Crossing Guard Of The Year
Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) has announced school crossing guard David Peterson was named Florida’s 2022 School Crossing Guard of the Year Award by the Florida Department of Transportation last week. Peterson currently is assigned to Starkey Ranch K-8 School in Odessa, and helps more than 500 students a day to cross to school safely and with a positive attitude. Peterson also reaches out to area preschools, offering to provide safe crossing presentations to students transitioning to elementary school next school year. He builds relationships with students, their parents and guardians and school staff to ensure everyone makes it to and from school safely.
PSO school crossing guards and traffic control officers play an extremely important role in the community, as they help students travel school routes safely and ensure drivers are cautious in school zones.
Reading Challenge
Pasco County Libraries offers a “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” Reading Challenge, for ages up to 5 years old. Parents can sign up children to log books before going into kindergarten, to encourage early reading and literacy. For information, visit PascoLibraries.org.
Student achievements
- Jacquelyn Claire Abanses, Lutz: Dean’s List, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Trinity Alvarez-Wilson, Lutz: Dean’s List, Tallahassee Community College
- Skylar Barnes, Lutz: Dean’s List, Tallahassee Community College
- Cole Benjamin, Odessa: Dean’s List, University of Tampa
- Averie Bennett, Odessa: Dean’s List, Tallahassee Community College
- William Brockman, Lutz: Dean’s List, Tallahassee Community College
- Robert Cooper, Lutz: Dean’s List, University of Tampa
- Evan Cuervo, Lutz: Dean’s List, Presbyterian College, Clinton, South Carolina
- Matthew Daniels, Lutz: President’s List, Tallahassee Community College
- Jamie Denney, Lutz: Dean’s List, Tallahassee Community College
- Alyssa Gomez, Odessa: Dean’s List, University of Tampa
- Sarah Grossman, Lutz: Dean’s List, University of Tampa
- Tristan Hilson, Lutz: Dean’s List, University of Tampa
- Yazan Jesri, Lutz: Dean’s List, Tallahassee Community College
- Jaya Krishna Kappaganthula, Odessa: Dean’s List, University of Tampa
- Tyler Knight, Odessa: Dean’s List, Tallahassee Community College
- Michael Leonardo, Odessa: Dean’s List, Tallahassee Community College
- Hope Lelekacs, Odessa: Dean’s List, University of Tampa
- Michelle Loefstrand, Odessa: Dean’s List, University of Tampa
- Asley Mantei, Odessa: Dean’s List, University of Tampa
- Madison McElhone, Odessa: Dean’s List, University of Tampa
- Ryleigh McElroy, Lutz: Dean’s List, Tallahassee Community College
- James Moore, Odessa: Dean’s List, University of Tampa
- Emma Morrison, Lutz: Dean’s List, University of Tampa
- Samantha Park, Odessa: Dean’s List, University of Tampa
- Miller Raeckers, Lutz: Dean’s List, Tallahassee Community College
- Angelina Santana, Lutz: Dean’s List, University of Tampa
- Adachi Selas, Lutz: Dean’s List, University of Tampa
Robotic Rumble Rama
Pasco-Hernando State College will host the PHSC Bobcat Robotics Rumble Rama VRC Spin Up Tournament on Feb. 25 at 9 a.m., at its West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey, Building R, Room 151. For more information, contact Wendy Villa, associate director, Division of Workforce Development, at 727-816-3244 or .
Visit a Storywalk
Pasco County Libraries offers a Storywalk at the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd., in New Port Richey, in the playground area. Access is at the back, left Nature Trail Loop. Guests can read the story “The Very Last Leaf” by Stef Wade, featuring interactive prompts and fun facts. For information, visit PascoLibraries.org.
Community celebration
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) will host a free community celebration of the college’s 50th anniversary and Black History Month on Feb. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the PHSC Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel; and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Instructional Performing Arts Center, 8657 Old Pasco Road, in Wesley Chapel. For information, call 727-847-2727, or email .
Student is Honey Queen
The American Beekeeping Federation has announced Selena Rampolla was selected as the 2023 American Honey Queen at the American Beekeeping Federation Conference and Tradeshow in Jacksonville.
Rampolla is the 21-year-old daughter of Faye Turke and Renato Rampolla of Lutz and Tampa.
She graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She enjoys exploring the arts and sciences with specific interests in photography, neuroscience, and honey bees. In her free time, she likes to read, practice photography, play 8-ball pool, draw, and help keep bees.
Prior to being selected as the American Honey Queen, Rampolla served as the 2022 Florida Honey Queen. In that role, she promoted the honey industry in schools, through farmers’ markets, fairs, festivals, and media interviews.
Rampolla will spend the next year promoting the beekeeping industry throughout the United States in a wide variety of venues, including fairs, festivals, schools, media interviews, and virtual presentations.
GTE Scholarships
GTE Financial will award $3,000 scholarships to a number of GTE student-members, to support education and reward young adults who are dedicated to academic pursuits and community involvement.
The scholarship is for undergraduate degree-seeking students and trade school students only.
High school seniors pursuing an undergraduate degree and current undergraduate students at both colleges and universities are eligible to apply.
For information and to apply, visit GTEFinancial.org, and click on Education and then Student Scholarships.
College and Career Fair
Pasco County Schools will host its third annual virtual College and Career Fair on March 1 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., to assist families as they plan for college entrance and/or careers after high school.
Topics for presentations include: ACT/SAT support; college admissions process; collegiate athletics; financial aid, Bright Futures, and scholarships; Naviance (college, career and life readiness resource); resources for students with disabilities; and more.
For information or to register, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/oll/page/college-and-career-fair.
