The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Chalk Talk 06/26/2019

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Pace Center’s first Hernando graduates
Three students have become the first high school graduates at the Pace Center for Girls in Hernando County, since its inception in January 2018.

From left: Amy Curran, teacher; Hannah Kennedy, graduate; Kaitlyn Witherill, counselor; Brianna Roden, graduate; Mindi Shaw, teacher; Kayleigh Barton, graduate; and Paula Green, teacher. (Courtesy of Pace Center for Girls)

Hannah Kennedy, Brianna Roden and Kayleigh Barton graduated from the center that was founded to serve struggling middle and high school girls who wanted to make positive changes in their lives.

As a movement, Pace was founded in 1985 to provide an opportunity for young women and girls to create a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy.

Girls attend Pace during the day and are enrolled in all academic classes taught by teachers who are certified through the State of Florida.

The students also meet with counselors who provide mental health services for the girls and their families.

A typical enrollment is between 18 months and 21 months and, upon exit, follow-up services are provided for at least a year.

The program is free for girls who reside in Hernando County and meet eligibility requirements.

For information about the Pace Center for Girls, call Diane Jerome, community engagement manager, Center for Girls – Pasco and Hernando, at (727) 849-1901, ext. 1908.

Super Saturday
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, will host Super Saturday on June 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., for students who have committed to join Saint Leo for the fall term.

Students who are still making a college decision can also attend, and will have the opportunity to experience the school’s academics, community and student services.

The event will include college-specific orientations, class registration, FAFSA filing assistance, housing selection, issuance of parking decals and student ID cards, campus tours, residence hall walk-throughs, and more.

Prospective students and their families can also bring transcripts for the final round of fall semester instant admission sessions, complete an on-site application, take placement exams, submit a deposit, and meet faculty and staff.

Local retailers also will be available so families can shop for room furnishings and various services in preparation for college life.

And, University Campus Admissions will be giving away multiple scholarships totaling up to $5,000.

Participants can take part in games, novelties, crafts, listen to music, win radio station prizes, and visit the food trucks, too.

The event is free.

For information, visit SaintLeo.edu/super-Saturday.

Chamber scholarships
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce presented scholarships to four Pasco High School graduates at its Business Breakfast at AdventHealth Dade City, in May.

The students awarded scholarships were Paul Leon, Sarah Peterson, Kaleigh Sinka and Megan Simonelli.

Third-graders improve proficiency
Pasco County third-graders improved their overall proficiency (Level 3-5) on the English Language Arts Florida Standards Assessment by 3 percentage points over last year (57/60) and outperformed the state by 2 percentage points (58/60).

These schools saw improvement of 10 percentage points or more:

  • Academy at the Farm, 12 percentage points
  • Chasco Elementary, 14 percentage points
  • Connerton Elementary, 16 percentage points
  • Lake Myrtle Elementary, 11 percentage points
  • Learning Lodge Academy, 27 percentage points
  • Oakstead Elementary, 11 percentage points
  • Richey Elementary, 10 percentage points
  • Sand Pine Elementary, 26 percentage points
  • Seven Springs Elementary, 19 percentage points
  • Veterans Elementary, 11 percentage points

Another 23 schools increased or maintained the percentage of students scoring a Level 3 or higher.

Overall, Pasco County’s third-graders showed the highest proficiency percentage in the Tampa Bay area.

Timothy Beard aces review
Pasco-Hernando State College president Timothy Beard earned near-perfect scores on his annual review, for a second year in a row, by the college’s District Board of Trustees.

The nine-member College Board of Trustees gave him an overall average score of 4.8 out of 5, noting his excellent communications with the District Board of Trustees, community stakeholders, and with  administrators on the college’s administrative leadership team.

Beard earned a 4.86 for board relations; a 4.72 for community, state and national relations; a 4.78 for fiscal accountability; a 4.82 for leadership; and a 4.81 for accountability.

This review is consistent with last year’s review that showed Beard’s strong marks in all categories. The president’s overall average score of those categories in 2018 was 4.79.

Universities collaborate
Two Catholic universities have come together to make it easier for education, health care, law enforcement and other public-service professionals to pursue a graduate degree for career advancement.

Through a collaborative effort, Saint Leo University will provide prospective students with an easy-to-navigate admissions process, and Notre Dame de Namur University will offer a quality online master’s degree program in public administration that fits the career and lifestyle needs of adult students.

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program prepares professionals for administrative and management positions in public, nonprofit and service-related organizations.

The MPA is the preferred degree for many public-sector leaders because it delivers a comprehensive overview of organizations that rely on government budgets, taxes, or grants for funding.

The fall term for the Notre Dame program begins on Aug. 26. Applications will be accepted through mid-August.

To learn more about the master’s program and admissions, visit SaintLeo.edu/ndnu, or call (888) 875-8265.

 

New charter school under construction in Wesley Chapel

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Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel is under construction in the Avalon Park West community, off State Road 54.

Officials for Pinecrest and Avalon Park West invited the community to a groundbreaking ceremony, held mostly indoors at Trinity Church of Wesley Chapel, which is next door.

The new charter school, expected to open in the fall of 2020, will eventually serve kindergarten through eighth grade, and possibly older students.

Fernando Barroso, of Academica, offered some remarks during a groundbreaking ceremony for Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel. Academica is the education services provider for Pinecrest Academy. (B.C. Manion)

The opening will coincide with the completion of the widening of State Road 54, which runs in front of the school.

Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel will provide all students with a core curriculum of English/language arts, mathematics, social science, science, and electives, such as performing and fine arts, world languages, Project Lead the Way and other offerings, according to the school’s website. Parents who are interested in the school can go to the website (PinecrestWesleyChapel.com) to fill out an interest form.

Melissa Farmer, who attended the groundbreaking with her 5-year-old son, Mason, is one of those people who is interested in learning more about the school.

Even though the charter school won’t open for a year, she’s attracted to the possibility because she believes that charter schools tend to have smaller class sizes and usually offer a higher general quality of education.

So, when the Lake Bernadette resident learned that the new school was coming, she was eager to find out more.

The Pasco County School Board approved Pinecrest’s charter application in 2017. Academica is the education service provider for all of the Pinecrest schools.

Fernando Barroso,  a representative of Academica, expressed gratitude for the support that Pinecrest has received from the Pasco County school district’s staff, and from the school board.

“I’d like to thank our partners in Avalon Park,” Barroso added. “Avalon Park group is a great entity. This isn’t our first school that we’ve built with them and it’s not going to be our last.”

Barroso added: “It’s been a tremendous amount of work, just to get here today. Yet, it’s just the beginning. The tough, heavy lifting, is in front of us.”

Judith Marty, founding board chair for Pinecrest charter schools, said ‘once we commit to a community, we’re not going to let you down.’

Pastor Dave Huff, of Trinity Church of Wesley Chapel, said he’s pleased that a new school is being built in the community.

“For the longest time, there was nothing but trees. The school coming in, is awesome,” Huff said.

Judith Marty, founding board chair of Pinecrest, is enthusiastic about bringing Pinecrest’s brand of education to a new locale.

“Thank you for being here and thank you for believing in us,” Marty told those gathered. Then, she offered a brief recap of Pinecrest’s history.

When Pinecrest began its first school, the construction was delayed, she said.

“So, we opened in a banquet hall with a hundred students.”

As the school’s operations went on, parents of fourth- and fifth-graders asked for a middle school, and then they wanted a high school, Marty said.

Now, Pinecrest has 16 schools and is opening more. Most of its schools operate in South Florida, but it also has four charter schools in Nevada and will be opening another one in August.

All of the schools are high performing, Marty said.

For instance, “Pinecrest Prep High School is graduating 99 percent, with a population that is predominantly Hispanic. We also are placing 97 percent of those students in college,” she said.

“Once we commit to a community, we’re not going to let you down,” Marty promised.

Beat Kahli, president and CEO of Avalon Park Group, told the gathering that in the mid-1980s he invited two dozen real estate agents in Orlando to ask them for recommendations of what would be good to offer the people of east Orlando, at what would become Avalon Park East.

Kahli suspected they would tell him to build golf courses, or a waterpark.

Instead, they told him: “We want good schools.”

From that, he learned, “If you have a good school, everything else follows.”

Now, Kahli is involved in creating Avalon Park West, which, when completed, is expected to have 4,400 residential units, 560,000 square feet of commercial space and 120,000 square feet of office space.

Avalon Park West kicked off the development of its downtown with a ribbon cutting last fall.

When the project is completed, Kahli said, it “will be a town, where you never have to leave if you don’t want because you will be able to satisfy all of your needs.”

“It’s great to be here in Wesley Chapel,” he said. “Let’s build this downtown. Let’s start with the most important — the school.”

Published June 19, 2019

Chalk Talk 06/19/2019

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(Courtesy of Jill Evans)

Scholarship winners
For the past 12 years, San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union has awarded two of their high school seniors with a $2,500 scholarship. Patty Sarne, executive vice president of  SACFCU, presented Megan Partain and Megan Simonelli as this year’s winners at Pasco High School’s award ceremony. Seniors from five different high schools in Pasco County applied for the scholarships.

 

 

(Courtesy of Sandra Graves)

Outstanding students
The Republican Party of Pasco recognized the recipients of its executive committee’s scholarship program at a barbecue hosted by Congressman Gus Bilirakis. Each student was awarded a $1,000 scholarship at their respective school’s award ceremony. From left: Brendan Jarrell, Genesis Preparatory; Daniel Sterben, Fivay High School; RaeAnna Castler, home-schooled; Congressman Gus Bilirakis; Megan Simonelli, Pasco High; Josie Wedge, Zephyrhills High; and Representative Amber Mariano.

Babysitter camp
Pasco County Schools will offer a summer camp for boys and girls in grades 6 to 12 who want to learn to babysit and have an interest in early childhood education.

The camp will be hosted at Land O’ Lakes High School, 20235 Gator Lane, June 24 to July 5 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Campers can learn how to care for, interact with, and plan activities for toddlers and preschool-age children.

All participants can earn a certification in babysitting, first aid, CPR and AED, and will receive a drawstring backpack full of resources, a pocket first aid kit, flashlight and DVD.

For fee information and to register, call the Office for After School Enrichment Programs at (813) 794-2298.

Stuff the Backpack
The First National Bank of Pasco and the Thomas Promise Foundation have partnered for a “Stuff the Backpack” Drive, through July 26.

Collected items will be distributed to participating Pasco County Schools.

Donations needed include: pencils, pens, scissors, index cards, notebooks, folders, paper, glue sticks, colored pencils, liquid soap, Ziploc bags, crayons, Kleenex, highlighters, erasers, pencil boxes, rulers and hand sanitizers.

Monetary donations will be used to purchase additional school supplies.

Items can be dropped off at any of the four First National Bank of Pasco branches.

Grad writes mathematical formula
 A 2015 graduate of the International Baccalaureate program at Land O’ Lakes High School has earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint Leo University with multiple distinctions, and has accepted a position with Amgen Inc., a biotechnology corporation.

