Woman’s club awards scholarships
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club announced it awarded a total of $16,000 in scholarships to students of the Class of 2023. Kelly Beilfuss and Humberto Martinez were each awarded a scholarship from the Lutz Volunteer Fire Department Endowment Fund, and Alessandra Digs, Allen Ho and Edyth Krook each received a Woman’s Club scholarship. From left: Elayne Bassinger, woman’s club president; Alessandra Diggs ($2,000), Allen Ho ($2,000), Kelly Beilfuss ($5,000), Edyth Krook ($2,000) and Lucy Albury, chair. Humberto Martinez ($5,000) is not pictured.
Student achievements
- These Lutz students graduated from the University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, Kentucky: Emma Layman, Anusman Panda and Harika Yarlagadda.
- Austin Sikes, Lutz: Flagler College, Bachelor of Arts in business administration
- Kevin Spillane, Odessa: Dean’s List, at Berry College, Rome, Georgia
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 .
Outstanding seniors recognized
The Lexington Oaks Women’s Club bestowed merit awards to five outstanding seniors in its community, on May 1 at Bahama Breeze. Pictured clockwise, from left: Luciana Gutierrez, John Cole, Jack Carbone and Cameron Choate. Brian Roof was also honored but is not pictured.
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.
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., to honor those who gave their lives fighting for freedom. 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 , or call 813-575-8339.
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 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.
Local student’s showpiece in museum
Savannah Gagen, a student at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, holds her artwork that will be displayed in the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. Her piece is entitled, ‘Poise of Harmony and the Absurd.’ Gagen lives in the Dade City area.
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.
New classes at Lighthouse
Lighthouse Community School will begin offering classes for elementary school age children in the 2023-2024 school year, according to a news release. Lighthouse Preschool of Wesley Chapel already has 3- to 4-year-olds enrolled in its programs.
The community school model brings together aspects of homeschooling and the benefits of classroom learning. Students are given qualified instruction on campus two days per week. Parents are responsible for homeschooling two days per week using the curriculum and lesson plans sent home by the classroom teacher.
“After many years of requests from parents, we decided to expand Lighthouse to include these older students,” said Director Heather Olsen, in the release. “Our plan is to begin with two teachers in a combined kindergarten/first grade class and to add additional classes as more people express interest.”
Lighthouse Community School is a Christian school that meets at Grace Community Church, and is located 1.5 miles north of State Road 54, near Wesley Chapel District Park.
For information, visit LighthouseWesleyChapel.com. To schedule a tour, call 813-994-8678.
