The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News

Marine Corps League Detachment forms in Land O’ Lakes

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A new Marine Corps League Detachment has formed in Land O’ Lakes.

The Marine Forever Detachment No. 1440 has received its official charter, and the organization now meets on the third Monday of the month, at 7 p.m. at the Beef O’ Brady’s in the Village Lakes Shopping Center, 21539 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive in Land O’ Lakes.

The formal presentation of the detachment’s official charter took place at the Beef O’ Brady’s on Sept. 26.

The League detachment is open to active duty, reserve and honorable discharged veterans of the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy FMF Corpsmen and Chaplains who live in Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, Odessa, Wesley Chapel and surrounding areas.

  1. David Kirk, of Lutz, the commandant of the new detachment, led the quest for its formation.

He also organized the Marine Forever Veterans Group LLC, a social group of Marine Corps veterans and their wives, that has been meeting at the same Beef O’ Brady’s for dinner for the past four years. That group, which is primarily social in nature, will continue to meet for dinner on Monday evenings at 6 p.m., Kirk said.

Florida Commandant Ron Ashley holds charter document, while L. David Kirk, commandant of the newly formed Marine Corps League Detachment No. 1440 looks on.
Courtesy of L. David Kirk      Florida Commandant Ron Ashley holds charter document, while L. David Kirk, commandant of the newly formed Marine Corps League Detachment No. 1440 looks on.

Unlike the social group, the League detachment will have a 501-c4 status, meaning it can raise money for charitable causes, such as helping veterans in need, providing money for education and other endeavors, Kirk said.

The Land O’ Lakes detachment was needed because the closest one was 15 miles away, or more, Kirk explained, in a previous story published in The Laker.

Besides being more convenient, it’s also less expensive to belong because it doesn’t take as much gas to get to meetings, Kirk said.

Now that the new detachment is established, existing league members can transfer their membership.

So far, the detachment has 24 members, but Kirk expects about a half-dozen new members to join this month.

This isn’t the first time that Kirk has served as commandant. He previously served in that capacity at the Angus R. Goss Detachment in Tampa.

The Marine Corps League was founded in 1923 by World War I hero Major Gen. Commandant John A. Lejeune, and its congressional charter was approved by an act of the 75th Congress, which was signed and approved by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Aug. 4, 1937.

The league’s mission calls for its members to “join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps and those that have been honorably discharged from that service that they may effectively promote the ideas of American freedom and democracy.”

The league’s mission also calls for “voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows, and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.”

For more information on becoming a charter member of the new detachment and to receive updates on upcoming meetings, email Kirk at

For more information about the Marine Corps League, visit http://mclnational.org//

For more information about Marine Forever Veteran Group, LLC, visit Marine4Ever.com

and Facebook.com/MarineForeverVeteransGroup.

Published Oct. 19, 2016

Pasco County to add tourism director

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Tourism in Pasco County is on a launching pad, as county officials prepare for what they hope to be an explosion of visitors — sampling the county’s shops, malls, restaurants, hotels and future sports complexes.

County commissioners are reviewing proposals for a sports complex at Wiregrass Ranch, with about an $8.5 million investment.

Florida Hospital Center Ice is expected to open in early 2017, and to become a draw for local, state and national sports competitions.

Bed tax revenues are estimated to push past the $1 million mark in 2016. And, under a tourism master plan, county officials anticipate the 2 percent bed tax rate to increase to 5 percent by 2019, with revenues reaching nearly $3 million.

To tackle upcoming challenges from this record growth, Pasco is looking to reorganize the tourism office, and hire a tourism director.

“It’s growing to a pretty big operation,” said Richard Gehring, the county’s strategic policy administrator. “We’re going to be on another plateau as we compete in the Tampa Bay region. This is the next step up.”

Two to three candidates were identified and interviewed. County officials now are making an offer, and negotiating salary and benefits.

The issue came up at the County Commission’s Oct. 11 meeting.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells expressed surprise at the creation of a new position of tourism director.

Ed Caum currently serves as the tourism manager.

