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Speakers address mental health needs

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Suicide prevention and partnerships between law enforcement and mental health providers were the focus of talks delivered in a Zoom Session, on May 11, hosted by Saint Leo University’s East Pasco Education Center.

Sarah Shirina, licensed supervisor of behavioral health with BayCare Behavioral Health, shared her expertise on the topic of suicide prevention, while also discussing local services that are available to help people struggling with mental illness.

Sarah Shirina addressed suicide prevention during a speaker series hosted by Saint Leo University. (Courtesy of University of Saint Leo)

Shirina is the supervisor over BayCare Behavioral Health’s mobile response team in Hernando County.

She’s also an adjunct professor for Saint Leo University, with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from the university.

She began by sharing national suicide data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Suicide, unfortunately, is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, claiming over 48,000 lives.

“Suicide was the second-leading cause of death in individuals, between the ages of 10 and 34, and the fourth leading cause of death, among individuals between the ages of 35 and 54,” she said.

“There were actually 2½ times as many suicides in the United States as there were homicides, in 2018.

“So, what does that look like for our state? In 2019, Florida had a total of 3,427 deaths by suicide.

“In Florida, suicide is the eighth-leading cause of death,” Shirina said, adding the age group of 55 to 64 is most affected.

Shirina shared information derived from a research project by BayCare Behavioral Health and the University of South Florida, focusing on suicide in the Tampa Bay region.

Hot spots have been identified in all five counties in the Tampa Bay area, Shirina said.

“Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas, unfortunately, are all ahead and have higher averages of suicide deaths than the state of Florida.

“You’ll see that all of Florida had a total of 15 deaths per 100,000. And Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas are all in the 20s (per 100,000),” she said.

“Suicide affects men at a much greater percentage than it does women.

The study found that from 2010 to 2016, the suicide rate for men was twice as great as it was for women, she said.

“As our age groups increase, our military population is at a greater risk to be affected by suicide,” she added.

One of the big conclusions of the research was that Pasco, Hernando and Pinellas bear a disproportionate burden of death by suicide, in comparison to the state and surrounding counties, Shirina said.

Another conclusion: These are the same counties that bear the burden of the opioid addiction crisis.

She also noted that “80% of people who died by suicide had never had an involuntary examination, also known as the Baker Act.

“This, to me, was an alarming statistic,” Shirina said.

Among those who had undergone a Baker Act examination, 60% of those who died by suicide did so one or more years after their involuntary examination.

The study also found that middle- and older-aged white men had the highest rates of suicide, and among those who died by suicide, many had military backgrounds.

The research showed that guns were the most common method of suicide by men in all five counties.

By comparison, in Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties, more women died by overdose than did by guns, Shirina said.

“So, what can we do to help those who may be struggling?” Shirina asked.

Safety planning can help.

“When we’re safety planning with someone, we’re identifying their warning signs, their triggers and their stressful events that could lead to a crisis. We’re discussing with that person what they can do, what coping skills they can use to feel better.

“We’re discussing their support network. Who can they call when they need help? Who can they lean on?

“If possible, we often use that support network, when we’re creating these safety plans,” she said.

“We talk about what they look forward to in the future. What is important to them and what is worth living for? This is a great reminder, when someone is having these deep thoughts, that there are things in their future that they look forward to, and really, what is worth living for?

“We give a copy of this plan to them and to their support system, if possible, and we encourage them to keep it somewhere safe, so they can use it when they’re feeling upset,” Shirina said.

Dawn Wever addressed efforts being made to help mentally ill people get the help they need, instead of being locked up in jail.

Dawn Wever, the second speaker during the session, is a practicing mental health counselor.

She’s been an instructor in Crisis Intervention Team training for a number of law enforcement agencies. She’s also been a presenter on the topic at state conferences, is a former board member for National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hernando and has done considerable research on collaborations between law enforcement and mental health professionals.

One in five Americans are affected by mental illness in any given year, according to statistics from NAMI, Wever said. That equates to approximately 57.7 million Americans living with mental illness. Of those, just 41% will receive treatment in any given year.

Research also shows that the average length of time from initial diagnosis to the onset of treatment is 10 years, she said.

She shared the story of the Memphis Police Department Crisis Intervention Team, which in later years came to be known as the Memphis Model.

The model stemmed from a 1987 incident in which police officers were called to an area of public housing in Memphis, where a young man was threatening with a knife, she said. Police officers ordered him to put down the knife. He refused. Eventually, police opened fire and the man was killed, she said.

“The mayor of Memphis turned to local advocates from NAMI and enlisted police, community mental health professionals, university leaders, hospital administrators, church officials to find a new approach to working with persons with mental illness, who are in crisis,” she said.