Amanda Luce was one of only 22 members of the Class of 2019 at Saint Leo to complete the rigorous Honors Program.

Luce majored in mathematics and was jointly awarded by the Honors Program and the Department of Mathematics and Science a departmental distinction for her work in the math major.

She conducted a numerical analysis of the opioid epidemic for her senior research project. Luce minored in economics.

She also was honored by the College of Arts and Sciences with its annual Excellence in Academic Leadership Award, recognizing her part-time work on campus as a tutor for mathematics classes, her initiative to spend a semester abroad at the National University of Ireland in Galway, and her grades.

Transfer-student scholarships
Saint Leo University is offering a new scholarship to ease the transition for transfer students pursuing a four-year bachelor degree.

The Study Florida Transfer Scholarship, which awards students who have earned an associate degree a 50-percent tuition discount, is available for students transferring to Saint Leo for the fall 2019 semester.

Classes begin Aug. 20.

Transfer students and their families can learn more about the scholarship, complete an on-the-spot transfer credit evaluation, receive instant admission, and register for fall courses.

For information, visit SaintLeo.edu/transfer-students-admissions.

Area schools among the top
Twelve Tampa Bay area schools were ranked among the top 100 public high schools in Florida, according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best High Schools rankings.

The highest-ranked area school was Plant High, which finished 36th in the state and 582nd in the nation.

In addition to Plant High, the other Hillsborough County schools in the top 100 were: Steinbrenner (43), Newsome (46), Sickles (53) Brooks Debartolo Collegiate (59), Robinson (68) and Tampa Bay Tech (95).

Pasco County’s Land O’ Lakes High School was ranked 54th.

Four high schools in Pinellas County also made the cut: East Lake (76), St. Petersburg (97), Palm Harbor University High (98) and Osceola Fundamental High (100).

Certification pass rates
Pasco County Schools Professional Development Certification Program teachers had the highest pass rate on teacher certification exams in more program areas than any other Florida school district.

Pasco’s pass rate led the state on the following exams:

  • Elementary Ed K-6 Subtest 2: Social Science (100 percent pass rate)
  • Elementary Ed K-6 Subtest 3: Science (100 percent pass rate)
  • English 6-12 Multiple Choice Section (80 percent pass rate)
  • English 6-12 Written Performance Section (90 percent pass rate)

Pasco teachers made the list of Top Performers in a total of seven of 20 reported sections of Florida teacher certification exams.

Pasco ranked third and was one of five districts achieving a 100 percent pass rate on Exceptional Student Education K-12; ranked second on the Elementary Ed K-6 Subtest 1: Language Arts and Reading (80 percent pass rate); and, ranked sixth on Elementary Ed K-6 Subtest 4: Mathematics certification exams (70 percent pass rate).

The Professional Development Certification Programs (PDCP) provide educator training for public school instructional staff who are non-education baccalaureate or higher degree holders.

Those who complete the PDCP program are awarded a Florida Professional Educator Certificate.

 

Pasco County honors its 2019 graduates

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As graduates stepped across the stage at the University of South Florida’s Yuengling Center to accept their diplomas — the crowd erupted with cheers and applause.

That’s not an atypical reaction at graduation ceremonies, but this one was particularly special.

The Class of 2019 at Cypress Creek Middle High School made history on June 5, by becoming the first crop of graduates from the Wesley Chapel high school.

Lucas Budd, class valedictorian, addresses his peers, during the Graduate-to-Graduate Message portion of the program. (Christine Holtzman)

They were among thousands of seniors marking the traditional rite of passage, in graduation ceremonies large and small across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Many of those graduation ceremonies took place at USF’s Yuengling Center, but some were held in smaller, more intimate settings.

The Cypress Creek seniors wore gowns donned with green and yellow — representing their school colors.

These graduates have been leaders at the school since it opened in the Fall of 2017, without a senior class.

“Every graduating class is special, but these guys and girls are incredibly near and dear to our hearts,” said Cypress Creek Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles. “They’ve literally built the foundation for this school.”

The graduating class is comprised of 225 students, included six pairs of twins.

Many Cypress Creek graduates have been accepted already to colleges, such as  Saint Leo University, the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida, the University of South Florida and scores of others.

“I’ve been accepted into USF since September (2018),” said Cypress Creek graduate Hayley McManus.

She’s considering a major in engineering or psychology.

Graduation marks an end, and a beginning
Thousands of students across the region are leaving a familiar place — whether it was a sprawling college campus, a small private school, or a large high school — to start a new journey in life.

The thought of receiving her diploma was a lot to take in, for McManus, an 18-year-old from Cypress Creek.

Lisa McMahon, a speech therapist at Cypress Creek High School, straightens the cap of graduate Matthew Montesant, before festivities begin.

“It’s kind of surreal,” she said. “I had hopes that I would graduate, but I never thought about how being the inaugural class would feel. I feel kind of special that I’m setting the precedent.”

Sam Mazzeo had a similar feeling of pride about being Cypress Creek’s first graduating class, and also about helping to set an example for the school’s younger students.

He wants to return to Cypress Creek to help coach football.

Jason Stahlgren, a Florida transplant from Ohio, didn’t arrive at Cypress Creek until his senior year.

But, the warm welcome he received made it a good experience, he said.

“Moving my senior year was tough, but everybody here made it really easy,” said Stahlgren.

When Karisma Brooks initially arrived at Cypress Creek, her only desire was to return to her former high school in Tampa, she recalled.