Under the new plan, Caum’s title would become program manager and he would report to the tourism director.

Gehring said the change is a lateral move for Caum, and not a demotion. Caum agreed, saying he concurred with the decision for the new hire.

“I don’t feel it’s a demotion,” he said, adding that he will continue to perform his current duties.

Caum didn’t apply for the tourism director position.

He said his next move may be retirement, in two to three years.

Wells praised Caum’s efforts in developing and expanding the scope of the tourism council over the years.

Wells isn’t convinced about the county’s need for a tourism director at this time.

“I think we’re putting the cart before the horse,” Wells said.

“I’d like to see us hold off on this until we have a new county administrator. It doesn’t make sense to me,” Wells said.

Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker is scheduled to vacate her post in July 2017.

Gehring said it makes sense to get someone on board now.

“Let’s go ahead and reach out for another horse-power level person,” he said.

 

Independent Catholic church forms

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An independent Catholic church is forming in Wesley Chapel.

Services at Spirit of Light Synodal Catholic Church will begin Oct. 23.

A Mass will be celebrated every Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., inside the meeting room at the Rodeway Inn, 5642 Oakley Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

A typical communion Mass is expected to last about an hour.

Lionel Repasky is the pastor at Spirit of Light Synodal Catholic Church. Masses will be held each Sunday at 10:30 a.m., inside the meeting room at the Rodeway Inn, 5642 Oakley Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Lionel Repasky)
Lionel Repasky is the pastor at Spirit of Light Synodal Catholic Church. Masses will be held each Sunday at 10:30 a.m., inside the meeting room at the Rodeway Inn, 5642 Oakley Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.
(Courtesy of Lionel Repasky)

According to the church’s website, synodal Catholicism strives to express the Catholic faith in a more accepting manner.

Lionel Repasky, the pastor at Spirit of Light, said the church is “all-embracing” and “inclusive to all.”

“The easiest thing to say is that we’re a Catholic church that’s not Roman,” said Repasky, who was ordained last November. “We have both male and female priests — married and single.”

The Mass, the pastor said, will be quite similar to that of other Catholic churches.

“We have the same seven sacraments, the same saints, essentially the same history,” he said, “it’s just we’re approaching it with a more modern interpretation of welcoming all.”

The synodal church believes the sacraments “are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ to the Church.”

It recognizes the following sacraments: baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, marriage, holy orders, reconciliation and anointing of the sick.

According to the church’s doctrine, “sacraments are not restricted to any individual or group, by gender, sexual orientation, marital state or other conditions.”

Repasky serves at the discretion of the church’s community. “If they don’t like me, they can fire me,” he said.

He said the traditional Catholic church has become “bound up in their own rules and regulations” over the past 2,000-plus years.

“We’ve gone back and looked at how the ancient church was much more community oriented…as opposed to simply following and doing whatever the clergy members said,” Repasky explained.

The Communion of Synodal Catholic Churches operates in Florida, California, Pennsylvania and Washington.

The Diocese of Florida is headed by Bishop Steven Rosczewski.

Including Spirit of Light, there are three other synodal Catholic churches in the Tampa Bay area: Christ the Servant Catholic Church, 12703 N. Florida Ave., in Tampa; Community of Divine Mercy in Riverview; and Holy Spirit Synodal Catholic Church in Safety Harbor.

The church welcomes former Catholics or those who have been hurt by the church.

Repasky expects the church will have a core group of “six to eight” members to start.

“We would hope that you would give us a chance,” Repasky said. “We want to be a trusting, open community, and we want to feel mercy to all…”

Additional Masses may be scheduled, as Spirit of Light’s congregation grows, Repasky said.

“As we expand out and get into the Christmas season, we’ll have other Masses,” he said.

By next year, the pastor hopes to at least include a schedule of holy day Masses.

For more information on Spirit of Light, contact Repasky at (813) 679-1883 or .

Published October 12, 2016

Weatherford makes PHSC’s hall of fame

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Will Weatherford, the former Speaker of the House of the Florida Legislature, was inducted into Pasco-Hernando State College’s Legislative Hall of Fame on Sept. 20.

