The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Chalk Talk 07/04/2018

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Competition challenges students’ creativity
EnergyWhiz is all about clean energy and creative kids. Every year, hundreds of students converge at the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa to participate in renewable energy-themed events.

Jacob Salmon and Tabur Salmon demonstrate their first-place winning entry in the EnergyWhiz Solar Energy Cook-off. The third member of their Sun Food team, Thomas Cui, could not attend due to a conflict in his swimming schedule. (Courtesy of Nick Waters)

Students from Martinez Middle School in Lutz placed in several categories.

Teams of two to six students working in teams designed and built solar cookers for the Solar Energy Cook-Off, using digital or infrared thermometers to help ensure food was safe for testing. The teams created an original dish of food for the competition.

Martinez’s team, Sun Food, won first place for Best Design-Yellow Division, as well as the Wow! Award.

The school’s cook-off team of the Three Amigos earned second place in the Culinary Award category and third place in Best Design-Yellow Division.

And, the California Kings team earned third place in the Junior Solar Sprint-Green Division. Even though the weather didn’t exactly cooperate, the sprint cars were still able to race. Battery backup is now an essential part of a car’s design.

For information on the annual challenge, visit EnergyWhiz.com.

Find Your Future
Hope Services will host “Finding Your Future,” a game plan for life after high school, July 9 to July 13 and July 16; and, July 23 to July 26 and July 30, at St. James United Methodist Church, 16202 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Tampa.

This camp, for students with IEPs or 504 plans, will have classroom modules and community experiences to topics such as confidence building, communication, decision-making, goal setting and problem solving.

For information and registration, visit HopeServicesOnline.com.

Scholarships awarded
The Columbiettes of Our Lady of the Rosary Auxiliary 8104, of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Land O’ Lakes, announced the recipients of its 2018 scholarships.

The students receiving the awards are Bianca Alejandro, Emily Bendert, Kelly Hutson, Haylee Martinez, Reney Santos and Rebecca Urbanas.

Holly Brown wins fine arts award
Holly Peyton Brown, a 2018 graduate at The Broach School in Zephyrhills, was awarded the Nereim Fine Arts Award from the Heritage Arts Center Association.

Heritage Arts is a local nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the performing and visual arts in the community.

Brown is an artist and writer who has studied art privately for more than six years. Her paintings have been featured for the past four years at the annual “Moonlight and Ivory” concert and art show at the Dade City Women’s Club.

Brown also is a past recipient of the Pasco Library Arts Award. She is currently working on her second children’s book, which combines the Anime illustrative style with history.

In addition to a certificate, Brown received a $1,000 check at The Broach School’s graduation ceremony.

Local graduates
These students from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area have graduated from their respective schools this spring.

Gianna Basulto (Land O’ Lakes), earned an Associate of Science in pre-health pro from Andrew College, Cuthbert, Georgia.

Students from Lutz receiving degrees from Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) were: Emily Harriott, Bachelor of Arts, College of Arts and Sciences; Jalisa White, Bachelor of Arts, College of Arts and Sciences; Madeline Quinn, Bachelor of Arts, College of Education; Montana Knight, Bachelor of Science, College of Arts and Sciences; Gregory Zielinski, Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering, U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering; and, Andrew McNutt, Bachelor of Science, Lutgert College of Business.

Florida Gulf Coast also handed out degrees to these Odessa students: Calvin Daily, Bachelor of Arts, College of Arts and Sciences; David Geagan, Bachelor of Arts, College of Arts and Sciences; Samantha Yarish, Bachelor of Arts, College of Education; Sebastian Shindel, Bachelor of Science, College of Arts and Sciences; Wyatt Baggett, Bachelor of Science, U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering; and, Carter Hargreaves, Master of Science, Marieb College of Health & Human Services.

Also graduating from FGCU were Trinity students Annalese Johnson, Bachelor of Arts, College of Arts and Sciences; and, Bernadette Petika, Bachelor of Science, Lutgert College of Business.

Other Lutz graduates:
Jessica Chung earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Advanced Practice from Samford University, Ida Moffett School of Nursing.

Stuart Hernandez received a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science at the Florida Institute of Technology.

