Education

MOSI gives health screenings new meaning with theater upgrades

July 31, 2014 By Michael Hinman

When the Imax theater first opened at Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa in 1995, the technology behind the larger-than-life films was still quite revolutionary.

Lines to see Imax movies at the Museum of Science & Industry could be a lot longer in the near future once planned upgrades to the theater are complete, thanks in part to a $2 million donation from Florida Hospital. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo) — Lines to see Imax movies at the Museum of Science & Industry could be a lot longer in the near future once planned upgrades to the theater are complete, thanks in part to a $2 million donation from Florida Hospital.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

Today, however, it’s hard to find a movie complex without an Imax screen, and nearly all of them are digital — leaps and bounds beyond MOSI’s now almost antiquated film-based system.

But that’s changing after a $2 million donation from Florida Hospital that will not only rename the dome theater after the hospital chain, it will bring science to the masses in ways that were never imagined 20 years ago. Called “Florida Hospital Presents Live SX,” surgeons at local hospitals will perform routine surgeries, which will be broadcast live to MOSI’s Coleman Science Works Theater for middle school, high school and college students.

“Live SX” will be a lot like the more traditional surgery amphitheaters, except without the need to travel to a hospital. Surgeons will answer questions from the audience, and provide a glimpse into surgery many may not have had otherwise.

“We believe that investing in MOSI is important for the community,” said Mike Schultz, president and chief executive of Florida Hospital West Florida Region, during a check presentation at the Fowler Avenue museum last week. We believe our investment will help support MOSI as it moves forward, to create long-term sustainability of the museum, and further (develop) future scientists and health care professionals while helping develop the work force in the greater Tampa Bay area.

“We want to make a difference.”

Access to medical professionals in this way is something many don’t get to experience otherwise, especially in suburban areas like northern Hillsborough and southern Pasco counties, said Molly Demeulenaere, MOSI’s vice president of growth.

“A lot of hospitals don’t open their operating rooms, and we’ll be working with families in Pasco County to help make that possible,” she said. “Younger kids especially are going to have access to this information before they start to figure out what they want to do for a living, and (it) allows them to spark that interest at a much earlier age.”

Where the surgeries will take place depends on Florida Hospital itself, Demeulenaere said. They could be hosted from Tampa, Wesley Chapel, even Zephyrhills.

The Imax dome image is 10 times larger than a conventional 35mm frame, and three times larger than a standard 70mm frame, museum officials said. The dome theater offers a six-channel, high-fidelity motion picture sound system manufactured by Sonics Associates Inc., as well as a projector, which when it was installed, was one of the most advanced, using technology to keep the picture steady and prevent film hiccups.

MOSI always has prided itself as a hands-on museum, bringing science directly to people who visit.

“When people think of a museum, they normally think of these big open spaces where you don’t touch anything,” Demeulenaere said. “But museums are a true lab of creativity and education, and play a vital role in the community as a whole.”
MOSI did not say when work would begin on the theater, and it may have to wait its turn in line as other science centers are undergoing similar transitions and there are few companies qualified to do the work. Most of the money donated by Florida Hospital will go into the “transformation,” as MOSI is calling it, although remaining funds can be used to help supplement other programs at the museum.

“Florida Hospital is demonstrating true community leadership, and I think we should really thank our lucky stars for Florida Hospital and all the work that they do in our communities throughout Florida,” MOSI board chair Robert Thomas said. “I just can’t begin to tell you how important this is, and how thrilled we are to have them as a partner in the future of this organization.”

Published July 30, 2014

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Proposed school taxes to be lower this year

July 31, 2014 By B.C. Manion

After years of gut-wrenching personnel cuts, Pasco County Schools expects to add employees this year, while reducing tax bills for property owners and balancing a budget of nearly $1.2 billion.

The proposed budget is based on a tax rate of $7.15 per $1,000 of taxable value compared to a tax rate of $7.36 this year.

Based on this year’s proposed budget, the owner of a $100,000 home, after $50,000 in exemptions, would pay $357.50 in school taxes, a reduction of $10.50 from the current rate.