The ceremony was at the state college’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., according to a news release from the college.

From left, Pasco-Hernando State College Trustees Ardian Zika, Morris Porton, and Marilyn Pearson-Adams, former Speaker of the House Will Weatherford, PHSC President Tim Beard, PHSC trustee Robin Schneider and PHSC Board Chair Ed Blommel. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)
From left, Pasco-Hernando State College Trustees Ardian Zika, Morris Porton, and Marilyn Pearson-Adams, former Speaker of the House Will Weatherford, PHSC President Tim Beard, PHSC trustee Robin Schneider and PHSC Board Chair Ed Blommel.
(Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

Ed Blommel, chairman of PHSC’s District Board of Trustees, officiated over the ceremony, which included the unveiling of a plaque to be displayed in perpetuity in the Legislative Hall of Fame.

Weatherford received an identical plaque.

“We recognize Will Weatherford, who has proved to be an unwavering champion for PHSC,” Blommel said, according to the release.

“Speaker Weatherford assisted the college in getting the funding for the construction of the beautiful Porter Campus ($52.2 million), including fighting off a veto and legislative resistance to get the final installment after construction was underway and nearly complete,” he added.

Timothy Beard, the college’s president, also recognized the former speaker’s efforts to provide equity in funding for the Florida College System, leading to a $7.7 million funding increase for the college and for securing more support for PHSC from the State Board of Education.

A number of special guests were at the event, including Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Florida College System Chancellor Madeline Pumariega, Rep. Danny Burgess, Pasco County Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning, Pasco County School Board Member Alan Altman, Bill and J.D. Porter and Quinn Porter-Miller.

Weatherford’s induction makes him the second member of the Legislative Hall of Fame, which is a new tradition at PHSC. The honor recognizes legislators for supporting the college and higher education opportunities for their constituents.

Sen. Jack Latvala, who was inducted in July, was the first to receive the honor.

Weatherford and Latvala are both members of the inaugural class of 2016.

Published October 5, 2016

Hyatt Place to be at Cypress Creek Town Center

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Construction on Hyatt Place Hotel & Conference Center is expected to begin in early 2017, according to a news release from the project’s development team.

Impact Properties Inc., Sierra Properties and the Hyatt Hotels Corporation are partnering on the 130-room hotel and conference center on the northern side of State Road 56, across from Tampa Premium Outlets.

Hyatt Place Wesley Chapel is expected to have a ground-breaking in early 2017 at the Cypress Creek Town Center. (Courtesy of Impact Properties Inc.)
Hyatt Place Wesley Chapel is expected to have a ground-breaking in early 2017 at the Cypress Creek Town Center.
(Courtesy of Impact Properties Inc.)

Hyatt Place Wesley Chapel will be the first Hyatt hotel in Pasco County and the first hotel within the more than 500 acres currently under development at the Cypress Creek Town Center.

According to Hyatt’s website, Hyatt Place guests are “mid- to upper-income Gen X travelers who expect modern conveniences and product design to accommodate their multi-tasking, 24/7 lifestyle.”

Hyatt Place will have 130 rooms, with areas for sleep, work and play, as well as sofa sleepers as an extra feature.

There will be free Wi-Fi, a round-the-clock “Gallery Menu” with freshly prepared meals any time of day. Free hot breakfasts also will be available daily.

A Coffee to Cocktails Bar will feature specialty coffees, premium beers, wines and cocktails.

The conference center will have about 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, with state-of-the-art technology.

A 24-hour fitness center will feature cardio equipment with LDC screens and free ear buds.

The mixed-use Cypress Creek Town Center is a showcase for growth in the State Road 56 area, located at the Interstate 75 interchange and the juncture of State Road 56 and State Road 54.

The center is approved for up to 2 million square feet of retail, hotel, apartments and offices.

Along with hotel construction, the first phase of development will include 230 upscale apartments and 10 new restaurants and shops, according to the press release.

In front of the outlet mall, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Chick-fil-A and Culver’s have opened within past months. BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse and Longhorn Steakhouse are under construction.

