Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News

New Wesley Chapel charter uses Montessori method

February 18, 2015 By B.C. Manion

When school begins in the fall, a new educational option will be available for parents of children in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Garden Montessori School has been approved as a charter school in Pasco County, meaning that there’s no tuition for children attending the school.

Ella Selover attends the private pre-school that has inspired the creation of Garden Montessori Charter School which will open this fall in Wesley Chapel. Deadline for applications is Feb. 27. (Courtesy of Garden Montessori School) — Lilly Selover attends the private pre-school that has inspired the creation of Garden Montessori Charter School which will open this fall in Wesley Chapel. Deadline for applications is Feb. 27.
(Courtesy of Garden Montessori School)

The new charter has its roots in a private pre-school and kindergarten that has been offering the Montessori approach to education since 2009.

Parents of some of those children were interested in continuing to pursue that type of education in elementary school, and the school sought permission from Pasco County to open a charter elementary school.

“It’s going to continue the Montessori that’s here,” said John Selover, a consultant to the school.

“The genesis of the (charter) school was that a lot of the parents here were very interested in continuing the Montessori method of instruction. Montessori is much more than a method. It’s kind of a culture of its own,” he said.

Darlene Pla-Tschantz, associate education director, said, Montessori focuses on teaching the whole child.

“It’s based on grace and courtesy,” she said.

The children do a lot of hands’ on work, and the work is designed to build on previous work that has been accomplished.

“In terms of the social piece, it is a community involvement,” she said. One of the values of a Montessori education is giving back to the community in which the sits.

“We have permission to open with up to 270 students,” Selover said. It will begin with kindergarten through second grade and will add a grade each year, until its fifth year of operation, when it will reach 540.

One key difference between this school and traditional public schools is that the children will be taught in multi-age classrooms and they have the same teacher for three years.

“We’re meeting the kid where they’re at,” Selover said.

“Everybody knows the child. They have some history with the child. They’re able to really, truly meet them where they’re at,” he said.

Pla-Tschantz explained: “It’s really not teacher-centered. It’s child-centered, with the guidance, of course, from teachers.

Teachers observe children closely and keep good records, to keep tuned into the child’s progress and where they should be, she said.

Teachers look at benchmarks to make sure that children are reaching them and when they’re not, they ask themselves why children aren’t reaching them and they make recommendations on what they can do to make progress.

Besides paying close attention to a child’s progress, there’s also peer teaching.

The school also pays attention to how the children learn.

“Are they visual? Are they tactile? Are they auditory?” Pla-Tschantz said. Or, perhaps like most people, they learn using more than one style.

The school’s charter application was approved for five years.

Applications are being accepted through Feb. 27.

School officials expect more applications to come in than there are slots, so a lottery system will be used to select the students.

Applications are being accepted through Feb. 27.

A site has not yet been acquired, but officials expect that to be done soon.

Initially, the school will use portable classrooms.

Parents can attend a parent meeting on Feb. 18, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, to learn more about the school.

Questions parents have asked at previous meetings include such practical considerations as the start and end times of school, whether there is before and after care and what kind of lunch program is available, Selover said.

The school will follow the Pasco County code of student conduct. It also will serve Pasco County school lunches, providing free or reduced-price lunches to those qualify.

It will not provide transportation, but will help parents who want to arrange car pools.

Parent information session
Garden Montessori Charter School is a tuition-free, public kindergarten through sixth grade school slated to open in August, serving the Wesley Chapel area.

There will be a parent information session Feb. 18 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway.

General information and enrollment details can be found at GMCSWC.weebly.com.

Published February 18, 2015

On the Ball: Liberty Middle School Faces Wizards in Fundraiser

February 11, 2015 By Michael Murillo

When the Liberty Middle School Parent Teacher Student Association decided to raise money this year, they could have chosen to sell candy, or wrapping paper, or simply ask families for money.

Instead, they’re challenging a professional basketball team on the court.