The approach involves a 40-hour, weeklong training for officers, deputies, detention personnel and dispatch, as well, regarding the recognition and understanding of signs and symptoms of mental illness, and focuses on verbal, de-escalation techniques, said Wever, who holds a master of arts/psychology from Saint Leo University.

Encounters between police and the mentally ill began increasing after the deinstitutionalization of psychiatric facilities began happening in the 1980s and 1990s, she said.

The expectation was that community-based mental health care facilities would provide treatment to those individuals released from psychiatric hospitals. Instead, county jails have become the largest mental health facilities in the country, added Wever, who has been in private practice since 2012.

The Rand Corporation estimated in 2020 that 15% of the men and 31% of the women incarcerated across the country have a serious and persistent mental illness, Wever said.

According to NAMI estimates, at least 400,000 currently behind bars in the United States suffer from some type of mental illness, Wever added. The organization also estimates that 25% to 40% of all mentally ill Americans will be incarcerated at some point in their lives.

She told Zoom listeners about a mental health unit operated by the San Antonio (Texas) Police Department .

“That’s regarded as one of the best law enforcement-based mental health units in the country,” she said.

“It was established in 2008 and to date, they have maintained zero use of force in a mental health call for service,” Wever said.

Shirina and Wever gave the final two presentations during a Social Services Speaker Series, which began on April 13.

Besides being informative, the series was intended to give participants exposure to a wide range of career opportunities in the helping professions.

To find out more about Saint Leo University’s East Pasco Education Center, email Derek Saunier, center director, at  or call 352-588-7451.

Warning signs of suicide

  • Increased alcohol and drug use
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Withdrawal from friends, family and community
  • Dramatic mood swings
  • Impulsive or reckless behavior
  • Collecting and saving pills or buying a weapon
  • Giving away possessions
  • Tying up loose ends, like organizing personal papers or paying off debts
  • Saying goodbye to friends and family

Suicidal behaviors are a psychiatric emergency. If you or a loved one exhibits these behaviors, seek immediate help from a health care provider or call 911.

If you are unsure, a licensed mental health professional can help assess.

Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness

Suicide Myths
Sarah Shirina, licensed supervisor of behavioral health with BayCare Behavioral Health, discussed some myths about suicide during a recent Zoom presentation hosted by the University of Saint Leo.

Here’s an excerpt from what she shared:

Myth: Talking about suicide or asking someone if they feel suicidal will encourage suicide attempts.

Fact: Talking about suicide provides the opportunity for communication. Fears that are shared are more likely to diminish.

Myth: People who talk about suicide never attempt or die by suicide.

Fact: Talking about suicide can be a plea for help, and it can be a late sign in the progression toward a suicide attempt. Those who are most at risk will show other signs, apart from talking about suicide.

Myth: If a person attempts suicide and survives, they will never make a further attempt.

Fact: A suicide attempt is regarded as an indicator of further attempts. It is likely that the level of danger will increase with each further suicide attempt. Just because someone has attempted suicide previously does not mean they are no longer at risk of attempting in the future.

Myth: Once a person has suicidal intent, there is no way of stopping them.

Fact: This is so far from the truth because suicides can be prevented. People can be helped. Suicidal crises can be relatively short-lived. Immediate practical help, such as staying with the person, encouraging them to talk and helping them build plans for the future can avert an intention to attempt or die by suicide. Such immediate help is valuable at the time of a crisis, but appropriate counseling also will be needed.

Need help?
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255.
Call 2-1-1 for additional resources.

Want to help?
BayCare offers free Mental Health First Aid Training. To find out more, call 800-878-5470.

Published June 09, 2021

Work gets started on new home for military family

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Operation Homefront and Meritage Homes celebrated Military Appreciation Month last month, with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new home being built for a deserving military family.

During the ceremony, four military veterans on Meritage Homes’ staff, participated in the festivities.

Taking part in the ceremonial groundbreaking, from left are Stephanie Harris, veteran of the U.S. Air Force and administrative services manager for Meritage Homes; Steve Harding, Florida regional president for Meritage Homes; Gintas Urbonavicius, veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, and vice president of construction for Meritage Homes; Beth McGregor, program coordinator, for Operation Homefront; and Maggie Milana, U.S. Navy veteran and sales consultant for Meritage Homes. (Courtesy of Havas Formula)

The new, mortgage-free and energy-efficient home that will be presented to a deserving family on Veterans Day.

Meritage Homes hosted the event, which included remarks by Steve Harding, regional president for Meritage’s Florida division, according to a news release.

The event took place in Bristol Meadows, on Asher Moon Lane, in Zephyrhills.

Meritage Homes, the sixth-largest U.S. homebuilder, has again renewed its partnership with Operation Homefront, to place a deserving military family into a brand new, mortgage-free and energy-efficient Meritage home.