As part of Cypress Creek Town Center, Ford’s Garage, Pollo Tropical, Wendy’s and Taco Bell are awaiting permits.

Publshed September 28, 2016

Sports complex proposals under scrutiny

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Two proposals for a Wiregrass Ranch sports complex passed muster with an evaluation committee searching for the right concept to maximize sports tourism in Pasco County.

These proposals serve up a buffet line of amenities including large, indoor gymnasiums with multiple playing courts, an amphitheater, a hotel or two, lighted turf fields and some outdoor ball fields.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore is excited about the prospect of a new sports complex in Wiregrass Ranch. (File Photo)
Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore is excited about the prospect of a new sports complex in Wiregrass Ranch.
(File Photo)

Finalists were Clearwater-based Sports Facilities Management and RADD Sports, in partnership with Mainsail Development Group and Municipal Acquisitions LLC. Four companies had submitted proposals.

The committee met Sept. 12 and will meet again before either deciding on their recommendation to the Pasco County Commission, or requesting more information.

“I’m definitely excited about this,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

The array of indoor sports that will be available, in addition to the traditional baseball fields, is especially important, he said. “Pasco’s recreational baseball is becoming too saturated,” Moore said. And, whichever proposal is chosen, Moore said, “This is something we don’t have in our market.”

In September 2015 a study from Chicago-based Johnson Consulting Co., suggested that Pasco should focus on building a large indoor gymnasium for sports and activities such as basketball, volleyball, wrestling, cheerleading and martial arts. While a few outdoor playing fields also should be built, the study found that indoor, all-year-round sports complexes would give Pasco a more competitive edge in the evolving sports tourism industry.

Sports Facilities Management envisions a 92,000-square-foot facility with six basketball courts, or 12 volleyball courts. The Pasco County Sportsplex also would provide areas for parties, children’s play areas, and flex space for a café, kitchen, restrooms, offices and a lobby.

The complex would serve as a community sports and recreation destination, as well as hosting regional sports tournaments and special events from the southeastern United States.

At a cost of about $16.5 million, the company would create what is described as a “play and stay” destination for family friendly sporting events.

Other sports parks developed by Sports Facilities Management include Rocky Top Sports World in Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Bo Jackson’s Elite Sports in Hilliard, Ohio; and, Myrtle Beach Sports Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Company officials estimate that the facility would generate more than 30,000 hotel room nights from visitors outside of Pasco County within the first year. In five years, hotel room nights would increase to 40,000.

The direct economic benefit in the first year would be about $4 million. By year five, it would be $24 million, and by year 10, it would be $50 million.

The company provided letters of intent from four tournament organizers interested in using the facility as of 2018.

RADD Sports, in partnership with Mainsail Development Group and Municipal Acquisitions LCC, proposes in its first phase to build an approximately 98,000-square-foot facility, a Marriott hotel with a minimum of 100 rooms, an amphitheater, sports turf fields that could double as an event lawn, a fitness center, trails and playgrounds. Initial costs would be about $14 million.

Eight basketball courts also could accommodate volleyball, dance, cheerleading and other competitive sports, as well as local, regional and national tournaments.

About 36 events would be held annually at the amphitheater, with about $1 million being pumped into the local economy from visitors outside Pasco.

In a second phase of development, a second hotel could be built, as well as five baseball fields and an indoor baseball academy.

The Marriott hotel would cost about $15 million to build.

A 30-year management agreement would be negotiated between Pasco County and Municipal Acquisitions.

Mainsail is the developer of the Epicurean Hotel in south Tampa. RADD Sports built the Easton-Newberry Sports Complex in Newberry.

The evaluation committee reviewed, but rejected, proposals from Land O’ Lakes-based USCA (Ultimate Sports Complex Athletics) and Holladay Properties of South Bend, Indiana.

USCA’s proposal included up to 100,000 square feet for indoor sports and training in three buildings, an indoor go-cart track, a sports bar and bowling alleys.

