The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Chalk Talk 06/20/2018

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(Courtesy of Melonie Monson)

Students of the Month
Nine students from across the community were honored during the last presentation of the school year as the Greater Zephyrhills Students of the Month. Those being recognized included: Marcus Moncada, The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Angelina Zaccagnino, The Broach School; Christian Clement, Chester W. Taylor Elementary School; Jacob Stoughenger, Heritage Academy; Emma Scudder, Raymond B. Stewart Middle; Nava Schuler, West Zephyrhills Elementary; Avery Barba, Woodland Elementary; Jenna Adams, Zephyrhills High; and Luke Gagnon, Hope Ranch Learning Academy.

Graduation surprise
Mayah Jaramillo, a student at Weightman Middle School, received a surprise at her eighth-grade promotion ceremony.

Her brother, Air Force Airman E-2 Joel Jaramillo joined her on stage when Mayah’s name was called for graduation on May 25.

Mayah hadn’t seen Joel, a 2015 Wiregrass Ranch High graduate, all school year. For the previous three years, her brother always drove her to school on the first day.

Assistant Principal Andressa Williams and Maya’s mom planned the surprise.

Saint Leo Summer Fest
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, is hosting Summer Fest on June 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on the university’s main campus.

The event gives families and prospective students an opportunity to enjoy a day of music, food, fun and sun. The event is open to students who have committed to attending the university this fall, to students who are still making their college decision and to students who may be interested in attending the university in the future.

The event is free.

For information, email .

Zephyrhills High reunion
The 48th annual ZHS Alumni, Teachers & Friends Reunion will take place June 24 at the Zephyrhills Lions Club, 5827 Dean Dairy Road.

Doors open at noon, with a potluck luncheon at 1 p.m., followed by announcements and recognitions at 2:30 p.m.

The reunion is for anyone who attended, taught at or worked at any of the Zephyrhills schools, from elementary through high school, and their families.

Dress is casual. No registration required. Admission is free.

Guests should bring a covered dish to share.

For information, contact Clereen Morrill Brunty at (813) 782-8763 or .

Pasco Schools discussion
The Pasco Unit of the League of Women Voters will host “The Status of our Pasco Schools” June 26 at 6:30 p.m., at Stagecoach Clubhouse, 3632 Mossy Oak Circle in Land O’ Lakes.

There will be pizza and fellowship starting at 6 p.m.

The guest speaker will be Kurt Browning, Pasco County superintendent of schools.

Topics will include school safety, arming teachers, funding issues, and the league’s position on charter schools. There also will be a question-and-answer session.

To RSVP, email names of attendees to Sally Wilson, , by noon on June 25.

Studying abroad
Katie Wynn, of Lutz, was busy packing up for the summer to join 700 Belmont University students in one of 43 faculty-led Maymester and Summer Study Abroad experiences across the world.

The programs provide students with the opportunity to expand the classroom beyond the traditional experience, by visiting places they have never been, seeing historical sites and spending time delving into new cultures.

A few of the new, added programs this summer from the Office of Study Abroad are: Acting and its origins in Belfast and London; examining the history and psychology of sport in Scotland; and, understanding service learning through live sound in South Africa and Zambia.

Throughout the summer, students and faculty will document their travels on social media.

Follow #BelmontAbroad to see frequent updates.

Local achievements
Students from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area have achieved the following:

  • Calee Ash (Lutz), Harding University Dean’s List: nutrition and dietetics
  • Kelsey Bognar (Lutz), Hofstra University (New York) Dean’s List
  • Kallie Cook (Odessa), Tallahassee Community College President’s List
  • Natalie Dambrosio (Lutz), Tallahassee Community College President’s List
  • Megan Everett (Lutz), Tallahassee Community College Dean’s List
  • Critina Filippone (Odessa), Tallahassee Community College President’s List
  • Elena Filippone (Odessa), Tallahassee Community College President’s List
  • Brycie Gauthier (Lutz), Oklahoma City University Dean’s Honor Roll
  • Rachael Martin (Odessa), Tallahassee Community College President’s List
  • Carolyne Rogers (Odessa), Tallahassee Community College Dean’s List
  • Summer Solovitch (Dade City), Missouri Valley College Dean’s List: exercise science
  • Sarah Sprague (Lutz), Berry College (Georgia) Dean’s List
  • Madison Stevens (Lutz), Harding University (Arkansas) Dean’s List: marketing
  • Heather Tumminia (Lutz), Tallahassee Community College President’s List

Student volunteers
Life’s Treasures Thrift Stores are looking for teen volunteers for the summer months.

  • Hours count toward the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship community service requirement. Colleges look for well-rounded applicants, and volunteers can show a good use of their time, as well as being a person who cares about others.
  • Volunteering helps to develop character, new skills and confidence. It also can lead to a great work ethic down the road.

For information and store locations, contact Anne Ferrell at (813) 357-5321 or .

Day school turns 50
Independent Day School/Corbett Prep is turning 50 and looking for alumni who attended the Independent Day School in Tampa for an anniversary celebration scheduled for Aug. 18.

The school is asking for stories and photos from former students who were enrolled anytime between the school’s founding in 1968 to the present day.

To share memories, help with planning or attend the event, email Lisa Herscovici at , or join the Facebook group at Facebook.com/groups/IDS50.