Over time, though, she adjusted to her new environment and was able to create some memorable moments – especially as a member of the school’s first step team.

“It was a really big impact on us to bring African-American culture to the school,” Brooks said, with a smile.

The 17-year-old is now ready to serve her country as part of the U.S. Air Force, and then plans to seek a degree in health sciences.

Graduates earn diplomas, accolades
Lucas Budd, the Cypress Creek valedictorian, was one of more than 60 Pasco seniors from various high schools to receive an associate’s degree from Pasco-Hernando State College.

During the ceremony, Budd told his fellow students: “Today marks the end of a significant and memorable chapter in our lives. Be proud of this accomplishment, but leave some praise for the people who helped us graduate. We should be thankful for our families who have supported us.”

Lori Vogel was in the crowd to support Ashley Nickisher, a graduate and Vogel’s niece.

“This is a very special moment, and I’m very excited for her,” Vogel said.

A group of Cypress Creek High School graduates pose for a picture with the school’s mascot, Carmine the Coyote, before the graduation ceremony. From left: Derek Attwood, Michae’la Davis, Christian Wilmore (dressed as the mascot), Rebecca Bobik and Jonathan Blake.

In her remarks during the ceremony, Cypress Creek Principal Hetzler-Nettles told the Class of 2019: “You’ve made me so very proud. As you move into life on your own personal journey and to new territory, exploring new things, remember what you’ve accomplished. You’re an integral part of something larger than yourself.”

While Cypress Creek graduates were making history, members of the Class of 2019 across Pasco County had plenty of reasons to celebrate.

Land O’ Lakes High School, with more than 400 graduates, received more than $12 million in scholarship offers.

Zephyrhills High, with an estimated 360 graduates, pulled in more than $750,000 in scholarship offers.

Pasco High School, which issued diplomas to more than 300 students, received more than $1 million in scholarship money.

And, that’s just to mention a few of the accomplishments, among the region’s public schools.

Private schools and area colleges also had plenty of reasons to be proud.

Academy at the Lakes in Land O’ Lakes had its graduation ceremony on May 18.

“We had 42 graduates – 100 percent of them going on to college,” said Mark Heller, head of the private school.

Among the schools accepting Academy students are Yale University, Vanderbilt University, University of Florida, University of Washington and the Pratt Institute art school.

“At a school like Academy at the Lakes, relationships are everything,” Heller stated. “Relationships between the teachers and students really are the key to preparing these young adults to be the best they can be.”

Even at the collegiate level, there was much to be celebrated.

Pasco-Hernando State College had two commencement ceremonies at its West Campus in New Port Richey.

Graduate Stephanie Bostick received an associate of arts and associate of science degree in legal assisting. Tracy Meshey persevered with a brain injury to earn her associate of science degree, and Maria Madeiros received her associate of arts degree after relocating from her native Brazil and learning to speak English.

Saint Leo University awarded more than 1,250 degrees.

The university’s valedictorian was Angela Lazzaro, a psychology major. Its salutatorian was Jennifer Fields, a criminal justice major.

Published June 12, 2019

Chalk Talk 06/12/2019

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Students immerse themselves in Jewish culture
Hillel Academy’s eighth-grade students arrived at their ultimate destination — Israel — in May, after studying Israel, Hebrew and Judaism for years.

Eighth-graders from Hillel Academy stop for a group photo at the Syrian Border, on a recent class trip to Israel. (Courtesy of Leslie Farrell)

From an early age, the students learn the geographic location of Israel, cities and important facts about the country, including Jewish beliefs, traditions, history, prayers and rituals.

While in Israel, the students were able to ride camels, watch the sun set over a crater, swim in the Dead Sea, volunteer at Leket Nahalal, hike the Arbel mountain, and attend evening celebrations for Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day) on Ben Yehuda Street, and more.

They also walked the streets of Tel Aviv, spoke Hebrew with the residents, visited the Nachalat Binyamin (arts & crafts market) and the Rabin Museum.

While in Jerusalem, the students prayed and left notes from other Hillel students, teachers and parents at the Western Wall.

New academy owners
All Aboard Christian Academy, 36233 Clinton Ave., in Dade City, has new owners who are lifetime residents of the community, and who have extensive experience in education and child care, according to a release.

The academy’s mission is to provide a loving, supportive, safe and educational environment for families who need infant, toddler, preschool, school-age care and education for their children.

For more information, call (352) 567-0032, or visit AllAboardChristianAcademy.com.

Teacher appreciation
As part of its Summer of Appreciation, ZooTampa at Lowry Park is offering kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers free admission with one full-price, single-day paid admission, through Aug. 31.

Proof of employment must be presented at the ticket window to receive offer.

For information, visit ZooTampa.org.

Teen academics
Saint Leo University will offer two new academic summer camps — a social justice camp for high school juniors and seniors, and an environmental science and sustainability camp for ages 14 to 18.

The social justice program is an overnight camp for students to work with community partners on projects related to freedom, justice, equality, sustainability, peace and fairness.

The camp will be from June 23 to June 29.

For information, call (352) 588-7324.

The environmental camp is planned for June 24 to June 28. Students can experience the field and the laboratory in both aquatic and terrestrial environments, along with instruction in collecting, analyzing and interpreting samples, and identifying organisms.

For information, call (352) 588-8365.

For details on both camps, visit SaintLeoCamps.com.

Stuff the Backpack
The First National Bank of Pasco and the Thomas Promise Foundation have partnered for a “Stuff the Backpack” Drive, through July 26.

