortable with each other. They communicate with each like they are brothers and sisters.”

McKenna Williams, 10, is normally a pretty quiet girl but she said the competition brings out the best in her.

“I am not embarrassed when I get up there,” McKenna said. “I like it when I am on stage.”

The team also has to do a spontaneous problem that is either verbal, verbal hands-on or hands-on according to Victoria Reidy. Maister said he likes the verbal hands-on category.

“In that category, we get a picture or an object that we have to make a creative comment about,” Maister said. “Say it is a picture of two animals, we can comment about what the photographer said to the animals or what they said to each other.”

Tyler Williams, 11, said he enjoys the hands-on spontaneous.

“You get an object like a paper clip and a pencil,” Williams said. “You have to get the pencil as high off the floor as you can. Or you might have a problem where you are given so many rug pieces and everyone has to get across the floor together. It is a great way to learn to work together.”

Baylee Carr, 12, said she is really excited to go to the world finals.

“I enjoy it because we get to meet a lot of new people,” Carr said. “I like that we get to learn to build stuff and I like acting and solving problems.”

Angela Cingoranelli, 10, said she has learned valuable lessons.

“I have made a few good friends,” Cingoranelli said. “I learned there is always more than one way to solve a problem.”

Marci Williams said she was very impressed with the team’s performance.

“They all have strengths that add to it,” Williams said. “The boys are good at spontaneous. Victoria helps with props and Baylee is mostly in the background but she has a big part. It took all seven kids to win. I would like to thank Wesley Chapel Elementary School for letting us use the space to practice and for our props.”

Other schools in Pasco will also be attending the world finals including Wesley Chapel Elementary School, Double Branch Elementary School, Mittye P. Locke Elementary School, Wiregrass Ranch High School, River Ridge High School and Mitchell High School. Schools will be raising money to send their teams to the competition. For more information contact each school individually.

The cost to send a team to world finals is about $8,000. Weightman Middle School is raising money by having a Weightman Idol contest May 4 and selling popcorn at the school’s field day May 11. For more information, call Weightman Middle School at (813) 794-0200.

For more information about Odyssey, visit www.odysseyofthemind.com.

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

Each year the Special Olympics allow thousands of children across Florida to compete in athletics. In Pasco County, the games could not go on without its annual golf tournament.

“Last year we raised $11,000 at the event and this year I’d love to get $15,000,” said Judy Brunner, Pasco County Special Olympics co-coordinator. “The money goes to support Special Olympics events all year and right now we are getting ready for the state games May 14, 15 and 16 at Disney’s Wide World of Sport Complex.”

The 12th annual Pasco County Golf Tournament starts at 1 p.m. May 8 at Lexington Oaks Golf Club, 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd. in Wesley Chapel. Registration deadline is April 30.

For information on how to sign up, call (813) 794-6476. It costs $65 per person to enter the tournament, which is tax deductible and includes green fees, a cart for the event, range balls, a goody bag, a raffle ticket and a buffet dinner.

The golf event is the largest fundraiser each year for the Pasco Special Olympics. It costs $50,000 to $60,000 each year to have the games in the county, which includes things like uniforms, transportation, food and equipment. This year, Pasco will have 139 athletes competing in the 2010 state games in track and field, team soccer, soccer skills, bocce, cycling and tennis.

“We started the golf tournament because all the funds that we need are completely paid for by fundraisers and donations,” Brunner said. “We don’t charge the athletes or their families anything to participate.”

Brunner has been involved with the Special Olympics in Pasco for 29 years and is currently a physical education teacher at Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills. She co-coordinates the county games with Valerie Lundin.

Lundin, who was been a coordinator in Pasco for 26 years and is an adaptive physical education teacher at Cotee River Elementary School in New Port Richey, said the games started in the county in 1973. Lundin coordinates the games in the spring and summer, while Brunner handles the fall and basketball seasons.

“When I was in college I had a passion for sports and for exceptional students,” Brunner said. “What I do now is perfect for me and it’s a passion of mine. I’ve spent more than half my life with it. It’s so special and important to the athletes.

“It’s so heartwarming to see (the athletes) so proud of themselves,” Brunner continued. “Put them on a field or on a court and it’s beyond description.”

The need for fundraisers has increased as the number of students and schools grow in Pasco. For the first time the county games, which were in February, were split into two locations. The games were in New Port Richey and at Wesley Chapel High School.

“It was very exciting to host the games for the first time here,” said Wesley Chapel principal Carin Nettles, who was previously an exceptional student education teacher. “One thing I miss about teaching is getting out and working with the kids, so seeing the athletes during the county games was great. They get to show off their athletic abilities and they look forward to it.”

Brunner expressed her gratitude to everyone who participates in the golf event each year. Land O’ Lakes High girls soccer coach Vicky King has been a Special Olympics coach for 24 years and also thanks those who donate.

“I know we have to spend a lot of money on the transportation and other things to put the games on,” King said. “We wouldn’t be able to put the games together without the support of the public at fundraisers like the golf event.”

This year’s state games will be even more special for King and her Land O’ Lakes Special Olympics soccer teams.

“It’s the first time we’ve had two unified soccer teams make states,” King said. “The players are ready to get on the field and show what they can do against the best in Florida.”

A unified soccer team has Special Olympics athletes and student volunteers playing together. Each team has five players, three athletes and two of the volunteers.

“The games make the athletes and volunteers realize what they can really do,” King said. “The athletes are showing what they can do physically and the volunteers are seeing what a positive difference they can make.”

The golf tournament is a four-person scramble event. In the past, Brunner said one or two of the Special Olympics golfers have shown up for the tournament, but the volunteers run the event.

“I’m hoping for a good turnout,” Brunner said. “The more people who participate, the more we will be able to do for our athletes.”