This is the eighth year Meritage Homes has built and donated a new home to Operation Homefront through the Permanent Homes for Veterans program.

Operation Homefront will select the recipient for the new home and keys will be awarded the week of Veterans Day 2021.

The Permanent Homes for Veterans program, formerly known as Homes on the Homefront, has placed more than 700 military families in mortgage-free homes and deeded over $90 million in home equity since 2012.

For more information about Meritage Homes, visit MeritageHomes.com.

For more information about Operation Homefront, visit OperationHomefront.org.

Published June 09, 2021

The play’s the thing — and it’s in their backyard

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As the old saying goes, “Necessity is the Mother of Invention.” So when COVID-19 put the brakes on indoor performances, aspiring actor Rhett Ricardo, of Dade City, had an idea.

This 32-foot stage, with changeable scenery, is behind the Missouri Avenue home of Jill and Jason Ricardo in Dade City. It provides a venue where students and some recent graduates have put on plays, to pursue their interests in theater. In this scene, 18-year-old Connor Mirrop, of Dade City, left, a recent graduate of Pasco High, takes on the role of Max, and 16-year-old Zachary Trenkle portrays Mr. Saunders, in ‘Lend Me a Tenor.’ (Fred Bellet)

He formed a “Shakespeare in the Yard” company, and offered performances in the family’s Dade City backyard.

He organized performances of “Much Ado About Nothing,” in November and of a “Midsummer Night’s Dream” in January.

And, when the Arts in Motion (AIM) Pasco program couldn’t find a suitable venue, Rhett’s parents — Jill and Jason Ricardo — offered up their backyard as the setting for smaller AIM plays — where young actors would have a place to perform and the audience could remain socially distanced.

Jill Ricardo is vice president of production for the AIM Pasco program — which gives youths a chance to pursue their interest in theater.

Eva Weiss, seated, played the role of Maria, a home-schooler, in ‘Lend Me a Tenor.’ She is flanked by Connor Mirrop, who performed the role of Max, and Zachary Trenkle, who played the role of Mr. Saunders.

Typically, Arts in Motion puts on two large musicals each year.

The productions usually involve 50 to 60 performers, and each child that auditions gets a role, Jill Ricardo said.

When the organization shifted to smaller productions — to keep things going — she said she was surprised by the level of interest the young actors displayed.

“In a musical, you can rely on the big, flashy numbers to get you through,” she said.

In the plays staged in the Ricardos’ backyard, the actors had to develop completely different skill sets, she explained.

They performed “The Laramie Project,” “Greater Tuna,” “Snow White Rap,” “The Diary of Ann Frank,” and “The Lend Me a Tenor.”

“The Laramie Project” explores the story of Matthew Shephard, a gay University of Wyoming student who was beaten and left to die.

“That was a really powerful show for us,” Ricardo said.

Eighteen-year-old Jadyn Mills, of Dade City, right, plays the role of Maggie, exchanging lines with Max, performed by 18-year-old Connor Mirrop.

They also did “The Diary of Anne Frank,” based on a journal kept by a young Jewish girl who chronicled two years of her family’s life in hiding during German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II.

Her diary was published two years after the girl’s death in a concentration camp.

Ricardo was moved by the work done by the cast, describing it as “a really, really beautiful show.”

“Greater Tuna” and “Lend Me a Tenor” are comedies, and “Snow White Rap” gave the younger children a chance to perform.

“Each play we did, there were four performances,” she said. “It was busy around here.

“My husband and I were exhausted in the end,” Ricardo said.

Artists in Motion is finished for this season, but expects to audition in August for its next show.

From left, 19-year-old Roman Ricardo, of Dade City, operates the light board, 17-year-old Jayden Parsons, of Dade City, cues the music and 15-year-old Amelia Hesting, of Hudson, runs the sound board for ‘Lend Me a Tenor.’ Capria Pitchette directed the play.

By then, Ricardo hopes they will be able to find an indoor venue for their performances.

However, she’s not opposed to continuing to have some plays in the family’s backyard.

She’s a huge believer in giving youths a chance to get involved in the theater.

“I think art allows them to express their feelings in a way that’s productive, and they can explore their feelings, and they explore the world, in a safe space,” Ricardo said.

The young actors also get a chance to develop teamwork and experience “building something from nothing — the act of creation,” Ricardo added.

Arts in Motion is a nonprofit community youth theater and arts education organization. For more information, check the website ArtsinMotionPasco.org.

Published June 09, 2021

Saying goodbye to a challenge-filled school year

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Some Pasco County School board members and the president of the employee union took a few moments during the board’s June 1 meeting to reflect on efforts made during this previous school year — to cope with challenges posed by COVID-19.

Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco, summed up the last school year this way:

“Well, we made it. A most inconvenient, challenge-filled year is now finished.

“We didn’t make it without cost. We lost a few pretty special people along the way.

“There were some students who never really connected, and the mental taxation to all of us was monumental.

“Despite all of this, I thought we planned and executed a pretty remarkable year.

“Compared to districts and states around the country, who never returned to school, Pasco is light years ahead in giving our students the best educational opportunity to move forward, under extraordinary circumstances,” Peace said.

School board member Cynthia Armstrong agreed with Peace’s assessment.

“It was a tough year. I don’t think any of us ever want to go through anything like this again.

“We still were able to accomplish some amazing things.

“A lot of life lessons were learned by everyone, including the students,” Armstrong said.

“I really want to thank all of the students and staff at all of the schools for everything they did to help keep our students safe this year, (and to) make sure that learning and extracurricular activities continued,” Armstrong said.

Peace echoed that appreciation, giving kudos to teachers, support personnel, district staff, community partners, parents and grandparents for their help during a difficult year.

School board member Colleen Beaudoin also expressed gratitude for the flexibility demonstrated by school leaders, in light of changing circumstances.

“I know it’s not easy, but they have adapted,” Beaudoin said.

Peace said he knows the coming year will be challenging on the financial front, particularly because much of the state money coming to the district must be spent in specific ways.

The union leader also formally requested that USEP be included in discussions over how federal money, provided in COVID-19 relief, is spent in the district.

Regarding district spending, Beaudoin asked if the district can seek to reduce paper costs.

“Can we move more toward using less paper?” Beaudoin said, noting that during the pandemic, the district has increased its use of an electronic learning management system called CANVAS.

Superintendent Kurt Browning said the district has spent more than $10 million on CANVAS, so he’s a big proponent of using that system.

In conversations, he said, he has asked: “Why should we not, and I use the word, mandate, CANVAS in our schools. And, I still have some pushback. Right, wrong or indifferent. But with a district our size — we’re talking about ninth, 10th largest district in the state — we consume a great deal of paper.”

Browning said he wouldn’t favor going to a paperless system, but agrees the district could use less paper.

Beaudoin agreed: “I’m not advocating for not using any paper. Especially in math, I think it’s really important that kids be able to write on their tests. I wasn’t saying, ‘I don’t want any paper.’ I was just thinking there are some things that you can post.

“I remember in elementary school, my kids coming home with tons of things that could have been in an email, or could have been (on) a half a sheet of paper,” she said.

Browning said the district is making progress on that front. “We’re getting there. Every year, we’re getting better.”

The district is “very sensitive to the amount of materials,” the superintendent said.

As a matter of fact, Browning said he would be meeting with district staff about department budgets following the board meeting to address cuts that will be needed to avoid a deficit in the coming year’s spending plan.

Published June 09, 2021

Housing development supports ‘independent’ living

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SVdP CARES, which stands for St. Vincent de Paul Cares, recently celebrated the completion of the third phase of its permanent supportive housing project, Ozanam Village III, according to a news release.

Festivities to celebrate the completion of the third phase of Ozanam Village drew a big crowd. (Courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul Cares)

The completion of this phase brings the total number of units at the residential development to 99.

“These units will permanently house those that need a little extra care, including those with physical and mental disabilities, victims of domestic abuse, individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, or those who have aged out of foster care,” says the release, from Mary Burns, communications and donor relations manager for St. Vincent de Paul Cares.

Officials cut a ribbon to celebrate the project’s completion. (Courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul Cares)

The event, at 7770 Ozanam Way, in New Port Richey, was attended by dignitaries, including New Port Richey Mayor Rob Marlowe; Pasco County Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick; representatives from Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ offices; residents and community partners.

Project partners include the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, NDC Asset Management, Bradley Construction and Ability Housing.

The Most Rev. Bishop Gregory Parkes, who presides over the Diocese of St. Petersburg, provided a blessing during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

St. Vincent de Paul CARES is a nonprofit organization committed to end homelessness.

It uses this tag line to describe its mission: “Making Homelessness Rare. Brief. One-Time.”

Published June 09, 2021

Sign war pokes fun, prompts camaraderie

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What began as a ‘sign war’ between Zephyrhills Cinema 10 and Golden Corral, in mid-May, has evolved into a battle of wits among 70-plus Zephyrhills businesses.

Golden Corral, at 6855 Gall Blvd, advises Zephyrhills Police to skip the doughnuts and enjoy a steak, instead. (Kelli Carmack)

It seems like just about everybody is getting into the act.

The First Congregational Church of Zephyrhills took on Taco Bell.

The church’s sign declares: “Taco Bell sounds good, but ours has a real ring to it.”