Victor Alexander Monteith received his Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas.

Casey Muse received a Master of Science in Computer Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Katie Quintana earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Berry College in Rome, Georgia.

Emily Schwitzgebel graduated from The College of Wooster, in Ohio, with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She also was a member of the Wooster Symphony Orchestra and the COWBelles, a female a capella group.

Madison Stevens graduated from Harding University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing.

Wesley Chapel students:
Davon Henry earned a Bachelor of Science in Management at Missouri Valley College.

Krista Widler received a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration-Management from Peru State College in Nebraska.

Odessa students:
Phebe Albert received a Master’s Degree from Georgia State University.

Kelly R. Barry earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Clemson University in South Carolina.

Mackenzie Morgan Cuffe also graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing.

Brianna Honeywell received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Raises unlikely this year in Pasco County Schools

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Pasco County School Board members have expressed a desire to give teachers a raise, but according to Superintendent Kurt Browning, there’s no money available to make that happen.

Browning’s remarks came during a budget workshop last week in the board room at the district’s headquarters in Land O’ Lakes.

Olga Swinson, the district’s chief financial officer, provided a run-through of budget numbers for board members — noting that these numbers will change before the board’s next budget workshop, which is set for July 24.

However, based on what the district knows now, there’s a projected deficit of about $1.2 million, she said.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning
(Randy Underhill)

Based on that, the district will have to find cuts to balance the budget before the board takes its first vote on the budget July 31, Browning said.

“I think what we’re all looking for here is where we can find money for teacher raises because we all said that was a priority for us,” said board member Colleen Beaudoin.

Swinson responded: “Obviously, we didn’t get enough money for salary raises.”

Beaudoin noted: “I’m concerned that we’re losing good people.”

The district needs to look at such issues as how much it costs to hire, onboard, train and support new staff when it loses current employees, Beaudoin said.

“What’s our risk/reward? What’s our return on investment?” the school board member asked.

The district also needs to consider issues such as “the time it takes to get someone to their peak performance,” Beaudoin continued. “Not increasing salaries is hurting us in other ways.”

Board vice chairwoman Alison Crumbley agreed: “It has a snowball effect.”

Browning said: “I would love to find money for salary increases for instructional, SRPs, administrators, everybody.”

But, the superintendent said the state did not provide enough money to make that happen.

He noted that Hillsborough County’s school district is providing large salary increases, but it is cutting hundreds of jobs to cover the costs.

“I, as a superintendent, am not ready to make a recommendation to this board that we start cutting positions, critical positions in the schools, to give raises to remaining staff,” Browning said.

“We’re not cutting positions this year. Everybody, and I’ll just say it, ought to be thankful they have a job, based on the funding we received from the state.

“It’s unfortunate that they did not provide the dollars that we needed in order to continue to improve salaries,” the superintendent said.

State lawmakers claim that they provided record funding for school districts, Browning said, “what they stop short of saying is they’re also telling you how to spend it.

“If you look at that, almost $4 million is going to the safe school allocation and the mental health,” he said.

Plus, about $5.3 million of the state funding is going to charter schools.

Browning said the district’s salaries have improved in recent years, but the funding is not there to improve them again this year.

But, he acknowledged Beaudoin’s and Crumbley’s concerns.

“We know we’ve got to get our salaries competitive. I know that,” Browning said.

Published June 27, 2018

Military academy appointments include soccer standout

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Growing up, Victoria Mitchell always knew she wanted to serve her country with a career in the military.

She’ll soon get the chance, when she’s officially inducted into the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, on June 28.

The 17-year-old recent Wesley Chapel High School graduate received her official appointment to the Navy in late March — about 10 months after she verbally committed to play soccer there last May and five months after she was nominated for appointment from the 12th Congressional District by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

Wesley Chapel High graduate Victoria Mitchell will be inducted into the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland on June 28. She was nominated for appointment in November from the 12th Congressional District by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis. (Courtesy of Victoria Mitchell)

Mitchell is one of six Tampa Bay area students who were nominated and subsequently received appointments to a United States service academy through Bilirakis’ office.

