Saint Leo director awarded bronze medal
Saint Leo University’s Dr. Anne Barngrover, associate professor of creative writing and director of the Master of Arts in Creating Writing program, has been awarded the 2024 Bronze Medal by the Florida Book Awards for her poetry collection, “Everwhen,” according to a news release.
The Florida Book Awards was established in 2006 and the 18th annual competition featured 170 eligible publications submitted across 11 categories for books published in 2023.
Barngrover’s “Everwhen” will be among the other Florida Book award-winning titles on permanent display in the library at the Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee and in an exhibit case on the third floor of Florida State University’s Strozier Library. This is Barngrover’s third poetry collection. Her book, “Brazen Creature,” published in 2018, was a finalist for the 2019 Ohioana Award for Poetry.
This summer, the professor will lead the 2024 master’s in creative writing summer residency as well as a micro-credential program in creative writing, which will provide feedback from creative writing faculty and peers on what participants are working on — new fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry.
The program will run from July 8 to July 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Saint Leo’s campus, 33701 County Road 52 in St. Leo. The deadline to sign up is June 15.
Extreme Summer Challenge returns
Pasco County Schools has brought back, by popular demand, the Extreme Summer Challenge from May 25 to July 9. The program is for pre-K through 11th grade students.
The goal is for Pasco students to increase their math and reading proficiency by practicing the skills tailored to each student with learning and practice exercises through the Beanstack, Zearn, and Lexia programs.
The programs provide differentiated learning pathways to engage students in building knowledge and skills for math and literacy. Students may engage in one or all challenges for prizes.
To take the challenge, launch into the programs on your myPascoConnect dashboard.
Pasco graduation dates
Pasco County Schools has released the graduation dates, times and locations for the 2023-20214 school year:
- May 28, 5 p.m.: Marchman Technical College, at Generations Christian Church
- May 30, 6 p.m.: Wendell Krinn Technical High School, at the school gymnasium
- May 31, at USF Yuengling Center: 8 a.m., Gulf High School; noon, Anclote High School; 4 p.m., Cypress Creek High; 8 p.m., Pasco High
- June 1, at USF Yuengling Center: 9 a.m., Hudson High; 1 p.m., Land O’ Lakes High; 5 p.m., Wesley Chapel High
- June 3, at USF Yuengling Center: 9 a.m., River Ridge High; 1 p.m., Zephyrhills High; 5 p.m., Wiregrass Ranch High
- June 4, at USF Yuengling Center: 9 a.m., Fivay High; 1 p.m., Sunlake High; 5 p.m., J.W. Mitchell High
- June 5, 1 p.m.: Pasco eSchool, at River Ridge High Performing Arts Center
For the Hillsborough County schools’ graduation ceremony schedule, visit Hillsborough County Public Schools on Facebook.
College savings head start
Fifth Third Bank has provided a savings boost for future education to 71 babies born in Tampa Bay on Fifth Third Day (May 3). Each child received a gift of $1,054 to be put toward a 529 savings account, according to a news release.
The gift was designed by Fifth Third Bank, in collaboration with hospital systems, to help parents start saving early for their child’s education, whether it is a college program, vocational or trade school.
Fifth Third regional president Cary Putrino and Tampa Bay Buccaneers K.J. Britt and YaYa Diaby greeted the new moms and dads and presented the college savings gift along with a care package that included gift cards, a onesie, beanie and bib.
Since the program’s launch in 2017, the bank has gifted more than 600 babies with the savings.
Children do not have to be born on May 3 to start saving — Fifth Third is extending its Fifth Third Babies gift to all communities with the Fifth Third Babies Sweepstakes. Parents can enter to win $1,053 by following Fifth Third Bank and commenting on a sweepstakes post on Facebook and Instagram until May 29.
Five winners will receive a head start on a college savings fund.
Seniors complete teacher academy
Twenty-seven high school seniors completed the Pasco County Schools Teacher Academy program and celebrated with family, friends and faculty at the media center of River Ridge High School. ‘This is more than a ceremony; it’s a testament to the dedication and passion these young individuals have for education,’ said academy educator Beth Hess, in a news release. The future educators signed contracts guaranteeing them an opportunity to return to Pasco County Schools for employment after their graduation, the release says.
Drumline summer program
The 501(c)3 nonprofit Samaritan Corporation of Pasco County Inc.’s Blue Diamond Drumline will begin its summer program on June 3 at Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel, for students ages 6 to 17.
No musical experience is necessary and no prior knowledge of reading music is required.
Sign-up begins on May 28 at the park, where there is a display that includes schedules, brochures and business cards. Parents can provide the student’s name and phone number on the sign-up sheet and will be contacted regarding the student’s start date.
All classes will be on Mondays and Tuesdays, starting June 3, at 6:15 p.m., for advanced students who started in January, and at 7:15 p.m., for all beginners.
For more information, contact Clyde Carter at 813-953-7263 or .