Golden Corral took on Zephyrhills Police, while K & K Glass poked fun at Pin Chasers.

Lavish Lox teased The Gentleman’s Quarter, while others such as Axe of Kindness, Zephyrhills Brewing Company and Salon on 5th used clever gibes and poetry to convey their messages.

First Congregational Church of Zephyrhills, at 7900 Fort King Road, took on Taco Bell’s bell, as part of the ‘sign war’ fun.

Even The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce joined in, taking a universal approach to cheer on the community’s businesses — something it’s grown accustomed to, through the years.

Some of the signs are quite tall. Others, very small.

And, some, like the ones — at Sen. Danny Burgess’ office — aren’t even signs at all.

Who needs a sign to share a message? Not State Sen. Danny Burgess’ office, at 38507 Fifth Ave. — pieces of paper will do just fine.

At the lawmaker’s office, four pieces of paper are taped to the window, conveying this message:

“We don’t have a sign, but we wanted to play!

“So we want to take the opportunity to say …

“As we have been looking at all of the signs, while we drive around

“It makes us proud to represent

And live in this great little town.”

Published June 09, 2021

Forget hot girl summer! Sonny’s BBQ, 6606 Gall Blvd., wants you to have a hot grill summer.
Salon on 5th, at 38521 Fifth Ave, offers a witty response to the sign at Sonny’s BBQ.
Lavish Lox Beauty Lounge, 38440 Fifth Ave., tosses the ‘sign war’ challenge over to The Gentleman’s Quarter, a local barber shop.
K&K Glass, at 5938 Seventh St., challenges Pin Chasers to join in the community’s ‘sign war.’
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, at 38550 Fifth Ave., once again threw its support behind all of the community’s businesses.
Axe of Kindness, an entertainment venue that features axe throwing, at 38444 Fifth Ave. in Zephyrhills, is just one of scores of businesses having fun in a citywide ‘sign war.’
Hold their beer! Zephyrhills Brewing Company, at 38530 Fifth Ave., wants to create its sign.

More scholarships address increased need

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The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club has announced a total of $23,950 in scholarship awards for 2021.

From left: Woman’s club scholarship chair Lucy Albury, Alexis Fernandez, Jadon Ferrance, Alissa Vani, Marian Suliman and woman’s club president Annette Bellingar. (Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

For more than a decade, the club has had the privilege of administering the Lutz Fireman’s Endowment Fund on behalf of the former Lutz Volunteer Fire Department.

Each year, two scholarships were awarded to students who are Lutz residents; however, the former Fireman’s Fund directors recommended that during this challenging pandemic year, the woman’s club double the awards, to four $5,000 scholarships, due to the exceptional need in the community.

From left: Woman’s club president Annette Bellingar, Kaitlyn Sheppard, Clayton Topdemir, Shannon Gordy, and Jay Muffly of the Lutz Fireman’s Endowment Fund.

The four recipients of the 2021 Fireman’s Fund awards are Shannon Gordy, Sunlake High School; Clayton Topdemir, Cypress Creek High; Zachary Maddox, Freedom High; and Kaitlyn Sheppard, Gaither High.

The woman’s club scholarship recipients are Alexis Fernandez, Land O’ Lakes High ($1,100); Jadon Ferrance, Steinbrenner High ($1,100); and Alissa Vani, Steinbrenner High ($1,000).

The club’s Lynn LaFleur Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Marian Suliman, Steinbrenner High ($750).

This group of graduates will soon begin their university studies at various schools, including Florida State University, the University of South Florida, Hillsborough Community College, George Washington University, the University of Florida, Florida A & M, the University of North Florida, and the University of Central Florida.

Published June 09, 2021

IPAC: A place to sing, to act, to learn and entertain

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When Lauren Murray heard about the opportunity to assume the leadership role at Pasco-Hernando State College’s new Instructional Performing Arts Center — she immediately recognized the possibilities.

She knew the position would give her a chance to use the knowledge and experience she’s accumulated through her professional life.

This sweeping roof is at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Instructional Performing Arts Center, also known as IPAC, at 8657 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel. In addition to being a teaching facility, it is expected to offer a variety of performances for the community to enjoy. (Fred Bellet)

And, she understood the center’s enormous potential.

Not only will it prepare students for future careers in the performing and technical arts, but it also will provide a venue for performing arts groups and it will create a new place for the community to enjoy the arts, said Murray, a Tampa native with more than 20 years of administrative and academic experience in higher education and the performing arts.

To say she’s excited about her new job would be putting it mildly.

Although it will take some time to get the facility operating in full gear, the college has been giving tours to offer visitors a glimpse of the center’s features and talk up its potential uses.

Photographer Fred Bellet represented The Laker/Lutz News on one of those tours and Murray provided details about the facility for this story.

