Chamber recognizes student citizens
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce honored nine Student Citizens of the Month for April, during a ceremony at The Church at Chancey Road. The students are chosen by teachers and administration of their schools for exemplary effort, achievement, and contribution to their school, family and community. From left: Ashley Ayers, Heritage Academy; Carolyn Sentelik, president, chamber board of directors; Kaylee Weirich, Woodland Elementary; Melonie Monson, chamber executive director; Laila Woolfolk, Taylor Elementary; Zechariah Mitchell, Zephyrhills Christian Academy; Hailey Turner, Stewart Middle; Roxxy Geisenheimer, chamber marketing and events coordinator; Hope Holloway, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Katy Boyd, chamber ambassador chairperson; and, Jodi Baldwin, The Broach School. Also recognized, but not present, were Christian Redmond, Hope Ranch Learning Academy; and, Kaylan Turlich, West Zephyrhills Elementary.
Sunlake Academy names new principal
The governing board members for Sunlake Academy of Math and Science, and the executive management team from Charter School Associates, has announced the appointment of Suzanne Elder as principal of the academy, effective July 1.
Elder comes from Channelside Academy of Math and Science, a K-8 charter school operated by Charter School Associates in Tampa’s Channelside District, where she served as principal since 2014.
Elder has a Bachelor of Science in telecommunications from the University of Florida and a master’s in educational administration and supervision from the University of Phoenix.
Sunlake Academy will open to 650 students, kindergarten through seventh grade, in August, at 18711 Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz.
For information, visit SunlakeAcademy.org, or call (813) 616-5099.
Dade City chamber honors students
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce recognized its April Citizens of the Month with a breakfast.
The students that were honored were Miles Carter, Academy at the Farm; Bobby Rivera, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Jaylen Matos, Saint Anthony Catholic School; Haylee Wall, Centennial Elementary; Kimberly Aburto, Lacoochee Elementary; Cruz Alvarez Diaz, Pasco Elementary; Eduardo Alvarez, Cox Elementary; Dalton Duncan, San Antonio Elementary; Courtney Thomas, Centennial Middle; Jada Formby, Pasco Middle; Lamour Lowe, James Irvin Education Center; and, Blake Swonger, Pasco High.
The chamber also will host a Chamber Scholarship Presentation May 16 at 7 a.m., to award three $1,000 college scholarships to graduating seniors from Pasco High. The scholarship winners are Courtney Graham, Kasey Szwast and Sydni Sinka.
ESE talent show
Pasco County Schools will celebrate the talents of its exceptional education students with a show May 17 at 11 a.m., at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, 30651 Wells Road.
The students will perform in various disciplines, including dancing, singing/duets, lip syncing, unique talents (recalling facts, dates, etc.), comedy/telling jokes, puppet shows and more.
Admission is free, and open to the families and friends of the performers, as well as district staff and other county schools’ students to watch.
For information, call Heather Farnsworth at (813) 794-8802.
Teacher art show
Pasco County Schools’ inaugural “MyArt” teacher art show will take place 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 .
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.
Hillel Academy
Hillel Academy Tampa, a private Jewish community day school, has appointed Wendy Leigh to the position of director of development and community relations. Leigh will be responsible for raising awareness, increasing enrollment and spreading the word about the historic school.
Leigh has degrees in both education and theater, and taught for seven years in the Hillsborough County school district.
The academy also recently hosted its Gift of Gold Gala and broke a fundraising record by raising more than $100,000, through sponsorships, donations and silent auction proceeds.
Proceeds from the gala will help fund scholarships, financial aid, teacher education and campus improvements.
For information on Hillel, call (813) 963-2242, or visit HillelAcademyTampa.com.