Independent Day School changed its name to Corbett Prep in 2012 and is located at 12015 Orange Grove Drive in Carrollwood.

For information, call (813) 961-3087.

School construction activity heating up

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Cypress Creek Middle High will be adding a senior class this year, but that isn’t the only change that will be happening at the campus off Old Pasco Road.

Cypress Creek Middle School is under design right now, with construction expected to begin in October or November, said Mike Gude, director of construction services and code compliance for Pasco County Schools.

The construction budget for the school is $43.5 million, and the planned opening date for the new middle school is in August of 2020, he said. When completed, it will have a robust performing arts wing, including a black box theater.

Mike Gude, director of construction services and code compliance for Pasco County Schools, provided an overview of construction work underway in an area stretching from Starkey Ranch to Zephyrhills. (B.C. Manion)

Also, on the same campus, Pasco-Hernando State College is planning a $15.5 million performing arts center, that will serve as both an educational facility and cultural arts facility.

The college is in charge of construction, but the school district is providing about 5.5 acres for the site.

The state college will build the performing arts center on land that was donated by the school district, and both the college and school district plan to use the performing arts center for educational programming.

The school district plans to use access off Old Pasco Road when construction begins, to avoid interacting with current access to the Cypress Creek Middle High campus.

Meanwhile, work is expected to wrap up at Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills by the time school begins.

“The new building is mostly finished,” Gude said, and the renovation of the existing building is for a new administration area underway.

The project includes a new cafeteria, a new classroom building, renovated classrooms and restrooms, and a new administration area.

A major overhaul also is planned at Zephyrhills High School, which is in the middle of design right now.

The district plans to begin some preliminary construction activities at the school during the summer, with the expectation of beginning heavier work later this year.

“It will be a phased project,” Gude said, with the first phase being a new classroom building.

“Everybody will stay on the campus, but by building the new classroom building, that will enable us to move a section of the students out there,” he added.

A final determination hasn’t been made yet, but the project will likely be done in four or five phases, he said.

When the renovation is completed, the district expects to be able to accommodate about 500 more students at the campus. The estimated construction cost is $28 million.

“That will be an exciting project,” Gude said.

Land O’ Lakes High School is on schedule to be completed by August 2019.

“Everything has been going smooth. The principal has been great to work with, in terms of moving his folks around,” he said. When completed, Land O’ Lakes High will be able to accommodate around 450 more students, he said.

New construction also is planned for a kindergarten through eighth-grade school at Starkey Ranch.

“That is in the very early stages of design right now,” Gude said. The school is scheduled to open in August 2021.

As part of that project, the school district will have a partnership with Pasco County involving a public library/community theater, next to the school.

“It’s a good partnership,” Gude said. “It makes perfect sense. We’re all public entities, so why not share in some of these facilities.”

Published June 13, 2018

Chalk Talk 06/13/2018

By

(Courtesy of Becky Finley)

Scholarship recipients recognized
The GFWC Woman’s Club of Zephyrhills awarded a total of $10,000 in scholarships to 10 deserving students at an end-of-the-year luncheon. The students receiving a certificate and a check are, back row, from left: Jasmine Dobbs (Southeastern University), Domenique Benjamin (Florida Atlantic University), Autumn Roe (Pasco-Hernando State College), Luis Arturo Chavez Rincon (Pasco-Hernando State College) and Tyceson Sampson (Tallahassee Community College). Front row, from left: Annica Morgan (University of South Florida), Madison Kaylor (Ringling College of Art and Design), Allyson Worthy (University of South Florida), Lacy Downs (Pasco-Hernando State College) and Hanna Binnicker (Pasco-Hernando State College).

National Merit Scholarship winners
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced this year’s National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners.

The finalists in each state were judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

Winning students in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area were:

  • Grant J. Lopresti, of Lutz, George M. Steinbrenner High School. Probable career field: Engineering
  • Varun M. Puri, of Odessa, Hillsborough High School. Probable career field: Finance
  • Catherine L. Weng, of Tampa, Freedom High School. Probable career field: Business

Students excel at skills competition
Pasco-Hernando State College graduate Kenith Christian, of Land O’ Lakes, was awarded gold in the Related Technical Math category of the SkillsUSA Florida State Leadership and Skills competition.

Christian will compete at the SkillsUSA National competition in Louisville, Kentucky, June 24 to June 29.

Other PHSC students that were recognized at the state competition were:

  • Jordan Rucker, Customer Service, silver medal
  • Dwight Howard, Technical Drafting, silver
  • Duniesqui Rodriguez, Architectural Drafting category, bronze
  • Karen Becker, Customer Service, bronze
  • Kristen Knight, PHSC student, voted in as a state representative

More than 300,000 students and advisors join SkillsUSA annually.

For information about career programs at PHSC, visit PHSC.edu.

Pasco Schools wins gold
Pasco County Schools was recognized as a Gold level district for the period of May 2018 through April 2020 by the Florida Partnership for Healthy Schools.

The designation is based on the Florida Healthy School District Self-Assessment, which considers sustainable infrastructure, policy, programs, and practices from national and state guidelines, best practices and Florida statutes.

The assessment was developed by FPHS to recognize and celebrate the hard work and success of school districts related to the physical, mental and social health of students and staff.

Pasco County Schools will be invited to participate in the Healthy District Collaborative facilitated by the Florida Departments of Education and Health, where they will be provided professional development, technical assistance and information for resource/funding opportunities.

