Around the World in a Day
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade at Seven Oaks Elementary School in Wesley Chapel recently grabbed their passports and ventured through four different countries to celebrate cultural diversity.
While the children bustled around campus, a mariachi band played, welcoming the students to the start of Around the World in a Day: Seven Oaks’ Cultural Extravaganza.
The carnival helped to educate the students on different countries such as India, Italy, Colombia and Venezuela, as they ‘visited’ each place to learn about the variety of sports and fashions of each culture and sample food.
Italy showcased a soccer ball, stone from ancient buildings, a coffee maker, and handmade lace for clothing.
Colombia displayed a rain stick and passed it around for students to see. Venezuela showed off instruments and toys, and demonstrated how to say the names of the items in Spanish.
Students traveled across the school grounds to experience each diverse culture.
Join Leadership Pasco
The Leadership Pasco Recruitment Committee is now accepting applications for the upcoming Class of 2025.
Since 1990, Leadership Pasco has introduced business and local leaders to major facets of the Pasco County community through an intensive 10-month course. Class members participate in full-day program sessions, tours, and candid conversations with community leaders to broaden their local understanding of the ever-changing needs of Pasco County. Topics include criminal justice, tourism, health care, education, government, infrastructure, media, and business industries.
The class also is responsible for organizing a Class Project that brings charitable people and resources together to address a particular social, educational, economic, environmental or cultural need in the county.
Applications are available online at LeadershipPasco.com and are due by May 15.
The recruitment committee will review all applicants. All selected 2025 class members will be notified by the end of June.
Monthly program sessions begin with orientation in August and conclude with a graduation ceremony in May 2025.
For questions or concerns, contact Laura Raposa at 727-858-6452 or .
History center to celebrate Emancipation Days
The Tampa Bay History Center will present the following:
• Tampa Emancipation Day
A Tampa Emancipation Day will take place on May 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at St. James at ENCORE, 1202 N. Governor St., in Tampa, to observe the historical impact of the Emancipation Proclamation in Florida. The free event will include music, food and new USF research. Guest speakers will include Dr. Elizabeth Horge-Freeman, Dr. Cheryl Rodriguez and Dr. Tomaro Taylor from the University of South Florida (USF), and Fred Hearns, curator of Black History with the Tampa History Center. The event will feature a special reading of the Emancipation Proclamation by several dignitaries. Also included will be performances by local artists and speakers. Seating is limited to the first 100 guests to RSVP at TampaBayHistoryCenter.org.
• Florida Emancipation Day
The Chinsegut Hill Historic Site, 22495 Chinsegut Hill Road in Brooksville, will host a Florida Emancipation Day on May 18 starting at 10 a.m., with discussions on the historical significance of the location by Dr. Gary Ellis and Rodney Kite-Powell. Dr. Michael Jones also will speak about the implications of recent archaeological findings, and Dr. Jesse Pisors, president of Pasco-Hernando State College, will give free tours of the Chinsegut historic house. This free event aims to educate and inspire by celebrating historical milestones in the fight for freedom and equality.
For more information about these events, visit TampaBayHistoryCenter.org.
New president/CEO named
The Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF) has announced Anna Corman as its new president and chief executive officer (CEO). Corman has served as interim CEO since September 2023.
With more than nine years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Corman has been instrumental in promoting positive social change and fostering community impact, particularly in youth development and volunteerism, both locally and globally, according to a news release.
Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from the University of South Florida and a Master of Science in Global Technology & Development from Arizona State University.
In addition, Corman is an active member of the community and a distinguished alumna of both Leadership Tampa (Class of ’23) and Leadership Florida (Education Class 8).
In her new role, Corman will oversee HEF’s strategic direction, partnerships and programs, and she will work with the board, staff and community stakeholders to further the organization’s mission of strengthening public education in Hillsborough County.
