Fifth-graders take steps to being healthy
Barbie Monty’s fifth-grade class at Carrollwood Day School organized a half-hour health walk, inspired by the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good program, to encourage small lifestyle changes that can add up to a big difference. The class invited experts to talk about nutrition, exercise and making good choices to avoid health problems. Students also used a website and phone app called Fooducate, which rates various foods for nutritional value and healthier alternatives. With a banner supplied by the U.S. Department of Agriculture are, front row from left: Charlie Woeste, Madison Bouie, Sonia Gohil, Aayush Patel, Logan Watson, Max Rabenstein, Ranai Gosine, Vasili Sotiropoulos. Back row from left: Hilani Blume, Bhuvi Raxwal, Payton Nipps, Bailey Scott, Ryan Hakam, Demir Dikmen, Ayedean Sharabyani.
Learning center open house
The Lutz Learning Center, 621 Sunset Lane in Lutz, will host an open house May 20, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Guests can tour the campus and see how the classrooms “with no walls offer education, with no ceiling.”
For information and to RSVP, visit LutzLearning.com/OpenHouse.
Graduates receive academic honors
Two graduates from the class of 2017 from Saint Leo University received special academic honors from their home college at the university, the Donald R. Tapia School of Business.
Jessica Dean, of Wesley Chapel, majored in accounting and economics, and was given the business school’s Excellence in Academic Leadership Award.
The award honors a student who created a positive impact on the academic lives of others, in addition to achieving a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or above.
Dean was a tutor and president of two student organizations, and graduated cum laude.
Kara Ennis, of San Antonio, studied health care management with a minor in accounting, and was given the business school’s Excellence in Experiential Learning Award.
The award recognizes initiative, professionalism and integrity; and application of classroom learning; and, a grade point average of 3.25 or above.
Ennis took part in a summer internship at Oak Hill Hospital and shadowed in various department, communicating with nurses, department managers and top executives. She also graduated cum laude.
Teacher of the Year awards
U.S. Rep Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) announced the nine teachers from Pasco and Pinellas schools that have been nominated for the Teacher of the Year award.
The annual award recognizes educators who have made a special impact on their students, their schools and their community.
From Pasco County: Maria Imler, McKitrick Elementary; Joshua Aguiar, Sunlake High School; Jennifer O’ Connor, Land O’ Lakes High; David Berger, Land O’ Lakes High; Jeffrey Beson Jr., Wesley Chapel High; Diane Butler, Connerton Elementary; and, Tina Stavrou-Klem, Pasco County Office of Teaching and Learning.
From Pinellas County: Despina Garos, Leila G. Davis Elementary; and, Helen Fatolitis, Tarpon Springs Elementary.
Each teacher will receive a certificate of recognition and a congressional coin.
Scholarship honors Don Vierling
Pasco-Hernando State College hosted spring commencements May 3, conferred 450 degrees and certificates witnessed by record-setting audiences in attendance at two separate ceremonies. An estimated 913 spring graduates were eligible to participate.
Dr. Rao Musunuru, PHSC trustee and renowned cardiologist, presented a $10,000 scholarship in honor of Dr. Donald Vierling, a prominent member of the community, family physician and member of the PHSC Foundation executive committee – having served on numerous committees and chairman of the board twice during his more than 30-year tenure.
The scholarship funds will support PHSC nursing students.
Musunuru plans to continue establishing $10,000 scholarships in the names of employees, friends and benefactors of PHSC.
Pharmacy program gets accreditation
The Pasco-Hernando State College Pharmacy Technician Certificate program received a full three-year accreditation from the American Society of Health System Pharmacists and The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
The college’s program is designed to prepare students to work as pharmacy technicians in retail and hospital settings under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
The limited access program provides students an opportunity to earn a certificate in less than a year, when attending full-time.
For information about the program application and admission process, visit PHSC.edu.
Top schools for online health program
GradSource.com analyzed online public health master’s programs across the country, graded on five key criteria: affordability, flexibility, program prominence, student success and related degrees.
The top 10 schools ranked by GradSource.com are:
- East Carolina University
- Concord University
- University of South Florida – Main Campus
- Des Moines University – Osteopathic Medical Center
- Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
- The University of West Florida
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Idaho State University
- University of Illinois at Springfield
- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
For more information on rankings and methodology, visit GradSource.com.