Dr. Timothy Beard, president of Pasco-Hernando State College, offers details about the facility during a media tour. In the background, on stage, 16-year-old Brooke Herrera prepares to play guitar and sing. Herrera is a dual-enrolled high school and college student at PHSC.

The center, at 8657 Old Pasco Road, shares a campus with Cypress Creek High School and Cypress Creek Middle School, in Wesley Chapel.

The $18 million project includes the 36,000-square-foot facility, complete with furnishings and state-of-the-art equipment, Murray said. It’s a fully digital system, with the latest available technology in lighting and sound support.

“It gives our students the opportunity to experience very new platforms and the things that are just being brought out right now. These will be the kinds of systems that they’ll be expected to know how to run when they’re out there in the real world,” she said.

The campus includes the 444-seat Weatherford Theater, named for former Florida Speaker of the House Will Weatherford, who played an instrumental role in obtaining funding for the facility.

A spacious music studio gives music director Justin Baggett plenty of room for students. Here, he leads a quintet practicing a piece by Mozart.

Murray is pleased with the size of the theater.

“We can get a decent crowd in there, but it’s pretty intimate, so every seat is terrific,” she said.

It also has excellent staging capabilities, and a projection screen that can be used for movies and presentations.

“This is going to be a real performing arts program, where we’ll have instrumental and vocal ensembles. We will have theater productions. We will have dance recitals and productions, as well,” Murray said.

The center’s dance studio has sprung wood floor, a sound system and video system and full wall of mirrors and barres.

The music studio has two acoustical sound rooms, where the acoustics of the room can be adjusted. It also has recording capabilities for practice sessions, so singers can listen to themselves to evaluate how well they are performing, said Murray, who herself is an accomplished oboist and most recently served as the music chair at the Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center in Tampa.

The high-gloss surface of the baby grand piano in the new Weatherford Theater reflects the image of prospective student Dale Master, of Tampa. Master took the public tour of the new IPAC and was invited to play the new instrument. The theater has 444 seats.

The drama studio features a large rehearsal space, which can be used in many ways, Murray said. Additionally, there’s a stage, a full costume studio and two full dressing rooms.

“Our lighting in our dressing rooms is LED, instead of those old bulbs that are 1000 degrees, so that‘s nice — so, your makeup doesn’t melt off,” she said.

The digital production studio has a full lighting grid, state-of-the-art cameras, a sound board, a lighting board and multiple computers.

And, there are two computer classrooms — equipped to prepare students for both the Mac and PC worlds.

In addition to providing opportunities for students, the community also will benefit from being able to enjoy a professional theater experience without having to drive downtown, Murray said.

Kevin O’Farrell, provost of Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus, right, stops by the technology lab and converses with students Cinthia Morrabal, of Port Richey, left, and Gretchen Samter, of Spring Hill.

Much work remains to bring the programming vision to life, she said, adding: “We’re still building our curriculum.”

She expects it to take about a year before students will be staging public performances.

But there will be public rentals for outside performance groups, and that’s expected to begin around September, she said.

The college also is likely to bring in outside performers for a ticketed series, and Murray looks forward to creating multicultural programming, as well.

Future plans also call for staging some outdoor performances.

Beyond what’s happening at IPAC, Murray expects opportunities to develop for its students to land internships or part-time jobs, on their path to careers in the arts.

Murray is delighted with the prospects of what lies ahead.

“It’s quite a thing to open a performing arts center. It’s expensive. It’s different. There’s a lot of new things that you have to figure out,” Murray said.

Jonathan Tietz, assistant professor of digital media, sets up the production booth, which is part of the facility’s video production lab.

“A lot of places are like: We can’t do that. We don’t have time for that. We don’t want to fund that,” she said.

That’s not true for PHSC’s commitment to IPAC, she said.

“The support that this place and these programs have here is so exciting. It is going to make it a great program because everybody is on board,” she said.

She’s thrilled about the opportunities the center is creating for students.

“The arts are a viable place to make your living. You do have to work and you do have to be creative to find different ways to make a living in the arts, but it’s still a wholly viable living,” Murray said.

Want to know about available classes? Visit PHSC.edu/academics.

Published June 02, 2021

Panel discussion addresses challenges for women of color

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Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is leveraging its community connections to foster meaningful discussion on matters related to social justice and racial equity.

The area institution recently organized a virtual summit titled, “Equity and Advancement of Minority Women in America.”

Florida African American Student Association president Dernika David (Courtesy of Florida African American Student Association)

The Zoom event on May 10 included breakout sessions on topics such as leadership and mentoring; politics, policing and civic responsibility; life skills; and, mental health and spirituality.

The event’s keynote speaker was Orange County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Ingrid Tejada-Monforte.