Area students win honors

  • Gianna N. Basulto, of Land O’ Lakes, has been named to the President’s List at Andrew College in Cuthbert, Georgia.
  • Brycie Gauthier, of Lutz, has been named to the Spring 2018 Dean’s Honor Roll at Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  • Omer Shareef Mohammed, of Lutz, graduated from the University of the Cumberlands, in Williamsburg, Kentucky, with a Master of Science in Information Systems Security.
  • Katelyn Prieboy, of Lutz, was named to the Spring Dean’s List at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Taryn Raval, of Lutz, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at the University of South Florida.
  • Maxim Stepanets, of Lutz, was named to the Alma College Dean’s List for winter 2018. Stepanets is studying general studies and is a graduate of Academy at the Lakes. Alma College is in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
  • Payton Strawser, of Land O’ Lakes, earned a spot on the Spring Dean’s List at Bethel University’s College of Arts and Sciences and College of Health Sciences in McKenzie, Tennessee.
  • Riley Wood, of Land O’ Lakes, made the Honor Roll at Bethel University’s College of Arts and Sciences and College of Health Sciences in McKenzie, Tennessee.
  • Katie Wynn, of Lutz, made the Spring Dean’s List at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Saint Leo Summer Fest
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, is hosting Summer Fest on June 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on the university’s main campus.

The event gives families and prospective students an opportunity to enjoy a day of music, food, fun and sun. The event is open to students who have committed to attending the university this fall, to students who are still making their college decision and to students who may be interested in attending the university in the future.

The event is free.

For information, email .

 Lexington Oaks Merit Award Winners
Four Lexington Oaks students recently each received $500 merit awards from the Lexington Oaks Woman’s Club.

The recipients were Katherine Vo, Emily Shay, Tyler Luginski and Alex Carr.

Vo was given special recognition for the career she is pursuing in pediatric cardiology. The award was anonymously donated in the name of a former club member, JoLee Fallis, with the stipulation that it be used for a student studying nursing.

Student bus passes
The Pasco County Public Transportation Department will offer Student Summer Haul Passes to students for $20.

Pasco County students can ride the fixed-route bus system all summer. The special rate will be effective through Aug. 31.

Haul passes can be picked up at all Pasco County libraries; the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s office at the West and East Pasco Government Centers; the Pasco-Hernando State College bookstores in Wesley Chapel, Dade City and New Port Richey; and the PCPT Administrative Offices at 8620 Galen Wilson Blvd., in Port Richey.

For information, call (727) 834-3322, or visit vit.ly/SummerHaulPass.

For bus routes and schedules, visit RidePCPT.com.

Chalk Talk 06/06/2018

By

(Courtesy of Barbie Monty)

Taking action against local hunger
Fifth-grade students from Carrollwood Day School volunteered at Feeding Tampa Bay as part of their student-initiated study focusing on hunger. The class and its teacher, Barbie Monty, inspected, sorted, organized and weighed nonperishable and perishable goods for distribution throughout the Tampa Bay communities. The group played a role in providing 2,892 meals for the hungry in the area.

 

 

 

Chamber awards eight scholarships
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce awarded a total of $5,000 in scholarships to eight Zephyrhills High School seniors during a ceremony in the school’s auditorium on May 15. Recipients were chosen based on community service, presentation, character and academic achievement. Recipients were Madison Reidenbach ($500), Katharine Ayers ($500), Meghan Shannon ($500), Avyanna Galyan ($1,000), Ghyslain Velaquez ($1,000), Eden Faison ($500), Sandy Lin ($500) and Amanda Cook ($500).

Essay winner
As part of the Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’ Neill’s Constitutional Essay Contest, Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano announced Angie Bolton, a student at St. Anthony’s Catholic School in San Antonio, as the essay winner.

Bolton’s essay best communicated her response to the topic question, “Which taxes impact you the most: local, state or federal? Why?”

Her submission met all the contest criteria of overall essay structure, appearance and readability.

Students in sixth through eighth grade, from public, private, parochial, charter, online and home-schools entered the contest.

Bolton was awarded a Best Buy gift card at a ceremony on May 3.

All entrants received a personal letter from Fasano thanking them for their participation.

Outstanding students and alumni
Pasco-Hernando State College recognized outstanding student leaders and named the Distinguished Alumni for 2018 at a banquet at its West Campus in New Port Richey.

The Dr. Felisha R. Barker Outstanding Student Leaders were: Johnathan McCurnin and Audrey Pease, East Campus-Dade City; Emily Brock and Keilah Rodriguez, North Campus-Brooksville; Markishia Clarke and Dean Powell, Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch-Wesley Chapel; Savannah Lugo and Kaitlyn MacLean, Spring Hill Campus; and Dealaney Allen and Steven Gomez Rosario, West Campus.

Additionally, four military veteran students were recognized: Jesse Aldrich, North Campus; Brandon Bryant, Porter Campus; Amande Moore Frazier, West Campus; and Brandon Swanbom, East Campus.

The 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Margarita Romo (Class of 1980), founder and executive director of Farmworkers Self-Help Inc., which allocates services to house, feed, clothe, education and employ less fortunate farmworkers.

Donation creates endowed scholarships
Pasco-Hernando State College’s spring commencement included presentations of two $10,000 donations to the PHSC Foundation provided by Dr. Rao Musunuru, chair of the PHSC District Board of Trustees and local cardiologist.