The proposed budget anticipates the district’s enrollment to be 67,955, an increase of 925 over last year.

Allocations in the budget include:

• $500,000 to cover costs associated with opening Sanders Memorial, Quail Hollow and Shady Hills elementary schools, which are slated to reopen in the 2015-16 school year.

• $7.9 million for the equivalent of 176 full-time positions, primarily to comply with state class size requirements.

• $2.8 million for professional and curriculum mandates.

• $1.5 million for increased health insurance costs.

The budget assumes a $1 million reduction in district energy costs and $1.6 million in savings from cutting the district’s early retirement program.

The proposed budget also reflects an expected increase of 607 students attending charter schools, receiving McKay scholarships for special needs or enrolled in Department of Juvenile Justice centers. Those 607 students represent $2.4 million in funding, which comes into Pasco, but goes to those programs.

The total projected enrollment for those programs is 3,762, representing more than $23.3 million.

The district expects to have a total of $3.4 million available for salary increases, based on these budget projections.

School board member Joanne Hurley said this year’s budget deliberations are a welcome departure from the previous seven years. In those years, the board was forced to make “painful, painful decisions,” Hurley said.

“It is so nice at this time of the year to say we have a balanced budget,” she said. “This is a real luxury after the past seven years.”

A final public hearing on the district’s budget will be held in September.

Published July 30, 2014

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Special needs recreational classes struggling to stay afloat

July 31, 2014 By Michael Murillo

Megan Burgess loves to paint and sing.

She looks forward to her weekly art and music class, designed for people with special needs, which are Thursday evenings at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex on Collier Parkway. But if it doesn’t get more support, she might lose that opportunity.

Megan Burgess paints at her weekly art class at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex with art teacher Angela Dickerson looking on. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo) — Megan Burgess paints at her weekly art class at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex with art teacher Angela Dickerson looking on.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

And that loss would be felt by both Megan and her mother.

“It would be horrible. You want the kids to be socializing,” Violetta Burgess said.

Her daughter Megan, 21, has low-functioning autism. She has trouble communicating verbally, but her enthusiasm for the class is clear: When Violetta tells her it’s time for art or music, Megan goes to find her shoes. She knows where she’s going that night, and has a fun time singing, using percussion instruments, painting and participating with everyone else in the class.

The problem is that “everyone” was just five students this past session. And for VSA Florida, the state branch of Very Special Arts — an international nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding art opportunities for people with disabilities — five is simply not enough.

“It does put the program in jeopardy, because if we don’t keep our numbers up, we’re not able to keep it going,” said Wendy Finklea, VSA Florida’s director of programs. “We aren’t at the point where the class is sustaining itself.”

The class requires at least seven students to break even, but really needs a steady roster of 10 or more students to be financially viable long-term. The $40 per month that participants pay not only compensates the teachers who direct the classes, but also covers a nominal fee the organization pays the recreation complex.

Since classes moved from the University of South Florida to Land O’ Lakes in January, attendance has ranged from four to eight students. Those figures have required VSA Florida to keep it going with other funds, Finklea said. They also provide scholarships based on need for families who cannot afford the monthly cost.

While the class is caught in a numbers game, Finklea said the benefits go way beyond the balance sheet.

“They learn self confidence, they learn teamwork, collaboration, tolerance, understanding,” she said.

And since the students are often asked to describe or explain their art, they learn to express themselves in a variety of ways.

While the Land O’ Lakes class attendance is troubling, that location isn’t alone. Many of their locations struggle with attendance, Finklea said. She believes there are several reasons why the programs don’t always gain traction, from a lack of societal emphasis on the arts, to scheduling conflicts, to parents not even knowing the classes exist.

But the ones who attend appreciate the program, and Finklea said the training the teachers receive to work with special needs students contributes to the positive feedback.

While Finklea and VSA Florida are disappointed with the turnout so far, they aren’t giving up. VSA Florida will continue advertising and promoting the classes, and is working with a consultant to find other opportunities to get the word out to the community.