The others are: River Ridge High School’s Connor Beckman, United States Military Academy; Mitchell High School’s Austin Jerome, United States Merchant Marine Academy; Clearwater Central Catholic High School’s Annalise Klopfer, United States Naval Academy; Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School’s Dennis Teicher, United States Military Academy; and, Wiregrass Ranch High School’s Payton Wilson, United States Air Force Academy.

Mitchell, for one, vividly remembers when her acceptance letter arrived in an email.

“I was pretty much overwhelmed with excitement,” Mitchell recalled. “I actually read the email several times and couldn’t believe that, like, I actually got in. I remember showing the email to my dad and being like, ‘Is this for real? This means I’m going straight there?’ I thought I was going to a prep school at this point, so I was kind of down; I didn’t think I was going to get in immediately. I had almost given up hope and then I got that email when I least expected it. I was just overwhelmed, excited — like, it was one of the best days ever.”

Each year, members of Congress nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five academies: U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado; and, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York.

The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

Applications far exceed open slots
Appointments by service academies are usually made between January and April, and sometimes as late as May. Congressional service academy nominations don’t always guarantee acceptance.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis held an annual reception last month to honor local students who received his nomination and subsequent appointment to a United States service academy.
Appointees, pictured from left, Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School’s Dennis Teicher, United States Military Academy; Wesley Chapel High School’s Victoria Mitchell, United States Naval Academy; Wiregrass Ranch High School’s Payton Wilson, United States Air Force Academy; and, River Ridge High School’s Connor Beckman, United States Military Academy. Other Bilirakis’ nominated appointees not pictured are Mitchell High School’s Austin Jerome, United States Merchant Marine Academy; and, Clearwater Central Catholic High School’s Annalise Klopfer, United States Naval Academy.

Approximately 1,200 candidates are selected each year for the Naval Academy’s “plebe” or freshman class, and each student is required to participate in Plebe Summer. Last year the Academy received more than 16,000 applications for the Class of 2022.

A 2018 study by the U.S. News and World Report found the U.S. Naval Academy to have an 8 percent acceptance rate — the 12th most selective among all colleges and universities in the United States.

Attending a service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Each student receives a full scholarship.

The application process alone is arduous, Mitchell said, from filling out hundreds of pages of paperwork to undergoing a background check and a physical fitness test.

It also requires a series of interviews before a group of retired and active duty service members, which she labeled “probably the most complex part of the application.”

Mitchell’s passion for the military traces back to her grandfather, Patrick Mitchell, who served in the Air Force for 24 years.

As a young girl, her family would take her to Air Force bases throughout Florida, where she was in awe of “seeing our soldiers in uniform and just everything they stand for.”

Mitchell, too, has always considered herself “a patriot at heart.”

Said Mitchell, “I love my country, and I’ve always known I wanted to serve my country and protect our land — especially like nowadays with all the controversy going on, there’s a lot of disrespect towards our nation and it kind of motivates me to stand up (and) encourages me to go join our military…”

Immediately after induction, Mitchell will report for Plebe Summer, which is designed to help freshman prepare for their first academic year at the Naval Academy.

During this time, plebes have no access to television, movies, the Internet or music, and restricted access to cellphones. They are only permitted to make three calls during the six weeks of Plebe Summer.

As the summer progresses, the new midshipmen learn basic skills in seamanship, navigation, damage control, sailing, and handling yard patrol craft.

Plebes also learn infantry drills and how to shoot 9-mm pistols and M-16 rifles.

Other daily training sessions involve moral, mental, physical or professional development and team-building skills. Activities include swimming, martial arts, basic rock climbing, obstacle, endurance and confidence courses.

Forty hours are devoted to the instruction of infantry drill and five formal parades.

Mitchell is looking forward to all of it.

“I know the summer’s going to be very difficult, very busy,” she said, “but overall, I’m excited for the structure of the academy.

“I’m really excited to gear up, do PT (physical training) with the brigades, I’m excited to basically learn to be a soldier, and I’m going to be living that life for the next four years, and they’re grooming me to be the best officer I can for our country, so I’m excited to learn everything over the next couple of years.”