Holladay submitted an offer to partner with Pasco County in a master plan for about 225 acres of the proposed site at Wiregrass with an indoor sports facility, as well as residential and commercial space. The real estate investment company didn’t propose to manage the sports facility.

Published September 28, 2016

A new fire station is coming to New Tampa

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Residents of New Tampa will get a new fire station in 2017, amid a boom in development and population growth.

Other proposed capital improvement projects include upgrading playground equipment at New Tampa Recreation Center and installing CCTV cameras along Cross Creek Boulevard to help regulate traffic signals and ease congestion.

“The growth here has been tremendous,” said Tampa City Councilwoman Lisa Montelione. “Having the fire station will bring comfort to a lot of people that they will have a rescue unit nearby.”

The city paid about $1.3 million in 2008 for 2.2 acres of land at County Line Road and Trout Creek Drive anticipating construction on Fire Station No. 23.

But, budget cutbacks during the recession delayed several construction projects citywide.

The station, at 20777 Trout Creek Drive, will cost about $4.7 million. A construction schedule is not yet available.

Another proposed fire station for New Tampa isn’t included in the 2017 budget, but does have design funds for 2019.

Fire Station No. 24 in the K-Bar Ranch area, off Morris Bridge Road, will be built “as growth continues to occur,” according to Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who presented a nearly $906 million budget to the Tampa City Council in July.

Council members approved the budget on Sept. 21. The fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

About 2 acres within a proposed 54-acre park in the K-Bar Ranch development are planned for Fire Station No. 24.

Montelione worked with M/I Homes, and Hillsborough County’s parks and recreation department, to secure the land.

A mix-up between Pasco and Hillsborough County dispatchers about a 911 call in 2015 drew attention to the need for a station serving New Tampa’s K-Bar Ranch area.

Hillsborough will develop the park, while the City of Tampa will build the fire station, Montelione said.

Upgrades to playground equipment at New Tampa’s recreation complex also won approval in the final budget. However, area residents still are waiting for an expansion of the existing gymnasium, which has earned a reputation for its high quality, competitive gymnastics program.

At least twice in the past five years, funds were withheld, including last year. “I was very upset,” said Montelione.

Instead, the budget re-routed capital improvement dollars to other projects, such as the recently completed restoration of the historical Cuscaden swimming pool in V.M. Ybor.

Another disappointment this year was lack of funding for New Tampa Nature Park, off Donna Michelle Parkway. More than five years ago, the park’s design included water fountains, restrooms and shaded hospitality areas.

“There’s no funds to service this park,” said Montelione during a public hearing on the budget. “It’s not even on anybody’s radar.”

Montelione lobbied for the park, as well as additional funds overall for Tampa Fire Rescue for equipment and training.

Published September 28, 2016

Volunteer firefighter up for national award

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Stephanie Sorenson always had a desire to become a firefighter.

But, she was initially hesitant to join the force.

Being a female, the Wesley Chapel resident was unsure how she would be accepted within the Pasco County Fire Rescue fraternity. She, too, was unaware of how to become a volunteer firefighter— until she attended a fire safety event at The Shops at Wiregrass more than four years ago.

“Ever since then,” Sorenson said, “I’ve always enjoyed doing it, and haven’t stopped.”

The 40-year-old woman is assigned to Volunteer Fire Station 28, at 21709 Hale Road in Land O’ Lakes.

Typically, she undergoes Wednesday night fire training sessions, and often picks up weekend shifts, as her schedule permits.

Volunteering, she said, gives her the sense of what its like to be a career firefighter.

“My favorite thing to do is do a 24-hour shift at the career (fire) stations,” she explained. “I like going into the career stations because I feel like I can be of more help, especially the busy stations that get medical calls all the time. I like to be able to go to a busy station, and ride on the ambulance and help out in that way.”

Also a full-time ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) teacher at Clark Elementary in New Tampa, Sorenson balances her volunteer firefighter schedule with her primary responsibilities as a teacher and a mother.

