Education

University designated as veteran-friendly

ST. LEO – U.S. Veterans Magazine recently recognized Saint Leo University as a Veteran-Friendly Yellow Ribbon Program school.

Saint Leo was assessed on key criteria such as offering veteran resource centers, student-veteran organizations, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs certifying officials, academic credit for military training or experience, and career services tailored to veterans’ needs.

Saint Leo was one of the first universities to bring college degree programs to military bases so that active duty personnel and veterans could study on base. Now, Saint Leo offers degrees as well as support services at University Campus, online, and at regional education centers including MacDill AFB and Naval Air Station Key West.

“Our mission is to foster an environment where veterans as well as service members and their families thrive academically and personally,” said Anthony DeSantis, director of the Office of Military Affairs & Services. “We want to make their transition to the classroom easy, affordable, fun and life-changing.”

 

Tax office finds that generosity adds up

TAMPA – The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office collected 34,221 supplies for students through its July school supply drive. 

The donated supplies, collected at all tax collector locations throughout July, will be distributed through the Hillsborough Education Foundation’s Teaching Tools Store. The store provides free resources to teachers to ensure every student has the tools they need to be successful.

“When we come together to invest in our students’ education, we’re investing in our community’s future,” said Nancy Millan, Hillsborough County tax collector. “Every pencil, every notebook, and every backpack donated represents our collective commitment to ensuring that all children, regardless of their economic circumstances, have the tools they need to learn, grow, and thrive.”

 

SNHU names president’s list

MANCHESTER, NH – Southern New Hampshire University named students from the area to its summer president’s list. 

The following students earned a grade point average of 3.7 or higher: 

• Odessa: Piper Ray and Braxton Smith.
• Lutz: Cortni Coffin, Leanne Hayes and Holly Hsu.

The summer terms run from May to August.

 

Quick Hits

• Hillsborough County Public Schools shared moments Capt. Edwin Smith reunited with his children at York PreK-8 and East Bay High School after being deployed with the Navy for 18 months. 
• Tampa Bay Rays players delivered school supplies to students at Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary School. 
• Coach Andy Schmitz (Head Coach) and defensive coordinator Justin Fenton tallied their 100th win with the J.W. Mitchell High School football program.
• Arshiya Ghosh, of Starkey Ranch K-8, made the Top 300 in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.
• River Ridge Middle School’s 2025 yearbook won awards from the Florida Scholastic Press Association and National Scholastic Press Association.
• Matthew Higgins, of Lutz, made the summer dean’s list at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, New Hampshire. Higgins earned a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.699.
• Grayson Gilmore, of Lutz, has enrolled at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia for the fall semester. Gilmore is majoring in kinesiology.
• Kevin Perez, a University of South Florida student and a member of the Suncoast Battalion of Army ROTC, finished first in the In Their Honor 5K on Sept. 8 at Saint Leo University. Austin Curtis, a USF student and ROTC member, finished second.

 

Hebrew Academy Tampa Bay holds Back to School BBQ

TAMPA – Hebrew Academy hosted its annual Back to School BBQ on Aug. 24, marking a new school year, continued growth and a milestone in its building expansion. 

Hebrew Academy Tampa Bay is a nationally accredited Jewish Montessori Day School imparting Judaic and general studies education to Jewish children of varied backgrounds. 

Older children took on the role of mentor as they guided younger peers through activities that included a bounce house, basketball throw, Arty Faces by Lutz face painting, and a cotton candy and popcorn station. 

Partygoers were also treated to a tour of the building that was announced at Purim Sunday Funday on March 5, 2023. At that time, Sulha Dubrowski, head of school, told those in attendance that Hebrew Academy Tampa Bay would be expanding to accommodate its growing student body. That dream is coming to fruition with the construction of four new classrooms for the upper elementary and middle school, an outdoor learning deck and new bathrooms.

 

Bishop talks about Minneapolis Catholic school shooting

1. PETERSBURG – Bishop Gregory Parkes issued this statement on Aug. 27, in response to the shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis:

Today, we are confronted with a heartbreaking act of evil and violence at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. The tragedy is made even more painful by the fact that the victims were innocent children, and the adults caring for them, who were attending the celebration of the Holy Mass, a sacred time when the faithful gather in prayer and communion with God.

