Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Sarah Whitman

Senior Staff Writer

Luke Sengul lines up his toys one by one, tuning out the rest of the world. Although he will turn 4 this year, he still doesn’t speak.

Luke is autistic.

It is a world Luke’s parents, Tamer and Patricia Sengul, know too well. The couples’ oldest son Adam, 4, was diagnosed with high functioning autism at age two. While Adam is now doing well and his brother, Paul, is a typical 2-year-old, Luke struggles to keep up with his brothers.

“We’ve only recently been able to make eye contact with Luke,” Patricia said. “For the longest time, he wouldn’t even look at us.”

The Sengul family lives in Land O” Lakes and are participating in Walk Now for Autism Speaks May 1 at in St. Petersburg. The event will benefit Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism advocacy organization, and help fund research to fight the neurological disorder.

“This is a real condition that a lot of families are devastated by,” Patricia said. “We are walking to raise money and awareness.”

According to Autism Speaks, 1 in 110 children are affected by the disorder. Symptoms can impair an individual’s ability to communicate, form relationships and relate to their surroundings.

Neither Patricia nor Tamer Sengul has a history of autism in their families. When Adam was born, they expected to have a typical life. Then, Adam’s pediatricians started using words like developmental delays. A child psychologist referred the Senguls to an autism specialist, who made the official diagnosis.

Adam had pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, a form of high functioning autism.

The words shook Patricia to her core.

“You hear autism and you think of stereotypes, of your kid growing up banging his head against a wall and other children poking fun at him,” she said. “You think he’s never going to get to know the fun things of growing up.”

Adam was put in intensive therapy for six months, where he learned to communicate and to interact socially. The Senguls now consider him recovered, though doctors have yet to make it official. He no longer exhibits typical autistic behaviors and learns with little difficulty as a preschool student at Sanders Elementary School.

“I like school,” Adam said. “I like to play and eat at school. I like my teachers and friends.”

At home, Adam helps look after Luke, who tends to go off by himself.

Luke’s autism is a difficult case. He has exhibited signs since infancy. Having more than one autistic child is not unusual, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

The Senguls had yet to receive Adam’s diagnosis when Patricia became pregnant with Luke.

They were devastated to find out his case was even worse.

“We had a playroom but we had to move the toys out into the main living area because Luke would just want to go in there by himself and stay for hours,” Patricia said. “He gets frustrated because he can’t communicate, so he throws tantrums. He has a lot of behavioral problems and emotional issues.”

Luke has yet to receive treatment using applied behavior analysis. The Senguls are waiting on approval from their medical insurance. In Luke’s case, the therapy may or may not help.

As a father, Tamer can only hope for the best.

“There could be improvement,” he said.

Tamer works with Luke on a daily basis, correcting inappropriate behaviors and encouraging good ones.  He never gives up but admits it’s a hard road.

“It can be very taxing on the family,” he said. “We are fortunate to have a good church and a good support system.”

The Senguls believe a variety of factors contribute to autism.

“I think it’s a combination of things,” Patricia said. “I think some children are genetically predisposed but there are also environmental factors involved. I don’t want to say the vaccines caused it, but I think everything from vaccines to pesticides and even what’s in formula plays a role.”

Patricia has decided to homeschool all three boys starting next year. Prior to having children, she worked as a preschool teacher. She has started an in-home preschool for Luke and Paul. The brothers are best buddies.

“Paul will hold Luke’s hand when they walk outside,” Patricia said.

All three brothers get along well because the Senguls make family time a priority. They attend church weekly at North Tampa Church of Christ, where the boys are able to play with other children. The family also takes frequent trips to the zoo, the beach and to Disney World. The children love the characters at the park.

“I like Mickey Mouse,” Adam said. “Donald’s boat ride, that’s my favorite ride.”

Patricia and Tamer often observe the boys as they play. Adam is full of energy and giggles, running from one game to the next. Paul is already able to name his toys. Luke jumps around playfully; then sits quietly, appearing to disappear into a world all his own.

Still, Luke is not alone. He is loved.

To donate to team Sengul for the walkathon and Autism Speaks, visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/tampabay/sengul.

Annual charity campaign gets underway

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

Each year the Guv’na race brings attention to Lutz and thousands of dollars to local charities. The 2010 field is now set with four candidates.

“We like to have four, so we have the perfect number this year,” said Eleanor Cecil, who has been a member of the Lutz Civic Association for 10 years.

Each year the candidate who raises the most money by the Lutz Independence Day celebration is declared the winner. The celebration is July 3 this year.