The two donations created endowed scholarships in honor of Marilyn Pearson-Adams, PHSC District Board of Trustees member, and Robin Schneider, PHSC District Board of Trustees vice chair.

In the past year, the Foundation has awarded $1 million in scholarships to benefit PHSC students.

Fee adjustment meeting
Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at its next board meeting, scheduled for June 12 at 6 p.m., at the North Campus in Brooksville, 11415 Ponce de Leon Blvd., in the library’s McKethan Conference Room.

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

For details regarding the proposed fee adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation dates, visit Policies.PHSC.edu, and click on Policies and Procedures, Public Disclosure.

Pasco summer meals
Pasco County Schools Food and Nutrition Services Department has expanded its Summer Food Service program, which runs to Aug. 1, to more than 100 sites across the county.

Meals will be provided at 50 school sites and 50 additional locations, including libraries, churches, parks, housing complexes and more.

Summer lunch bus stops are included among the 100 sites.

Any child age 18 and younger can participate with no enrollment or fees, and no requirement that they attend a Pasco County public school.

To find the nearest location, visit SummerFoodPasco.net, text “food” to 877-877, or call (813) 794-2480.

Families can attend one of the summer kickoff events, which will include food, games, prizes, cool treats and fun. The parties are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  • June 8 at Crews Lake Park, 16739 Crews Lake Drive in Spring Hill
  • June 14 at Zephyr Park, 5039 Fourth St., Zephyrhills

Student bus passes
The Pasco County Public Transportation Department will offer Student Summer Haul Passes to students for $20.

Pasco County students can ride the fixed-route bus system all summer. The special rate will be effective through Aug. 31.

Haul passes can be picked up at all Pasco County libraries; the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s office at the West and East Pasco Government Centers; the Pasco-Hernando State College bookstores in Wesley Chapel, Dade City and New Port Richey; and the PCPT Administrative Offices at 8620 Galen Wilson Blvd., in Port Richey.

For information, call (727) 834-3322, or visit vit.ly/SummerHaulPass.

For bus routes and schedules, visit RidePCPT.com.

Chalk Talk 05/30/2018

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Students shine at Fine Arts Festival
The elementary and junior high students at Land O’ Lakes Christian School competed in the annual Sunshine State Association of Christian Schools State Junior Fine Arts Festival, in April. 

The students, representing Christian schools throughout the state, competed in the basic areas of music, speech and art.

Music students challenged each other in solo and group competitions, for both vocal and instrumental music.

Speech contestants participated in such categories as humorous interpretation, acting and other categories.
Art and photography students entered pieces in categories such as acrylic, drawing, watercolor and digital photography.

Most Outstanding, Elementary Group:

  • Choir-Fourth to Sixth Grade: Honors Choir
  • Large Instrumental Ensemble: Beginning Strings
  • Large Vocal Ensemble: Fifth Grade
  • Small Vocal Ensemble: Mixed Fifth & Sixth Grades
  • Humorous Interpretation: Emily Mason, Ben Woodson
  • Piano Solo/Non-Sacred: LouisAden Capellupo
  • Sacred Piano Solo: Kaden Garcia
  • Sculpture: Natalie Zika
  • String Solo: Katharine VanderVere
  • Woodwind Solo: Luci Rhode

Most Outstanding, Junior High Group:

  • Choir: Junior High Choir
  • Handbell Choir: LOLCS Handbell Choir
  • Large Instrumental Ensemble: LOLCS Large Instrumental Ensemble
  • Bible Teaching: Alex Vidal
  • Photography: Robert Luckey
  • Piano Solo/Non-Sacred: Mia Cruikshank
  • Sacred Piano Solo: Kate Livingston
  • String Solo: Kate Livingston

Superior, Elementary:

  • Band/Orchestra: Elementary Band
  • Brass Solo: James DeStefano, Caleb Seiverd
  • Duet Acting: Ariana Cruikshank and Olivia Rotella, and Avery Pham and Jenny Prill
  • Piano Solo/Non-Sacred: Jaela Parrone, Zachary Tomasell, Lily Vincent
  • Photography: Jennifer Prill
  • Polychromatic Drawing: LouisAden Capellupo
  • Sculpture: Jonathan Maass
  • Woodwind Solo: Nadia Dimas, Lily Vincent

Superior, Junior High:

  • Piano Solo/Non-Sacred: Will DeStefano, Hayden Vincent
  • Polychromatic Drawing: Susie DeStefano
  • Woodwind Solo: Susie DeStefano, Will DeStefano

Excellent, Elementary:

  • Small Instrumental Ensemble: Strings Ensemble, Brass Ensemble
  • Small Vocal Ensemble: Grade Six Girls
  • Acrylic: Sofia Chinchilla, Jaela Parrone
  • Duet Acting: Zarah Collins and Kaitlyn Crockett, and Javen Ironside and Gage Smith
  • Humorous Interpretation: Bryant Mateo
  • Oral Interpretation of Poetry: Natalie Craver
  • Photography: Emily Mason
  • Piano Duet: Lydia Becker and Abigail Lonski
  • Piano Solo/Non-Sacred: Dixie Blessing
  • Polychromatic Drawing: Mia Caputo, Jodiah Christensen, Jayla Hunt, Talia Tedesco
  • Sacred Piano Solo: Ryleigh Blessing, Olivia Rotella
  • Sculpture: Zayda Thomas
  • Serious Interpretation: Waylon Dimas
  • String Solo: Olivia Price

