History Day winners
Based on a theme selected by National History Day, students in grades 6 to 12 use primary and secondary resources to research a topic relating to local, national or world history. The 2018-2019 theme was ‘Triumph and Tragedy in History.’ Students could express their findings in a paper, exhibit, performance, documentary or website. From left: Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning; Freddy Bowen, eighth-grader, Rushe Middle School, second place Junior Paper; Mindy Do, 11th-grader, Cypress Creek Middle High, second place Senior Individual Website; Maegan Smarkusky, eighth-grader Seven Springs Middle, first place Junior Individual Website; and Alison Crumbley.
Top teachers
Three Pasco County teachers were recognized by the District School Board of Pasco County for receiving the Regional Economic Educator & Leadership (REEL) Award from the USF Stavros Center for Economic Education in partnership with the Florida Council for Economic Education. The award recognizes achievements, leadership, and commitment to economic and financial education. From left: Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning; Judith Fletcher, Wesley Chapel High School; Darcy Cleek, John Long Middle School; Katie Altshuler, Weightman Middle School; and Colleen Beaudoin, vice chairman.
Navy ROTC scholarship
Samantha Miller, a 2019 Gulf High School graduate earned a four-year Navy ROTC Scholarship worth $200,000.
Miller was recognized by the District School Board of Pasco County at a board meeting.
Nearly a dozen seniors in the Pasco County Schools JROTC programs have been offered college scholarships, and many others are entering military service directly from high school.
Local graduates
- Deja Demene Benjamin, of Land O’ Lakes, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
- Trey Bradley, of Wesley Chapel, Colorado College, Colorado Springs
- Hunter Calton, of Lutz, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
- Amanda Clifford, of Lutz, University of Alabama
- Lauren Dobles, of Lutz, Emerson College, Boston, Massachusetts
- Joshua Giroux, of Odessa, Emerson College
- Jordan Jerome Kelby, of Odessa, University of Alabama
- Jordan Mark, Lutz, Mercer University, Macon/Atlanta, Georgia
- Savannah LeeAnn Melvin, of Lutz, University of Alabama
- Jacob Mocny, of Odessa, University of Dayton, Ohio
- Em Ovalle, of Lutz, Centre College, Danville, Kentucky
- Mitchell Pastizzo, of Lutz, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts
- Mary Patterson, of Lutz, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tennessee
- Quentin Poteralski, of Lutz, Union College, Schenectady, New York
- Kristine Rios, of Land O’ Lakes, Tagliatela College of Engineering, University of New Haven, West Haven, Connecticut
- Victoria Vee Rogers, of Lutz, University of Alabama
- Vinayak Ruia, of Lutz, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta
- Mariela Deynes Tofani, of Lutz, Emerson College
- Emma Williams, Land O’ Lakes, Mercer University
Achievements
- Julia Fresne, of Dade City, Dean’s List at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina.
- Emily Gerber, of Odessa, Dean’s List at St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York
- Jessica Howell, of Lutz, Dean’s List at Furman University
- Jack Losier, of Lutz, Honor Roll at University of Kansas, Lawrence
Award-winning robotics
For the fifth consecutive year, the student robotics team from the University of Alabama won NASA’s grand prize in its 2019 Robotics Mining Competition.
Made up of 60 students, primarily from UA’s College of Engineering, Alabama Astrobotics won the Joe Kosmo Award for Excellence (the grand prize).
This year’s competition was held virtually, rather than on-site at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
Teams were judged on systems engineering papers and outreach project reports, and with the options of submitting systems engineering plans and slide demonstrations.
Among the student participants was Chase Memmer, of Odessa.
School physicals
Pasco County Schools and the Florida Department of Health (DOH) will offer school physicals and immunizations at these locations, for the upcoming school year:
- New Port Richey Clinic, 10841 Little Road: July 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call (727) 861-5260.
- Dade City Clinic, 13941 15th St., and New Port Richey Clinic: Aug. 5 to Aug. 8 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call Dade City at (352) 521-1450.
- Wesley Chapel Clinic, 33845 State Road 54: Aug. 6 to Aug. 8 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call (813) 780-0740.
Each student initially entering a Florida school must have a physical exam, signed and stamped by a licensed provider, and dated within one year prior to registration.
Students also must have proof on file, using the Florida Certificate of Immunization (DH680) that they have received required immunizations.
The DOH-Pasco sites are providing free childhood immunizations and low-cost ($25 per child) school physicals by appointment at sites across Pasco County.
Parents should call their nearest clinic for information and to schedule an appointment.
The first day of school in Pasco County is Aug. 12.