After a scheduled summer break in August, the classes will begin again in September, and Finklea said they’ll have roughly six months to get the program running at a higher capacity before some tough decisions have to be made.

Right now she believes many people with special needs are missing out on the benefits of the class, and if it has to be cancelled or relocated, the existing students will join them.

“They’re probably missing out on a huge chance for creative expression and probably a chance to enhance their cognitive and social outcomes, which ultimately develops a stronger quality of life,” Finklea said.

That outcome would disappoint Megan, and her mother would have a tough time replacing the activity and the enjoyment she gets out of it.

“My daughter would lose out because I don’t know what I would do,” Violetta said. “She’s older, and it’s hard to find something for her that’s close.”

Siblings of special needs students also are encouraged to join and participate with them in the classes. Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information about VSA Florida, call (813) 974-0715, or visit VSAFl.org.

Published July 30, 2014

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Chalk Talk 07-23-14

July 24, 2014 By Mary Rathman

Oakstead Kindergarten camp
Oakstead Elementary School, 19925 Lake Patience Road in Land O’ Lakes, will host a Kindergarten Camp Aug. 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Students should be registered for this event by Aug. 1.

New kindergarten students will experience a day of kindergarten, and parents can learn more about the school.

For information, call (813) 346-1500.

Back 2 School drive
The Children’s Home Society of Florida is having a back-to-school drive through Aug. 11 to help foster children.

There are separate needs for elementary, middle and high schools, including backpacks, index cards, pens, markers, transparent tape, calculators and wide-ruled paper.

The drop-off location is 4250 Oak Fair Blvd., in Tampa, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For information, call Rachelle Duroseau at (813) 949-8946, ext. 237, or email .

Boot camp for new teachers
The School of Education and Social Services at Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, is offering a free Beginning Teacher Boot Camp for first-time teachers in Pasco and Hillsborough county school districts.

The camp is July 25 from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Student Community Center.

New teachers are invited whether they graduated from Saint Leo or another institution.

Topics will include classroom management strategies, contract rights and responsibilities, workplace acronyms, and how to work with school support personnel and fellow teachers.

To attend, email , with the phrase “Beginning Teacher Boot Camp 2014” in the subject line.

Stuff the Backpack
First National Bank of Pasco is hosting its fifth annual Stuff the Backpack Drive through Aug. 4.

School supplies needed include pencils, pens, scissors, index cards, notebooks, folders, paper, glue sticks, Ziploc bags, crayons, erasers, rulers, highlighters and pencil boxes. Monetary donations will be used to purchase additional school supplies.

Donations can be dropped off at its three locations:
• 13315 U.S. 301 in Dade City
• 37215 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills
• 4518 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills

Back to School Bash
Cobb Theatre Grove 16 & Cinebistro’s 2014 Back to School Bash will be Aug 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

The event will include face painting, games, haircuts, health screenings, school supplies and more.

The theme for this year’s bash is the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” which will be the theater’s major summer release.

Kiwanis Club school supply drive
The Kiwanis Club of Greater West Pasco is having a school supply drive through Aug. 5.

Gulfside Hospice thrift shops will collect donations at its five sites, including 37925 Sky Ridge Circle in Dade City, and 36524 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills.

Anyone who donates to the drive will receive a voucher for 25 percent off a single item (excluding sale items and furniture) valid for up to one week after donation is made.

For information and shop locations, visit GHPPC.org.

Pasco County schools reopen Aug. 18
Students in Pasco County will return to school for the 2014-15 school year Aug. 18.

Notable dates on the calendar are:
• Possible hurricane makeup days are Nov. 24-25, and Feb. 16
• Veterans Day will be a school day
• Thanksgiving holiday is Nov. 24-28
• Winter break is Dec. 22 through Jan. 2
• Spring break is March 16-20
• Last day of school is June 3

For complete calendar information, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us.

Wesley Chapel High receives national automotive certification

July 24, 2014 By B.C. Manion

Wesley Chapel High’s Academy of Automotive Technology has received a five-year certification for maintenance and light repair from the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation.