Excellent, Junior High:

  • Band/Orchestra: LOLCS Strings
  • Readers’ Theatre: LOLCS Readers’ Theatre
  • Small Instrumental Ensemble: LOLCS Small Instrumental Ensemble
  • Bible Teaching: Alex Reed
  • Duet Acting: Corey Drexler and Caleb Moreno, and Ethan Mengel and Chance Newsome
  • Humorous Interpretation: Justin Zabilowicz
  • Photography: Jaxson Pham
  • Polychromatic Drawing: Jordan McClain
  • Serious Interpretation: Isabel Rivera-Cordero
  • Vocal Solo: Caleb Moreno
  • Watercolor: Mackenzie Craver

Good, Elementary:

  • Humorous Interpretation: Alex Doan

Good, Junior High:

  • Acrylic: Kaitlyn Mendez
  • Humorous Interpretation: Brianne Bagshaw, Isabella Lexama-Solarte
  • Monochromatic Drawing: Lily Sutton, Alex Vidal
  • Oral Interpretation Poetry: Madison Fine
  • Photography: Ryan Dahlberg, Chance Newsome

Average, Elementary:

  • Acrylic: Dixie Blessing
  • Watercolor: Laura Tipton

Average, Junior High:

  • Acrylic: Ethan Peterson

Summer food service
Hillsborough County will again participate in the Summer Food Service Program, which provides free nutritious lunches and afternoon snacks to children when school meals are not available. This year’s program runs from May 29 to Aug. 3, at more than 50 sites in the county.

The meals and snacks will be offered at local parks and other convenient locations for children younger than age 18. Applications are not required.

Nearby sites can be found online at tinyurl.com/yaupwshl.

For information, email , or call (813) 276-8625.

Student bus passes
The Pasco County Public Transportation Department will offer Student Summer Haul Passes for $20.

Pasco County students can ride the fixed-route bus system all summer. The special rate will be effective June 1 through Aug. 31.

Haul passes can be picked up at all Pasco County libraries; the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s office at the West and East Pasco Government Centers; the Pasco-Hernando State College bookstores in Wesley Chapel, Dade City and New Port Richey; and the PCPT Administrative Offices at 8620 Galen Wilson Blvd., in Port Richey.

For information, call (727) 834-3322, or visit bit.ly/SummerHaulPass.

For bus routes and schedules, visit RidePCPT.com.

Graduates overcome adversity
Pasco-Hernando State College hosted spring commencement May 2 with two ceremonies to honor graduates earning bachelor and associate degrees, certificates and diplomas.

Several students have encountered adversity in pursuit of higher education.

Rachel Watson, 19, of Dade City, received an Associate of Arts degree.

At PHSC, Watson was a full-time student, worked part-time as an English tutor, and completed a Professor-Student internship while traveling nearly every weekend to North Carolina where her fiancé was preparing for deployment with the Marines.

She will pursue a bachelor’s degree in advanced literary studies at Saint Leo University.

Kathryn McCarthy, 25, of Land O’ Lakes, earned an Associate of Science in nursing.

McCarthy was a sixth-grade world history teacher for Pasco County Schools when, in 2012, an illness left her paralyzed and on a ventilator for four months.

McCarthy left teaching to pay it forward as a caregiver and entered the PHSC nursing program. She also is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in nursing.

Andrew Moses, 28, of Spring Hill, received an Associate of Arts.

Moses withdrew from high school to complete an auto mechanic program in New York. He moved back to Florida to work with his mother’s business. A client, Matic, encouraged Moses to apply for an engineering internship within the company, which now employs him.

In 2015, he decided to go back to school to earn a college degree.

Moses will seek a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering.

Jonathan McCurnin, 22, of Dade City, earned his Associate of Arts.

McCurnin was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at an early age, resulting in language struggles, and a resistance to form bonds and make connections with people.

His family enrolled him in the all-inclusive Academy at the Farm charter school and, in seventh grade, McCurnin was transferred to a mainstream classroom at Pasco Middle School, where he participated in football and made the honor roll.

McCurnin graduated from high school with letters in three varsity sports and was active in a variety of groups.

He then immersed himself into the PHSC community as a student and a student employee at the school.

Little authors are celebrated in a big way

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It’s not every day that someone becomes a published writer — and that’s especially true of second-graders.

So, staff members at Land O’ Lakes Christian School weren’t about to let the moment pass by without a good bit of fanfare.

These second-graders in Christy Hoynoski’s class wrote a book called ‘If I Were An Animal.’ The children are, (front row, from left): Savannah Wrenn, Laurelai Marano, Kylie Matkin, Sarina King, Kinsley Wooles and Esteban Lowe. The others (back row, left to right) are Hadasa Smith, Keenan Morais-Silva, Maya Vidal, ErikSebastien Capellupo, Isabelle Loscalzo, Colin VanderVere and their teacher, Christy Hoynoski. (Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes Christian School)

The children in Christy Hoynoski’s class were celebrated in a big way at a party in the school’s lunchroom on the day their book, “If I Were An Animal,” arrived at the school at 5105 School Road in Land O’ Lakes.

There were balloons and a red carpet that was bedazzled by stars — each bearing the name of a child author.