If you go

• What: 12th annual Pasco County Golf Tournament
• When: 1 p.m. May 8
• Where: Lexington Oaks Golf Club
• Address: 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd. in Wesley Chapel
• Cost: $65 per person
• To sign up, call  (813) 794-6476

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

Teachers and staff at Pine View Elementary and Middle will compete against each other to earn the title “Pride of the Parkway.”

The adult kickball game will be April 30 at 4:30 p.m. at the middle school, 5334 Parkway Blvd. in Land O’ Lakes, with the money raised going to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The school is inviting spectators to watch for $1 and they will also have a concession stand.

Students will have a chance to participate in the fun with student contests between innings, cheerleaders from both school helping to cheer and maybe even the middle school band performing.

“This will be a school-wide event,” said Karen Turman, physical education teacher at Pine View Elementary School. “I am hoping whole families will come out to watch.”

The schools were inspired to host the competition by Kevin Epifanio, physical education coach at Pine View Elementary School, who has a daughter with diabetes. Gabrielle Epifanio, a student at Pine View Middle School, goes to a camp every summer for kids with diabetes that is funded by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“The camps are great because they realize they can still function no matter the disease and they know they are not the only one,” Epifanio said. “When you can bring the community together in a function with the school to raise money for a great cause, it is a no brainer.”

Casey Viera, Pine View Elementary School nurse, said recently type II diabetes is on the rise in children.

“It is important to raise awareness,” Viera said. “Children never had type II diabetes before, it used to be adult onset diabetes. A healthy diet and staying active is the best defense.”

The winner of the kickball game will get a trophy, a road sign stating they are the “Pride of the Parkway.” The coaches are hoping this will become an annual event with the trophy being traded back and forth each year.

“We also decided to have the principals make a wager,” Turman said. “The losing principal will have to do an hour of lunch duty at the other’s school. Both principals said they are scared of having to go to the other school.”

Courtney Gantt is the principal of Pine View Elementary School.

“I am really hoping we are going to win because then I won’t have to switch,” Gantt said. “I am a little nervous about having to switch and have lunch duty with a bunch of adolescents.”

Beth Neri is a language arts teacher at Pine View Middle School.

“I think it is a good idea to have a little competition between the schools,” Neri said. “We normally have a teacher softball team league, but we didn’t form one in time this year so we thought this is a great thing to do. We need people to come out and cheer us on and help us raise money.”

Both schools are looking for local businesses like physician’s offices and walk-in clinics to donate small prizes. For more information, call Pine View Elementary at (813) 794-0600 or Pine View Middle at (813) 794-4800.

Celebrates 10th anniversary

By Sarah Whitman

Senior Staff Writer

For 10 years the Zephyrhills Pregnancy Center has helped women and families through life’s most difficult times.

Robin Kohler came to the center three years ago pregnant with her daughter, Nevaeh, now 2 years old.

“I was having medical complications and the doctors suggested an abortion,” Kohler said. “The volunteers at the pregnancy center gave me guidance and were there for me to talk to. They helped me make the decision to have my daughter and I’m so glad I did because she was born without anything wrong with her.”
When the center opened in 2000, as a ministry of First Baptist Church of Zephyrhills, the idea was to counsel pregnant women on options other than abortion. Through the years, its mission has broadened to include family education and support services.
“We have seen some families through two or three pregnancies and our services don’t end when a baby is born,” said Terry Luna, center director.
The pregnancy center, now an independent nonprofit organization, offers services ranging from parenting classes to GED tutoring. More than 250 new clients have been helped in the last year, ranging from teens to 40-year-olds.
Moms and dads can take advantage of the programs for as long as they’d like.
“We are always here to help,” Luna said. “I had a woman come in recently that we’d helped six or seven years ago. She was having problems at home and needed a place to turn. She remembered us.”
Luna is one of the pregnancy center’s founders and its only paid employee. She relies on volunteers to keep the organization running. Currently, there are 10 to 12 regular volunteers.
Sami Sykes has been a part of the group since the beginning. The Zephyrhills resident is a former foster parent and counselor for runaways. She has seen many lives changed at the pregnancy center.
“It’s very rewarding to watch the families you’ve helped grow mentally and spiritually,” Sykes said. “We don’t just give people things to help them, we become a part of their lives.”
Three weeks before Nevaeh’s birth, Kohler’s husband passed away. Volunteers from the center stood by her side.
“They were very supportive,” Kohler said. “Some volunteers even came out and painted my house. They really do go above and beyond. I don’t have family, but they’ve become like family.”
Kohler attends the center’s weekly Tuesday afternoon Bible Study. The study includes lunch and is open to moms and dads. It is a Christian outreach but is not affiliated with a particular church. Churches throughout Zephyrhills volunteer time and support to the center.
When clients become involved with center programs, they earn points to take home free baby items.
“They have everything you could possibly need,” Kohler said.
Luna said the center relies heavily on donations to fill its baby store. Financial gifts are also accepted.
“The community has been so generous,” she said. “We are entirely nonprofit so donations are the reason we’ve been able to stay open. ”
The center will celebrate its anniversary beginning with a BBQ dinner from 5 to 7:30 p.m. April 30. Families are invited to pick up a take-out dinner for $6.50. Volunteers will cook up a meal that includes chicken, baked beans, potato salad, a roll and dessert. Families can also participate in a bowling tournament fundraiser beginning at 3 p.m. May 1 at Pin Chasers. The cost is $10 per person and includes three games, pizza and soda. Children can play too.
To close out the celebration festivities, the pregnancy center will host an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. May 2. Anyone in need of service or interested in volunteering can stop by for a tour. The center is located at 38021 8th Ave. For information, call (813) 780-6885.