The Harlem Wizards, a fun-loving exhibition basketball team, will play a game at Liberty Middle School to raise funds for the PTSA. (Courtesy of Harlem Wizards Facebook page) — The Harlem Wizards, a fun-loving exhibition basketball team, will play a game at Liberty Middle School to raise funds for the PTSA.
(Courtesy of Harlem Wizards Facebook page)

“This year we just wanted to try something new,” said PTSA president Melissa Auker. But they’re not suiting up to start new basketball careers. They’re facing the Harlem Wizards, a touring exhibition basketball team, for a game on Feb. 17. Like the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, the Wizards spend as much time joking around as they do jump shots. Their games are designed to entertain the crowd, make the audience laugh and provide a unique fundraising opportunity at the same time.

Auker thought the Wizards game would work well for the school since the children really enjoy an annual contest played by the school’s teachers.

In this match-up, the Wizards will play a collection of Liberty teachers and teachers from other schools, in addition to members of local churches, youth groups and other organizations.

While the game is all in good fun, they could raise some serious money.

The PSTA could see around $5,000 if the event is successful, Auker said.

The PSTA receives a portion of ticket revenue and merchandise sales at the game. They’re hoping for a crowd of about 600, but they can sell up to 1,000 tickets.

That money would go a long way toward providing necessary resources for the school. The PSTA provides technology items for some classrooms, as well as money for food and decorations at school dances. They also help provide clothing for some students as well.

“Our school requires children to wear uniforms, so we buy clothing for some of our underprivileged families,” Auker said. They also provide spirit wear, clothing for physical education classes and school supplies.

If the Wizards’ game is a success, the PSTA would like to try other unusual fundraising ideas, Auker said. The feedback has been good so far, and she’s anticipating a good turnout from families who want to see something different, have a good time and help the school’s cause.

Because attendees don’t have to be affiliated with the school, it’s something anybody can attend and enjoy.

“We thought, why don’t we put on an event, something that fathers can take their sons out to, moms can take the kids out to and just have a nice night of watching basketball,” she said.

Auker probably won’t be on the court that night, but she isn’t too concerned about the final score. The number that really matters is how much money is raised.

To drum up interest the school is having a pep rally at the school Feb. 16 at 2:30 p.m., with some Wizards players in attendance.

When it’s time to start shooting hoops, Auker hopes to see bleachers full of children and smiles on their faces.

“It will be a very fun time,” she said. “I’m just hoping the children enjoy it as much as I’m enjoying putting it on for them.”

Tip-off time is 7 p.m., on Feb. 17. Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for adults in advance, or $10 for students and $12 for adults at the door. Reserved seating is available for $15, and courtside seats are $40. For information and to buy tickets, visit HarlemWizards.com or email .

Published February 11, 2015

Tampa Premium Outlets beginning to take shape

February 11, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Tampa Premium Outlets is no longer just wishes and speculation.

There are still lots of questions, however, about what tenants will fill the 441,000 square feet of shopping space.

This is a sign letting people know that Tampa Premium Outlets will be opening this fall. (Fred Bellet/Photo) — This is a sign letting people know that Tampa Premium Outlets will be opening this fall.
(Fred Bellet/Photo)

Bulldozers are moving earth, and walls are going vertical on what has been a shopping destination in the making going back more than decade.

Plans have changed through the years, but now an outlet center is on the horizon: Opening day is scheduled for late October, well in advance of the 2015 holiday season.

Shopaholics, of course, are eager to see the center’s anticipated 100-plus retailers open their doors.

Like other large enterprises, the outlet center also is expected to have some ripple effects on the local economy.

Businesses that can provide accessory goods or services are likely to benefit.

And, students at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch also could reap internships to help them in their studies or jobs to help cover their expenses.

Simon Property Group, the mall’s developer, has estimated that the project will yield 300 to 500 construction jobs and as many as 800 retail jobs, once the outlet center opens.

Hope Allen, executive director for the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, is looking forward to the center’s arrival.

“We are very excited about it,” Allen said.

While the mall may create some new opportunities for local businesses, Allen doesn’t foresee a huge jump in chamber membership.

“Typically big corporations don’t join as individuals of chambers,” Allen said.

“We want the benefits to be for our members, and it means they have opportunities to do ancillary products,” she said.

One company, Signarama of New Tampa-Wesley Chapel, already has experienced a benefit.

It produced display boards that were used during the mall’s groundbreaking ceremony, Allen said.

The chamber executive anticipates similar opportunities will materialize for local businesses as the project moves forward.