Stephanie Sorenson is one of five finalists for volunteers ‘who represent the best of the fire service,’ in nationwide campaign. (Courtesy of Pasco County Fire)
Stephanie Sorenson is one of five finalists for volunteers ‘who represent the best of the fire service,’ in nationwide campaign.
(Courtesy of Pasco County Fire)

Sorenson recently competed in “Step Up and Stand Out,” a national campaign sponsored by Kidde —  a leading manufacturer of residential fire safety product— to increase awareness of the ongoing need for volunteer firefighters.  The national contest was launched on Feb. 11 to recognize volunteers who have “gone above and beyond in their community.”

She is one of five finalists selected from video nominations for volunteers “who represent the best of the fire service.”

The winner of the contest — which continues through Sept. 23 — will receive a $1,000 training grant for their fire department, plus additional prizes – including a free trip for two to Nashville, Tennessee.

Pasco County Volunteer Services Chief Walter Lewellen nominated Sorenson for the nationwide campaign after observing her dedication as a volunteer.

“She has strong interest in the fire service,” Lewellen said about Sorenson. “She has a positive attitude, and she’s very creative in coming up with things that we can do to provide a valuable service to the community.

“When something’s going on, she’s always one of the first persons to try to be involved.”

Lewellen, too, was moved by two life-altering events in Sorenson’s life.

The first was a major house fire caused by an electrical shortage when Sorenson was a middle-schooler in Pinellas County.

“The toaster was plugged in, and it just shorted out and it caught on fire,” Sorenson said about her family’s Seminole home.

Luckily, she said, her family was at church at the time: “No one was hurt.”

But, smoke damage destroyed all of her family’s belongings.

“With the house fire, it just made me very concerned about leaving things plugged in,” she explained.

“We always made sure before we left the house that everything was unplugged, and sometimes my family — because of the anxiety of losing all your belongings and not having a home to live in — we double check things and sometimes triple check.”

The other tragic event occurred later in life —on Sorenson’s high school prom night — when her stepfather was in a horrific car accident.

While driving to the dance, she witnessed firefighters pull him from the wreckage, saving his life through the use of hydraulic rescue tools.

“They had to use the ‘Jaws of Life’ to remove the (car) roof,” said Sorenson.

The two tragic events caused Sorenson to have “an anxiety to the siren,” until she began her volunteer training — overcoming her fear.

“Training gave me confidence,” she said. “It didn’t matter if I was a female or not, I could do it, too, just like the guys.”

She added: “I love being a firefighter — not only the 24-hour shifts— but I love the continual training that we do, learning and working as a team to help other people.”

Chief Lewellen, who spent 29 years working with Tampa Fire Rescue, said volunteer firefighters provide an invaluable service.

“The volunteer stations tend to be in areas that don’t have as much coverage as other areas so, when they’re in service, it provides a first response unit and a couple of extra hands,” Lewellen said.

That includes cases like last month’s electrical fire at Bayonet Point Medical Center in Hudson, where 209 patients needed to be evacuated.

“I had approximately 30 volunteers over there, and that made a tremendous difference,” said Lewellen. “They helped people get loaded up and transported out of there, and they also set up a rehab area.”

Out of Pasco’s 590 fire rescue personnel, about 120 are volunteers.

The volunteers come from all different backgrounds and walks of life, Lewellen said.

“I have 18-year-old kids with nothing really going on yet, 70-year-old retirees and everything in between, so the volunteers that we have is a broad spectrum and very diverse,” he explained. “We do have an increasing number of female volunteers.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), about 87 percent of America’s 30,000 fire departments are either fully or partially staffed by volunteers.

But, the number of volunteer firefighters has steadily deceased over the past 30 years.

An NFPA report published earlier this year shows the number of volunteer firefighters per 1,000 people has been decreasing since 1986. The report — which collects its data through surveys of fire departments — analyzed the number of career or full-time paid firefighters and the number of volunteers from 1986 through 2014.

There were 788,250 volunteers in 2014 compared to 808,200 in 1986, the report shows.

If you would like to vote for Sorenson, visit Firehouse.com/VF. Votes will be accepted through Sept. 23.

