Leadership program
Saint Leo University will host a free event on March 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at its University Campus, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, and online via Zoom.
“Mission-Driven Leaders: Conversations on Purpose” will feature guest speaker Nick DeMarinis, vice president of sales at WeWork, a former LinkedIn executive, and a Saint Leo alumnus.
The program also will include an interactive, interview-style conversation with DeMarinis.
Registration is required online at SaintLeo.edu/mdl.
Water Days
The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), 4801 E. Fowler Ave., in Tampa, will host Tampa Bay Water Days on March 25 and March 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The program on March 25 will focus on serving third- to fifth-grade students.
The general public, scouting organizations and homeschool groups will be the focus on March 26.
Water Days is a community event organized by MOSI, to celebrate water conservation, storm water management, and environmental stewardship.
Guests can explore the MOSI Backwoods, learn about local resources and participate in hands-on environmental science activities with MOSI educators, as well as many community organizations.
The first 1,000 people to register also will get free admission into MOSI.
Preregistration is online at MOSI.org.
Route safety
The pedestrian and bicycle routes that students use to get from their residential neighborhoods to Gaither High School and Claywell Elementary in Hillsborough County are being studied by engineers to create safer routes to the schools, according to a news release.
The Hillsborough County School Route Safety Improvement Program aims to address gaps in the pedestrian and bicycle networks that students use to get to schools, and enhance safety by improving the engineering and design of the routes students take.
Proposed improvements for these schools include: High-visiblity crosswalks; new sidewalks; wayfinding; streetlights; raised crosswalks; sidewalk maintenance; improved pedestrian signal timing at traffic signals; pedestrian signage and pavement markings; intersection improvements to manage speed of drivers turning across crosswalks; clearing vegetation along walking paths; and bicycle facilities, the release says.
‘Dorothy in Wonderland’
Union Park Charter Academy in Wesley Chapel will present “Dorothy in Wonderland” on March 29 at 6:30 p.m., at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, 30651 Wells Road.
Tickets are $10. Children age 3 and younger are free.
The event includes a pre-show art exhibit by Union Park art students.
For information, call 813-358-7306.
Musical performance
The Saint Leo Singers, Saint Leo Chamber Singers, Saint Leo Rhythm Machine, and the Saint Leo Ensemble will perform a spirited musical program showcasing tunes of the 20th century on March 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., in the Selby Auditorium in Lewis Hall, at University Campus, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.
Guests should see the attendant at the box office on the second floor.
Seating is first-come, first-served.
Admission is a donation in the amount the guest chooses. Cash and credit cards will be accepted.
Eagle Scout award
Greater Tampa Bay Area Council Eagle Scouts who are currently registered in an active unit and are graduating from high school this year can apply for the Dadez Family Eagle Scout Values Award.
The award is presented to an Eagle Scout who has lived a life of honesty, integrity, respect, responsibility and leadership with a demonstrated commitment to the ideals of the Scout Oath and Scout Law, according to a news release.
The selected recipient will receive a $1,000 cash award, a medal and a certificate.
Application deadline is March 30.
For information and to apply, visit tinyurl.com/5b2kt5bw.
Essay contest
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano will accept entries from March 28 through April 22 (at 5 p.m.), for his annual essay contest for high school students.
Students enrolled in Pasco public/charter, private, parochial, nonpublic, and home-school programs can participate.
In 500 words or less, students must answer the question, “Since the 1980s, Pasco County has seen a steady growth in population that now has us nearing 600,000 residents. To accommodate this growth, we have seen many additions made to our county’s general infrastructure (expanded roads, public transportation, additional shopping venues, etc.). What is one addition that has been made that was most beneficial to Pasco County, or what is one addition that you believe should be made to further accommodate our county’s growth?”
The winner will be notified no later than May 13, and will receive a $500 gift card.
Students in public/charter schools should submit their essays to their principal.
Students in private, parochial, nonpublic or home-school programs should send their essays directly to Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano, c/o Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL 33526.
Entries also can be hand-delivered to the tax collector’s office at 4720 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey.
For questions, call Jose Rodriguez Sierra at 727-847-8165, ext. 3826.
Public webinar
Saint Leo University’s Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies will present the webinar, “Understanding Jesus and Paul Means Understanding Judaism: Pharisees, Prayer, Parable, and Practice,” on March 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., via Zoom.
The guest speaker will be Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, a scholar of the New Testament and Jewish studies.
There also will be a Q&A session, and Bishop Gregory Parkes of the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg and a trustee of Saint Leo University will offer closing comments.
The webinar is free. Registration is online at SaintLeo.edu/understanding.
Fish art contest
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in partnership with Wildlife Forever, is hosting the annual Florida State Fish Art Contest.
Students in kindergarten through 12th grade can compete in the free contest for a chance to win state and national honors, and prizes.
The program inspires creativity, while developing the next generation of anglers and conservationists.
Florida winners will be selected by the FWC in four grade categories: Kindergarten through third grade; fourth grade through sixth grade; seventh grade through ninth grade; and 10th grade through 12th grade.
State winners will advance to the National Competition to be judged for top prizes, including Best of Show.
The deadline to enter is March 31.
For entry guidelines and information, visit WildlifeForever.org/home/fish-art/.
Pasco school news
Pasco County Schools has announced the following:
- A second window of opportunity to apply for the Kirland Ranch Academy of Innnovation will be open from April 11 to April 18, according to Pasco County Schools’ Facebook page.
- The next Early Release Day will be on April 13; students will be released two hours early. All bell times can be found online at Pasco.k12.fl.us/site/pcs_bell_schedule.
- ESS (Extended School Services) is hiring qualified substitute teaching staff to work in Pasco County Schools. ESS is an education management company that has partnered with Pasco shools to provide substitute teaching staff support. Apply online at Jobs.willsubplus.com, and search “Pasco County.” For questions, email Jenny Hacker at .