Each of the 7- and 8-year-olds stood at a podium, reading their stories and showing off their illustrations.

Parents and grandparents came to the school to honor the children’s accomplishment, and the party featured a book-shaped cake and snacks with literary themes.

It was a big day for the second-graders, and the glow was still showing weeks later, when they talked about the stories they wrote, with a visiting reporter.

Mrs. Hoynoski, as the children call her, came up with the idea of creating the book after hearing about a free publishing kit offered by Studentreasures Publishing.

This is the cover of the book written by students in Christy Hoynoski’s second grade class at Land O’ Lakes Christian School.

The idea was to make writing more fun, the teacher said.

The children considered a variety of possible books they could do, such as “Second Grade Inventions,” “If I were a President” and “When I Grow Up.”

In the end, they voted to create a book about animals.

Besides allowing the second-graders to practice their handwriting skills and showcase their artistic abilities, the project also gave them a chance to exercise their lively imaginations, too.

For instance, in this book, there’s a zebra with rainbow-colored stripes and a white bunny with black polka dots.

The animals have interesting diets, too. There’s a pig that eats candy, a whale that eats broccoli, a horse that eats grapes and an owl that eats ice cream.

Second-graders make their way into the school lunchroom at Land O’ Lakes Christian School to celebrate the publication of their book, ‘If I Were An Animal.’

The kids also thought outside of the box when naming their animals. There’s a wolf named Snowflake, a bird named Jewel, a bobcat named Rosie and a cobra named Cutey.

The students said they enjoyed writing their stories and drawing their pictures, and, of course, they were pleased to see their work in print.

It’s a project the second-grade teacher said she’d recommend to other teachers.

“It really got them excited about writing,” she said.

Writing is an important skill, the teacher added, because it’s a skill her students will need throughout their lives.

Published May 23, 2018

ErikSebastien Capellupo shows off his illustration of a story he wrote about a cheetah, named Lightning, that can run 1 million mph.
Hadasa Smith shows off one of the stories she wrote and illustrations she did for ‘If I Were An Animal.’ She wrote about a zebra with rainbow-colored stripes and a bobcat named Rosie.
Savannah Wrenn reads one of the stories she wrote for a book created by Christy Hoynoski’s second grade class at Land O’ Lakes Christian School.

 

Chalk Talk 05/23/2018

By

Senthil Kumar

Vice president named for new office
Saint Leo University’s president, Dr. William J. Lennox Jr., has appointed Dr. Senthil Kumar as the school’s vice president for the newly created Office of Global Engagement and International Affairs.

Prior to this position at Saint Leo, Kumar served as vice president of enrollment management and dean of international programs at Bay State College, Massachusetts, and dean of enrollment management and director of institutional advancement at The National Graduate School of Quality Management.

Kumar also served as vice president (consultant) of global strategy at Juesheng Education Group, in China.

Beth Schlossberg

Hillel appoints new director
Hillel Academy, the Tampa Bay area’s only accredited Jewish school, has appointed Cantor Beth Schlossberg as director of Jewish Life and Curriculum.

Schlossberg comes to the academy after most recently serving as co-director for the religious school of Congregation Kol Ami, where she built a comprehensive, creative elementary and middle school Hebrew and Judaics curriculum.

In 2003, she enrolled in the Jewish Theological Seminary and began studies at the H.L. Miller Cantorial School.

After being invested, Schlossberg spent four years with Beth El Synagogue in Omaha, Nebraska.

Afterward, she and her husband, Michael, moved to Tampa to join Congregation Kol Ami.

Teacher certification
Pasco-Hernando State College is accepting applications for individuals who want to pursue a career in teaching.

The Educator Preparation Institute, an approved program by the Florida Department of Education, provides an alternative route to a Florida Professional Educator’s Certification for those who already have a baccalaureate degree and want to teach kindergarten through 12th grade.

The college will be training a new group of teachers this fall.

The deadline to apply and complete testing requirements is July 20. Classes start Aug. 20.

For information, call Melissa Burr at (727) 816-3471, or visit Educator-prep.phsc.edu.

Student wins national scholarship
Camellia Moors, a senior International Baccalaureate student and member of the National Honor Society at Land O’ Lakes High School, was named one of 500 national semifinalists in the National Honor Society Scholarship program.

Moors was chosen from more than 11,000 applicants to receive a $2,850 scholarship.

While at Land O’ Lakes High, Moors has been founder of the Green Club, president of Model UN, and treasurer of the National Honor Society, while heading several service projects, including bringing county libraries to LEED status, a $9 million bond vote and fundraising endeavor.

Moors plans to attend Princeton University to study global affairs and environmental policy.

Five Pasco schools named the best
The U.S. News & World Report list of 2018 Best High Schools included five from Pasco County: Land O’ Lakes, J.W. Mitchell, Wiregrass Ranch and Sunlake high schools, and Pasco e-School.

Less than 30 percent of high schools in the country qualify for the list.

Four of the schools earned Silver badges, an honor only 11 percent of the U.S. high schools can claim.

In Florida, Land O’ Lakes was ranked 50th, based on its 87-percent graduation rate and 53.5 ranking for college readiness.

J.W. Mitchell ranked 90th with an 85-percent graduation rate and 44.5 college readiness ranking.

Wiregrass Ranch came in at 117 with a 91-percent graduation rate and 37.4 for college readiness.