The Catholic community of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg mourns this tragedy with all of the victims and their families. We extend our heartfelt prayers and express our deepest sorrows to the students, families, faculty, parishioners and all who have been shaken by this violence.

May God’s consolation bring comfort in the midst of unspeakable sorrow. I invite all people of faith to unite in prayer for the victims, for their loved ones, and for the healing of the Annunciation community.

Let us entrust all victims of violence to the loving care of our Blessed Mother Mary, who stood at the foot of the Cross and who intercedes for all who are grieving.

 

Student Achievements

• Andrew Surin, a graduate of Tampa Catholic High School, is one of 87 football newcomers to continue their career at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio. 
• The University of North Georgia welcomed 242 new cadets, including Ana Gonzalez Rodriguez from Lutz, during Freshman Recruit Orientation Group Week, held Aug. 3 to 9 at UNG’s Dahlonega Campus.
• Blake Graham, of Odessa, achieved Dean’s List Highest Honors for the summer 2025 semester at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana. 
• Rodney Maxime, of Zephyrhills, made the dean’s list at Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri. He earned at least a 3.5 grade point average. 

 

Quick Hits

• Pasco County Schools will partner with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a program that will recognize principals, teachers and support staff at school board meetings. 
• Vicky King, a soccer coach at Land O’ Lakes High School, was inducted into the Tampa Bay Soccer Hall of Fame. 
• Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player William Gholston is serving as a defensive line coach for Sickles High School. 

PHSC Foundation receives $60,000 donation

NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation will use a $60,000 gift from the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation for scholarships, the Bobcat Pantries and events.

The pantries, located at five campuses, provide supplemental food and various hygiene products to ensure students who need assistance have their basic needs met. The gift will also provide sponsorship support for several PHSC events, including All College Day, the foundation’s Performing Arts Center Series and the annual Golf Tournament.

“The Suncoast Credit Union Foundation’s generosity directly supports student success, and investments like these reflect a deep commitment to student well-being and the transformative power of higher education,” PHSC President Eric Hall said. 

Suncoast Credit Union founded its foundation to promote the education, health and emotional well-being of children in the community. Each time a Suncoast member uses their debit or credit card, the credit union donates two cents to the foundation to fund local initiatives. The foundation has donated over $45 million since its inception in 1990.

“Being able to support education, which is the root of our long credit union history, is a privilege as well as our mission,” said Jeff Kunberger, executive director of Suncoast Credit Union Foundation.

 

SGU president offers advice to new Lions

1. LEO – As a senior and Student Government Union president, Luigi Meschino shared some tips for newcomers at Saint Leo University. 

“Let your guard down and get to know the faculty and staff who make this place special,” said Meschino, a political science major. 

As someone who is involved on campus, he encouraged new (and returning) students to participate in events, clubs and organizations. 

“Try new and different things,” he said. “You may be shy or too occupied doomscrolling on Instagram but join your community by attending an athletics event or come to an SGU meeting. Lastly, but the most important thing I had to learn on my own is that being human is hard. You must find time to balance your health, relationships, and academics; otherwise, you will burn out. I pray you enjoy your time here, and I wholeheartedly wish you all the best.”

 

Quick Hits

• The Florida Association of School Counselors named Debbie Painter as the School Based Administrator of the Year.
• Hillsborough County Public Schools has named the new technical college in Plant City. It is now called Rick Lott Technical College after the former mayor. 
• Hillsborough County Public Schools paid tribute to the late Tony Saladino, a longtime educator and baseball ambassador in the Tampa Bay area. Saladino passed away at age 89 on Aug. 19. 

 

Land O’ Lakes’ Syversen graduates from academy

KINGS POINT, NY – Jacob David Syversen recently graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

Syversen earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission in the Armed Forces. He also earned a Merchant Marine officer license. 

Syversen, a graduate of Academy at the Lakes, is the son of Troy and Melissa Syversen, of Land O’ Lakes, 

The United States Merchant Marine Academy is one of five U.S. federal service academies. It educates and graduates licensed Merchant Marine officers to serve the nation during peace and war. 

In addition to the rigorous academic and physical requirements for admission, applicants must be nominated by their congressman or senator. Syversen was nominated by Congressman Gus Bilirakis.

 

Trustees to review course-related fee adjustment 

DADE CITY – Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees will consider approving a proposed adjusted course-related fee at its Sept. 16 board meeting.

Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for board consideration by PHSC’s Council of Academic Affairs, a committee that includes representation by administrators, deans, academic department chairs, program directors, faculty and staff.

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

Many fee adjustments relate to vendor increases for workforce courses, laboratories and program testing. Some fees may be covered by financial aid, scholarships and grants. All fees charged by vendors are negotiated by the college, with additional fee increases and decreases expected in the coming academic year.

PHSC has not raised tuition since the 2012-13 academic year.

 

PHSC receives $500,000 from Orlando Health 

NEW PORT RICHEY – The Institute for Nursing and Allied Health Advancement addresses workforce shortages in nursing and allied health fields within the region. 

Housed at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, the collaboration brings together educational institutions and healthcare organizations.

“At a time when our communities face urgent health care staffing shortages, PHSC is proud to lead the way in developing collaborations that will work to increase the pipeline for both highly qualified faculty and expertly trained employees in the nursing and allied health care fields,” President Eric Hall said. 

Orlando Health recently established a fund to support nursing and health care services with a gift of $500,000 to the PHSC Foundation. Andy Gardiner, an executive with Orlando Health, described the contribution as an investment into the future of nursing and healthcare throughout the region. 

 

Saint Leo offers new business programs

ST. LEO – The Tapia College of Business at Saint Leo University is introducing some new minors, a new MBA specialization in finance, and a new bachelor’s degree in business administration that includes three specializations.

New minors are business analytics and sport business communication and broadcasting.

The sport business communication and broadcasting minor will explore how to deliver content and stories across various platforms. The business analytics minor provides insight and experience in the application of data analytics principles within a business context. 

The new Bachelor of Arts Business Administration Triad Program combines three specializations within the business administration major: management, marketing and communication.

Also being offered this year is a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance.

 

College offers IT program online

ST. LEO – The College of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Data Science (CARDS) at Saint Leo University will offer its Master of Science in Computer Science Degree online to make it more accessible to students.

The master’s degree has been offered at University Campus since 2021.

“The course content translates easily to a virtual platform, where it can be updated to keep up with current tech,” said Derek Mohammed, dean of the College of CARDS. “Since Tampa Bay is an emerging area for IT, this program is great for people looking for IT credentials to make a career change or advance their careers.”

 

Quick Hits

• Chao Wang, of Tampa, received the doctor of chiropractic degree from National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois. 
• GTE Financial recently recognized 54 local students with $3,000 scholarships. This investment totaled $162,000.

 

Pasco County Schools cheers on student historians

LAND O’ LAKES – Pasco County Schools recognized students that won Florida History Day and National History Day competitions during the July 22 school board meeting. 

Tina Stavrou-Klem, senior instructional specialist, at Pasco County Schools, credited county coordinators, community partners and Pasco Education Foundation for helping these history programs flourish.

“Pasco County Schools is well known and is respected both at the state and national competition,” she said.  “The students’ hard work and dedication, along with the support of their families, teachers and school administrators, have led them to be recognized not only at the district level but at the state level where they competed alongside 902 students in the theme of ‘rights and responsibilities in history.’” 

Some of the Florida History Day winners recognized during the July 22 meeting were as follows:

• Devansh Dhavale, of Wiregrass Ranch High School, won first place in the Senior Individual Documentary category with the entry, “The Geneva Conventions: Rights and Responsibilities to Protect Vulnerable Soldiers, Innocent Civilians and Selfless Aid Workers.”
• Liam Scanlan, of Starkey Ranch K-8 School, placed second in the Junior Individual Exhibit category with the entry, “Protecting Life at Sea: How the SOLAS Treaty Became an International Life Preserver.”
• Breanna Hewitt and Aleisa Swing, of Pine View Middle School, placed second in the Junior Group Exhibit category with the entry “The Dakota people’s rights during the 1826 Dakota war and the responsibilities of the U.S government when dealing with the Dakota people.”
• Aiden Haston and Nhi Le, of Springs Middle School, won first place in the Junior Group Website category with the entry, “A Silence Heard Across America: Tinker v. Des Moines and the Fight for 1st Amendment Rights in Schools.”