“That’s the most important part of the race,” Cecil said. “These are wonderful organizations that do so much for others.”

To be eligible for the position, Guv’na candidates need to either live or work in Lutz. Suzin Carr is the current Guv’na and this year’s hopefuls for the position include J.R. Roche, Laurie Jennings, Stephanie Ensor and Colin Cook.

J.R. ROCHE

Roche, 45, has lived in Lutz for three years. He and his wife, Kim, own and operate three businesses in the town. Two of those businesses, Felicitous coffee house and Fast-Craft Cabinets, are located at 19015 N. US 41. The other is World Wide Telecom and Media Group, which started and maintains the business directory Web site www.inlutz.com.

Roche said if he becomes Guv’na he will focus on promoting and supporting Lutz businesses.

“People come into the coffeehouse and always complain about how slow business is, so we developed inlutz.com,” Roche said. “The mission is to drive awareness to businesses in the area and that’s what I really want to do as Guv’na.”

Roche’s goal is the same as Carr’s, who has created and organized several events to support local businesses this past year.

“It is kind of scary following the current Guv’na,” Roche said jokingly. “She’s such a dynamic person and is out there all the time doing events and helping Lutz businesses…It’s important to help out our local businesses especially now. I hope to get people to look at our Lutz businesses first before going elsewhere.”

All of Roche’s planned events to raise donations involve getting people to go to local shops.

“We’ll have auctions and raffles all over Lutz to bring people out to our local places of business,” Roche said.

Roche and Kim have one child, a son named Key, 16.

For more information on Roche’s campaign, e-mail him at or call (813) 690-7768.

LAURIE JENNINGS

Jennings, 39, has lived in Land O’ Lakes for less than one year, but her business, Grandmama’s House of Lutz Preschool and Child Development, has been located at 112 Myrtle Ridge Drive in Lutz for three years.

“When I first learned about the race I became interested,” Jennings said. “The parents whose kids come to our school thought I’d be a good Guv’na. Then I meet Suzin and learned about everything she does and I decided to go for it.”

Jennings said as Guv’na she will also support Lutz businesses, but added that community involvement and supporting groups are just as important.

“It’s great to have fun as a community, but it’s even better when you can raise money for good causes like the Lutz library and the Joshua House,” Jennings said. “…Everything we do as a community should be to support each other first. We should support the people and businesses here first because the money stays here instead of going elsewhere.”

Some of the fundraisers she is planning include offering babysitting to parents so they can have a night out, selling box dinners, carwashes and selling popcorn.

She is married to Robert and the two have three sons — Blake, 14, Brent, 12, and Roff, 9.

“It would be a huge honor to be Guv’na,” Jennings said. “…The best thing about the race is that it’s not about who wins. It’s about who raises the most money for the area charities.”

For more information on Jennings’ campaign, e-mail her at or call (813) 909-2424.

STEPHANIE ENSOR

Ensor, 37, has lived in Lutz for 10 years and owns Flip Flop Embroidery Shoppe. The business does not have a physical address, but has a Web site, www.flipflopembroidery.com. She is married to Troy and the couple have two daughters — Hailey, 12, and Ashley, 10.

Ensor said one of the reasons she wants to be the Guv’na is to get more involved in the Lutz community because it is a fun town with a lot of traditions. She also said the example of the current Guv’na has motivated her to enter the race.

“Suzin has inspired me to continue her efforts to support local businesses her in Lutz,” Ensor said. “She has done an amazing job. I hope to bring more people to Lutz for services and shopping.”

One of the draws to living in Lutz for Ensor is the close community atmosphere.

“Being Lutz Guv’na would be a great opportunity for me to have fun, while creatively finding ways to support Lutz,” Ensor said. “I love the small town feel of Lutz and being Guv’na would keep me in the center of the spirit.

“Raising money for the local charities is an awesome privilege for Lutz Guv’na candidates,” Ensor continued. “For me and my family, it means so much to help make a difference for those in our own backyards. What is great about the race for Guv’na, the whole community benefits from the efforts of our campaigning.”

For more information on Ensor’s campaign, e-mail or call (813) 244-2256.

COLIN COOK

Cook is the youngest of those in the Guv’na race at 22-years-old. He has lived in Land O’ Lakes for six years and his business, Best in Show Pet Boutique and Grooming Salon, has been located at 18470 N. US 41 in Lutz for two years.

The fundraising aspect of the Guv’na race is what first interested Cook.

