Competition challenges students’ creativity
EnergyWhiz is all about clean energy and creative kids. Every year, hundreds of students converge at the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa to participate in renewable energy-themed events.
Students from Martinez Middle School in Lutz placed in several categories.
Teams of two to six students working in teams designed and built solar cookers for the Solar Energy Cook-Off, using digital or infrared thermometers to help ensure food was safe for testing. The teams created an original dish of food for the competition.
Martinez’s team, Sun Food, won first place for Best Design-Yellow Division, as well as the Wow! Award.
The school’s cook-off team of the Three Amigos earned second place in the Culinary Award category and third place in Best Design-Yellow Division.
And, the California Kings team earned third place in the Junior Solar Sprint-Green Division. Even though the weather didn’t exactly cooperate, the sprint cars were still able to race. Battery backup is now an essential part of a car’s design.
For information on the annual challenge, visit EnergyWhiz.com.
Find Your Future
Hope Services will host “Finding Your Future,” a game plan for life after high school, July 9 to July 13 and July 16; and, July 23 to July 26 and July 30, at St. James United Methodist Church, 16202 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Tampa.
This camp, for students with IEPs or 504 plans, will have classroom modules and community experiences to topics such as confidence building, communication, decision-making, goal setting and problem solving.
For information and registration, visit HopeServicesOnline.com.
Scholarships awarded
The Columbiettes of Our Lady of the Rosary Auxiliary 8104, of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Land O’ Lakes, announced the recipients of its 2018 scholarships.
The students receiving the awards are Bianca Alejandro, Emily Bendert, Kelly Hutson, Haylee Martinez, Reney Santos and Rebecca Urbanas.
Holly Brown wins fine arts award
Holly Peyton Brown, a 2018 graduate at The Broach School in Zephyrhills, was awarded the Nereim Fine Arts Award from the Heritage Arts Center Association.
Heritage Arts is a local nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the performing and visual arts in the community.
Brown is an artist and writer who has studied art privately for more than six years. Her paintings have been featured for the past four years at the annual “Moonlight and Ivory” concert and art show at the Dade City Women’s Club.
Brown also is a past recipient of the Pasco Library Arts Award. She is currently working on her second children’s book, which combines the Anime illustrative style with history.
In addition to a certificate, Brown received a $1,000 check at The Broach School’s graduation ceremony.
Local graduates
These students from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area have graduated from their respective schools this spring.
Gianna Basulto (Land O’ Lakes), earned an Associate of Science in pre-health pro from Andrew College, Cuthbert, Georgia.
Students from Lutz receiving degrees from Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) were: Emily Harriott, Bachelor of Arts, College of Arts and Sciences; Jalisa White, Bachelor of Arts, College of Arts and Sciences; Madeline Quinn, Bachelor of Arts, College of Education; Montana Knight, Bachelor of Science, College of Arts and Sciences; Gregory Zielinski, Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering, U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering; and, Andrew McNutt, Bachelor of Science, Lutgert College of Business.
Florida Gulf Coast also handed out degrees to these Odessa students: Calvin Daily, Bachelor of Arts, College of Arts and Sciences; David Geagan, Bachelor of Arts, College of Arts and Sciences; Samantha Yarish, Bachelor of Arts, College of Education; Sebastian Shindel, Bachelor of Science, College of Arts and Sciences; Wyatt Baggett, Bachelor of Science, U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering; and, Carter Hargreaves, Master of Science, Marieb College of Health & Human Services.
Also graduating from FGCU were Trinity students Annalese Johnson, Bachelor of Arts, College of Arts and Sciences; and, Bernadette Petika, Bachelor of Science, Lutgert College of Business.
Other Lutz graduates:
Jessica Chung earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Advanced Practice from Samford University, Ida Moffett School of Nursing.
Stuart Hernandez received a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science at the Florida Institute of Technology.
Victor Alexander Monteith received his Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas.
Casey Muse received a Master of Science in Computer Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Katie Quintana earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Berry College in Rome, Georgia.
Emily Schwitzgebel graduated from The College of Wooster, in Ohio, with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She also was a member of the Wooster Symphony Orchestra and the COWBelles, a female a capella group.
Madison Stevens graduated from Harding University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing.
Wesley Chapel students:
Davon Henry earned a Bachelor of Science in Management at Missouri Valley College.
Krista Widler received a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration-Management from Peru State College in Nebraska.
Odessa students:
Phebe Albert received a Master’s Degree from Georgia State University.
Kelly R. Barry earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Clemson University in South Carolina.
Mackenzie Morgan Cuffe also graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing.
Brianna Honeywell received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