Sunlake’s 86-percent graduation rate and 37.3 college readiness score ranked it 119th.

Pasco e-School earned a Bronze badge, with a 100-percent graduation rate, but had no college readiness ranking. Only 16 percent of U.S. schools fall into the Bronze badge category.

For information, visit USNews.com/education.

Ending one chapter, starting a new one

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They are members of the Class of 2018, and they will be marching — by the thousands — into their futures.

Students from across Lutz, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, San Antonio and Saint Leo are donning caps and gowns, and are leaving their high schools behind.

These are students who have grown up in the age of technology. They’ve mastered Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. They’re experts at posting to Facebook and YouTube. Their Smartphones are their constant companions and texting comes second-nature to them. And, someday, perhaps not in the too distant future, they’ll be riding in driverless electric-powered cars.

They’ve been witnesses to history.

They’ve seen the election of Barack Obama, the nation’s first African-American president, and also of President Donald J. Trump, a real estate mogul and reality television celebrity.

They’ve seen activism grow, and in many cases, have been a part of it.

After the Feb. 14 slaying of students and faculty at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, students — both locally and across the nation — organized demonstrations to pressure lawmakers to make changes to gun laws.

They’ve also seen or have played a role in other growing movements, including the #MeToo Movement, Black Lives Matter and the Women’s March on Washington.

Soon, these graduates will be assuming a larger role in making their own mark on history, both in their personal lives and in the world, at large.

Some will head off to the University of Florida, Emory University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology, Florida Institute of Technology, Boston College, New York University, Duke University, Florida Atlantic University, University of Central Florida and Florida State University.

Of course, others will be staying closer to home, attending Saint Leo University, the University of South Florida, Rasmussen College, Pasco-Hernando State College and Hillsborough Community College.

Their major fields of study include aerospace engineering, computer science, pre-medical, environmental engineering, biology, health science, nursing, biochemistry, engineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, chemistry, communication sciences and disorders, business administration, international business and Japanese.

Others will be studying to work in skilled trades, or heading directly to the workforce.

Before beginning a new chapter, though, these graduates are pausing to celebrate their accomplishments so far.

They will gather at events with friends and family to savor this milestone in life.

Some commencement ceremonies will be in intimate settings; others, in huge auditoriums.

And, while the world around them remains unpredictable, it’s likely most of these gatherings will include the time-honored traditions of pomp and circumstance, caps and gowns, speeches, music and photos.

Of course, the big moment comes, for all of those assembled, when the name of their particular graduate is announced.

After the ceremonies come the post-commencement celebrations — as unique and varied as the graduates themselves.

As they head in their myriad directions, to decide their own paths in life, please join The Laker/Lutz News in saluting members of the Class of 2018, and congratulating them on their accomplishments.

Published May 16, 2018

Pasco schools adopt new safety measures

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An initiative to place school safety guards into Pasco County’s elementary schools attracted 125 applicants for 53 job slots.

Training for the safety guards is scheduled to begin in June, with a goal of having the guards prepared for duties by August. Some applicants were retired law enforcement officers.

“We’re excited about the level of interest and the caliber of people who are interested,” said Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services with Pasco County Schools.

Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services at Pasco County Schools, standing, and Pasco County Superintendent Kurt Browning, sitting to the right, led discussion on school safety at Wiregrass High School. (Kathy Steele)

The update on hiring school safety guards was part of a broader presentation on school safety, hosted by the Pasco County Schools public school district on May 7, at the Wiregrass High School cafeteria.

About 100 people attended, including parents, teachers, school board members and school bus drivers.

The presentation highlighted the school district’s response to a new state law requiring elementary schools to have armed security. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act is a reaction to the Valentine’s Day school shooting in Parkland when 17 people were killed.

Lawmakers approved some financial assistance for boosting school safety, and for mental health care. But, school officials said funding is inadequate, and won’t pay to place School Resource Officers, who are certified law enforcement officers, at every school.

The school district now has SROs at its middle and high schools. The security guards that will provide protection at elementary schools are a less-expensive option.

Before being stationed at schools, the guards will go through 132 hours of training with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

Other topics discussed at the public meeting included the school district’s update to its Active Threat Plan; the highlights of the state’s new restriction on firearms; and mental health care services.

Making campuses safer
The school district began a review of its existing school safety plan in January. The updated version was implemented in August.

Priorities are on safety, prevention efforts and working collaboratively with the sheriff’s office.

An assessment of the district’s 90 facilities is underway. The final report will look at additional ways to eliminate vulnerabilities on campuses, Kuhn said.

“We want to make sure we remain vigilant as we get farther away from Parkland,” she said. “We’re looking at how we balance our facilities so they are welcoming to the community, but safe.”

That isn’t a balance everyone supported.

One woman during public comment said, “I don’t want my school open to the community. I want it closed.”

About a dozen people spoke during public comment. They talked about their fears, and those of their children or students. They also spoke about how the school district can improve safety, and do better at communicating to parents and school employees.

Rayomond Chinoy has two children who will attend high school next year. He has met privately with school officials about his concerns.

One issue he raised at the public meeting is how school officials would stop potential shooters from entering school buildings, once they have been identified as threats. He also worries about safety on school field trips.

“I don’t think they’ve figured out a balance yet,” said Chinoy, speaking after the meeting. “I want to know this is how we’re going to fix it. This is where the money is coming from.”