Collected items will be distributed to participating Pasco County Schools.

Donations needed include: pencils, pens, scissors, index cards, notebooks, folders, paper, glue sticks, colored pencils, liquid soap, Ziploc bags, crayons, Kleenex, highlighters, erasers, pencil boxes, rulers and hand sanitizers.

Monetary donations will be used to purchase additional school supplies.

Items can be dropped off at any of the four First National Bank of Pasco branches.

Free HART rides for students
The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) again will offer its Summer Blast Pass through Aug. 31 for Hillsborough County students ages 5 to 18. Proof of age is required.

The Blast Pass provides unlimited rides on HART Local, Limited Express, MetroRapid and HARTFlex services.

The pass can be picked up at any of HART’s three Tampa locations.

For office locations and information, visit GoHART.org.

Dual enrollment graduates
Pasco County students from 14 high schools graduated from Pasco-Hernando State College before their 2019 high school graduation, through dual enrollment courses and collegiate high school.

Dual enrollment and collegiate classes are offered at no cost while a student is in high school, which can save families thousands of dollars in college tuition and textbook costs.

The schools and number of students who earned AA degrees are: Anclote High School, 1; Dayspring Academy, 9; Fivay High, 7; Gulf High, 1; Hudson High, 4; Land O’ Lakes High, 6; Mitchell High, 4; Pasco eSchool, 1; Pasco High, 8; River Ridge High, 4; Sunlake High, 2; Wesley Chapel High, 3; Wiregrass Ranch High, 8; and Zephyrhills High, 3.

CNA Program
The United Way of Pasco County, Life Church and CNA Training & Testing Center will offer a Work Ready CNA Program.

Candidates will receive a CNA course and manual; CPR 2-year certification; electronic fingerprinting; state exam; and scrubs and a stethoscope.

Candidates must be able to attend all program dates, expectations and processes.

Preference will be given to those living in Pasco County, attend Life Church and Life Community Center events.

Applications are online and must be submitted no later than June 17 at midnight.

For information, call (813) 994-0985.

To apply, visit form.jotform.com/Granger_Robin/CNA-Work-Ready.

Sunlake High turns in soaring performances

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Sunlake High School knows how to keep the energy level up — both on and off campus, with the help of its color guard, marching band and choir groups.

Whether twirling flags, playing instruments or singing — students from Sunlake have performed well regionally and even nationally.

Draped in school colors, the Land O’ Lakes Sunlake High marching band has taken its musical performances throughout Florida, and nationwide. (Courtesy of Sunlake High School Band’s Twitter page)

“We’re a very comprehensive program,” explained Brandon Slaughter, Sunlake’s band director. “Most of the time we perform at local high schools, in either their gyms [or] concert halls.”

The school has a marching band, a concert band, a choir, instrumental groups and a color guard.

And, while each group has independent rehearsals, they often come together to perform in shows, such as the Winter Showcase Concert.

The showcase typically is at the end of each year and lasts for about two hours – offering anywhere from 35 to 40 different acts.

The ensemble’s recognition has allowed them to entertain at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach and out of state at the University of Dayton, in Ohio, just to mention two.

In uniforms bearing the school’s colors — black, white, teal and gold — the marching band has made its mark, especially in the Southeastern United States.

The program recruits students with an interest in music and dance through word of mouth, and through directors speaking with local middle school students who are preparing to enter high school.

Parents help with recruitment, too, said Paul Champion, Sunlake’s choir director, noting they pass on the word to other parents.

When talking to parents about the program, Champion said he tells them that students who take part develop strong time management skills.

The emphasis on recruitment has resulted in an increase in participation, Champion said.

“The chorus here has grown greatly in numbers since two years ago,” Champion said, more than doubling in size.

The young women of Sunlake High School’s color guard recently won the silver medal at the 2019 Winter Guard International competition in Ohio.

Jonathan Bearint didn’t need to be persuaded to join the marching band.

His interest was first sparked back in fifth grade, as he watched his older sister perform shows at her school.

“As soon as I saw their first marching show on the football field, I decided I [wanted] to be a part of that,” the 11th-grader recalled.

As a French horn player, Bearint has helped set a precedent for his school’s band. His percussion class is a four-time champion for the Florida Federation of Colorguards Circuit competition.

“It set the record for winning the most consecutive championships for the state of Florida, which is absolutely incredible,” band director Slaughter noted. “Those kids work so hard competing.”

While Bearint is happy with the accolades of the percussion class, he said he is equally impressed by the cohesive nature of all the groups performing as one.

“I like how everyone comes together,” he said. “Everyone in their individual part just comes together and makes a bigger picture that everyone can enjoy.”

Sunlake junior, Nicole Boisson, also has seen the rewards of hard work and persistence.

As color guard captain, she has taken her team to the 2019 Winter Guard International competition in Ohio to become the silver medalist winners.

The 16-year-old was initially a part of the school band, but soon traded her marching uniform for another physical activity.

“I decided to try something new – spinning flags, spinning rifle(s) – and I just fell in love with it,” Boisson explained.

Although she often competes with other school teams, she said that it feels like they all belong in one family unit.

As this school semester comes to a close, the Sunlake ensemble already is preparing for the next.

They’ve started summer training, which includes a mini camp, and have their eyes set on the Bands of America Regional Championship in October.

Even in the midst of rehearsing, the ensemble remains open to new recruits.

“We welcome everybody,” Slaughter said. “Every time we start a new season, the most advanced student to the beginner all start with the same training. If we’re all starting in the same place, we’ll progress a little bit better going forward.”

