West Point bound
Theodore Spiegel, of Wesley Chapel, is a 2022 graduate of Land O’ Lakes High School and he received a fully paid West Point Association of Graduates of the USMA Preparatory Scholarship in February 2022.
Spiegel was one of 35 high school students in the country to receive the scholarship. He is currently attending the Marion Military Institute (MMI) in Alabama, a prep military institute to prepare him to attend West Point. His rank at MMI is staff sergeant.
Spiegel received his congressional nomination from Rep. Gus Bilirakis this past January and his appointment to West Point in February. He is now in transition to attend West Point in the fall and will depart for cadet boot camp on June 26.
Classes will begin on Aug. 13.
Alternative Peer Group
Victory High School in New Port Richey will host an Alternative Peer Group from May 15 through July 27, for youth ages 14 to 19 who have a substance use disorder or co-occurring disorder and no sex or violent offenses. The program will run Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with two weeks off: May 29 to June 2 and July 3 to July 7.
The group will take educational field trips to discover new career options, trades, vocational opportunities and tour colleges, and it will participate in sober, fun activities in Tampa Bay. There also will be yoga, art, and sound healing sessions.
To register, visit SummerAtVictory.com.
Musicians needed
First United Methodist Church, 6209 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, will host a Community Memorial Day Ceremony on May 29 at 6 p.m. The event is looking for high school teen musicians to join — one or two trumpet players and two or three drummers are needed. For information, email .
Student Citizens recognized
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has named its Student Citizens of the Month, for April. Students are chosen by the teachers and administration of their individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. This is the 25th year for the program. Students receiving the honor were: Jeremiah Andino, Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Arianna Harris, The Broach School; McKenzie LaHaye, The Broach School Elementary Campus; Violet Barton, Chester W. Taylor Elementary School; Odessa Benton, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Jules Wright, Heritage Academy; Vivianna Santos, Raymond B. Stewart Middle School; Lillian Burton, West Zephyrhills Elementary; Wyatt Cooner, Woodland Elementary; and Yaxiel Nieves Natal, Zephyrhills High
Cornhole fundraiser
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) will host a PHSC Foundation Cornhole Tournament on May 20 at 11 a.m., at Backdraughts Pizza, 6351 Grand Blvd., in New Port Richey, to benefit the PHSC Foundation. There also will be a 50/50, live auction, raffles, and a guaranteed sponsor payout for first, second and third place. Participants should bring their own bags; six games are guaranteed.
The cost is $25 through the Scoreholio App or the day of the tournament. For information, contact Lisa Yeager, foundation advancement coordinator, at 727-457-7888 or .
Committee Town Hall
Pasco-Hernando State College, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey, will host a Cultural Competence Committee Town Hall on May 22 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., in Room R151. The guest speaker will be Meriel Martinez, program director at the Nonprofit Leadership Center, with a presentation on “Leading Inclusive Teams.” Registration is online at EventBrite.com.
Youth Ambassador Program
The World Literacy Foundation (WLF) is looking for young people who would like to be an advocate and changemaker for the issue of illiteracy, over the summer.
The organization is accepting applications for its Summer 2023 Youth Ambassador Program, a four-month youth leadership development program that provides participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to be effective advocates for literacy in their communities and around the world, according to a WLF news release.
Young people between the ages of 16 and 30 are eligible to apply to the free program.
Applications must be submitted through the WLF’s online portal before May 26. The ambassador program will begin on June 6.
Interested individuals can access the online application at WorldLiteracyFoundation.org/ambassador-program.
Student achievements
These local students were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most-selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines:
- Grace Ackerman, Lutz – Elon University
- Zachary Board, Lutz – University of North Florida
- Brody Grissom, Odessa – University of Florida
The Alexander Graham Bell Honor Society at Curry College, in Milton, Massachusetts, welcomed Angelo Sardegna, of Lutz, for academic excellence.
Stepping up for Maniscalco
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club stepped up when Lutz Guv’na Atlas Cortecero brought to its attention Maniscalco Elementary School was in urgent need of a secure, locked and mobile medical cabinet for its nurse’s office. The club wasted no time in donating $1,450 toward the purchase of a suitable cabinet. From left: Atlas Cortecero; Maniscalco staff and Trish Long (holding check); woman’s club president Elayne Bassinger; and club members Linda Buzzee, Linda Mitchell and Pam Blumenthal.
Homeschool Conference
The Tampa Bay Homeschool Conference is scheduled for July 22 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., at The Common at Trinity, 1540 Little Road in Trinity.
The keynote speakers will be Brenda Dickinson, founder/president, Home Education Foundation; and Nicole Thomas, founder/CEO of Nicole the Math Lady.
The conference’s mission is to inspire, educate and empower the community. Whether you are new to homeschooling, wondering if homeschooling is right for your family, or you’re a homeschooling veteran – there will be something for everyone at this event.
For details, visit TampaBayHomeschoolConference.com.