While no information is available yet about the tenant mix that the outlet center will offer, Simon Property Group announced more than two years ago that Saks Off Fifth Fashion Outlet would anchor the center. And, Danielle DeVita, senior vice president of the company’s Premium Outlet Group, confirmed that during the December groundbreaking.

Simon Property Group has more than 80 Premium Outlets worldwide with a mix of upscale retailers such as Banana Republic, Diane Von Furstenberg, DKNY, Dior, Burberry and J. Crew.

The outlet mall is a major feature within the proposed Cypress Creek Town Center, a master-planned community with three developers working on different residential and commercial phases of the project.

This project isn’t the only thing kicking up dirt along the State Road 56 corridor, near Interstate 75.

Mercedes Benz is building a dealership on the east side of the interchange, Richard E. Jacobs Group and Sierra Properties are working on plans for more retail, and an ice hockey and skating complex is on the drawing board.

Stanley Giannet, provost at Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, sees new opportunities arising for students at the PHSC campus.

Besides internships and jobs, there may be scholarships, too, Giannet said.

The college offers associate degrees in areas such as business administration, business operations and marketing. All are relevant to Pasco County’s retail growth, including the outlet mall, Giannet said.

“It’s going to have a positive effect for students on campus and the community at large,” Giannet said.

Besides leading the college, Giannet was named Business Leader of the Year and Honorary Mayor of Wesley Chapel in 2014 by the Wesley Chapel chamber. He also serves on the chamber’s board of directors.

He envisions future partnerships between college faculty, chamber members, store representatives and the developer that will benefit everyone and contribute to the outlet center’s success.

“I’m looking forward to doing outreach to them,” Giannet said.

Published February 11, 2015

Sign Here: Local athletes commit to colleges

February 11, 2015 By Michael Murillo

High school seniors are used to writing.

On Feb. 4, though, a number of student-athletes did some writing that will change their lives.

Family members surround Mark Hutchinson, left, and Jaye Miner of Wiregrass Ranch High School as they sign their letters of intent to play college football. They're the first players in the school’s history to sign with NCAA Division I schools. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo — Family members surround Mark Hutchinson, left, and Jaye Miner of Wiregrass Ranch High School as they sign their letters of intent to play college football. They’re the first players in the school’s history to sign with NCAA Division I schools.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo

“It feels good,” said Austin Yeloushan, a senior at Sunlake High School. “Finally, I’m committed and ready to go play somewhere.” Yeloushan was one of thousands of athletes around the country who participated in National Signing Day, the first day that a high school football player can sign a binding letter of intent with a member school of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Yeloushan accepted an offer to attend Jacksonville University, where he’ll also play on defense for the Dolphins. In addition to the football opportunity, he was impressed with the school’s academic offerings and its location. He plans to study business.

He’s also working out several times a day and adding in a lot of running in order to get ready to play football at the collegiate level. Although he had a stellar high school career, Yeloushan knows that the level of competition is tougher in college, and he wants to be prepared.

“I feel like everyone that’s really good from their high school goes to college. So it’s just going to be like a big all-star game,” he said.

Jaye Miner, a linebacker from Wiregrass Ranch High School, feels the same way.

“In college it’s like an all-star team every game,” he said. “I know I can’t take anything easy. Everyone’s going to be bigger, stronger, faster.” Miner received 14 offers to play football at the next level, and chose Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton on National Signing Day. He plans to study photography, sports medicine or marine biology in the classroom, and learn from his more experienced teammates on the football field.

He might be getting some early experience himself when the Owls’ season starts. Due to a lack of linebacker depth at FAU, Miner said he has a good chance of starting games early in his career.

If he’s in the starting lineup when the Owls play Florida International University on Oct. 31, he’ll face off against a former teammate’s new school. Mark Hutchinson, a Wiregrass Ranch wide receiver, sat next to Miner on Feb. 4 and signed his own papers to play at the next level. He chose FIU and will attend on a full scholarship.

Not bad for a kid who was cut from his seventh-grade football team.

“It was my first year. I was scrawny. I was a skinny little boy,” Hutchinson recalled. “So I had to put in a lot of work, a lot of effort and focus. Because I knew this was something I wanted. I wanted to be an athlete in high school.”

