Students dive into marine science
TAMPA – Middle and high school students from historically underserved Tampa neighborhoods will trade their backpacks for dive helmets to experience the ocean in a whole new way at The Florida Aquarium.
As part of the Teen Achievers AQUA Experience, select students will take part in the aquarium’s SeaTREK underwater walking adventure, exploring the 500,000-gallon Heart of the Sea habitat while surrounded by rays, a rescued sea turtle, and hundreds of Indo-Pacific fish.
The students from Sulphur Springs K-8 and Middleton High School are participants in the Teen Achievers AQUA Experience, a partnership between Bank of America, the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, and The Florida Aquarium that prepares teens to become future leaders by providing college readiness resources, leadership development, and opportunities to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Spotlight on Talent youth are ready to shine
WESLEY CHAPEL – More than 150 K-12 students auditioned Feb. 28 to participate in Spotlight on Talent.
This year’s show features a noon start for younger performers and a 7 p.m. start for older solos and groups.
Both shows are open to the public at Pasco Hernando State College’s Instructional Performing Arts Center, 8657 Old Pasco Road, Wesley Chapel.
The Heritage Arts Center Association produces this regional competition. The nonprofit arts group will present two $1,000 scholarships to graduating Pasco County seniors with the highest judges’ scores.
More than $4,000 in cash, trophies and ribbons will be presented to winners in eight different categories.
The performing arts competition includes two final shows because of the huge numbers of applicants and quality of the talent. The top 63 scoring acts, 104 students, were chosen to perform. Our emcees will be County Commissioner
Seth Weightman and Larry Quinn will serve as emcees. The shows feature the top 63 scoring acts
Tickets cost $15 for adults (or $25 for both shows) and $7 for students (or $12 for both shows. Children younger than 5 get in for free. Get tickets at heritagearts.org or at the door.
The Spotlight competition costs over $23,000 to produce and would not be possible without sponsorship from area businesses and individual supporters. The organization accepts donations at heritagearts.org.
Quick Hits
- The University of North Georgia Blue Ridge Rifles finished fifth place overall out of 31 teams in the 52nd annual Mardi Gras Invitational Drill Meet this month at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Team members included Ana Gonzalez Rodriguez of Lutz.