Some also wanted greater emphasis on prevention efforts, and mental health support.

Browning said, “This district works incredibly hard to identify those kids who need extra support.”

But, funding is an issue.

And, regarding the issue of identifying potential active shooters, Browning said, “I don’t know of anyone who is a clairvoyant who knows what’s in the head of every kid.”

Lt. Troy Ferguson, with the sheriff’s office, talked about law enforcement’s role in school safety.

“It’s a sad commentary on society that we have to have these types of meetings,” he said.

But, the sheriff’s office monitors threats on a daily basis.

Recently, a teenager who moved from Pasco to Ohio made a threat on social media. Ferguson said he was arrested in Ohio.

And, even if it means waking parents at 2 a.m., to ask about a tweet or Facebook post by their child, Ferguson said deputies will do what’s necessary for safety.

Active shooter situations generally last 6 minutes to 12 minutes, he said.

In those moments, response plans rely on a “mitigation strategy not a prevention strategy,” Ferguson said.

The goals are self-evacuation; communications and alerts for school lockdown and barricading classrooms; concealment; and, as a last resort, countering the attacker.
“It’s literally about defending your life and the life of a child, looking for a place to take refuge,” Ferguson said.

The sheriff’s office, similar to the school district, wants to strike a balance.

“We want to be inviting to the community,” said Ferguson. “We don’t want to think about building moats and putting in big dragons, just yet.”

There were divisions among those at the meeting on whether to arm school employees, including teachers, with firearms.

Browning said state lawmakers want SROs at every school, but they didn’t provide funding for that.

“We can’t afford true SROs on all of our campuses,” he said. But, he added, “I’m not ready to arm district personnel. I’m just not ready to do that.”

Browning said deputies responding to active shooters would have trouble distinguishing between school employees and the shooter.

One woman suggested that district personnel could wear badges or special vests, if they were armed.

Some parents spoke about building modifications that were needed. For example, they said many schools have doors with glass windows that can be broken for easy access into classrooms.

Once the campus assessment is done, Browning said the district will know more about additional expenses needed to boost safety measures. The next step would be to identify financial resources, which might involve local fundraising activities.

“This was an insightful evening,” Browning said. “We’re still working through the plan. We can do a better job of communicating. The conversation does not stop here.”

Published May 16, 2018

Honoring our local graduates

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The Laker/Lutz News is once again honoring our local high school graduates by publishing their names in today’s newspaper.

Beginning on page 7A, we are recognizing more than 3,500 students from the 11 high schools in our distribution area. This is the 11th consecutive year we’ve published this edition, a popular keepsake for the families we serve.

It is an honor to acknowledge our community’s young people who have worked so hard to achieve this goal.

Graduating from high school is an accomplishment that sets our kids on a path to success as they enter adulthood, and one that is critical to their future.

We read and hear much today about how our youths are attached to their digital devices and out-of-touch with anything that does not directly involve them. But, I believe that perception is greatly exaggerated, and that today’s teens are no different in their interests, worries and aspirations than those of other generations.

Graduating from high school has always required commitment and perseverance. And, like the classes before them, the Class of 2018 consists of good kids who focused on their studies, listened to their teachers and parents, and worked hard to complete the many requirements needed for graduation. They dream, as other graduates before them — to live a fulfilling life and help make the world a better place.

High school graduation is also a testimony to parents, who kept their child focused on achieving this important goal. It was their support, encouragement and confidence in their son or daughter that kept their student going when they didn’t want to do their homework or go to school and, in some cases, had even considered dropping out.

Over the next few weeks, students will proudly walk across the stage and accept their diplomas as their parents watch from the stands. The emotional high both will experience is the culmination of 18 years of love between a parent and child, and the persistence, patience and prodding that comes with good parenting.

So, it will be with well-deserved pride that parents search the listings in our graduation section to find their child’s name. And, joining them in that search will be grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, friends, and, of course, the graduate, too.

For most members of the Class of 2018, this edition of The Laker/Lutz News will be the first time that the graduate will see his or her name in print. There is something innately exciting and very tangible about having your name printed in a newspaper that is also read by your family, friends, neighbors and people you know through church, community groups, and sports and recreational activities.

Many of you reading today’s newspaper will circle or highlight the names you recognize, and will proudly put the section aside to save with your most treasured items.

Offering public acknowledgement of each student’s achievement and providing families a keepsake of this important milestone, are among the reasons we continue our tradition of producing an annual graduation section.

The names of the graduates are listed by school, in alphabetical order, in our eight-page section. In Pasco County, graduates are from Land O’Lakes, Pasco, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass and Zephyrhills high schools. In Hillsborough County, graduates are from Steinbrenner and Freedom high schools.

In your edition of the paper, will find graduate names from the two high schools closest to where you live, and also the names of valedictorians and salutatorians from these schools. In addition to graduates from our public schools, we also publish the names of graduates from three private schools in our community — Academy at the Lakes, Bishop McLaughlin Catholic and Land O’ Lakes Christian high schools.

We are proud to contribute, in some small measure, to the emotional excitement that graduation brings.

We hope that one day the graduates listed in this section will pull it out to share with their children and grandchildren — so that future generations will be able to see a physical reminder of their loved one’s accomplishment, as printed proudly in their local community newspaper.

Published May 16, 2018