Now that he’s completed a standout athletic career in high school, Hutchinson knows he’ll have something to prove when he enters college as a freshman. But working his way up is nothing new for Hutchinson. He started his freshman year on the junior varsity team before earning a promotion to varsity. He’s focusing on adding strength in the off-season to be prepared when they call his number.

Miner and Hutchinson are good friends and have been playing together for years. And even before they were seriously thinking about Division I college football and making big life decisions, this is a moment they considered.

“In Mark’s room right now, he has a chalkboard wall. It says ‘D-1 bound.’ We wrote that when we were in seventh grade,” Miner said.

Friends and family were in attendance at National Signing Day to congratulate the athletes, coaches praised their abilities, and the schools served cake to help celebrate the event. And while they’re proud of their athletes and have confidence in them at the next level, those athletes are leaving big shoes to fill on their football teams. When the new season comes around, the coaches will have to replace their talented athletes who have moved on from Friday night games to playing on Saturdays.

“You miss all your seniors. You really do,” said Sunlake coach Bill Browning at Yeloushan’s signing event. “And he’s been really successful here, so we’ll miss him.”

Published February 11, 2015

Freedom High shocks district with playoff berth

February 5, 2015 By Michael Murillo

When a soccer team finishes the regular season with a 2-8-3 record and a seven-game winless streak, most people wouldn’t expect them to advance past their district tournament and into the regional playoffs.

Not even their coach.

Senior Ruben Gutierrez fights to maintain control on the field. In the district tournament, Freedom fought past a tough season to earn a spot in the regional playoffs. (Courtesy of Freedom High School) — Senior Ruben Gutierrez fights to maintain control on the field. In the district tournament, Freedom fought past a tough season to earn a spot in the regional playoffs.
(Courtesy of Freedom High School)

“Realistically, no,” said Freedom High School boys’ soccer coach Charlie Haueter. The team finished a tough early part of their schedule 2-2-2, and he felt like they had a good chance to finish strong with their remaining opponents. But when that didn’t happen and the losses piled up, he thought it just wasn’t their year.

But, the Patriots proved a lot of people wrong.

In the first round of their district tournament, they knocked off Mitchell High School, who had a 17-5-1 record at the time. In the second round, they scored a season-high five goals and defeated Chamberlain High School. That doubled their season win total, put them in the district finals and earned them a berth in the regional tournament.

“I think my seniors realized it was about to end, and they didn’t want it to (end),” Haueter said. Their good play didn’t end there, either: Although they lost in the finals to Wiregrass Ranch, who was 23-1-1 at the time, they took a 1-0 lead in that game and were tied at the half.

Even though the Bulls won the district title by a 3-1 score, Freedom’s effort wasn’t lost on Wiregrass Ranch coach David Wilson.

“They’re one of those teams that put all the pieces together at the right time,” he said. “The coach did a really nice job with them, too.”

Haueter’s job was pretty tough this year, overcoming a number of obstacles on the team’s way to the playoffs. First, their star player, Mohammed Saad, missed most of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. He had scored five goals in the first six games, and they missed his skills on the pitch.

He also had disciplinary problems during the season. The better high school players tend to play club level soccer in addition to high school soccer, Haueter explained. With the majority of his players also participating in club soccer, many of them weren’t giving enough attention to their high school team.

So he had them sign a contract, agreeing to give their full effort and participation. And when they failed to live up to that promise, there were consequences.

“We had to bench guys,” Haueter said. “I don’t think they believed that we were going to stick to the rules.” That means benching seniors, playing freshmen, and suffering losses. Throw in more injuries and the negative attitudes that can stem from losing, and a district run seemed out of the question at the end of the year.

But when they bought in to the system, and started being accountable for their participation, they pulled together and earned a berth in the regional tournament. Seeing the players overcome their early struggles was rewarding for the coach, who also teaches Advanced Placement classes at Freedom.

“Anytime you see kids maturing in high school, it is a great and wonderful thing,” he said.

Unfortunately, the regional playoffs didn’t have a great or wonderful ending for the team. They lost to Kathleen on Jan. 29 by a 3-1 score that included several disciplinary cards issued and Haueter being ejected toward the end of the game. The coach said the ejection was unwarranted, there were many complaints about the officiating that day, and he’s writing a letter to the Florida High School Athletic Association.

