The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Reasons To Smile

Freedom of expression

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One graduate of Saint Leo University used her mortar board to express herself, during the Class of 2021’s commencement exercises. The university had three in-person events, conferring more than 1,250 degrees.

(Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

 

Woman’s club supports cause

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Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club celebrated Red Nose Day at its spring luncheon. Red Nose Day is a campaign with the mission to end child poverty by funding programs that keep children safe, healthy, educated and empowered, according to its website. The woman’s club has been a long-time supporter of the campaign. Collages of members created by club member Karin D’Amico. Photos courtesy of Patricia Serio.

 

New hockey fan

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Meet our editorial assistant Mary Rathman’s newest grand dog, “Stamkos.” Mary’s son and future daughter-in-law adopted this pup from Florida All Retriever Rescue.

Want to show off your favorite grad?

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We want to show off your favorite graduate, too.

Whether it’s a kindergarten graduation or if your loved one is celebrating a medical degree. We celebrate all graduates.

Please send us a photo, along with your graduate’s name, school, date of graduation and where it occurred. Also, please include your contact information, so we can reach out to you if we have questions (Don’t worry, your contact info won’t be published).

Please send your submissions by June 9 to .

We are planning a June 16 publication date.

Avalon Applauds

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CONGRATULATIONS to Kyla Booker for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Booker is a senior at Cypress Creek High School (CCHS) and has made a tremendous impact during her time there.

For example, Booker was class president her freshman, sophomore and junior year.

“For me it was about building leadership skills and pushing myself out- side of my comfort zone,” says Booker. “I wanted to find a way to interact with my classmates and create relation- ships, while also serving my school and community.”

According to Booker, being class president for those three years allowed her to become a better listener and articulate broader viewpoints.

“I believe these skills are the foundation to great leadership,” says Booker.

Currently, Booker is a member of the National Honors Society and the Chick- fil-A Leadership Academy. She has always had a passion for serving the community, and wanted her extracurricular activities to reflect that passion.

“I come from a family of mentors and volunteers, so community service and volunteering are very important to me,” says Booker.

Through her involvement in the local leadership organization, Booker is able to give back to her community by providing necessities for area students who are in the foster care system.

Booker is also an Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar and is graduating in the top 10% of her class, which also happens to be the inaugural graduating class at CCHS.

“It is surreal that in less than a month, I will be graduating from the place where it all started. I feel like my class got to truly set the tone of the school. I loved being a part of this community and I am proud to be a Coyote,” says Booker.

One person in particular Booker would like to thank for the support throughout the years is her AP literature and language teacher, Cassie Adley.

“Mrs. Adley has pushed me to explore new opportunities, challenge myself and grow both academically and personally,” says Booker.

When Adley first met Booker during Booker’s freshman year of English, Adley knew right away Booker was a star student.

“Kyla is truly one of a kind. She is intelligent, personable and motivated. She is a student who does not give up,” says Adley, “I am so proud of the grace Kyla lives by and I know she will be successful in her future endeavors.”

After graduating from CCHS, Booker plans to attend Florida State University in the Fall. She will be majoring in bio-medical engineering.

Published May 12, 2021

Young artists express themselves

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The results of our “Happy Earth Day” coloring contest are in! We asked local kids to color and/or decorate an Earth coloring sheet, in honor of Earth Day (April 22). Two winners — Popular Choice and Publisher’s Choice — were chosen out of 14 submissions.

Thank you to the 300 people who voted on our Facebook poll, and for all who submitted an entry for this contest.

Stay tuned for our next coloring contest!

Landen Almeida, a kindergartner in Land O’ Lakes, won Popular Choice.
Carlton Hawkins, a fourth-grader in Dade City, won Publisher’s Choice.

 

A community ‘star’

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(Courtesy of Pasco Sheriff’s Office)

Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies presented a Community Star Award to Tahree Williams for his efforts in helping to rescue young children from a car that had crashed into a pond. Because of Williams’ efforts and willingness to assist deputies with ensuring the safety of the children without hesitation, all the occupants of the car made it out safely before the car sank.

‘Bee’ aware of helping the environment

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club got together to craft cute bumble bee bottles from recycled water bottles, to be distributed to children at the Earth Day Celebration set for April 24, at Crews Lake Park in Land O’ Lakes. The women always help children with crafts at this annual event, to raise awareness of the importance of conservation and saving the environment. Sandi Marrow shows off one of the upcycled bottles. For information, visit LutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org, or its Facebook page.