A ‘fine’ collaboration to help students
The First National Bank of Pasco (FNBP) and the Pasco County School Board distributed the second quarter fine arts classroom grants to six area schools, through the collaboration called ArtsFirst. Grant applications are submitted by Pasco fine arts teachers, and awarded based upon the grant’s likelihood of improving student achievement and opportunity. Schools receiving grants were Double Branch Elementary, Paul R. Smith Middle, Raymond B. Stewart Middle, River Ridge High, Sunlake High, and Wesley Chapel Elementary. Funds can be used to purchase anything from instruments to technology to art supplies. Paul Smith Middle’s band director Kelsey Synnett, left, accepts a check for percussion instruments and accessories from Kathy Balthazard, area sales manager for FNBP.
Honor Society inductees
These local University of South Florida students were recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society: Alexander Mercier Sr., of Odessa; Amber Pirson, of Lutz; and, Meena Yaduguru Sundinti, of Lutz.
Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897, and today there are chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States and the Philippines.
Food waste contest
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched “Ace the Waste!” – a student competition for food waste reduction ideas.
Students ages 11 to 18 can submit proposals on reducing food loss and waste anywhere along the supply chain, from the farm to the dinner table and beyond.
Topic ideas include: Preventing food waste; Recovering wholesome, excess food to feed people; Recycling food scraps to keep them out of landfills; and, Raising awareness.
Students may submit a one- to two-page proposal or a one- to two-minute video.
Submissions will be judged on impact potential; originality and creativity; clarity of expression; and, adherence/appropriateness to theme.
One winner will be selected from each of two categories: ages 11 to 14, and ages 15 to 18.
The deadline for proposals is May 24 at 5 p.m.
For details and to submit ideas, visit tinyurl.com/y4cj6kpr.
Friendship Walk
The Dr. John Long Middle School Best Buddies Chapter will again take part in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk on May 4 at 9 a.m., at Raymond James Stadium, 4201 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa.
Best Buddies matches intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) students with peer volunteers to form a ‘buddy pair,’ and to encourage one-to-one friendships between typical students and students with an IDD.
Register to walk or make a donation to help support Long Middle School’s chapter by visiting tinyurl.com/yxqtoeos.
Preschool to offer food program
Simply Kids Preschool, 27300 Dayflower Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, announced its intention to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Child Care Food Program, a federally funded program that reimburses child care providers for serving nutritious meals and snacks to enrolled, eligible children.
Meals will be available at no separate cost to all participants enrolled at the center, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.
Parents/guardians of children eligible for free and reduced-price meals must complete an application.
The policy statement of income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price meals is on file at the child care center and may be reviewed by any interested party.
For information, contact Nicole Nadeau at (727) 831-8198 or .
Top Dog students
Students from Stewart Middle School were honored at a lunch after being named the school’s Top Dogs. One student is selected by the teachers from each team of 125 students each quarter.
The third quarter Top Dogs were Kristina Harrelson, Logan Merritt, Jaiden Wells, Deme Dooley, Emilio Gutierrez, Zachary Cannon, Chloe Ezzo, Emma Smith, Ayden Jones and Saniyah Wilson.
Each student received a certificate and a gold dog tag.
Saint Anthony school celebrates 135 years
St. Anthony Catholic School, 12155 Joe Hermann Drive in San Antonio, will celebrate its 135th anniversary on May 10. It is the oldest Catholic elementary school in Pasco County and the fourth oldest Catholic school in the state.
There will be Mass at 9 a.m., presided over by the Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, followed by a spring concert at 10:30 a.m., performed by the students in San Antonio Park.
After the concert, guests can take part in a family picnic.
For information about the celebration or the school, call Sister Alice Ottapurackal at (352) 588-3041.
To RSVP, visit StAnthonySchoolFl.org.
Financial aid tip
Veterans and members of the U.S. Armed Forces may be able to take advantage of numerous student financial aid programs.
The federal government also offers programs for the dependents of veterans and service members.
Federal programs include:
- GI Bill benefits, first passed in 1944 for veterans of World War II. There are several versions with benefits that vary according to when you entered the service, when you left the service and other criteria. Visit Benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
- Federal Tuition Assistance, for active duty members an all branches of the armed forces. For information, contact the college financial aid office or the unit education officer.
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants, for students who had a parent or guardian die as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after Sept. 10, 2001. For information, look under ‘Types of Aid’ at StudentAid.ed.gov/sa/.
Scholarship program expands
The North Tampa Bay Chamber is expanding its high school scholarship fund to include recipients from Cypress Creek, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch, Freedom and Wharton high schools.
The chamber has partnered with the career counselors at each campus, where all students have applied by completing a comprehensive application, including a short essay.
Upcoming presentations for the ceremonial checks will take place as follows:
- Wiregrass Ranch: May 23 at 6 p.m.
- Wesley Chapel: May 28 at 7:30 a.m.
- Cypress Creek: May 28 at 9 a.m.
