A night of excellence
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce awarded $3,000 in scholarships to six Zephyrhills High School seniors at the school’s Night of Excellence Academic Awards Ceremony. Recipients of the scholarships were selected based on community service, presentation, character, and academic achievement.
These students each received $500 for the chamber’s Academic and Vocational Scholarships:
- Erin Caffarelli plans to attend Pasco-Hernando State College and major in automotive engineering/technology.
- Emily Kirk will attend Saint Leo University to major in sport business and marketing.
- Emile Limoges plans to attend Black Hawk East College and major in agriculture science.
- Natalie O’Donovan will attend Saint Leo University to major in elementary education.
- Diya Patel has not yet decided on a college, but plans to major in pre-med.
- Madison Poe will attend the University of Florida and focus on a degree in biology.
Community Job Fair
Pasco County Schools will host its seventh annual Pasco Community Job Fair on June 23 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Zephyrhills High School, 6335 12th St.
Participants can meet hiring managers from district departments, Pasco County Emergency Services, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Pasco Tax Collector, Pasco County BOCC, military branches, and more.
Job opportunities will be available in these areas: bus drivers, food service, information services/help desk, custodian, skilled trades, finance services, customer services, mechanics, and more.
Register online at EventBrite.com.
School Choice open
Pasco County Schools’ Pasco Pathways Innovative Programs and School Choice application windows for the 2022-2023 school year close on June 24 at 4:30 p.m. Visit Pasco.k12.fl.u3/ed_choice.
Key to the city awarded
Saint Leo University President Jeffrey D. Senese (center) received the key to the City of Tampa in May. Senese accepted the key on behalf of the university, which was a gift from Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. Presenting the key were John Bennett, chief of staff for the city and mayor (left), and Tampa Police Department Assistant Chief of Operations Lee Bercaw. The presentation followed a doctoral hooding ceremony in which both Bennett and Bercaw received their Doctor of Criminal Justice hoods in advance of graduating from Saint Leo on May 14, with doctoral degrees.
Saint Leo admissions event
Saint Leo University will host “The Mane Event” on June 25 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for new and prospective undergraduate students. This is the last chance for incoming students to experience the university and its campus.
Participants will have the opportunity to explore Saint Leo’s academics, community and student services, while completing preparations for August classes.
The day will include class registration, financial aid meetings, department presentations, housing selection, parking registration, student ID photos, tours, residence hall walk-throughs, and more.
Students and their families can bring transcripts for the final round of Fall 2022 instant admission sessions, complete an on-site application, take placement exams, submit their deposit, and meet faculty and staff from various departments.
There also will be food trucks, prizes, music and giveaways.
Register online at SaintLeo.edu/mane-event.
For information, contact the Office of Admissions at 352-588-8283 or .
National Merit winners
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners, chosen from a pool of more than 15,000 finalists in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program.
The finalists were judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.
These students in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area were named $2,500 winners:
- Daniel J. Urbonas, Land O’ Lakes (Land O’ Lakes High School). Probable career field: Computer Science
- Lauren E. Novorska, Lutz (Hillsborough High). Probable career field: Law
The NMSC also announced the winners of the National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities. Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among the finalists in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution.
- Aahan Dwivedi, Land O’ Lakes (Hillsborough High): University of Florida, physics
- Leo P. Melson, Lutz (Middleton High): University of Central Florida, computer engineering
- Lily Viet, Lutz, (King High): University of South Florida, biomedicine
- Kenneth P. Chew, Wesley Chapel (Pasco High): University of Florida, computer programming
Teacher appreciation
Sonic Drive-In donated $1.5 million to help fund local education needs through DonorsChoose, a national nonprofit that allows individuals to donate directly to public school classroom requests submitted by teachers.
As part of Sonic’s ongoing Limeades for Learning initiative, the brand matched 50% of each donation made to teacher requests on DonorsChoose for Teacher Appreciation Day, according to a news release.
These Land O’ Lakes teachers received funding:
- Monique Large, Countryside Montessori Charter School, for the project SOLO Time, for grades six to eight
- Brittany Leidel at Sanders Memorial Elementary, for the project Organize and Appreciate, for prekindergarten through second grade
Dade City teachers who received funding were:
- Jo Ann Fiscus, Pasco Elementary, for the project Scribble and Write in Kindergarten, for prekindergarten through second grade
- Julie Pitts, Pasco Elementary, for the project Reading Fun in First Grade, for prekindergarten through second grade
- In Odessa, Josh Arnold at Walker Middle School, received funding for two projects: Pencils and More, and Class Store Supplies, for grades six to eight.
Summer meals program
Pasco County Schools Summer Food Service program continues through July 29.
Breakfasts and lunches will be provided Monday through Thursday to anyone age 18 and younger, at various West Pasco, Central Pasco and East Pasco schools.
Students attending PLACE or Extended School Year programs will receive meals on campus while attending the program.
For school locations, visit Connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us/summerfoodpasco/site-locations/.
Additionally, buses will be available at these locations, also Monday through Thursday:
- Hilltop Landings Apartments, 37611 Colina Drive, Dade City
- Resurrection House Park, 37124 Lock St., Dade City
- Trilby United Methodist Church, 37504 Trilby Road, Dade City
- Zephyrhills YMCA, 37301 Chapel Hill Loop, Zephyrhills
- Crystal Springs Community Center, 1655 Partridge Blvd., Zephyrhills
