Students recognized as ‘top dogs’
The Top Dog winners from Stewart Middle School were recognized for their academics and leadership roles. Each student received a certificate and special tag. Those honored were: Mathew Bettis, Savanah Cummings, Nevaeh Diaz, Destiny Flummer, Sean Manriquez, Miranda Myers, Daja Phillips, Aiden Russell and Kianny Vasquez. Not all the students were present at a luncheon in their honor.
Sewing class
The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a home-school sewing class on Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon, for ages 9 to 17.
Participants can learn how to use a sewing machine, the parts and functions of the machine, where to find resources to create their own project, and different stitches.
Foundry waiver and safety forms are required.
For information, call (813) 929-1214.
Sneak Peek Open House
Marchman Technical College, 7825 Campus Drive in New Port Richey, will host a Sneak Peek Open House on Feb. 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Prospective students can tour the campus and explore Marchman’s programs, such as cybersecurity, automotive service technology, commercial art, cosmetology, digital cinema production, early childhood education, electricity, welding and more.
Instructors will be on-site to answer questions, along with representatives from admissions, financial aid and career placement.
Students who are interested in applying for fall classes can begin the application process, too.
For information, call Kim Dunn at (727) 774-1703.
Students celebrate immigrants
Second-grade students at McKitrick Elementary School in Lutz are learning about citizenship and immigration, and Ellis Island.
In culmination of the studies, each student will take on the persona of an immigrant arriving at Ellis Island in 1900.
Students will relive every aspect of the Ellis Island experience, including packing their belongings, organizing documents and traveling, during this engaged learning program.
More than 200 students and 75 volunteers in period dress will take part in a simulation at the school building, which will be transformed to look like Ellis Island, on Feb. 27.
For information, all Liisa DeTarando at (813) 558-5427.
9/11 survivor to speak
Saint Leo University’s College of Arts and Sciences will host guest lecturer Michael Hingson on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m., at 33701 State Road 52, Kirk Hall, Rooms 123 and 124, in St. Leo.
Hingson, a 9/11 survivor and accessibility advocate, will talk on “Speaking with Vision.”
Blind since birth, Hingson changed careers after surviving the destruction of World Trade Center Tower One, with the help of his guide dog.
His book, “Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero” will be available for purchase and signing, after his talk, at 8:30 p.m.
Hingson also will speak to students during selected class sessions, lead workshops on campus, and meet with groups of faculty and staff, as Saint Leo’s Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow of 2020.
Admission is free. For information and special seating requests, contact Megan Case at (352) 588-8401 or .
Graduation rates
The Pasco County Schools graduation rate improved by 1.6 percentage points in 2019, rising to 88.3%, according to a news release.
Pasco’s graduation rate was well above the state rate of 86.9%, and it marks an increase of nearly 10 percentage points since 2015.
A goal of 85% graduation rate by 2019-2020 was set, and that goal has been exceeded, two years early.
Several schools experienced dramatic improvement, and the first graduating class from Cypress Creek Middle High School posted a 96% graduation rate.
High schools in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area showing improvement include:
- Land O’ Lakes: from 94% to 94.4%
- Pasco eSchool: 88.9% to 97.6%
- Sunlake: 93.7% to 94.9%
- Wesley Chapel: 93.1% to 93.4%
- Wiregrass Ranch: 94.9% to 95.3%
Special Olympics
More than 1,200 Pasco County athletes will compete in track and field, bocce, cheerleading, cycling and soccer during the Pasco County Special Olympics Summer Games.
The competition will take place at these two schools, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.:
- Feb. 20 at River Ridge High School, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey
- Feb . 21 at Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road
The event will feature free admission and parking, and a concession stand to purchase lunch and snacks.
For information, call Valerie Lundin at (831) 299-4433.