Juggling academy life and soccer
Besides handling responsibilities of the service academy life, she’ll also be a member of the Navy women’s soccer team, a Division I program.

Mitchell, a forward, opted to strictly play club soccer her senior year after playing varsity soccer at Wesley Chapel High the past three seasons.

Her junior year, she posted a team-leading 34 goals in just 16 games played, earning second-team All-Sunshine Athletic Conference honors.

Also throughout high school, Mitchell was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She volunteered for Special Olympics and Relay for Life, and was a youth soccer coach for a local development academy.

The Naval Academy was the only school she applied to, after vetting other service academies and what they offered.

“It’s a pretty good fit for me,” she said, “because I get to play Division I soccer, go to school and then I also graduate as an officer.”

She plans to serve for at least 10 years, noting she also has an interest in entering the aviation field at some point.

“I’m going to see where it takes me,” she said of the Naval Academy. ”I know there’s a certain point in the Academy where you can sign on for more years in the service, which I’ll probably do,” she said.

Published June 20, 2018

Creativity rules at Lutz Preparatory summer camp

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Camp Invention isn’t your typical summer camp.

It’s a camp where kids are encouraged to strap on their creative thinking caps and let their imaginations run wild.

And, that’s exactly what was going on at Lutz Preparatory School last week.

This year’s curriculum tested a variety of the young students’ skills.

Caitlyn Commedor sits near her Mod My Mini Mansion. (B.C. Manion)

In one challenge, campers designed their own Optibot, a small driving robot that senses changes in light.

In another, campers dreamed up their own futuristic smart home — complete with high-tech innovations.

Another group got involved with cupcake catapults, while another worked on nursing a sick robotic puppy back to good health.

This is the fourth summer that Lutz Preparatory has hosted Camp Invention — a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The national program serves more than 140,000 students each year, partnering with nearly 1,700 schools and districts across the nation, according to program materials.

It’s a summer camp that challenges kindergarten through sixth-graders to find their inner inventor — and that’s exactly what it was doing in the classrooms at Lutz Preparatory.

Liam Loper, 6, is eager to answer a question at the Camp Invention summer camp, held at Lutz Preparatory School.

Kids were buzzing with excitement, chattering with each other on projects they were doing.

Six-year-old Liam Loper was working on his Mod My Mini Mansion, which featured, among other things, a windmill made of clothespins to help generate energy.

The young boy said he was having fun at the camp and it seemed like everyone else was, too.

Meanwhile, in another classroom, 9-year-old Audrey Wehling, was talking about the Optibot she designed.

“We had to design a car with sensors,” she said. Her car, she said would fly and would go under water.

She also gave it name: Bob 2.0.

“I’ve always liked the name Bob,” she said. “I thought adding 2.0 was cool.”

Kids weren’t the only ones enjoying themselves at the camp.

Greg Robbibaro, who led the group of fifth- and sixth-graders, said the camp encourages kids to go on mental explorations.

“The kids get to expand their imagination. They get to have a little bit of freedom with all kinds of things that would otherwise be thought of as junk, but they get to make these creations that they’re extremely proud of,” Robbibaro said.

Andrea Ball, who was leading a younger group, said the camp gives kids a great way to learn how to work with others and to think.

Audrey Wehling, 9, gave her Optibot a name: Bob 2.0. She says she has always liked the name Bob and thought it would be cool to add 2.0 to it.

“I think it’s good that they work with people they don’t know. They’re so used to working with their friends or their classmates,” she said.

“They have to do unstructured activities, which can be hard. They have to think outside the box,” she said.

“I’m not going to tell them how to do it. They have to brainstorm,” she said.

It’s good for the children, she said. “We need more of that.”

This year’s camp drew 111 participants primarily from Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Odessa, said Christina Mitchelson, the camp director.

The camp was led by five instructors and 15 leadership interns.

The leadership interns are area high school students who are earning community service hours needed for scholarship requirements, she said.

“Our leadership interns have been fantastic,” Mitchelson said.

They help the instructors and help the students, as well.

For instance, when a young student is having trouble with a particular task, the leadership intern can step in.

Leadership interns also direct games during the lunch break, once the children finish eating.

