Shining a light on hatred
Students are shining a light on antisemitism with a new art exhibit, ‘Shine a Light Youth Art Contest,’ produced by the Tampa JCCs & Federation. The contest included a Junior Division (fourth- through seventh-graders) and a Senior Division (eighth- through 12th-graders). The exhibit is helping to raise awareness about antisemitism, share educational resources and empower individuals to stand against the hatred of Jewish people, through the power of art. The winning artwork can be found in the lobby of the Tampa Municipal Office Building, 306 E. Jackson St., in Tampa, through Aug. 8. The exhibit’s next stop will be the Tampa International Airport in late fall.
Citizens’ Academy is back
Pasco County Schools is accepting applications for the third year of its Citizens’ Academy, to give members of the public an in-depth insider’s look at every aspect of the school district.
The academy will consist of eight monthly meetings; the first class will be on Aug. 18. Five meetings will take place during the day, and three meetings will be in the evening.
Sessions will be a combination of informational lessons, tours and classroom presentations.
Participants will visit several of Pasco County’s diverse schools; meet with district leaders, school personnel, and principals; and learn about special programs, curriculum, athletics, budget, student nutrition, school safety initiatives and more.
The academy class will have 30 members to 50 members from the community. Graduation is set for April 27.
Anyone interested can apply online by July 24, at PascoSchools.org/comm/page/ca.
Those selected will be notified by email the week of July 25.
Human trafficking webinar
Saint Leo University and Pasco F1RST will offer a free, online webinar about fighting human trafficking, on July 26 at 7 p.m.
“Danger! Social Media Recruitment is on the Rise Since COVID-19” will be presented by the Mel Greene Institute to Combat Human Trafficking.
The guest speaker will be Marina Anderson, regional human trafficking coordinator for the northeast and northwest regions for the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Anderson is a recognized expert in safety methodology, providing training and mentoring to child protective investigators and the Child Protective Investigations Section in law enforcement agencies.
For information on how to register, email Karin May at .
Wiregrass Round-Up
Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will host a “Freshman & New to Wiregrass Round-Up” on July 29 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Student drop-off begins at 8:45 a.m.
Participants will have the opportunity to meet some of the teachers, tour the school, and create a freshman memory box to take home. A pizza lunch will be provided.
For more information and to register, visit WRHS.pasco.k12.fl.us.
Free Early Childhood tuition
Fred K. Marchman Technical College will offer free tuition to enable potential early learning teachers to be trained and certified, in an effort to address the shortage of teachers working in private child care in Pasco County.
The free tuition is made possible through a federal Preschool Development Grant in the amount of $524,212 awarded to the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties Inc., the release said.
“This opportunity addresses a critical need in our community,” said Tonia Shook, director of Marchman Technical College, in the release.
“The grant benefits our students, as it provides monetary incentives to complete their education, enter the field, and advance their career,” said Shook.
More information is available online at tinyurl.com/7uwz6u7c.
Student graduates
These local students graduated from The University of Tampa:
- Sarah Aledo-Cubano, Odessa: Bachelor of Science in Allied Health (Dean’s List)
- Joseph Allen, Lutz: Bachelor of Science in Finance
- Mackenzie Allen, Lutz: Bachelor of Science in Marketing
- Jaime Banks, Lutz: Bachelor of Science in Finance
- Himanshu Bhatt, Odessa: Master of Business Administration in Executive
- Alyssa Cabrera, Lutz: Bachelor of Arts in Journalism; Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre (Dean’s List)
- Leigh Dittman, Lutz: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Dean’s List)
- Noah Doble, Odessa: Bachelor of Science in Economics (Dean’s List)
- Cheyenne Dula, Lutz: Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations
- Liam Fennel, Odessa: Bachelor of Science in Sport Management
- Rye Gapinski, Lutz: Bachelor of Arts in Applied Sociology
- Ellen Hannaman, Lutz: Bachelor of Science in Marketing
- Emalee Jansen, Lutz: Master of Science in Accounting
- Kristina Layton, Lutz: Master of Science in Nursing
- Joshua Luther, Odessa: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity (Dean’s List)
- Sarah Miranda, Odessa: Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Connor Molloy, Lutz: Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems
- Samuel Neal, Lutz: Bachelor of Arts in Communication Media and Culture
- Carly Peirano, Odessa: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
- Trevor Puleo, Lutz: Bachelor of Science in Business Information Technology
- Michael Recenello, Lutz: Bachelor of Science in Finance
- Sydney Rose, Lutz: Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems
- Maxim Stepanets, Lutz: Master of Science in Finance
- Kayla Wittyngham, Odessa: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Dean’s List)
Other local graduates include Steve Luttrull, of Lutz, who earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, Kentucky; and Nathan Shane, of Lutz, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina.
Volunteers needed
AdventHealth Center Ice is looking for volunteers for the U.S. Figure Skating 2022 National Showcase, Aug. 1 through Aug. 6.
Available opportunities include: spotlight operators; performer check-in; registration assistance; and assistance with performers on and off the ice.
Necessary training will be provided prior to the event.
Students can receive applicable volunteer hours for the Bright Futures program.
For information, visit tinyurl.com/2j66krk4.
Student recognitions
These local students have been named to the Dean’s List at their respective schools:
- Hunter Balistreri, Odessa: University of Tampa
- Cole Benjamin, Odessa: University of Tampa
- Braden Contreras, Lutz: Florida Institute of Technology
- Robert Cooper, Lutz: University of Tampa
- Jacqueline Figueredo, Lutz: Florida Institute of Technology
- Alyssa Gomez, Odessa: University of Tampa
- Julianne Grega, Lutz: University of Tampa
- Lilly Kiester, Lutz: University of Tampa
- Hope Lelekacs, Odessa: University of Tampa
- Brandy Lindauer, Land O’ Lakes: Saint Mary’s University, Winona, Minnesota
- Michelle Loefstrand, Odessa: University of Tampa
- Madison McElhone, Lutz: University of Tampa
- Zoe Papageorgiou, Odessa: University of Tampa
- Vasant Ramnarine, Lutz: Florida Institute of Technology
- Gage Robinson, Lutz: University of Tampa
- Indraneel Raut, Wesley Chapel: Gustavus Adolphus College, Saint Peter, Minnesota
- Angelina Santana, Lutz: University of Tampa
- Jacob Statman, Lutz: Rochester Institute of Technology, New York
Physicals & backpacks
Premier Community HealthCare will offer $15 back-to-school physicals through Aug. 31, on Mondays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Tuesdays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Students can receive complete physical examinations, state-required screenings, and a free backpack with starter supplies. (Backpacks are available for all school-aged students, while supplies last.)
To schedule an appointment at one of Premier’s eight locations, visit PremierHC.org, or call 352-518-2000.
