Influential women recognized
Sponsored by Saint Leo University’s Undergraduate Social Work Department, the school recently celebrated National Social Work Month as well as Women’s History Month. This year’s event honored students, agencies and members of the community for the work they do to promote social work and aid the community.
The National Association of Social Workers Florida (NASW-FL) honors went to:
- Yvenie Desrosiers — Student of the Year-Nature Coast
- United Way of Pasco County — Rising to the Challenge Award
- Cheryl Pollock, chief advancement and community engagement officer at Premier Community HealthCare — Public Citizen of the Year Award-Nature Coast
- Christina Cazanave — Social Work Educator of the Year
The Influential Women of Social Work recognized four “visionaries” who helped grow, promote and influence social work education:
- Dr. Cindy Lee, director of Saint Leo’s Center for Alternative Pathway Programs (CAPP)
- Dr. Marguerite McInnis, former chair of Saint Leo’s Social Work Program
- Dr. Rhonda Waddell, former associate dean and assistant professor of social work at Saint Leo
- the late Dr. William “Bill” Day, various roles including positions at Florida State Hospital and University Hospital in Jacksonville, and program manager of the Counseling and Human Services Program at Hillsborough Community College for 25 years
Three scholarships were awarded during the event to Saint Leo students pursuing Bachelor of Social Work degrees: Emily Hernandez, $2,000; Jalessa Murray, $1,000; Wendy Smith, $500.
Saint Leo social work students also were recognized for being No. 1 in the nation in the VOT-ER student-led voter registration competition. The Why Vote effort by the Saint Leo students resulted in 553 voter registrations in two months.
Saint Leo spring concerts
Saint Leo University will host its Spring Concerts featuring Faure’s “Requiem” on April 3 — one at 4 p.m., at the chapel at Holy Name Monastery, 12138 Wichers Road in St. Leo, and another at 7 p.m., at Saint Leo Abbey Church, 33601 County Road 52 in St. Leo. The concerts will feature the Saint Leo Chamber Singers and guest instrumentalists.
Admission is free. Donations can be made online at OnTheStage.tickets/saint-leo-university/campaigns/music-and-arts-funderaiser-3183.
Homeschool sewing
The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will offer “Homeschool Sewing for Beginners: Book Sleeve” on April 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for homeschool students ages 9 to 17. Participants will practice using pins, sewing on a machine, ironing and more, to create a book sleeve. A signed waiver, registration and closed-toe shoes are required. Call 727-815-7126 for more information.
Foundation scholarships
The Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) Foundation provides more than $1.3 million in scholarships each year, according to a PHSC newsletter. Current and incoming PHSC students can now apply for a foundation scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year. The priority deadline is April 12; however, applications are accepted and reviewed throughout the year.
Students can access the application at Foundation.phsc.edu/scholarships/apply.
For more information on how to apply or to make a gift to support student scholarships, contact Michelle Bullwinkel, director of alumni and donor relations, at 727-816-3212 or .
School leaders address Congress
Nearly 400 school leaders met with more than 300 members of Congress and legislative staff to ask for support for policies to address the mental health and educator shortage crisis, during the National School Leaders Advocacy Conference, hosted by the National Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Principals (NAESP), according to a news release.
“….School leaders are advocates by nature, and now, more than ever, we must ensure policymakers and the public hear their stories, understand the impact of their work, and support them in building a better future for every student,” said L. Earl Franks, executive director of the NAESP, in the release.
Legislators are being asked for their support on the following:
- The Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act
- Educators for America Act
- Preparing and Retaining Education Professionals (PREP) Act
- Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act
- Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act
- Increasing Access to Mental Health in Schools Act
- Mental Health Services for Students Act
- Increased funding for schools serving high-needs students, educator recruitment and retention, and Career and Technical Education
Academy at the Farm opens market
Academy at the Farm in Dade City has opened a Farmer’s Market on its school campus.
The market is open to the public and carries fresh produce and eggs, local honey, sourdough bread that is made and delivered daily, plants, and other snacks and drinks. It is located at 9500 Alex Lange Way, right off of Handcart Road near the Pasco County Transfer Station, in Dade City (look for the large Farmer’s Market sign or the sign for the school).
The hours of operation are: Mondays, noon to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesdays and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 6 p.m.
Visit the market and you may be greeted and waited on by a middle-school student who is learning customer service and business skills. Twenty-six students in grades 6 to 8 applied, interviewed and were selected to “work” at the market where they count, stock and track inventory, provide service to customers and learn about the aspects of running a business.
Students spend one of their elective class periods at the market each week and some of the students volunteer after school as well.
Academy at the Farm is an A-rated, high-performing charter school. In its 21st year, the Academy currently has 727 K-8 students and 90 preschoolers, as well as more than 140 livestock animals on campus. While agriculture is a main focus of the school, its mission is to build character in students by teaching and reinforcing six core values: respect, responsibility, citizenship, fairness, caring and honesty.
For daily updates and market specials, like and follow AATF Farmers Market on Facebook.
For more information about the school, visit AcademyAtTheFarm.com.
