Scholarship recipients recognized
The GFWC Woman’s Club of Zephyrhills awarded a total of $10,000 in scholarships to 10 deserving students at an end-of-the-year luncheon. The students receiving a certificate and a check are, back row, from left: Jasmine Dobbs (Southeastern University), Domenique Benjamin (Florida Atlantic University), Autumn Roe (Pasco-Hernando State College), Luis Arturo Chavez Rincon (Pasco-Hernando State College) and Tyceson Sampson (Tallahassee Community College). Front row, from left: Annica Morgan (University of South Florida), Madison Kaylor (Ringling College of Art and Design), Allyson Worthy (University of South Florida), Lacy Downs (Pasco-Hernando State College) and Hanna Binnicker (Pasco-Hernando State College).
National Merit Scholarship winners
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced this year’s National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners.
The finalists in each state were judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies.
Winning students in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area were:
- Grant J. Lopresti, of Lutz, George M. Steinbrenner High School. Probable career field: Engineering
- Varun M. Puri, of Odessa, Hillsborough High School. Probable career field: Finance
- Catherine L. Weng, of Tampa, Freedom High School. Probable career field: Business
Students excel at skills competition
Pasco-Hernando State College graduate Kenith Christian, of Land O’ Lakes, was awarded gold in the Related Technical Math category of the SkillsUSA Florida State Leadership and Skills competition.
Christian will compete at the SkillsUSA National competition in Louisville, Kentucky, June 24 to June 29.
Other PHSC students that were recognized at the state competition were:
- Jordan Rucker, Customer Service, silver medal
- Dwight Howard, Technical Drafting, silver
- Duniesqui Rodriguez, Architectural Drafting category, bronze
- Karen Becker, Customer Service, bronze
- Kristen Knight, PHSC student, voted in as a state representative
More than 300,000 students and advisors join SkillsUSA annually.
For information about career programs at PHSC, visit PHSC.edu.
Pasco Schools wins gold
Pasco County Schools was recognized as a Gold level district for the period of May 2018 through April 2020 by the Florida Partnership for Healthy Schools.
The designation is based on the Florida Healthy School District Self-Assessment, which considers sustainable infrastructure, policy, programs, and practices from national and state guidelines, best practices and Florida statutes.
The assessment was developed by FPHS to recognize and celebrate the hard work and success of school districts related to the physical, mental and social health of students and staff.
Pasco County Schools will be invited to participate in the Healthy District Collaborative facilitated by the Florida Departments of Education and Health, where they will be provided professional development, technical assistance and information for resource/funding opportunities.
Area students win honors
- Gianna N. Basulto, of Land O’ Lakes, has been named to the President’s List at Andrew College in Cuthbert, Georgia.
- Brycie Gauthier, of Lutz, has been named to the Spring 2018 Dean’s Honor Roll at Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
- Omer Shareef Mohammed, of Lutz, graduated from the University of the Cumberlands, in Williamsburg, Kentucky, with a Master of Science in Information Systems Security.
- Katelyn Prieboy, of Lutz, was named to the Spring Dean’s List at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Taryn Raval, of Lutz, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at the University of South Florida.
- Maxim Stepanets, of Lutz, was named to the Alma College Dean’s List for winter 2018. Stepanets is studying general studies and is a graduate of Academy at the Lakes. Alma College is in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
- Payton Strawser, of Land O’ Lakes, earned a spot on the Spring Dean’s List at Bethel University’s College of Arts and Sciences and College of Health Sciences in McKenzie, Tennessee.
- Riley Wood, of Land O’ Lakes, made the Honor Roll at Bethel University’s College of Arts and Sciences and College of Health Sciences in McKenzie, Tennessee.
- Katie Wynn, of Lutz, made the Spring Dean’s List at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Saint Leo Summer Fest
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, is hosting Summer Fest on June 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on the university’s main campus.
The event gives families and prospective students an opportunity to enjoy a day of music, food, fun and sun. The event is open to students who have committed to attending the university this fall, to students who are still making their college decision and to students who may be interested in attending the university in the future.
The event is free.
Lexington Oaks Merit Award Winners
Four Lexington Oaks students recently each received $500 merit awards from the Lexington Oaks Woman’s Club.
The recipients were Katherine Vo, Emily Shay, Tyler Luginski and Alex Carr.
Vo was given special recognition for the career she is pursuing in pediatric cardiology. The award was anonymously donated in the name of a former club member, JoLee Fallis, with the stipulation that it be used for a student studying nursing.
Student bus passes
The Pasco County Public Transportation Department will offer Student Summer Haul Passes to students for $20.
Pasco County students can ride the fixed-route bus system all summer. The special rate will be effective through Aug. 31.
Haul passes can be picked up at all Pasco County libraries; the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s office at the West and East Pasco Government Centers; the Pasco-Hernando State College bookstores in Wesley Chapel, Dade City and New Port Richey; and the PCPT Administrative Offices at 8620 Galen Wilson Blvd., in Port Richey.
For information, call (727) 834-3322, or visit vit.ly/SummerHaulPass.
For bus routes and schedules, visit RidePCPT.com.
