Art competition winners
Tampa Bay area high school students submitted 91 pieces of artwork to U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor’s annual Congressional Art Competition.
The top prize was awarded to recent Gibbs High School graduate and salutatorian Marcus Rideout for his watercolor piece, “Big Sky Orange Blossoms,” which will be featured for one year in the U.S. Capitol alongside other art competition winners from across the country. Rideout’s piece also will be entered in the national competition.
“Art is a personal expression. With my piece, I illustrate how moving across the country has impacted my childhood,” said Rideout in a news release. “I moved from Montana to St. Pete and in my work, I include the valley of Mount Helena to the waters of St. Petersburg — but I fear I am losing my past, my bones.”
Other area award winners included: Abigail Anderson, Carrollwood Day School – “Whales on Impact,” Sculpture Award; Kai Layton, Wharton High – “A Natural Reconnection,” Honorable Mention; and Grace Qiang, Hillsborough High – “Labyrinth,” Honorable Mention.
Student achievements
- Troy Bacon, Odessa: President’s List, Southern New Hampshire University
- Kayla Childs, Odessa: Master of Arts in Economics, University of Georgia
- Jenna Freligh, Lutz: Dean’s List, Belmont University, Tennessee
- Abigail Greene, Lutz: Dean’s List, Pennsylvania Western University
- Kelsey Gulic, Lutz: President’s List, Southern New Hampshire University
- Rebecca Hernandez, first-generation Mexican American college student, studying economics at the University of South Florida: Hillsborough County Scholarship Award from Achieva Credit Union and the Achieva Foundation
- Timothy Hicks, Lutz: President’s List, Southern New Hampshire University
- Lillian Hilt, Land O’ Lakes: Dean’s List, Carson-Newman University, Tennessee
- William Horn, Odessa: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Flagler College
- Olivia Jablonski, Odessa: Dean’s List, Samford University, Alabama
- Madelyn Kamuf, Lutz: Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, University of Georgia
- Niamh Kirkwood, Odessa: Flagler College Honor Society
- Evan Nelson, San Antonio: Dean’s List, Columbia College, Missouri
- Britney Meadows, Lutz: The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, University of South Florida
- Samantha Moore, Lutz: The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, University of South Florida
- Matt Moraca, Odessa: President’s List, Southern New Hampshire University
- Abigail Pesansky, Odessa: student-athlete (rowing) graduate of the University of Alabama
- Savannah Qualey, Lutz: Bachelor’s degree in hospitality & tourism management, Flagler College
- Damien Rameau, Odessa: Dean’s List, Samford University, Alabama
- Akhila Reddy Yadulla, Lutz: graduate of the University of the Cumberlands, Kentucky
- Alexander Richards, Lutz: President’s List, Southern New Hampshire University
- Stacy Signarovitz, Odessa: The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, University of West Florida
- Kevin Spillane, Odessa: Dean’s List, Berry College, Georgia
- Alice Washburn, Odessa: Dean’s List, Marion Military Institute, Alabama
- Rocco Zona, Lutz: The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Florida International University
Saint Leo graduates more than 1,300 students
More than 1,300 students celebrated graduation at Saint Leo University during two commencement ceremonies at the Florida State Fairgrounds with 722 undergraduates (bachelor and associate degrees) and 620 master and doctoral degree recipients, according to a news release.
Many of the new alumni are “first generation” — the first of their family to graduate from college. Saint Leo also welcomed the first graduates from its World Campus program in which students live and study online in Latin American countries in their native language.
University Campus’ valedictorian Isabella Riano, grew up in Colombia, was an Honors Program student and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology: clinical/counseling.
The salutatorian was Cole Washko, of Bradenton, an Air Force veteran who graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English: professional writing.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister gave the morning commencement address and State Rep. Fentrice Driskell, House District 67, House minority leader, gave the afternoon commencement address.
Dr. Edward Dadez, university president, challenged the newly graduated to do more and be more. “Use your talents, knowledge, experience, and our core values to serve your God, your families, your clients, your employers, your communities, our nation, and our world,” said Dadez in the release.
Level Up youth summit
Youth for Youth will host the third annual STAND Above the Influence “Level Up Your Life” Youth Summit on June 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College, 10230 Ridge Road, West Room R151, in New Port Richey. This all-day train-the-trainer event aims to empower middle and high school youth to become agents of change in their communities. The event will include presentations by SWAT youth, STAND youth, inspirational speakers, vendors, food, games, prizes, DJ, and more. Seating is limited. Register in advance. Learn more at EmpowereCommunities.org/stand/home.
Reading with the Rays
Pasco County Libraries and the Tampa Bay Rays invite students to step up to the plate and read around the bases. “Reading with the Rays” is presented by the Suncoast Credit Union and awards readers with Tampa Bay Rays prizes, including a grand prize to see the baseball team in action. The campaign runs through Aug. 31 at various Pasco libraries. Participants must record 24 hours of reading on a game card and return it to the library for prizes. To learn more, bit.ly/PascoSRC2024.
Free books for eligible students
The New Worlds Reading Initiative is the first-of-its-kind, statewide program that helps children who are not yet reading on grade level grow their personal libraries and encourage a love of reading through free books delivered every month.
The program is open to any student in VPK who is not yet meeting age-appropriate standards according to FAST Star Early Literacy or any kindergarten through fifth grade student who is not yet reading on grade level.
Students get nine books a year from the year they qualify until they exit fifth grade. This summer, students also will get three bonus books to add to their personal libraries.
Upon registration, parents and students get to pick books from a curated selection.
Eligible students who enroll now will still receive all 12 books for this year in the mail.
Register online, at https://www.newworldsreading.com/fl/en/enrollment.html.
Virtual museum exhibition
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg has launched a virtual exhibition for “From Far East to West: The Chinese American Frontier,” which ran from last October to this past January. The exhibition explores the history and contributions of early Chinese Americans in transforming the landscape and character of the American West.
The virtual launch allows museum patrons and educators around the country to experience the exhibit in a new way.
Those interested can explore each section of the exhibition, from the Gold Rush and the Transcontinental Railroad to the first Chinatowns and the immigration experiences at Angel Island to the work of contemporary Chinese American artists.
The tour offers an immersive experience, featuring English text accompanied by Chinese translations throughout.
To explore the virtual tour, visit TheJamesMuseum.org/eastwest.
