Leo student Reese Hathaway; and Saint Leo faculty member Khalilah Louis-Caines. Not pictured is Angie Bonfardino-Walesek, CEO of United Way of Hernando County. (Courtesy of Caroline Jorgensen, Saint Leo University)
Influential women honored
Saint Leo University’s second “Influential Women of Social Work” event on March 6 celebrated women who work in the field, community partners that aid those in need, and outstanding students who have chosen a career to serve others and advocate for change to make sure individuals have access to adequate food, housing and health care.
Those receiving recognition were:
- Reese Hathaway — Social Work Student of the Year
- Khalilah Louis-Caines — Social Work Educator of the Year
- Angie Bonfardino-Walesek — Public Citizen Honoree Award
- One Community Now — Rising to the Challenge Award
- Brandie Grizzel — Social Work Trailblazer
Scholarships were awarded to these Bachelor of Social Work students:
- Sylvia Chaney, Tampa
- Karen Cummins, San Antonio
- Yvenie Desrosiers, Lehigh Acres
- Reese Hathaway, Shannock, Rhode Island
- Magan Martinez, Apollo Beach
- Brittany Pedraza, Spring Hill
Bounce Party benefit
The Union Park Charter Academy, 32775 Oldwoods Ave., in Wesley Chapel, will host a Pasco Kids Bounce Party on March 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., to benefit the academy, hosted by the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel. The event will include 16 inflatables for kids with obstacle courses, bounce houses, slides, games and more. Food also will be for sale.
The cost is $20 per child for a play-all-day wristband. Parents are free and must supervise their children and be present at all times. To buy tickets, visit Pasco Kids Bounce Party on Facebook.
For information, call 813-358-7306.
One-Act Plays
Saint Leo University’s theater program will present “Menagerie” on March 30 and April 1 at 7 p.m., and on April 1 and April 2 at 3 p.m. The performance consists of three one-act plays written, directed, staged and performed by the school’s seniors who will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater, along with other Saint Leo students.
The show will be in the Black Box Theatre in Benedictine Hall, on the west side of University Campus, 33701 County Road 52 in St. Leo.
Advance tickets are $5 online and $6 on the day of the performance if seats are available. To purchase tickets, visit OnTheStage.tickets/show/saint-leo-university, and click on “Our Season.”
Paws to Read
The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host “Paws to Read at the Ranch” on April 1 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., for kindergarten through fifth grade.
Participants can practice their reading skills by reading aloud to one of the furry friends from Sharing Our World Therapy Dogs. Bring your own book, or stop by early and check out something from the library.
Registration is online at PascoLibraries.org.
Easter breakfast
The East Pasco Education Academy, 35830 State Road 52 in Dade City, will host Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on April 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. There will be a pancake breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., followed by an Easter Egg Hunt, games and a petting zoo area for children ages 12 and younger, who will receive an Easter bag.
The pre-purchase ticket price is $10 per person. Free cinnamon rolls to the first 50 people who register. For information and to register, visit tinyurl.com/4ek3a4n3.
Woman’s club scholarships
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club will award $5,000 Lutz Volunteer Firefighter Endowment scholarships to two Lutz resident students and three additional $2,000 awards, for a total of $16,000 in scholarship grants.
The club is accepting applications from high school seniors with a Lutz or Land O’ Lakes home address. Applications can be found online at GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org. The deadline to submit is April 3.
For questions, email Lucy Albury at .
Reusable Art Contest
Hillsborough County Public Schools’ (HCPS) district energy program, powerED, is hosting its “Choose to Reuse” 2023 Reusable Art Contest. All kindergarten through 12th grade HCPS students can submit artwork, which can be created by individual artists or by a team of no more than two artists.
The deadline for submissions is April 7 at 4 p.m. Artwork must be submitted to , with the subject “Reusable Art Filename: (Artist Name/Names_Grade_School).”
For questions, contact your school’s Green Team lead, or email .
For information, visit Hillsborough County Public Schools on Facebook.
Celebrating educators
Irish 31 Pub House and Eatery, its iCare Foundation, and community partners are celebrating the I.R.I.S.H. (influential, reliable, impassioned, selfless, humble) in those who have an undeniable impact on youth. The sixth annual iCare Foundation Cheers to Public Service Awards will reward 25 extraordinary local educators — teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade in Hillsborough, Pasco or Pinellas counties.
Those chosen will receive $1,000 plus other gifts from friends of the program.
For more information and to nominate someone, visit Irish31.com/cheers. The deadline is April 7.