But regardless of the final outcome, Freedom went from a two-win team in the regular season to playing in the regional tournament. And playing younger players while others were being disciplined means, they’ll have more experience when next season rolls around.

And, since the team knows that full effort is required to participate in Freedom soccer, Haueter thinks next year’s team will be more dedicated and able to focus on winning.

“I’m a pretty firm believer that we’re not going to have any of the same issues,” he said.

Published February 4, 2015

Wiregrass Ranch is ready to defend state tennis title

January 22, 2015 By Michael Murillo

The Wiregrass Ranch boys’ tennis team earned a share of the Class 3A state championship last season. As a result, they knew expectations would be high headed into 2015. For his part, coach David Wilson has already admitted he doesn’t think the team will be as good as last year.

He thinks it will be better.

Alejandro Feliciano is a nationally ranked player by the United States Tennis Association, and he’s just one of many threats that opponents will face when they challenge Wiregrass Ranch on the court. (Courtesy of Alejandro Feliciano) — Alejandro Feliciano is a nationally ranked player by the United States Tennis Association, and he’s just one of many threats that opponents will face when they challenge Wiregrass Ranch on the court.
(Courtesy of Alejandro Feliciano)

“This will be the deepest team we’ve had,” Wilson said of the current lineup. “We actually added depth and strength to our team.”

Part of that depth and strength will come from a familiar last name.

Augie Moreno, defending state champion and a top player on the team, will welcome his little brother, Daniel, to the squad as a freshman. And with the championship team mostly intact from last year, the Bulls look to be stronger than ever.

That’s a significant statement, since Wiregrass Ranch has had successful tennis teams almost from its inception. Wilson has built a strong program since he took the job for the school’s opening athletic season in 2006-07. While the tennis title was the first state championship in school history, it was their third trip to the state tournament. And the district title was nothing new, either. Wilson said it was the team’s fifth-straight district championship.

Part of the team’s success stems from the excellent competition they face in practice. Wilson said the top players are all very competitive, and are capable of beating each other on any given day. So, honing their skills against each other makes the team stronger.

“If you’re always playing against competitive players within your own team, then you’re just going to keep getting better,” Wilson said.

Senior Alejandro Feliciano, who was ranked fourth on the team last season, agrees that the team has taken steps forward as it tries to defend its title.

“We actually have better players this year,” he said.

Feliciano is one of those great players, with a United States Tennis Association ranking inside the top 100 and a national ranking around 306 for players 18 and under.

While sheer talent gives Wiregrass Ranch a clear advantage over most schools, Feliciano said that their coach plays a big role as well. Instead of trying to force them to adapt to his strategies, he gives them the leeway to simply put their talent on display while he provides support however he can.

“I think it’s the fact that he bonds with us as if he were somebody our own age,” he said. “It’s like he’s one of us.”

Wilson is part of the tennis program because he had a characteristic nobody else had when the school began athletic play: He was willing to do it.

“When I took the job, nobody else wanted it,” he said. A recreational player, he knows that many of his players can beat him on the court. But his job is to provide support, let them have fun and create a positive experience that keeps them wanting to participate in high school sports.

Creating that desire is no easy accomplishment, since many players have their own personal coaches, a bright future in tennis and don’t really need the high school team to further their careers.

“I think that’s the one thing that makes me the proudest, is that kids want to play in my program,” Wilson said. “My saying for all my sports (Wilson is also the school’s boys’ soccer coach and athletic director) is the experience outweighs the outcome. If it’s not a great experience for them, what’s the sense of doing it?”

Part of that experience includes hitting the road to face elevated competition. Wiregrass Ranch will travel to Florida State University in Tallahassee next month to face Pensacola Catholic High School, one of the state’s top tennis teams. In March, they’ll travel to Chattanooga, Tennessee for the national high school tournament.

Wilson isn’t concerned about a letdown after achieving a state title. The team is full of skilled players with plenty of experience and a good working relationship together. But they also know that they had to share their state title with Barron Collier High School in Naples, since they finished with the same amount of points in the competition.

Being “co-champion” helps to motivate them to claim the title for themselves in 2015, Wilson said.

“The fact that we weren’t outright champions by ourselves, we still have something to prove,” he said.