The directors enjoy seeing their students succeed, but they also emphasize to them the importance of appreciating the art of what they do.

“I always say that I get to teach the best kids in the world,” Champion said. “It’s about developing and fostering a lifelong love for music.”

Published June 05, 2019

Chalk Talk 06/05/2019

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Special scholarship awarded
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club announced the addition of a special scholarship award, the 2019 Marilyn Wannamaker Memorial Scholarship, in honor of the past president of the club. Wannamaker also served on the Lutz Volunteer Fire Department Board.

Woman’s club president Karin D’Amico and award recipient, firefighter Mark Fisher (Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Since 2012, the club has awarded two scholarships annually from the Lutz Volunteer Fireman’s Scholarship Endowment Fund. However, the club found it appropriate to expand the awards to include three Lutz resident students, in view of Mark Fisher’s outstanding resume as husband, dad to four teenage sons, a fulltime firefighter with 14-plus years of service, and a student at St. Petersburg College. Fisher is completing his undergraduate studies in public administration/fire administration.

The woman’s club saluted firefighter Mark Fisher with the Marilyn Wannamaker scholarship, in the amount of $5,000.

This year, the club awarded a record-breaking total of $25,000 in scholarship grants.

In addition to recipient Mark Fisher, monetary awards of $5,000 each also were given to Classical Preparatory School senior Zachary Brown and Sunlake High School senior Jillian Gordy, both of Lutz.

Students receiving a $2,500 award from the woman’s club scholarship fund included:

  • Rochelle Brito, of Lutz, Steinbrenner High senior
  • Alexa Scalchunes, of Land O’ Lakes, Sunlake High senior
  • Ian Michael Spurza, of Lutz, Middleton Magnet High School senior
  • Taylor Tarver, of Lutz, Steinbrenner High senior

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club is proud of its decades of commitment to and support of education in the community, and congratulates its 2019 scholarship recipients.

Applications being accepted for teaching prizes
The 2019 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence will award cash prizes totaling $1 million to 18 of America’s best public high school skilled trades teachers or teacher teams and their programs.

According to a release, the prize was started in 2017 by Harbor Freight’s founder, Eric Smidt, to recognize outstanding instruction in the skilled trades in U.S. public high schools and the valuable work of teachers who inspire students to learn a trade that prepares them for life after graduation.

The application process and the prize are designed to give teachers access to ideas and practices through a network of likeminded educators and leaders.

Applicants are asked to review and respond to a series of online expert-led video learning modules.

Deadline to apply for teachers and teacher teams is June 17.

Visit HFTForSchoolsPrize.org.

Turnaround awards
Pasco County Schools recognized 35 middle and high school students with a Turnaround Achievement Award.

These students were honored for “taking control of their learning, and their lives, to get back on-track,” according to Superintendent Kurt Browning, in a statement.

  • Dylan Holland-Wright, Achieve Center of Pasco
  • Nilda Delgado, Anclote High School
  • Zachariah Germann, Bayonet Point Middle
  • Fatima Morales, Centennial Middle
  • Ken Cobbs, Charles S. Rushe Middle
  • Jaheim Ellenwood, Chasco Middle
  • Thomas Fatolitis, Crews Lake Middle
  • Stewart Garcia, Cypress Creek Middle High
  • Gabriella Rios, Cypress Creek Middle High
  • Caleb Poston, Dr. John Long Middle
  • Dakota Hatch, Fivay High
  • Leslie Lara, Gulf High
  • David McDaniel, Gulf Middle
  • Brodie Haith, Harry Schwettman Education Center
  • Heather Seitz, Hudson High
  • Brooke Beck, Hudson Middle
  • Nicole Schroeder, J.W. Mitchell High
  • Stevie McKnight, James Irvin Education Center
  • Jacob Cloutier, Land O’ Lakes High
  • Ezekiel Gross, Pasco eSchool-Middle
  • Matthew Behrle, Pasco eSchool-High
  • Benancio Valdez, Pasco High
  • C’andre Brown, Pasco Middle
  • David Bidigare, Paul R. Smith Middle
  • Sigure Oneal, Pine View Middle
  • David Jaramillo, R. B. Stewart Middle
  • Kaden Winchell, River Ridge High
  • Shelby Lopata, River Ridge Middle
  • Marissa Ellis, Seven Springs Middle
  • Kristian Garza, Sunlake High
  • Javionah Davis, Thomas E. Weightman Middle
  • Dimytri Gassler, Wendell Krinn Technical High
  • Sophie Keller, Wesley Chapel High
  • Jackson Francis, Wiregrass Ranch High
  • Jack Seymour, Zephyrhills High

Best online college
Pasco-Hernando State College is one of 18 schools in the SR Education Group that was selected as a 2019 best online community college in Florida.

The school ranked 11th on the list, with an annual tuition of $3,155; accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; two online associate degrees, two online bachelor degrees, and five online certificate programs; and campuses in Dade City, Wesley Chapel, Spring Hill, New Port Richey and Brooksville.

The SR Education Group is a leading education research publisher founded in 2004.

To develop the 2019 rankings, SR only considered states with at least three regionally accredited schools offering at least one fully online associate degree.

Each community college on the list received a score based on factors, including retention rate, graduation rate and percentage of online enrollment data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.

The number of online associate degrees offered was collected from school websites and considered in the ranking score as well.

For information, visit SREducationGroup.org.

 

School to get $33 million renovation

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One of Pasco County’s oldest high schools is set to undergo a major makeover.