Published September 21, 2016

Local civil air patrol soars to success

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Motorists zip down Interstate 75, at the edge of Tampa North Aero Park — oblivious to what goes on at the airport on a typical Wednesday evening.

That’s when members of the Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol Squadron gather to expand their aerospace knowledge; receive search and rescue training; and take part in cadet programs that emphasize drills, discipline and character building.

The Florida State flag catches a breeze and waves over the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol’s color guard. (File Photo)
The Florida State flag catches a breeze and waves over the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol’s color guard.
(File Photo)

The Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol Squadron, known as Wesley Chapel CAP for short, includes 43 cadets ranging from ages 12 to 21, and the 15 senior members who are 18 and older.

Most squadron members live in Wesley Chapel, but some live in other communities, including Land O’ Lakes, Spring Hill and Brooksville.

The squadron has earned some bragging rights.

Squadron Commander Daia Jung received the Squadron Commander of the Year Award for 2015. And, the squadron itself was named Squadron of the Year for the Florida Wing for 2015, and went on to be named Squadron of the Year for the Southeast Region. Those awards are in addition to scores of others the chapter has earned over the past several years.

Jung is the squadron’s third commander. She follows Steve Lampasona, who established the squadron, and his wife, Joyce, who became the chapter’s second commander.

“We’re a cadet program. Pretty much everything here is run and taught by cadets, with senior members being their guides,” Daia said.

Cadet Capt. Austen King is the squadron’s cadet commander.

There are essentially three components in the CAP, said Daia, who was introduced to the program by her husband, who oversees the emergency services program. He is a veteran of the first Gulf War and is 21-year veteran of the Tampa Fire Department.

The CAP’s focus is on leadership development, aerospace education and emergency services, including search and rescue missions, she said.

Many squadron members have an interest in aviation and aerospace, and some get their first taste of flying, too.

“We have two types of orientation flights. One is in powered aircraft and one is in glider,” Daia said.

Some members want to do more than ride in a plane. They want to take the controls.

Seventeen-year-old Cadet Commander King is one of those. He made his first solo flight on Aug. 28.

“It was exciting,” King said, and, it was always part of the plan. “That was a goal of mine, to learn how to fly. That was one of the reasons I joined,” he said.

King thinks there are some common misconceptions about CAP.

For one thing, he said, “Not everyone who goes in CAP has to go into the military.”

Some members are interested in cybersecurity or careers related to mathematics, science, robotics and other fields, he said.

For example, Daia’s child Nick, another squadron member, wants to become a herpetologist and to study reptiles.

At the same time, the 15-year-old is in the midst of pursuing a pilot’s license.

The Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol Squadron has garnered numerous awards during the past few years. Squadron Commander Daia Jung received the Squadron Commander of the Year Award for 2015. The squadron was named Squadron of the Year for the Florida Wing for 2015 and Squadron of the Year for the Southeast Region. (Courtesy of Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol Squadron)
The Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol Squadron has garnered numerous awards during the past few years. Squadron Commander Daia Jung received the Squadron Commander of the Year Award for 2015. The squadron was named Squadron of the Year for the Florida Wing for 2015 and Squadron of the Year for the Southeast Region.
(Courtesy of Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol Squadron)

“For the past two summers, I’ve attended national glider academy. I’m just about to get my pilot’s license. I have my learner’s license now. I’m really close to receiving my glider pilot’s license. I wouldn’t have ever been able to do that, if I had not joined this program,” the Wiregrass Ranch High School student said.

Belonging to CAP has provided a chance to meet people from all over the world and to develop leadership skills that have come in handy in Wiregrass Ranch’s marching band, Nick said.

Fourteen-year-old Christopher Cuozzo, a student at Land O’ Lakes High School, said he enjoys running through drills and developing the ability to move from one place to another, in an orderly fashion. The orientation flights are cool, too, he said.

Cadet Master Sgt. Cassie Ramer and her brother, Matthew, a tech sergeant, both enjoy being part of the squadron.

Cassie said she is shy by nature, but belonging to the group has helped her to break out of her shell.

“I like the way our squadron functions. The military bearing, the military standards, thing like that. I admire that,” she said. “I like being a part of color guard.”