The daylong summit kicked off with a 45-minute discussion by a panel including college students, educators and professionals.

Boosting retention, graduation success rates
The issues of college graduation success rates and retention among minorities were among the primary topics during the forum.

Figures presented from Center for American Progress show spring semester undergraduate college enrollment nationwide decreased 4.5%, with larger declines among Black, Latino and Native American populations.

Ways to minimize the disproportion was a point of discussion.

Dernika David is president of the Florida African American Student Association, which represents over 200,000 students in colleges and universities throughout the state of Florida.

She underscored the struggles of a person of color navigating the college experience.

David explained many minorities — who may be first-generation college students — don’t have the financial backing or support from parents, grandparents and other family members.

She emphasized the importance of colleges and universities having Black student unions or related multicultural organizations. They provide an opportunity to connect with “a leader or someone that’s going to guide you and support you.”

Put another way, she said: “A lot of students need coaches and people to keep them on track, so I think that is an important thing we need on campuses.”

Higher education systems and other organizations must do better in promoting information and accessibility about scholarships and financial aid, added David.

“College is expensive,” she said. “I have a lot of students ask me like, ‘How did you get this scholarship?’ because they don’t know the resources or they want to be networked with someone that can go ahead and get them into a scholarship or be financed throughout college, so we need to have the resources ready for these students.”

Dorian Howell is student government president of PHSC’s Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel.

He feels there’s plenty of scholarships and grants available — at least through the PHSC Foundation. But, he said: “It’s also about getting the word out to the communities that really need it.”

Marsha Kiner, interim executive director and CEO of Association of Florida Colleges (Courtesy of Association of Florida Colleges)

Marsha Kiner serves as interim executive director and CEO of the Association of Florida Colleges, which represents Florida’s 28 public community and state colleges, their boards, employees, retirees and associates.

She explained women of color frequently have the added plight of attending college at an older age — while trying to raise a family and, at the same time, making other financial and personal sacrifices.

Mentors who have navigated such experiences are critical to the success of future generations, said Kiner, who holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s degree in educational leadership.

“Those of us who’ve already kind of been on the journey need to ensure that we are stepping up and reaching back and providing support,” she said.

Kiner otherwise provided positive words of encouragement to young females of color striving to earn an education and achieve success: “Understand your journey, and never, ever be afraid to use your voice.”

PHSC student Paloma Alejandro agreed with the idea of colleges offering mentorship and support groups to women of color.

She is seeking an associate’s degree, while raising a child and managing a full-time job.

“I think it’s important to meet to discuss our successes and opportunities,” Alejandro said. “I think it’s important for us to realize that others around us are struggling in the same areas, or others around us are successful in the same areas.”

Narrowing the gender wage gap
Finding ways to close the gender wage gap and economic inequity for females of color — was another talking point.

Various studies were cited from Lean In, a nonprofit organization founded by Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg. The organization aims to help women around the world to achieve their ambitions.

In comparison to white men, Lean In reports:

  • Asian women on average make 13% less
  • White women 21% less
  • Black women 37% less
  • Native American women 45% less
  • Hispanic women 45% less

Student government president Howell suggested that others follow the footsteps of his mother and start a small business where you can be your own boss.

Howell’s mom, who is Asian, ran a profitable nail tech/beauty salon in Pinellas County, earning wages that he said mirrored some medical doctors and surgeons in the area.

Dorian Howell is student government president of PHSC’s Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel. (File)

Howell also observed: “You can increase your income just by learning some new skills, going to college, or even getting a trade, but it takes a community of encouragement for females to grow from here.”

David, meanwhile, challenged fellow younger generation of minority females to “know your worth,” particularly when it comes to working for a large company or corporation.

“These capitalistic companies at the end of the day can replace you, and just know exactly what you’re going into, the pay that you want, because sometimes that can be negotiable in some companies,” she said.

David also advised women to take initiative, and learn about stock market and cryptocurrency investments to increase wealth.

Those arenas can be intimidating for some, she said, given “that it’s almost like a men’s club, but just for white men.”

However, the panelist detailed learning about such financial resources and tools of the trade from a white male co-worker.

“What I would say is just shadow and learn from others that may not even be in your same community,” David said.

“Because of him, I was able to invest in stocks and cryptocurrency, which is something that I never thought I would be able to do and understand, but I took that understanding and taught my siblings and taught my friends, so it’s using your resources and helping others with what you’ve learned, and not gatekeeping.”

Other panelists suggested researching various industry pay and then having the courage to step up and not accept anything less.

PHSC student Hope Henry stated: “We need to be comfortable with uncomfortable, and doing things you’d never thought you’d so, so in order to instill change, you must challenge yourself and the system in front of you.”