Across the next two-plus years, Zephyrhills High School will see a number of upgrades to not only give the school a modern aesthetic, but also to enhance campus safety and the overall learning environment.

The total price tag: $33 million, funded through Penny for Pasco.

Rendering of the campus’ renovated front entrance. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Details about the renovation project were shared by Pasco school district officials and contractors during a May 22 parent meeting.

The project is being completed by Tampa-based Peter Hepner Architects and Clearwater-based Creative Contractors.

An initial phase is set to be complete this summer — a new two-story, 17-classroom building, bringing the school’s capacity to accommodate about 1,950 students.

Other phases of the project will address the school’s existing main campus.

Among the highlights are state-of the-art classrooms and laboratories for the school’s career technical education programs.

For instance, the school’s criminal justice program will feature a 911 communications center, while a health occupations classroom will resemble a hospital setting, equipped with multiple beds, sinks and curtains. The school’s science, agriculture and building construction technology programs will see an enlarged space for better hands-on learning, as well.

Meantime, the media center will be remodeled with flat-screen technology, small group conference rooms and circulation desks, made to resemble “a university-type collaborative space,” architect Peter Hepner said.

Other notable additions include an expanded cafeteria and additional restrooms, plus upgrades to the commons area, teacher’s lounge and administration suites.

Rendering of the schools’ common areas. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Buildings will be overhauled with a new air conditioning system, fire sprinkler system and energy-efficient LED lighting, along with new glass windows and tile flooring planned throughout.

The school’s exterior will experience a facelift, too.

The main entry will be incorporated with more brick elements and a larger canopy to allow for more covered area during drop-offs and pickups in inclement weather. And, a courtyard and a gated perimeter with ornamental fencing will be installed.

Elsewhere, as an effort to enhance safety measures, some entrances to the school will be eliminated and become emergency exits only. Classroom doors will be altered with more secure locks, to prevent break-ins. Also, school visitors will be required to enter a new enclosed reception area to get checked in, before gaining access to the commons area.

The entire renovation project is expected to be complete by December 2021. Work will have to take place during school hours, but Hepner said disruption will be minimal with fences and visual and acoustic barriers, separating construction zones from daily school activity.

“There’s a lot that’s going to go into this project,” said Hepner, who’s firm is also working on the $29 million renovation at Land O’ Lakes High School. “It takes a little while to do it, but as each phase gets done, it just gets more and more exciting.”

Zephyrhills principal Angie Stone said the upgrades “bring this 1970s building back to life.”

“We just can’t wait,” Stone said, of the renovations. “The teachers are excited, we’re excited.”

Pasco Schools superintendent Kurt Browning also expressed his enthusiasm for the forthcoming enhancements.

“We’re just thrilled to be able to get this project going,” he said. “This school district is really committed to Zephyrhills High School and this community. We want the very best for our students, our teachers, our administrators and the Zephyrhills community.”

Published May 29, 2019

Lutz students strive to protect wildlife

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Diminishing waste in local oceans is an important mission for third-grader Lilly Kate Paban.

In fact, she has been motivated to start an afterschool program at her Learning Gate Community School, in Lutz, to both educate fellow students and to get them to go outdoors to take action.

She was first inspired when her then-science teacher, Christopher Bell, explained to the class the plight animals face when they mistakenly consume plastic littered in the sea.

Lilly Kate Paban, 9, displays one of the seven laptops donated by the Tribridge tech company for a new club at Learning Gate Community School. The club, conceptualized by Paban and her three schoolmates, will educate other kids on keeping oceans clean for animals, plus going outdoors to take action. (Courtesy of Joelle Paban)

Lilly Kate has always loved animals, especially dolphins. In fact, her dream came true when she got the opportunity to swim alongside one.

Her care for wildlife compelled her to help in some way, and she asked three of her friends at school for support.

“I gathered my friends and was like, ‘we should start a club to help the environment.’

“Our goal is to clean up most of the plastic in the oceans so that none of the animals get extinct,” the 9-year-old explained.

Once the girls devised a plan for an environmental club, they approached their principal with the idea, which was met with approval.

In building support, Lilly Kate recruited her mother, Joelle, as a club volunteer.

Joelle admitted she was shocked at first, unaware of her daughter’s good cause, but willing to help.

“How can I say no to my kid?” Joelle responded with a smile. “I’m going to support any endeavor my child wants to do.”

While the club is in the early stages, plans are already being established.

The girls have decided their target audience to join is second grade to seventh grade students.

They would also like to collect membership fees in order to fund group trips and  further their cause in protecting wildlife.

Lilly Kate attributes her independence and go-getter mindset to her mother, who takes her and her younger sister, Stellie, to school.

Joelle has her own executive assistant business. On their commute, the girls often hear their mother on the phone discussing her company.

That business savvy helped Lilly Kate and her friends form the blueprint for the afterschool program.

“I couldn’t be any more proud,” Joelle stated. “This is something that they want to give back to nature, and do their tiny part in this world.”

However, the girls’ efforts were just beginning. They sent a handwritten letter to the Tampa tech company Tribridge – asking for whatever support it could offer.

The letter reached the company by Friday, May 10 and that following Monday, the girls got quite a surprise while in school.

Pete Loach, IT manager at Tribridge, personally donated seven laptops to help move the club forward.

“Just what a tiny letter can do, can make a big change,” Lilly Kate mentioned.

Joelle and her husband, Mario, also extend gratitude to Bell for helping spark their daughter’s interest in environmental awareness through his class.

Both parents attested to the teacher’s dedication toward his students.

“This guy’s life [is] these children,” Joelle said. “He brought passion.”