She said she also enjoys serving in the color guard not so much for the personal attention it brings to her, but because it gives her a chance to bring honor to the squadron.

Her brother said he hopes to become an aerospace engineer and to design new aircraft.

The squadron commander said she welcomes new members.

“My door is open to anybody that wants to come in,” Daia said.

But, anyone who wants to join should take the commitment seriously, she said.

A potential member must attend three meetings and appear before a membership review board before being accepted as a squadron member. There’s also a meeting with their parents.

“We’re all volunteers here, so we want to make sure that it’s worth everybody’s time,” the squadron commander said.

Once in the program, members can pursue all sorts of opportunities.

Squadron members are involved in community events and take part in training programs available through CAP. Cadets also can compete for a slot in special CAP training activities that include powered flight academies, glider academies, hawk mountain ranger school and the National Blue Beret, an air show in Wisconsin.

The programming is geared for a wide range of ages.

“The 18-year-olds are not learning what the 12-year-olds are learning,” Daia said, and, in many cases, the older members are teaching the younger cadets.

“We try to make it fresh and interesting every week,” she said.

Membership is $45 for cadets and $67 for senior members, but it also has other costs, including those associated with uniforms and various activities.

No one is turned away because of financial need, Daia said. To help cover some expenses, the squadron holds an annual gift-wrapping fundraiser every year on Christmas Eve at The Shops at Wiregrass.

For more information
Want to learn more about the Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol Squadron? Email Squadron Commander Daia Jung at .
To learn more about CAP’s aerospace education programs, products, and other resources available to our members, go to CapMembers.com/ae. For information about joining as an aerospace education member (AEM) and to join online, go to CapMembers.com/joinaem.

Published September 21, 2016

 

Local students in running for national scholarships

By

Normally, a summons by the principal doesn’t involve cake and flowers — but that’s exactly what Lauren Payne and her parents encountered at Wiregrass Ranch High School on Sept. 14.

From left, Janet Payne, Lauren Payne and Greg Payne, stand in a conference room at Wiregrass Ranch High School, after Lauren found out she had been named a semifinalist in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
From left, Janet Payne, Lauren Payne and Greg Payne, stand in a conference room at Wiregrass Ranch High School, after Lauren found out she had been named a semifinalist in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Principal Robyn White and Assistant Principal Cindy M. Jack wanted to share good news with the student and her parents because the high school senior is on the list of semifinalists in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program.

She’s one of 16,000 scholars across the country that are semifinalists in the 62nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Semifinalists have an opportunity to compete for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships which are worth about $33 million.

Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level. About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain a finalist standing, and about half of the finalists are expected to win a National Merit Scholarship.

Payne’s parents, Janet and Greg, were pleased by the school’s gesture.

“It’s a very nice surprise. It’s very exciting. It’s really nice that they put this together,” Janet Payne said.

“It’s exciting,” Lauren agreed.

Her dad is proud of her accomplishments. “It is a lot of hard work that she’s putting into it and hopefully, it will turn out well for her.”

Here’s a list of other local National Merit semifinalists:

Land O’ Lakes

  • Anmol Warman, Academy at the Lakes
  • Nathaniel W. Edgar, homeschool
  • Carter J. Bright, Land O’ Lakes High
  • Michael Gendreau, Land O’ Lakes High
  • Navya Jampani, Land O’ Lakes High
  • Nicholas R. Riley, Land O’ Lakes High
  • Maxwell Keenan, Land O’ Lakes High
  • Karina N. Armas, Sunlake High

Lutz

  • Elle D. Hazlett, homeschool
  • Joaquin Borggio, Steinbrenner High
  • Bailey M. Zinckgraf, Steinbrenner High

Tampa

  • Riley L. Troyer, Carrollwood Day School
  • Kaley A. Raabe, Gaither High School
  • Jordyn E. Bizzell, Sickles High
  • Henry M. Noell, Sickles High
  • Samuel L. Unger, Sickles High
  • April E. Olson, Wharton High

Published September 21, 2016