 

Pasco-Hernando State College board elects new leaders 

DADE CITY – The Pasco-Hernando State College District Board of Trustees elected new board leaders July 15 at the college’s East Campus.
Nicole Newlon, partner at Johnson, Newlon and DeCort, P.A. in Tampa, succeeds Marilyn Pearson-Adams as board chair. Newlon served as a Dade City commissioner and attended PHSC (formerly known as Pasco-Hernando Community College) as a dual enrollment student in 1990-1991.  Newlon served as vice chair in 2024-25.

John Allocco Jr., a Realtor for Home-Land Real Estate Inc., will take over as vice chair.  Allocco is a member of the Hernando County Board of Commissioners, CareerSource Pasco-Hernando Executive Board, National and Florida Associations of Realtors, and the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce.

“Their leadership and dedication to our college’s mission will be invaluable as we continue to focus on student success and serve the community,” said Eric Hall, PHSC president. “I also want to express my sincere gratitude to Marilyn Pearson-Adams for her outstanding service and steadfast leadership during her term as board chair.”

The board recognized Pearson-Adams, for her leadership through her 2024-2025 term. She has served as a trustee since 2014.

 

BBB Theatres throwing Back to School Bash

WESLEY CHAPEL – BBB Theatres Wesley Chapel is hosting The Fantastic Back to School Bash & Food Truck Rally from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 2 at the movie theater. 

Families can get free school supplies, resources, games, activities and a food truck rally to benefit the Mahogany Arts Foundation. 

BBB Theatres Wesley Chapel features a Grand Screen, Screen X and Marquee Suites, as well as a Backstage Pass program, where tickets cost $6 on Tuesdays. 

 

Student Achievements

• Robby S. Burton, of Lutz, was named to first honors on the Clark University dean’s list. Burton earned a GPA of 3.8 or above at the Worcester, Massachusetts-based college. 
• Colton Ash, of Lutz, made the spring dean’s list at Youngstown State University in Ohio for earning a GPA of 3.4 or higher. 

Scholarship increases access to Angeline Country Day

LAND O’LAKES – Angeline Country Day School is now an approved provider for the Step Up for Students scholarship program.

The scholarship reduces the cost of tuition, typically offering up to $8,000 per student per year, and is now open to all Florida residents under expanded eligibility requirements.

Now enrolling students ages 2 through fifth grade, the private school offers a blend of challenging academics and hands-on learning. Rooted in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, the school fosters critical thinking and global awareness while staying connected to the community.

Students engage in a range of programs, including a Farm-to-Table Program, Hydroponics STEM Innovation Lab and Collaborative Art Studio.

“Our mission at Angeline is to provide a transformative learning environment that is both innovative and inclusive,” school leader Brenda Garcia said. “Accepting the Step Up for Students scholarship allows us to extend that mission to more families in our community.”

Families are encouraged to schedule a tour and speak with the admissions team about the Step Up scholarship. 

On the web: angelinecountryday.org and stepupforstudents.org

 

Students make dean’s list at University of Tampa 

TAMPA – The University of Tampa honored 2,340 students who were named to the dean’s list for the spring 2025 semester, including several from Lutz and Odessa.

Students must maintain a GPA of 3.75 or higher to be eligible for the dean’s list.

Dean’s list honorees from Odessa included: 

• Druss Arnold, a junior, is majoring in cybersecurity.
• Andrea Centeno, a senior, is majoring in marketing.
• Timothy Chen, a junior, is majoring in sport management.
• Alyssa Gomez, a senior, is majoring in entrepreneurship.
• Natalie Katsaros, a senior, is majoring in management.
• Charles Pals, a sophomore, is majoring in cybersecurity.
• Zoe Papageorgiou, a senior, is majoring in finance.
• Samantha Park, a senior, is majoring in communication and media studies.
• Kaitlin Price, a senior, is majoring in allied health.

Dean’s list honorees from Lutz included: 

• Gavin Cooper, a senior, is majoring in biology.
• Robert Cooper, a senior, is majoring in management.
• Alyssa De La Sala, a senior, is majoring in forensic science.
• Tanner Dishman, a senior, is majoring in finance.
• Eliza Fox, a junior, is majoring in biology.
• Margret Gudmundsson, a senior, is majoring in management.
• Rowdie Maloney, a senior, is majoring in health science.
• Echo Prescott, a senior, is majoring in film and media arts.
• Gladys Santana, a junior, is majoring in visual arts.

 

Deadline extended for YEA! Awards nominations

TAMPA – Hillsborough County has extended the nomination deadline for the 2025 Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards (YEA! Awards). 