The level of engagement was obvious, as kids keyed into the activities going on in the classrooms.

They were chattering, quiet, or eager to answer questions — depending on what was happening in the room.

Mitchelson said the camp is popular every year.

“They love this camp. They wish it went on longer,” she said.

To find out more, visit CampInvention.org.

Published June 20, 2018

Institute aims to equip students for success in college and life

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The National Hispanic Institute led the International Collegiate World Series at Saint Leo University last week for the second year in a row.

The event is the capstone of a series of three programs designed by NHI to help high school students to develop the skills needed to become the next generation of community leaders, said Zachary Gonzalez, associate vice president of the institute.

The National Hispanic Institute seeks to build community leaders that aren’t reliant on external forces to guide them, according to Zachary Gonzalez, associate vice president of the organization, a graduate of NHI programs. (B.C. Manion)

The conference is held annually for high school students from across the United States and from global Latino communities, Gonzalez said. This year, it attracted more than 110 students — traveling from different countries and from across the United States.

Saint Leo University picked up the students at the airport, housed them, fed them and provided them a chance to get a taste of life on a college campus.

“We are proud to again partner with the National Hispanic Institute for the Collegiate World Series,” Dr. Jeffrey D. Senese, Saint Leo University president, said in a prepared statement. “NHI holds the same values as Saint Leo University—both instill the drive for excellence and encourage respect for all. Saint Leo welcomes learners of all backgrounds. We are excited to welcome these young people to our campus, and help them learn about college life and all that it offers.”

The program uses a self-directed, student-centered learning method that encourages critical thinking.

“Every high school program that we have focuses on a different angle of leadership development,” Gonzalez said. “NHI’s mission is to build more community leaders that don’t rely on external forces to guide them. We talk a lot about thought leadership.”

Connor Caldwell came from San Antonio, Texas, last week to take part in the National Hispanic Institute’s International Collegiate World Series. The idea is to prepare college-bound students for the college application process and for independent living. (B.C. Manion)

During the week, the students work on filling out college application forms, writing essays and making other preparations for college life and beyond. They have a chance to collaborate with other students and to gain insights from mentors who have already experienced college life.

“A lot of times a college freshman comes on campus, they don’t necessarily know how to plug in. They don’t necessarily know how to lead. Sometimes they don’t have any prior experiences in working with students of different nationalities, different backgrounds, confronting different cultures, confronting different social environments,” Gonzalez said.

“We’re not here to tell them there’s a right or wrong answer. It’s about how do we get them to see that their talents can be applied to the community, and begin to build those tools,” he added.

Danielle Castro, who works in admissions at Saint Leo University, was one of the coaches during the week.

She thinks the experience is helpful, as college-bound students look ahead to apply for admission.

“They’re getting prepped and ready, so now they’re going to feel that much more confident in applying to all the schools that they really want to go to. It helps them mentally,” Castro said.

Connor Caldwell, 16, from San Antonio, Texas, knows exactly what she wants to do.

Participants in the National Hispanic Institute’s International Collegiate World Series at Saint Leo University work on their Common App college application form. (Courtesy of Benjamin Watters/Saint Leo University)

“I want to major in computer science and electrical engineering, and I want to become a computer scientist or an electrical engineer for the FBI,” she said.

“I also want to have a dance minor. I’ve been dancing since I was 2.”

Participating in the week at Saint Leo is helpful, she said.

“My school is really good about college applications and starting early, but this is an additional resource that I have that my peers don’t.”

It’s an advantage, “especially going in as a rising senior, knowing what to expect and having my essay looked at and having my application looked at,” she said.

“I’ve visited colleges before, and I’ve talked to admissions counselors before, but now that it’s actually my turn to do this — (it helps) knowing what questions to ask, and what to get from my admissions counselors, and knowing how I can implement that with my applications and essays, and such,” she said.

Gonzalez said the experience can be quite eye-opening for many of the students.

“For a lot of them, it’s the first time they’ve flown to another state or country,” he said.

For more information about NHI, its programs, and its new path for developing leaders, visit NationalHispanicInstitute.org.

Published June 20, 2018

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

By

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.