Uplifting women of color
Kevin O’ Farrell, provost at the PHSC Porter Campus, called the educational seminar “a very timely topic” in the midst of ongoing conversations regarding social justice and racial equity.

He then quoted Kamala Harris, the first woman, the first Black American and the first Asian American to serve as the nation’s vice president.

O’ Farrell said: “I’m often reminded of what now vice president Harris said when she was accepting the vote this last November when she made the comments, ‘I may be the first, but I will not be the last.’”

Published June 02, 2021

New River Library offers patrons a fresh look

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It’s not a brand new library — but it sure looks and feels like one.

The New River Library, at 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, has reopened its doors after a massive overhaul that took longer than expected because of COVID-19 and material delays.

The red brick building, constructed in 1991, looks much the same. The inside, however, looks entirely new. (B.C. Manion)

The library officially reopened on April 30, but work is not completely finished yet on the outdoor garden spaces, and library staff is still awaiting the arrival of some furniture and materials.

Still, there’s an air of excitement as staff prepares to offer library patrons a more comfortable place to read, meet and take advantage of programming.

Most of the activities won’t kick into high gear until later this year, as the library continues to offer the vast majority of programming remotely.

Still, staff is eager for patrons to come in and take a look around.

“People are welcome to come in and they’re welcome to take our nickel tour, what we call a Sneak Preview,” said Angelo Liranzo, a regional manager for Pasco County Libraries.

The tour gives patrons a chance to see what’s there now and to hear about what’s coming.

Danielle Lee, branch manager at New River, is excited about the possibilities.

Those entering the library site now have two options. A driveway has been added on the east side of the library campus.

New landscaping has been added, too, with palm trees lining the sidewalk and flowering plants greeting visitors as they make their way to the front entryway.

Angelo Liranzo is a regional manager for Pasco County Libraries and Danielle Lee is the branch manager for the New River Branch Library, which was recently renovated.

“The outside is a lot more harmonious with Wesley Chapel, which has a lot new communities with beautiful entries into their subdivisions, and the library looks like it belongs in that area,” Liranzo said.

A giant mat at the front door gives patrons a chance to wipe off their feet before stepping onto the newly installed flooring in the library’s new lobby.

The space is much more open and brighter than the one it replaced, and there is seating available there. There are new restrooms, too, designed for individual or family use. Each restroom is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-compliant.

Inside the library, patron will find staffers at the service desk, ready to help people find what they need.

There’s a new children’s room, where children can play with toys. Future plans call for having story time there. Older kids can use the room’s computers.

The space has large windows looking out onto the library’s front yard, which is landscaped with trees and flowering plants. There’s also a view of busy State Road 54.

This is the library’s new children’s room. It offers comfortable seating, room to play, computers and a view, too.

“This is my favorite room,” said Danielle Lee, the branch manager. “It’s relaxing.”

There’s also an enclosed space for teens, which also has large windows.

“They’re going to have gaming computers in there, so if they’re playing on the computers they can have a good time and not disturb anyone else,” Liranzo said.

“We have study rooms that we never had before. Those are very nice,” Liranzo added.

Lee noted: “Study Room C is large enough — where a group can study.”

It can accommodate up to eight people, she added.

Liranzo also noted: “We still have our big open space that we can do programs in. We have enclosed spaces, where people don’t feel they’re being disturbed by noise. That’s something we never had before.”

The large space, which can be used for events, can become even larger because the furniture and bookshelves, are movable, Lee said.

There’s a community meeting room, too, which is equipped to facilitate Zoom sessions and big screen presentations.

The room can be reserved, but a priority system is used, with library programs getting first dibs, followed by government programs, and then, local organizations, Liranzo said.

The meeting room also is the space used by the Supervisor of Elections for a voting precinct.

There’s a new drive-thru book drop behind the New River Branch Library, giving patrons a chance to drop off books from the convenience of their car.

Outside, on the east side of the library, crews are hard at work installing garden spaces.

When finished, there will be community garden plots. There also will be a butterfly garden, a native plants garden, a seasonal plants garden and a sensory garden.

The library expects to partner with the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Pasco County Extension to offer demonstrations and learning opportunities, Liranzo said.

Nearly everything at the library has been redone or replaced.

“The exterior brick is the same. The roof is the same. But everything else was gutted out,” Liranzo said.

“We’re very fortunate that the Go Bonds were approved by the public,” Liranzo said, noting the bond proceeds paid for the cost of renovations, furniture and materials.

The library is far more than a place to simply read and check out books, Lee and Liranzo said.

It’s also a place where people gather for story time, book clubs, knitting, card games and an assortment of other activities.

That all came to a halt because of the pandemic, but library staff can’t wait for the day when the library can come back to full life — as a place where people can gather, to learn and to socialize.

New River Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel
Hours
Monday and Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Published June 02, 2021