The certification provides a level of credibility because outside experts have evaluated the program and determined that it has met is rigorous standards, said Shelley Carrino, an assistant principal who oversees the automotive program.

Shelley Carrino, who oversees the Academy of Automotive Technology at Wesley Chapel High, holds the framed five-year certification from the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Shelley Carrino, who oversees the Academy of Automotive Technology at Wesley Chapel High, holds the framed five-year certification from the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

With this certification, students can be confident their training is current and adheres to high standards, Carrino said. Potential employers can be assured that the students are prepared to handle the demands of the work.

Obtaining a certification requires a two-day evaluation by a representative of the association. It includes checking out the program’s facilities, resources, quality of training programs, and equipment, and measures them against industry standards.

Details are important, Carrino said. For instance, the evaluator looked through the school’s tool drawers to make sure there is enough equipment to support the program’s size. The evaluation also included checking out the technology that’s available and safety issues.

Carrino and academy teacher Jeff Corliss worked for months with Barbara Donaghy, a supervisor in the district’s career and technical education division to prepare for the certification process.

“She put a lot of long hours and hard work, in helping us,” Carrino said. Community partners also stepped in to help.

The program had to meet the standards for 12 different categories, and there were subcategories for each standard, Carrino said.

“Besides the fact that it’s important for us to do it, it really became urgent for us to go through this process and get it done as quickly as possible,” she said. “We were losing funding for our kids.”

The certification was necessary for the school to qualify for state funding for the classes offered through the automotive academy.

When the school launched its program in 2009, it began in a classroom. Then it branched into an outdoor space, Donaghy said.

It didn’t open its permanent building until this past January, so it would not have been able to qualify for the certification until this year, Carrino said.

“Every year you reflect on, ‘What can I do to do better? What can I do to meet the needs of my students so they’ll be more successful?’” she said. “The NATEF standards and tasks are definitely going to deepen the learning and the skills, and also enhance the instructor’s ability to be a better instructor.”

Published July 23, 2014

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County approves middle school site for Learning Gate

July 10, 2014 By B.C. Manion

Learning Gate Community School has received Hillsborough County’s blessing to locate its classes for seventh- and eighth-graders in the former Hand-in-Hand Academy building near downtown Lutz.

Learning Gate Community School has gained approval for using buildings located at 207 Lutz Lake Fern Road to house its seventh- and eighth-graders. Even though that hurdle has been cleared, no details are available yet on when or whether the school will make the move to the site. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Learning Gate Community School has gained approval for using buildings located at 207 Lutz Lake Fern Road to house its seventh- and eighth-graders. Even though that hurdle has been cleared, no details are available yet on when or whether the school will make the move to the site.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Land use hearing officer James Scarola approved Learning Gate’s request to use the location at 207 Lutz Lake Fern Road for its middle school-level students. The approval, issued June 29, limits the enrollment, however, at the Lutz Lake Fern Road location to 205 students.

That’s 45 fewer students than the school initially requested. The school agreed to reduce its request after Mike White, president of the Lutz Citizens Coalition, objected to the higher number.

At a June 2 public hearing, White told Scarola the site was not conducive for that many students. White also said the community has no problems with the school, simply with the proposed enrollment, according to the hearing officer’s June 29 ruling.

During a recent interview, White said the school also agreed to sign a private agreement with the Lutz Citizens Coalition pledging that it would never ask for a variance to allow more students at the site.

The 4-acre site previously had been approved for 175 kindergarten through fifth-grade students. Of those, up to 85 were allowed to be in child care.

The property, which is included in Hillsborough County’s Landmark and Historic Archeological Resources Inventory, contains a church that was built in the 1940s and two educational buildings that were constructed during the 1960s.

No additions or expansions are requested in Learning Gate’s application.

The county’s transportation department reviewed the request and concluded the school will not impact traffic on nearby roads. The school is expected to generate 225 trips during the peak morning hours, and 151 during the afternoon peak hours.

