Student Citizens of the Month recognized
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce had its final Citizen of the Month ceremony in May, at Chick-fil-A in Zephyrhills, marking the end of its 26-year run. When it commences in the fall, it will be held under the East Pasco Chamber Foundation in partnership with the East Pasco Chamber of Commerce. Front row, from left: Kamyla Marrero Morales, Andrian Melendez, Elias McNeal, Kensley Beck, John Castro-Hernandez and Brighton Hoyle. Back row, from left: Chelsey Peace, Chick-fil-A cow, Mayor Melonie Monson, Councilman Steve Spina and Ashley Breaux.
Sober Summer Camp
Victory High School, a Florida Recovery School of TB and an option for students and families seeking recovery from addictions, will offer a Sober Summer Camp from July 22 to July 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The camp will include educational field trips, job training, counseling, sober activities, a sober prom, and support groups. For more information and to register, visit SummerAtVictory.com.
Fee adjustments meeting
Pasco-Hernando State College’s District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at its June 18 board meeting, at noon, at the North Campus in Brooksville.
Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for DBOT consideration by PHSC’s Council of Academic Affairs, a committee that includes representation by administrators, deans, academic department chairs, program directors, faculty and staff.
Many fee adjustments relate to vendor increases for workforce courses, laboratories, and program testing. Some fees may be covered by financial aid, scholarships and grants.
For details regarding proposed fee adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation details, visit Policies.phsc.edu/policies-and-procedures/public-disclosure.
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 EmpoweredCommunities.org/stand/home.
Anti-Bullying Recognition Award
The Hillsborough County Anti-Bullying Advisory Committee is accepting nominations for the annual Anti-Bullying Recognition Award. Youth or groups of youth (up to age 19) can be nominated for their outstanding efforts to further eliminate all forms of bullying affecting young people in the community. Each recipient will be recognized for their actions and accomplishments demonstrating significant activist and/or advocacy efforts on behalf of the community to address bullying or cyberbullying in Hillsborough County.
Submissions are due by June 30. For more information and to make a nomination, visit https://hcfl.gov/councils/anti-bullying-advisory-committee.
Student scholarships
Florida State Parks and the Florida Prepaid College Savings Program have joined forces for the third consecutive year to encourage families to explore all that Florida has to offer children now and in the future.
Families are invited to discover educational opportunities through the Florida 529 Savings Plan (https://www.myfloridaprepaid.com/resources/529-basics/), as well as the instructive aspects of the Florida State Parks Junior Ranger Program (https://www.floridastateparks.org/Junior-Ranger).
Ten Florida children will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship in a Florida 529 Savings Plan and a Florida State Parks Junior Ranger gift pack that includes an inflatable standup paddle board and hammock, according to a news release. The promotion runs through June 23.
“The education a student needs to be successful in their postsecondary endeavor starts early – both inside the classroom as well as outdoors,” said John D. Rood, chairman of the Florida Prepaid College Board, in the release.
“We value this partnership with Florida State Parks because it encourages hands-on, active learning. I encourage families to make the most of summer learning opportunities and the beauty of our incredible state parks,” said Rood.
To learn more and to submit an entry for the scholarship program, visit FloridaStateParks.org/FloridaPrepaid.
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.
Distinguished alumni honored
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) has recognized Donny Van Slee, Class of 2018, with its 2024 Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award.
Van Slee was raised in Weeki Wachee, attended and received his Associate of Arts degree and his Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management at PHSC in 2014 and 2018, respectively.
After graduating from Palmer College of Chiropractic, Van Slee relocated to Music City, enrolled in Tootsie’s Honky Tonk School and taught the ropes of performing, singing and crowd interaction in Nashville. In three years, he grew an online fanbase and he turned chairs at the NBC show, The Voice.
Van Slee resides in Nashville where he writes and releases songs, performs at local venues and practices chiropractic care.