Now with new laptops, the group can conduct proper research and track the oceans’ red tide, Lilly Kate said.

She added that there are plans to do summer beach cleanups before the program officially starts next semester.

With the initiative of several third-graders, many kids can learn to carry the mantle for a cleaner and safer tomorrow.

Published May 29, 2019

Chalk Talk 05/29/2019

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(Courtesy of Jodie Ratliff)

Students’ dedication pays off
The students in VPK and Explorers at Primrose School at Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes, participated in a Read-A-Thon to purchase gardening benches and a Lil Library for the school’s Primrose Patch.

The school also invested in creating a butterfly garden to help the Monarch butterfly migration from Mexico to Canada, and added milkweed and other butterfly-friendly flowers, a butterfly bath and additional bushes for shelter.

Not long after, the students began spotting caterpillars and butterflies, and even chrysalises.

Due to the students’ hard work and dedication, the Primrose Patch was named a certified wildlife habitat with the National Wildlife Federation.

In addition, the patch is now producing pumpkins, squash, zucchini, green beans, peas, eggplant, okra, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, spinach and radishes. There also is an herb garden for the school chef, Mr. Burgos.

Primrose Schools hopes to get approved for a mud kitchen and playground scale so students can pot, plant and wash the produce right in the garden.

Haul passes available
The Student Summer Haul Pass, which gives unlimited rides on PCPT buses (Pasco County Public Transportation), is now available for $20, and valid June 1 through Aug. 31.

The pass allows students to go to the beach, swimming pool, shopping, visit with friends, summer employment, and to save money.

Those interested must have a current student ID from a school or university, or a PCPT ID with a green background.

Students can purchase the pass at any county library; at the Pasco-Hernando State College New Port Richey, Dade City or Wesley Chapel campus bookstore; at the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Office, West and East Government Centers; or at the PCPT Administrative Office.

Summer food service program
The Pasco County Schools Summer Food Service Program provides free meals to kids and teens during the summer. Meals will be served at sites across the county from June 5 through July 31.

There are no income requirements or registration necessary, and anyone age 18 and younger can participate.

The Lakeview Café, adjacent to Land O’ Lakes High School, will be open all summer to serve free lunch to kids and teens. Adults can purchase a meal, too.

In addition to the school cafeterias that will provide meal service, six mobile feeding buses will make lunch stops at locations throughout Dade City/Lacoochee, Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel, Spring Hill, New Port Richey, Hudson and Port Richey.

For a list of addresses and times, or to view the summer menu, visit SummerFoodPasco.net.

Student achievements

  • Emily Altier, of Wesley Chapel, graduated from Endicott College, in Beverly, Massachusetts, with a Master of Education, Athletic Administration.
  • Cole Dean Cooper, of Odessa, and Caroline Amanda Meisner, of Lutz, were named to the spring Dean’s List at Greensboro College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Meisner also graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in theatre.
  • Thais Jacomassi, of Lutz, made the spring Dean’s List at Emerson College, in Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Julianna Mitten, of Odessa, was named to the spring Dean’s List at Cedarville University, Ohio.
  • Amber Morgan Orosco, of Tampa, received the Art History senior year prize at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. Orosco is an art history and visual arts major.
  • Summer Solovitch, of Dade City, made the spring Dean’s List at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri. Solovitch also graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in exercise science.
  • Sarah Sprague, of Lutz, graduated from Berry College in Rome, Georgia, with a Bachelor of Science in exercise science. Sprague also was named to the spring Dean’s List.
  • Shareeq Syed, of Lutz, graduated from the University of the Cumberlands, in Williamsburg, Kentucky, with a Master of Science in information systems and security.
  • Zane Thomas Tarrance, of Odessa, was named to the spring Dean’s List at Newberry College in Newberry, South Carolina.
  • Mariela Deynes Tofani, of Lutz, made the Emerson College spring Dean’s List. Emerson is in Boston, Massachusetts.

Local student participates in UN Model
Tallahassee Community College (TCC) student Samuel Goetz, of Odessa, attended the National Model United Nations in New York City.

About 6,000 students from nearly 50 countries participated in the simulation, which included discussions of issues facing the international community, aiming to overcome the obstacles diplomats face when addressing them.

The TCC students, representing the UN delegation from Libya, won three awards, earning a Distinguished Delegation Award for the overall team effort, and two Position Paper Awards, which are based on the quality of research and written positions submitted prior to the conference.

Students interested in participating in the TCC Model United Nations starting in the fall semester should email or .

Use a first job as framework for success
A recent survey by PayScale has found that only about 50 percent of managers felt that recent graduates were ready for full-time work.

The skills that managers often found lacking in graduates included critical thinking, problem-solving, attention to detail, and leadership.

In a release, Matt Stewart, co-founder of College Works Painting, gives these tips for that first job that can also be applied to a career path.

Start small, think big. Young people tend to look for a job at a prestigious big-name company, so don’t overlook small companies that would allow more freedom to take on a variety of different roles, which would add to your growth.

Find a mentor. Find a respected leader and reach out for advice. Pay attention to what they did to get where they are.

Do more than the job description. Move up or redefine your position by taking on more than the minimum expectations of the job. Volunteer for new projects, committees, training others, etc. Don’t be afraid to fail.

Find comfort in discomfort. The greatest self-growth is achieved when you challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone. Keep yourself in a state of constant growth and train yourself to handle stress while you are young.

In your first job, Stewart said to “be prepared to embrace and learn from things that may seem suboptimal on the surface, and even from some of your mistakes.”