Published January 21, 2015

Suncoast Arts Fest celebrates a decade of arts and entertainment

January 15, 2015 By B.C. Manion

The Suncoast Arts Fest soon will celebrate its 10th anniversary of bringing acclaimed artists to Pasco County.

The annual festival is a popular event, attracting around 100,000 people to peruse its diverse offerings and to enjoy its lineup of live entertainment.

Rolly Ray Reel won best of show during last year’s Suncoast Arts Fest. This year, the event features nearly 120 juried visual artists and craftsmen. (Courtesy of Suncoast Arts Fest) — Rolly Ray Reel won best of show during last year’s Suncoast Arts Fest. This year, the event features nearly 120 juried visual artists and craftsmen.
(Courtesy of Suncoast Arts Fest)

This year’s festival features more than 120 juried visual artists and craftsmen, from across Florida and throughout the country.

“About 35 percent of our artists this year are from out of state,” Pam Marron, co-director of the festival, said, noting Florida’s temperate winter weather is a plus.

The festival’s venue — at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel — also offers people a chance to do a bit of shopping at the regional mall and enjoy a meal at one of its restaurants.

The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 17, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 18 at The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive. The mall is just off State Road 56 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, a couple of miles east of Interstate 75.

The event features both new and returning artists.

Among those making a return trip is Rolly Ray Reel, of Maitland, who won best of show during last year’s event.

Besides offering art lovers a chance to enjoy themselves, the festival also raises money to support Arts for Kids, which supplements art programs in public, private and charter schools. Over the past decade, festival proceeds have funded more than 85 mini-grants, which have benefited more than 15,000 students.

The goal is to support both the visual and performing arts, Marron said.

Other highlights on this year’s schedule include a telephone photography competition sponsored by Rasmussen College. The Phoneography Competition is open to anyone who can take a picture with their phone.

The festival also will feature Duncan McClellan, an award-winning glass artist who has an international following. McClellan, who lives in St. Petersburg, will be supplying his glass-etching unit on Sunday, allowing people to create an original design and etch it on glass. That opportunity will be available on Jan. 18, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Another feature this year is the festival’s first mini Art Maker Space, where art, technology and education collide.

The lineup of live entertainment is another festival highpoint.

The Sunlake High School Jazz Band will get things started with a performance at 10 a.m. on Jan. 17.

Other entertainers who will be performing this year include The Black Honkeys, Unleash the Octopus, Hector Mayoral, Julie Black, Amanda Lynn, the Mike McKinley Trio, Gene Hardage (also known as Sarasota Slim), and a variety of other acts.

For a full schedule of entertainment and activities, please visit SuncoastArtsFest.com.

Tenth annual Suncoast Arts Fest
More than 120 fine artists and craftsmen sell their works. There also will be live entertainment, chalk artists, a phone photography contest, glass etching and interactive activities.

Where: The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive (off State Road 56, east of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard).

How much: Admission and parking are free.

There’s ample parking and the event is accessible for people with disabilities.

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 17, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 18

The event is held, rain or shine.

Published January 14, 2015

Table For One: Local Claims Silver at Senior Games

January 15, 2015 By Michael Murillo

Bruce Holck of Wesley Chapel won a silver medal at last month’s Florida International Senior Games & State Championships. But the road to that medal began seven decades earlier in a New Jersey home.

“My father had a table in the basement,” Holck said. “That’s what started it all.”

At 78 years old, Bruce Holck of Wesley Chapel is still taking home medals for table tennis. He placed second (and qualified for the national tournament) at the Florida International Senior Games & State Championships last month. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo) — At 78 years old, Bruce Holck of Wesley Chapel is still taking home medals for table tennis. He placed second (and qualified for the national tournament) at the Florida International Senior Games & State Championships last month.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

The game was table tennis, also known as pingpong, and he learned how to play as a young boy. It stayed him over the years, from starting a table tennis club in Delaware to regular games in New York. He then decided to see how he stacked up by joining the Senior Games.

That was 20 years ago.

Holck, 78, competed in the New York Senior Games for a couple of decades, earning medals in both individual and doubles matches. By finishing in the top three in his age group he also earned several berths into the national games, which are held every other year. He won the doubles competition at the national games around 10 years ago.

