Posthumous diploma awarded
Alfred Smith was drafted out of high school to serve in World War II and never completed high school. Smith’s grandson, Robert Pullen (U.S. Air Force retired), worked with the Florida Department of Education to see that his ‘Pepa’ was awarded a high school diploma. Ruth Smith accepted her husband’s posthumous diploma during the Pasco High School graduation ceremony May 26. Alfred served as a private in the Army in Germany and earned a Bronze Star for his service. From left: Principal Kari Kadlub, Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt S. Browning, Ruth Smith and Tom Smith (son).
Students make Dean’s List
These local students have been named to the spring Dean’s List at their respective schools:
- Tori Anderson (Odessa), Berry College, Georgia
- Cami Ash (Lutz), Harding University, Arkansas
- Lauren Dobles (Lutz), Emerson College, Massachusetts
- Sarah Fechtel (Lutz), Belmont University, Tennessee
- Christina Linton (Odessa), Newberry College, South Carolina
- Kyle McCann (Lutz), Belmont University
- Caroline Amanda Meisner (Lutz), Greensboro College, North Carolina
- Katelyn Prieboy (Lutz), Belmont University
- Katie Quintana (Lutz), Berry College
- Madison Stevens (Lutz), Harding University
- Katie Wynn (Lutz), Belmont University
School garden yields veggies
Pasco County Schools’ Chef Blancato visited Hudson Elementary School May 23, to encourage students to eat fresh vegetables by showing them how to prepare dishes, using the vegetables grown in a class-run garden.
Second-grade scholars and Pasco County master gardeners tended to a garden throughout the school year, and were able to partake in their fruits of labor.
Goddard School open house
The Goddard School, 2539 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will have an open house June 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and a Walk-in Wednesday June 14 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The F.L.E.X. curriculum allows children to grow and learn through hands-on experiences, incorporating S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), as well as P21 initiatives (cooperation, communication, critical thinking and collaboration).
The school is now open, offering tours and enrolling.
For information, call (813) 413-5453.
New teacher graduates
Pasco-Hernando State College Educator Preparation Institute graduated 24 new teachers. Several of the students have secured positions as teachers in Pasco, Hernando, Hillsborough and Pinellas county schools.
The college will be training new teachers this fall and is accepting applications for individuals who want to pursue a career in teaching.
The deadline to apply and complete testing requirements is July 15. Classes start Aug. 21.
For information, call Melissa Burr at (727) 816-3471, or visit PHSC.edu/epi.
Students advance to nationals
Pasco-Hernando State College students Jeff Haney and Michaela DiPerna received gold medals at the SkillsUSA state competition, advancing them to the National SkillsUSA competition at the 53rd annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, June 18 to June 24.
The NLSC is a showcase of career and technical education students representing 52 state and territorial associations.
Haney will compete in the computer programming category, and DiPerna will compete in related technical math.
Also, PHSC student Marnie Banks was awarded a silver medal, placing second in the state competition in the related technical math category; Karen Becker received a bronze medal, placing third in the state competition in the job interview category; and, Nancy Haney placed third for a bronze medal in the extemporaneous speaking category.
Sixty-four graduate from Primrose School
The Primrose School at Collier Parkway celebrated 64 pre-kindergarten students, as they received their first graduation diplomas.
A formal ceremony commemorated the students’ completion of pre-kindergarten and recognized each child, one-by-one, as they shook their teacher’s hand and moved their tassels from left to right.
There also was a slide show of pictures collected throughout the year, a Pledge of Allegiance, the “Star Spangled Banner,” class song performances, and a reception with cake, juice and refreshments.
More than 1,000 degrees bestowed
Saint Leo University’s commencement ceremonies at University Campus bestowed more than 1,000 new degrees on recipients.
- About 325 students, mainly adult learners who studied online and on ground at the Adult Education Center at University Campus and Pasco-Hernando State College locations, were awarded bachelor degrees.
- More than 435 students received master’s degrees across a variety of disciplines during a ceremony in the Marion Bowman Activities Center. Saint Leo conferred its first Doctorate of Business Administration degrees to Billie Jarrell, Leslie Sukup and Patrick Plummer.
- More than 350 traditional undergraduates who studied at University Campus received their degrees. Two associate degrees were awarded posthumously to the families of Alexis Carrera and Nicholas Jonah Cusson-Ducharm, both of whom passed away in 2016.
New principal and chaplain
St. Petersburg Catholic High School has two new school leaders.
The Diocese of St. Petersburg appointed Ross Bubolz as the school’s next principal and Reverend Anthony Ustick as school chaplain.
Bubolz began his career at Glenwood School in Chicago, Illinois, as a teacher, dean of students and residential care worker. He has spent the last 14 years in Catholic schools, most recently serving as principal of the Cathedral School of St. Jude in St. Petersburg.
Ustick is a native of Pinellas County and ordained to the priesthood in May 2015. Recently, he was the parochial vicar at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle.
Ustick will work with Bubolz in the administration and leadership of the school.