“That was the reason I got into the race was the community involvement,” Cook said. “Anything that I can do to help with our nonprofits is a good thing. If doing so helps the local businesses here I’m also all for that too.”

If “elected” Cook wants to continue a new tradition started by Carr.

“I’ll continue on the path that Suzin Carr has started,” Cook said. “I love the idea of the Shop & Stroll as a way to support the community and local businesses.”

The Lutz Shop & Stroll started last December and there was a spring version in March. Money was raised to support the Old Lutz Schoolhouse and stations were set up at various Lutz businesses.

“For the race we are working on a big event that includes all the businesses in the Sunset Point (Shopping Center) where we are located,” Cook said. “We will have a fashion show with animals from Best in Show and models with Repeat Boutique. Weck’s (American Grill) is providing the food and we’ll be raffling off gift baskets and having silent actions too.”

For more information on Cook’s campaign, e-mail or call (813) 949-2225.

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills has thousands of reasons to be thankful for its helpers during National Volunteer Week April 19 to 25.

Since its formation in 1988, the Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Auxiliary has pledged or donated $499,235 dollars to the hospital’s foundation and given 530,000 hours. Those numbers, provided by hospital spokesperson Lyn Acer, seem larger after learning that auxiliary members are all volunteers.

“I love it,” said auxiliary president Wilma Eshenour about being a volunteer. “I feel good and I’m going to do it until I can’t anymore.”

Eshenour has donated about 1,400 volunteer hours to the hospital during her nearly seven years with the auxiliary. The hospital only started keeping track of the total hours worked the last 10 years.

“I like people and wanted to help,” said Eshenour, 82, whose husband John also volunteers at the hospital. “Just liked to do what I can to help and I enjoy the society of people.”

One volunteer who is close to recording his 1,000 hour volunteered is Stanley Murphy, who has been with the auxiliary for at least seven years.

“I retired from (the hospital) 12 years ago,” said Murphy who was a medical technologist. “My wife (Grace) still works part time here. I’ll do it as long as she works here…I also like to be around people.”

Auxiliary members commit to helping four hours each week. Eshenour said there are presently volunteers are as young as 14 and as old as 94. There are currently 360 members, of which many are seasonal.

Volunteers work in various ways to help the hospital and added there is some special training to be a volunteer, such as CPR instruction. Eshenour escorts patients to different areas of the hospital, while Murphy is one of the first people many of the patients see.

“I drive the shuttle that helps people get to and from their cars,” Murphy said. “…Sometimes you see the same people come back for more treatment and you develop a relationship with them. Almost everyone thanks us for helping.”

Eshenour added the first people many patients see at the hospital is a volunteer, whether it be Murphy or someone else. She said having someone to help from the beginning is one of the goals of the auxiliary.

In addition to the hours volunteered, the auxiliary has donated or pledged nearly $500,000 to the hospital’s Foundation, which makes the group the largest single donor.

“We would be almost a nonfunctioning organization without the auxiliary,” said Gene Whitefield, hospital foundation chairman. “…The hospital and the foundation appreciate them and they are truly the heartbeat of the hospital. They do a great job and we all appreciate everything they do.”

A recent major contribution by the volunteers was a $50,000 pledge at the hospital’s annual gala last year that will go to the hospitals future Compressive Breast Center. Of that, the group has given $20,000.

Other recent large donations by the auxiliary include $25,000 to renovate the employee child care center and $10,240 for a new shuttle.

“I drove the shuttle before the new one and I drove the one before that too,” Murphy said. “I’ve gotten to know a lot of people, like hospital president (John Harding) who I had a nice conversation with the other day while he was getting out of his car. It’s not just him, but everyone from the janitors and people who work in the kitchen and the patients. We all become friends.”

Much of the volunteer donations come from sales in the Auxiliary Gift Shop in the hospital. The money made in the shop currently is going to help repay the group’s pledge to the foundation.

Eshenour has spent the equivalent of 583 days, more than one and a half years, volunteering at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills and she is not close to growing tired of the facility.

“It’s a wonderful place to exercise your mind as well as your body,” Eshenour said. “I love this place as much as I love helping the people.”

Stanley agreed with Eshenour and emphasized the fact that they and the other volunteers could easily spend their time doing other things, but they instead help the hospital.

While the auxiliary is always looking for people interested in volunteering, the need for helpers increases during the summer when the winter residents return north. Many of the volunteers are younger, but many more are in the retired population who head for cooler climates in the hotter months.

Anyone looking to volunteer should be willing to donate four hours a week and must be at least 14-years-old can call (813) 779-6256.

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.