However, the transportation department has determined that a detailed traffic study will be needed and it may show the need for such improvements as paving, widening and construction of a turn lane.

Learning Gate is a nationally recognized charter school that operates at two locations in Tampa. Its campus for kindergarten through sixth grade is at 16215 Hanna Road, and its campus for seventh and eighth grade is at 15316 N. Florida Avenue.

Even though Learning Gate applied for permission to operate a school at the Lutz Lake Fern location, no additional information is available about Learning Gate’s plans.

Brian Erickson, president of Learning Gate’s board, said in an email that “at this time, it would be inappropriate for anyone to comment.

“There are many unanswered questions. We are having ongoing communications with the bank who holds the note, but we are still doing our due diligence on the property,” Erickson wrote.

Published July 9, 2014

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Chalk Talk 07-09-14

July 10, 2014 By Mary Rathman

Bash at the Ranch wrangles $35,000 for PHSC Foundation
The Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation Bash at the Ranch topped $35,000 in funds raised to create new scholarships, including an endowment established in honor of the Porter family. PHSC president Katherine Johnson was on hand to recognize J.D. Porter and family at the event. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

PHSC hosts open house
Pasco-Hernando State College is hosting an open house at its Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel July 10 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., in Building B.

Guests can learn about the certificate and associate’s degree programs, as well as the new bachelor’s degree programs.

There will be a campus tour and information on admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and clubs and organizations.

To RSVP, visit PHSC.edu/rsvp.

Kindergarten camp
Double Branch Elementary School, 31500 Chancey Road in Wesley Chapel, will host a kindergarten camp July 29-31 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Incoming kindergarteners will have an opportunity to meet teachers and become familiar with the school.

Cost is $40.

For information, call (813) 346-0402.

Teachers get in free at zoo
Through Aug. 14, Florida certified teachers for kindergarten through 12th grade will be treated to a free ticket to Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., in Tampa.

County teachers in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Manatee and Sarasota are eligible.

Teachers must present valid professional or temporary teaching certification, pay stub and Florida ID to receive the offer.

Eligible teachers can purchase up to two additional one-day companion tickets at a discounted rate.

For information, call (813) 935-8552.

Luikart now certified board member
Steve Luikart, a Pasco County School Board member, was recognized as a certified board member June 13 at the annual summer conference sponsored by the Florida School Boards Association.

The Certified Board Member Program is a voluntary training program for individual school board members, and provides training in student learning, school finance, legislative processes, policymaking, strategic planning, school law, community involvement, advocacy for public education, diversity, employee relations and current trends and issues.

Gov. Scott appoints new PHSC board members
Gov. Rick Scott has appointed Marilyn Pearson-Adams and Robin Schneider to the district board of trustees for Pasco-Hernando State College.

Pearson-Adams, of Brooksville, is the president of Century 21 Alliance Realty and a director with the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce.

Schneider, of Spring Hill, is a marketing coordinator at Medical Center of Trinity.

Board terms for both will run until May 31, 2017.

MOSI science camp scholarships available
The Museum of Science & Industry still has more than 200 scholarships available for students in need of financial assistance to attend MOSI Summer Science Camps.

Eligible students need to submit an application along with proof of financial need.

The application and eligibility requirements can be found on CampFun.org.

For information on how to apply for a camp scholarship, call (813) 987-6000.

Chalk Talk 06-25-14

June 26, 2014 By Mary Rathman

Math team scores first place
Long Middle School’s seventh-grade advanced math team won first place in the 2014 Pasco County District Middle School Mathematics Contest in May at Saint Leo University. Celebrating the win are, from left, math coach Diana Lister and team members Justin King, Ethan Kuss and Andrew Arnold. King and Arnold also respectively placed first and second for individual awards.

Pride for schools shines through
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce honored students at the 15th Annual Pride Awards Breakfast in recognition of their school pride, community involvement and athletic excellence.

The 2014 recipients from Wesley Chapel High School were Abby Devisfruto, Ethan Taylor, Jordan Hardin, Helena Polansky, Matthew Quiles and Ashley St. Charles.

