Students shine in national competition
High school students at Land O’ Lakes Christian School competed in the 40th annual American Association of Christian Schools National Competition at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. Approximately 1,800 students, representing 200 Christian high schools, competed in 76 categories in the five basic areas of the Bible, music, speech, art and academics. The national fine arts competition winners from Land O’ Lakes Christian were, from left: Austin Slade, second place expository preaching; Sherry Jiang, first place calligraphy; Wilson Wang, second place garment construction; Ellie Becker, second place physical science fair; Paul Wei, second place advanced math; and, Ruth Zhang, first place algebra/geometry and third place watercolor.
CORRECTION: Charity volleyball match
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office school resource officers and high school student-athletes will compete in a Charity Volleyball Challenge May 4 at 7 p.m., at Charles S. Rushe Middle School, 18654 Mentmore Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.
The event is designed to let students and law enforcement interact in a casual, fun competition to promote trust between the two groups.
The challenge will benefit the 2017 Together We Stand Youth & Community Summit. Funds will be generated through the admission price, corporate and community sponsors, and advance ticket sales. A percentage of the proceeds will go to the school, and a corresponding student club that is represented by the largest number of audience members.
For information, call Sunlake High at (813) 346-1000.
Gulf Middle spruces up park
Gulf Middle School science teachers, students and staff took part in an Earth Day beautification project April 22 at Frances Park in New Port Richey.
The project aimed to increase the natural beauty of the park, and raise awareness for the environment and community.
Students and staff did landscaping and planted flowers at the park’s entrance along Louisiana Avenue.
Teacher art show
Pasco County Schools’ inaugural “MyArt” teacher art show will take place May 4 through May 20, at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, 30651 Wells Road.
Pasco Schools teacher-artists from kindergarten through 12th grade will exhibit a diverse array of 2-D and 3-D artwork, with the aim to inspire students-artists to be passionate about their own work.
Students and the community also will have an opportunity to interact with the teacher-artists during a closing reception May 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For information, email Tom Viking at .
Spaghetti dinner fundraiser
Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus Council 12110 will host a spaghetti dinner fundraiser May 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at St. Peter Claver Catholic School, 1203 Nebraska Ave., in Tampa, in O’ Keefe Hall.
The cost is $10 and includes spaghetti with sauce, a house salad, Cuban bread, and a soda or water. No takeout will be available.
All proceeds from the dinner will benefit St. Peter Claver’s tuition scholarship program.
For information, call (813) 267-9981 or (813) 223-6726.
Kindergarten preregistration
Pasco County Schools kindergarten preregistration will be May 8, at all district elementary schools. Those interested should contact the school in their area for details about orientation activities and times.
Head Start/Early Head Start applications are only available at select elementary schools.
Kindergarten preregistration requirements include:
- Child must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2017
- Child’s birth certificate or other proof of birth date
- Health examination – HRS Form 3040
- HRS Certificate of Immunization
- Proof of Florida residency, such as a current utility bill or lease agreement
For information, call Danielle Varcardipone in the Office of Teaching and Learning at (727) 774-2404, (813) 794-2404 or (352) 524-2404.
Expectant mothers, and parents of infants, toddlers and children through age 5 may apply for Head Start or Early Head Start. Families must meet eligibility requirements.
For more information about the Head Start programs, visit PascoSchools.org, or call Alexis Russell in Early Childhood Programs at (727) 774-2730, (813) 794-2730 or (352) 524-2730.
Student artwork exhibit
Pasco-Hernando State College’s Rao Musunuru MD Art Gallery will exhibit “Artistic Articulation: A Student Showcase” through May 31.
The annual exhibition showcases diverse talent achieved without the influence from staff or faculty. Gallery visitors can experience completed works of photography, drawing and mixed media, from past and present art students.
Summer gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Art exhibits are free.
For information, call (727) 816-3231.
Future business leaders excel
Pasco-Hernando State College students participated in the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda State Leadership Conference.
North Campus student Shannon Phillips placed first in computer applications, and West Campus student John Vann placed first in future business executive, both qualifying for national competition. Phillips also placed fourth in business communications.
Second-place winners advancing to nationals are North Campus students Casey Cox in organizational behavior and leadership, and Sidney Onstad in hospitality management; West Campus students Michael Bradley II in public speaking and Leslie Barnwell in human resource management. Barnwell also placed fourth in forensic accounting, and Cox placed fifth in marketing concepts.
Other students who placed in the competition include:
Spring Hill campus students Marc Brooks, third in impromptu speaking; Manuel Cuzco, third in job interview; and, Giselle Perez, third in human resource management.
West Campus students Keith Stokes, third in both help desk and programming concept; and, Victor Miller, fifth place inn information management.
The PHSC team of North Campus students Jay Bowler, Emily Brock and Simona Rivera placed third in the small business management plan team competition.
Brock and Rivero also placed third in the desktop publishing team competition.
The annual Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda National Competition will take place in June, in Anaheim, California.
Free summer VPK program
Primrose School at Collier Parkway, 23021 Weeks Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, will offer a Summer VPK (voluntary pre-kindergarten) program for eligible families and their children.
The free program is for children who have not yet used their VPK voucher, and turned 4-years-old before September 2016.
Classes begin on June 6 and run through Aug. 3.
VPK hours will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with lunch/rest time from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
For information about the school and enrollment, contact Angella Hart, school director, at (813) 242-7800.