Nominations are now being accepted through Sept. 17 (the previous deadline was Aug. 15). 

YEA! Awards nominations can be submitted for both middle and high school students in each of the following categories:  leadership, success despite difficult odds and volunteer/community service. 

The nomination form is available for submission online at  HCFL.gov/YEA. Nominations will be reviewed by the Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women. 

The YEA! Awards were created in 2010 to recognize Hillsborough County students for making a difference in the community. The awards will be presented by county commissioners in October. 

 

Student Achievements

* McKenzie Erin Kane, of Lutz, earned a bachelor’s degree at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. Kane majored in strategic communication.

• Annabelle Korta, of Wesley Chapel, made the spring dean’s list at Shorter University in Rome, Georgia for earning a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Korta majors in business.

* Evan Forrest Novak, of Tampa, earned a bachelor’s degree at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. Novak majored in physics.

• Emara Saez, of Lutz, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Spanish degree from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. Saez also made the spring dean’s list for earning a GPA of 3.4 or higher. 
• Gordon Watson, of Lutz, was named to the 2024-25 Old Dominion Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. Watson attends Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. 

McDonald’s Golden Grants fuel education programs

TAMPA – Applications are open for the 2025 McDonald’s Golden Grants program. 

McDonald’s owner/operators will be selecting programs that fuel the imagination, education and growth of students in Central Florida, including Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Hillsborough counties.

The grant program has awarded $400,000 in its first four years. This year, grants will be awarded in the amounts of $10,000, $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 based on creativity and hands-on application of projects. 

Qualifying activities include after-school, arts, community service, education, empowerment, mentorship, sports and technology.

Recipients will be announced in November. 

Apply through Oct. 10 at https://mcdgoldengrants.com/florida/.

 

Student Achievements

• Jillian Abarca, of Odessa, made the spring dean’s list at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia for earning a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• David Alejandro, of Land O’ Lakes, made the dean’s honor roll at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas for earning a GPA of 3.6 or higher. 
• Alexa J. Astete, of Tampa, made the spring dean’s list at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont for earning a GPA of 3.5 or higher. 
• Anthony Becht, of Wesley Chapel, made the spring dean’s list at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa for earning a GPA from 3.5 to 4.0. Becht majors in communication studies.
• Alyssa Bongiovann,i of Lutz, made the spring honor roll at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee fo earning a GPA of 3.85 or higher. 
• Caitlyn Culpepper, of Odessa, made the spring chancellor’s honor roll at University of Mississippi for earning a GPA from 3.75 to 4.0. Culpepper majors in biochemistry.
• Lyla Gardner, of Lutz, made the spring dean’s honor roll at University of Mississippi for earning a GPA from 3.5 to 3.74. Gardner majors in allied health studies
• Isabella Gurau, of Dade City, made the spring dean’s list at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa for earning a GPA from 3.5 to 4.0. Gurau majors in animal science.
• Jessica Loyal, of Egypt Lake, graduated with a degree from Des Moines Area Community College in Des Moines, Iowa. Loyal studied homeland security.
• Trevor Mayberry, of Odessa, made the spring president’s list at Mississippi State for earning a GPA of 3.8 or higher. 
• JoAna Mucklow, of Odessa, made the spring chancellor’s honor roll at University of Mississippi for earning a GPA from 3.75 to 4.0. Mucklow majors in finance. 
• Gennaro Scarfogliero, of Odessa, ,made the spring dean’s list at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia for earning a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Brady Stauffer, of Land O’ Lakes, made the spring semester dean’s list at Des Moines Area Community College in Des Moines, Iowa for earning a GPA from 3.5 to 3.99. Stauffer studies exercise science.
• Adia Symmonds, of Lutz, made the spring president’s list at Mississippi State for earning a GPA of 3.8 or higher. 
• Kelli White, of Odessa, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity from SUNY Canton in Canton, New York.

 

Quick Hits

• Pasco County Schools is registering people through July 22 for its Citizens’ Academy, an eight-session program that shows what goes on at the district. 
• Fred K. Marchman Technical College students Nina Austin and Dallas Raymond were among medalists at the National SkillsUSA Championships, according to Pasco County Schools.
• Victory High Schools is looking for players and sponsors for its annual charity golf tournament Nov. 17 at  Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club in Palm Harbor.