Those honored from Wiregrass Ranch High School were Savannah Goode, Bryce Wilson, Matthew Bradshaw, Matthew Menendez, Selyne Smith and Briana Swain.

Guests can learn about the certificate and associate’s degree programs, as well as the new bachelor’s degree programs.

There will be a campus tour and information on admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and clubs and organizations.

To RSVP, visit PHSC.edu/rsvp.

Odessa students make the grade
Three students from Odessa were honored for scholastic achievement for the Spring 2014 semester.

Samantha Nicole Cuffe and Stephanie Leeanne Erickson were named to the President’s List at Clemson University in South Carolina.

Gabriel Selochan was named to the Dean’s List at Georgia Southwestern State University.

Teen driver safety front and center at Wiregrass
Wiregrass Ranch High School recently hosted the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility’s “I Know Everything” teen driver safety program for more than 100 students.

The program highlights the issues of drunk driving and distracted driving, and reiterates that parents have the most influence on their teen’s driving behaviors.

The students answered questions using handheld devices, and the results will be part of a nationwide survey of high school teen drivers from across the United States. Topics included drinking alcohol underage and driving, late-night driving, speeding, number of passengers, and license restrictions.

New officers selected for PHSC Foundation
The Foundation Board of Directors at Pasco-Hernando State College recently selected new officers to serve volunteer, two-year terms.

Frank Rygiel of Wesley Chapel was appointed chair of the board, and George “Skip” Miller, also of Wesley Chapel, was selected as vice chair.

Rygiel, a senior project manager for Batson-Cook Construction, became a board member in 2008. Miller, a senior vice president for SunTrust Bank, joined the board in 2012.

Mickey Smith, chief operating officer for Oak Hill Hospital, and Leonard Sossamon, county administrator for Hernando County, each will serve three-year terms as new directors.

Top Dogs at Stewart Middle
The Pilot Club of Zephyrhills honored the Top Dog winners from Stewart Middle School with a lunch at Hungry Howie’s. The club recognizes students for their academics and leadership roles in the school. Those recently honored were Zane Grimm, Ayden Smith, Jessica Burrows, Angus Butler, Adam Reid, Abigail Wilder, Tonee Thomas, Christian Bragg, Samettia Davis and Alexix McElhaney.

PHSC open house in Dade City
Pasco-Hernando State College is hosting an open house at its East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road in Dade City, July 9 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., in Building B, Rooms 104 and 105.

Guests can learn about the certificate and associate’s degree programs, as well as the new bachelor’s degree programs. There will also be campus tours and information offered on admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and the clubs and organizations available.

To RSVP, visit PHSC.edu/rsvp.

Cooking workshops
The Encore Academy at Pasco-Hernando State College will offer a cooking camp workshop July 14-17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., on the East Campus in Dade City, 36727 Blanton Road.

Topics include seasonal desserts, Asian cookery, and edible holiday gifts.

The workshop is for adults older than 50, and costs $12. Additional lab fees may apply for cooking supplies.

Registration deadline is three days before the workshop start date.

For information, call (352) 797-5167, or visit PHSC.edu/encore.

Dade City chamber awards scholarships
The Dade City Chamber of Commerce recognized three Pasco High School seniors with a plaque and $1,000 toward their college education. With chamber executive director John Moors, left, are winners Emily Nathe; Doug Johnson, parent of Mady Johnson; and Katie Sutton, along with Penny Freeman and Carolyn Hodges. The scholarships are managed by the Pasco Education Foundation.

Trip to Thailand yields insights for Lutz college student

June 26, 2014 By B.C. Manion

When Hunter Rasmussen was a 10th grader at Berean Academy in Lutz, he began learning biblical Greek — and that changed his life.

“I just loved it. I thought it was the most incredible thing,” said Rasmussen, now a 20-year-old student at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. “That made me excited not just about biblical languages, but language in general. I just felt so convinced that this is what I am supposed to do.

