Resilience and hard work on display
Pasco County Schools recently celebrated its 36th annual Project Turnaround Awards at the Cypress Creek IPAC Center in Wesley Chapel. More than 200 community members attended the showcase, highlighting the journey of students across 38 schools who have risen above challenges to achieve excellence.
These area students were honored with a Project Turnaround Award:
Group 1: Zaylee Waldroupe, Angeline Academy of Innovation; Austin Smith, Centennial Middle School; Nicolas May, Rushe Middle School
Group 2: Jillian Horn, Cypress Creek High; Logan Stiles, Cypress Creek Middle; Zaine Martin, East Pasco Education Academy
Group 3: Zachary Thomas, John Long Middle School
Group 4: Isaiah Robles, J.W. Mitchell High; Jayden Sullivan, Kirkland Ranch Academy; Arianna Hernandez, Land O’ Lakes High; Damian Rezaj, Pasco eSchool High; Matthew Denton, Pasco eSchool Middle
Group 5: Hector Moreno, Pasco High; Brittany Crisp, Pasco Middle; Lena Marcellus, Pine View Middle; Viviana Farr, R.B. Stewart Middle
Group 6: Laila Ponshock, Starkey Ranch K-8; Monica Benavides, Sunlake High
Group 7: Lenine Point DuJour, T.E. Weightman Middle; Kalyn Kuberski, Wendell Krinn Technical; Ben-Oni Charitable, Wesley Chapel High; Timothy Steele Jr., Wiregrass Ranch High; Keyshawn Gardner, Zephyrhills High
As supporters, the Pasco Education Foundation received the 3D award for its commitment to student success and the Suncoast Federal Credit Union was honored as a World Class Partner, a nod to its financial support. Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning was presented with a lifetime achievement award for his dedication to Pasco County families.
To view all the honorees, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/pascoschools/albums/72177720314667203/.
Hebrew Academy extravaganza
Hebrew Academy Tampa Bay (HATB), 14908 Pennington Road in Tampa, will host a Purim Sunday Funday on March 3 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., featuring a bounce house, Kosher food truck, robotics, STEAM Express, face painting, make-and-take Shalach Manos, Hamentashen decorating, popcorn, cotton candy, and more.
The event is open to the community and celebrates the holiday of Purim commemorating the saving of the Jewish people in ancient Persia.
The Hebrew Academy is an accredited Jewish Day School that imparts a personalized, meaningful and empowering Judaic and general studies education to Jewish children of varied backgrounds, according to a news release.
Guests also can tour the school and experience the HATB difference in the facility’s Montessori classrooms.
Women of Social Work event
Saint Leo University will host its third annual Women of Social Work event on March 5 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the university’s Wellness Center and online. The recognition and award ceremony will honor members of the public, area organizations, and the university community who are making contributions to women in social work and devoting their careers to helping others.
The honorees are: Dr. Cindy Lee, Dr. Rhondda Waddell, Dr. Marguerite McInnis and the late Dr. William Day.
The keynote speaker will be Dawn Brown, executive director for the National Association of Social Workers Florida and Virgin Islands Chapter, member of the NASW-FL PACE (Political Action for Candidate Election) and part of the NASW National Delegate Assembly.
In addition, four scholarships will be awarded to Saint Leo students pursuing Bachelor of Social Work degrees.
Boxed lunches will be provided for those who attend in person; virtually, there will be a break for lunch.
Admission is free. Guests are asked to register online at tinyurl.com/4ufxr3es.
For more information, call Dr. Yvonne Kelly Montell at 813-364-2665.
Virtual College Fair
Students can “visit” with representatives from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) on March 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., during a virtual college fair. For a list of participating institutions and virtual access, visit CollierSchools.com/HBCUCollegeFair.
Achieva scholarship program
Achieva Credit Union has announced its 2024 Scholarship Program with $55,000 in awards. High school seniors and students currently enrolled in college or trade school can apply for a $2,500 scholarship through March 8. The credit union will award 22 scholarships this year.