So when he came to Wesley Chapel last year, Holck knew he wanted to participate in Florida’s version of the games. But with more players here, he had to qualify through a regional system. He attended several regional competitions throughout the state, even after he qualified, to get a feel for the state’s talent and scout out some of the competition.

Holck said the state has excellent players, and he enjoys competing against Florida’s best. He also appreciates playing people in his own age group, which isn’t always possible when he plays recreationally.

“I play in Land O’ Lakes (at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex), and I’m quite sure I’m the oldest person playing there. I’m playing people who are younger and can move quite a bit better than I can now,” Holck said. “When you play in the Senior Games you’re playing somebody in your own age group.”

While Holck said the game is still fun for him — he even enjoys watching competitive table tennis — playing at a top level can be serious business. The game has changed a bit over the decades, he said, from reducing the number of points that make up a game to playing with a slightly larger ball.

But one of the biggest changes is in the paddle. Over time, it’s become a complicated piece of sports equipment. At one time there were simply the traditional rubber dimples on a paddle with nothing behind it. Now there’s a sponge-like material behind the rubber, and different groove designs that will cause different reactions with the ball. And when paddles have different designs on each side, they have different colors so the opponent might predict how the ball will be responding.

For Holck, another thing that’s changed is his age. Over the years he’s retained his hand-eye coordination, but isn’t as fast as he used to be. But he still plays at a high level, so when he defeats a young player, he’s philosophical about the victory.

“I’ll congratulate them and say ‘Well, that’s the last time I’ll be able to beat you because you’re getting better and I’m slowing up,'” Holck said.

But he isn’t slowing up too much, as evidenced by his second-place finish last month in Estero. He also qualified for the national tournament in singles and doubles, but isn’t sure if he’ll travel to Minnesota for the competition next year. His current schedule usually involves weekly play with the locals, and he also has a table at home, like his father did, so he can play when the mood strikes him. Holck even has a special robot that can simulate serves instead of just playing alone against a flat surface.

He also has a supportive wife of 55 years, Louise, who used to play herself. As she got older she let the game go, but she still cheers on her husband in his competitive contests.

“He takes it very seriously. It’s his passion,” she said.

And while he loves table tennis and plans to keep playing, he knows it’s not the most important thing in his life.

“She sometimes claims I think more of table tennis than her,” he said with a laugh. “But that’s not right, of course.”

Some oppose planned Quail Hollow school boundaries

December 24, 2014 By B.C. Manion

When Pasco County School Board members consider proposed boundary changes for Quail Hollow Elementary School in January, they’ll likely hear from parents who oppose the idea of shifting their children from Wesley Chapel Elementary to the reconstructed school.

Buses will line up once again next school year when the massively remodeled Quail Hollow Elementary School reopens its doors. It was closed to create more traditional classroom spaces to replace its former ‘open’ design. (File Photo)

About three-dozen parents and students turned out for a Dec. 8 community meeting to discuss Quail Hollow’s proposed boundary, and some parents made it clear they don’t want their children transferred out of Wesley Chapel Elementary, Pasco County Schools planning director Chris Williams said.

Quail Hollow, at 7050 Quail Hollow Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, has been closed for a massive reconstruction project, and will reopen next fall. When it does, the school will have classroom doors and walls, unlike its previous “open design,” and will have updated technology.

A committee has been working on recommending proposed boundaries, which the school board is expected to consider at its 6 p.m. hearing on Jan. 20. A second and final vote is expected at the board’s Feb. 3 meeting.

The school will have more capacity than it did before. The proposed boundaries call for shifting some students there from Wesley Chapel and Veterans elementary schools. The Veterans students would come from an area that includes the Pasco Woods apartments, Williams said.

The area that would shift Wesley Chapel to Quail Hollow includes the neighborhoods of Wesley Pointe, Villages at Wesley Chapel, Citrus Trace and Saddleridge Estates.

There are 62 students living in the area that would be reassigned from Veterans to Quail Hollow, Williams said. There are 100 students living in the area that would be reassigned from Wesley Chapel to Quail Hollow.

Veterans has a capacity of 762 students, but currently has 828, including pre-kindergarten. So, Williams said, Veterans already is over capacity and could use relief.