Hunter Rasmussen’s village ‘sister’ Khwan presents him with some traditional fabric that was woven by hand. (Courtesy of Hunter Rasmussen) — Hunter Rasmussen’s village ‘sister’ Khwan presents him with some traditional fabric that was woven by hand.
(Courtesy of Hunter Rasmussen)

Rasmussen now takes linguistics classes at Covenant, where he majors in biblical studies with minors in missions and linguistics.

He began looking around last year for an opportunity to do a mission trip, an internship or to take linguistics classes during the summer. When representatives from Wycliffe Bible Translators USA came to Covenant to talk to students about an opportunity to work in Thailand, Rasmussen felt called to pursue it.

Wycliffe is an international organization that has worked for more than 70 years to translate the Bible into every language in the world. This Orlando-based nonprofit organization is named after John Wycliffe, who first translated the Bible into English in the late 1300s.

After hearing about Wycliffe’s Get Global program for college students, Rasmussen began seeking contributions to help him come up with the $4,000 he needed for the trip.

“I just shared with people in different communities that I’m associated with and in my churches, both home and here, and with people at school,” said Rasmussen, who is a member of First United Methodist Church of Lutz. “Lots of family and lots of church members and even some of my peers provided for me.”

Rasmussen spent three weeks in May in Thailand. He seized the opportunity to go to the Asian country, and said the trip yielded valuable insights.

“I think I got the affirmation out of it that God can use me in cross-cultural ministry,” he said. “It’s something I’m able to do.”

Rasmussen spent much of his time immersing himself in the culture of a Thailand village that’s so small, the people there go only by their first names.

When he and his team arrived to the rural village in a pickup truck, Rasmussen noticed many traditional wood homes built on stilts. There were more modern ones, too, with concrete foundations, such as the one where he stayed.

The food was spicy.

“The people group that we stayed with is known for having food that’s even spicier than Thai food (is generally). It was pretty hot, but it was also delicious,” he said. “I loved the food. God really blessed us because nobody on the team got sick at all, or were unable to handle it.”

The villagers there abide by the concept of eating locally produced foods.

“When it’s dinnertime, they’ll go and pick some mangoes from a tree, or grab some leaves from a bush, or pick off some roots, and you have dinner right there,” Rasmussen said. “There was a lot of fish and a lot of chicken.”

They also often gave people nicknames that were associated with food, added Rasmussen, who was given the nickname “Sticky Rice.”

“They named somebody else in our group, ‘Watermelon,’” Rasmussen added.

He noticed a big difference between the American way of life and the village culture when it came to how work is completed.

“They would definitely do work, and we helped them plow fields and catch fish and do things,” Rasmussen said. “But they do them as they need to be done. They don’t follow a strict work schedule.”

In general, he found the people of the village to be laid back and to esteem the values of comfort, convenience and fun.

As a student of linguistics, Rasmussen was fascinated by the fact that the villagers spoke a different language than mainland Thailand.

“Part of the trip is learning and realizing that language-learning and cultural-learning is not only foundational for Bible translations and foundational of ministry, but that language learning is itself a ministry,” he said.

Minority languages often are considered inferior by the nation at large, he explained. “So, by learning their language we show that their language is valuable and created by God,” Rasmussen said. “To be able to do Bible translation, you have to know a tongue.”

The college student said his trip to Thailand didn’t shatter any previously held misconceptions. He had been prepped well by the team leading the trip, he said, where they were told, “When you’re doing cross-cultural living and ministry, don’t expect anything.”

He followed their advice.

“I really tried not to expect anything and just to learn,” he said.

Rasmussen is interested in pursuing a future involved in Bible translation.

“Bible translation is what enables any other ministry,” he said. “That involves not only church planting, but literacy work. Then that opens the way for people to be able to improve their situation, like know more about health care and know more how to nourish themselves correctly and how to do agriculture better.

“Bible translation is also again affirming that God knows even these little languages that are only spoken by a few thousand people, and he values them as much as English, spoken by millions upon millions, or Thai, that’s spoken by the nation at large.”

Rasmussen intends to complete his degree at Covenant and pursue a master’s in linguistics, although he’s not sure where.

“I thought that I would be going to the Graduate Institute for Applied Linguistics, which is in Dallas, part of the International Linguistics Center,” he said.

That path is less certain now.

“Through this trip, I’ve learned there are other ways you can do linguistics schooling and also transition onto the field,” Rasmussen said.

He plans to find out more about those possibilities.

Published June 25, 2014

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Already a local inspiration, Keppel now takes national coaching stage

June 26, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Brooks Sports Inc., is known for its running shoes and apparel. But once a year, the Seattle-based company gives people a chance to choose among 25 high school coaches across the nation they feel is the most inspiring.

One of the coaches making the cut is none other than Land O’ Lakes High School cross-country coach Kris Keppel. And now his team — and the school — is depending on everyone to get to Facebook and vote for him in the 2014 Brooks Inspiring Coaches Award before the end of July.

Coach Kris Keppel, right, warms up with his Land O’ Lakes High School cross-country team during summer training at Pine View Middle School last week. Keppel is up for a national coaching award based on how he inspires his runners. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo) — Coach Kris Keppel, right, warms up with his Land O’ Lakes High School cross-country team during summer training at Pine View Middle School last week. Keppel is up for a national coaching award based on how he inspires his runners.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

“I opened up my email on the first day of my treatment this cycle, and I was just kind of blown away,” Keppel said. “I didn’t think this was real.”

The treatment Keppel is talking about is chemotherapy, which he’s undergoing to battle pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed late last year, but still made it out to as many practices and meets as he could muster.

Enduring a new round of chemo hasn’t stopped Keppel from moving forward with summer practices, waking up as the sun rises to get that little bit of cool air typically found only in the mornings during Florida summers.

That’s the kind of effort that really motivates his runners, like incoming senior Noah Thomas.

“He’s just one of the strongest men I’ve ever met,” the 17-year-old said. “All throughout this, he’s still been there for us, and he’s still pushing us hard, and we push back for him.”

It’s the runners, his fellow coaches like Karen DeHaas, and the parents that motivate him to get up and tackle each day with fresh energy, Keppel’s wife Dar said.

“I think cross-country has been a godsend,” she said. “It has monopolized our life, and I was jealous of it at times. But I think if he didn’t have cross-country, he wouldn’t be in the mindset that he’s in. And that is something that is a great outlet.”

For just being named a finalist, the Land O’ Lakes team has won $5,000 in running shoes, apparel and accessories from Brooks, as well as $500 in cash for team expenses.

The coach chosen as the most inspiring on Facebook will win an additional $5,000 in Brooks apparel, plus $2,000 more in cash to the school’s athletic department.

DeHaas, who Keppel recruited some years back to coach the girls cross-country team, did the initial work to get her colleague nominated. But it was a nomination that almost didn’t happen.

“I spent a couple hours writing up everything online, and then when I went to go get a picture, I came back, and what I wrote wasn’t there anymore,” said DeHaas, who runners affectionately refer to as “Mima.”

“I had some good ideas there, too, and so I had to think of it all again so that I could write it a second time,” she said.

Keppel spent years as a media specialist at Land O’ Lakes High, but moved into the American history department after those positions were cut last year. Yet, he still finds a way to connect with students, even off the track.

“He’s a model for so many kids,” DeHaas said. “He has helped so many kids get into colleges, and wrote letters — you wouldn’t believe how many. Anyone who came to him for help, he would help them, whether it was something to do with sports, or something to do with academics. He is just a wealth of information.”

Keppel and his wife are heading to Seattle to learn who will win among the 25 coaches in August. For someone as well-traveled as Keppel is, this is the first time he’s ever been to Washington, and he’s looking forward to it.

However, he’s also looking to not have too many distractions as he prepares his runners for what Keppel hopes will be another successful season, both as a team, and as individual athletes.

“The true gratification of a coach is to see the transformation of a kid who just ran a couple miles to a kid who can run a half-marathon by the end of summer,” Keppel said.

To vote, visit tinyurl.com/KeppelInspire.

Published June 25, 2014

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