Wesley Chapel Elementary has a capacity of 613 students, but will have far fewer students when children who attended Quail Hollow return to their school. However, Quail Hollow has space to accommodate a greater number of children, so the committee recommended reassigning students from Wesley Chapel to Quail Hollow to provide room for growth that is expected to result from the development of Epperson Ranch South near Overpass Road.

Some parents at the community meeting voiced concerns about shifting the communities north of State Road 54 and west of Interstate 75, Williams said. Quail Hollow is a little more than a mile farther away, but parents are concerned about the traffic congestion they could encounter along State Road 54 through Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

Another concern raised at the meeting relates to the difference in Wesley Chapel and Quail Hollow’s performance. Wesley Chapel is an A school, based on the state’s criteria. Quail Hollow was a C school.

Beyond boundary changes, the district still needs to name a new principal for Quail Hollow. Superintendent Kurt Browning had intended to recommend Lane Morris, assistant principal at Gulfside Elementary School, as Quail Hollow’s principal. But Browning put that recommendation on hold after Gulfside principal Chris Clayton was placed on administrative leave pending investigation of reports he violated school district policy.

District officials do not anticipate Clayton returning to Gulfside, said Pasco County Schools spokeswoman Linda Cobbe said.

The Pasco County School Board is scheduled to take an initial vote on proposed boundary changes affecting Quail Hollow, Wesley Chapel and Veterans elementary schools at the board’s 6 p.m. meeting on Jan. 20.

The final vote is expected at the board’s 9:30 a.m. meeting on Feb. 3.

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Contract proposal includes pay raises, more planning time

December 18, 2014 By B.C. Manion

Negotiators for Pasco County Schools and the United School Employees of Pasco have hammered out a deal that includes pay raises and increased instructional planning time. But it also calls for the end of smoking on all district properties and for the end of a district early retirement program.

Teachers and school-related employees, on average, would receive a 3 percent increase under the proposal, union president Kenny Blankenship said.

Kenny Blankenship (File Photo) — Kenny Blankenship says the pay raises in the proposed contract between Pasco County Schools and the United School Employees of Pasco are ‘among the best in the state.’ (File photo)

Kenny Blankenship says the pay raises in the proposed contract between Pasco County Schools and the United School Employees of Pasco are ‘among the best in the state.’

“That’s one of the best in the state,” he said.

The proposed contract also calls for increasing teachers’ instructional planning time from the current 100 minutes a day, to 150. The increased planning time probably is the most significant item in the agreement, Blankenship said.

“Our teachers really need it with all of the changes that we’ve been going through,” Blankenship said.

The proposed contract also calls for the end of smoking on district properties, effective July 1, 2016. It’s a provision Superintendent Kurt Browning says is important to the school district.

“We want a healthier work force, and we felt very strongly that that was a way to at least move in that direction,” Browning said.

There’s time between now and when the policy takes effect that will give employees a chance to participate in smoking cessation programs, the superintendent added. Beyond employee health, the district thought that allowing smoking at its sites sent a mixed message.

The ban on smoking is in keeping with similar bans in public places across the nation, Blankenship said.

“That’s probably an idea that’s come to its time,” he said.

Another portion of the proposed contract calls for eliminating new entrants to the district’s early retirement program, effective June 30, 2018.

By having that program phased out, Browning said, the district can use the $1.6 million typically spent there for other purposes.

The people currently participating in the program will not be affected,” Blankenship said. Those who qualify and opt to take advantage of the program still have some time to do so.

Both sides have agreed to create a compensation task force that will talk about proposed changes to how teachers are paid. The options being considered are teachers receiving 20 paychecks during the 10-month teacher work year, with five checks paid on the last teacher work day, and a last check two weeks later; or teachers receiving 26 equal paychecks, paid out every two weeks year round.

Another plus of the proposed contract, Blankenship said, is that there’s still a free health care plan option available for employees.

All together the district is providing almost $12 million of new funding toward employee compensation and benefits, according to a district news release.

A general settlement explanation meeting open to all bargaining unit members is scheduled for Jan. 13, where union building representatives will vote whether to recommend the settlement to the full bargaining unit. A ratification vote has been scheduled for Jan. 14.

Provided that the settlement is ratified, the Pasco County School Board is schedule to vote on Jan. 20.

Any applicable retroactive pay should be reflected in paychecks by the end of February.

Published December 17, 2014

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