Business leadership recognitions
Pasco-Hernando State College’s (PHSC) Collegiate Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) received honors at the National Leadership Conference in Orlando, in June.
The PHSC state finalists who attended the conference were Caleb Barnhart, Emmalise Feliciano, Holland Haley, Krista Knowles, Gilberto Mattei-Fernandez and Samantha Mutter, according to a news release.
The school’s Collegiate FBLA was recognized as an outstanding chapter due to the collective efforts of the group and its detailed work documenting their accomplishments.
Feliciano was awarded first place in the nation for public speaking, out of 50 competitors.
Mutter received first place for business presentation, out of 42 competitor teams.
Haley and Knowles were awarded eighth and ninth place, respectively, for foundations of hospitality management, the release says.
“We are beyond PHSC proud of these accomplishments and how the team handled themselves at the conference. They are all future leaders, and their legacy will live on. The accomplishments here also reflect on the programs and the faculty at the college,” stated Nicole Miller, associate dean of academic affairs, in the release.
“To compete and win on the national stage, including competing against the university level students is so impressive,” said Bob Bade, senior vice president and chief student affairs officer, in the release.
Stellar grades for Pasco County Schools
The State Board of Education recently voted to approve the Florida Department of Education’s updated school grading scale, which is used to determine school grades.
The board voted on amendments to the rule that adjust the school grading scale so that elementary schools are graded using the scale, which was previously used from 2014-2015 and 2021-2022, and all other school types are graded using a new scale. This approach considers the components included in the school grade formula for different school types, the release says.
School grades for the 2023-2024 school year demonstrate that Pasco County Schools continue to show improvement over last year, according to a news release.
Pasco County Schools maintained a B grade for 2023 as it has since 2017. Eighty-eight percent of Pasco schools earned an A, B or C grade, and nearly half of Pasco’s schools earned As and Bs.
Twenty-six percent of Pasco’s 95 schools received As, and two schools moved up from Bs to an A, the release says.
This year, 14 schools increased their overall grade.
Three Pasco schools received an I (incomplete) and Pasco County Schools will be looking at appeals. Often, an “I” is given to schools that do not meet the participation rate.
For more information on school-by-school and district level grades, visit https://www.fldoe.org/accountability/accountability-reporting/school-grades/.
A spotlight on student skills
Arwen Arriaga, a student from Fred K. Marchman Technical College, secured first place in the high school cosmetology competition at the National SkillsUSA Championships in Atlanta, according to a news release.
SkillsUSA is known for being one of the largest hands-on workforce development events globally, with more than 6,000 state champions competing in 115 skilled and leadership contests, the release says. The competition aims to reward student excellence, involve industry in evaluating performance, and ensure that training remains relevant to employers’ needs.
Arwen’s victory featured rigorous assessments of her technical skills and creative flair.
Earn community service hours
A Safe Haven for Newborns is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to preventing infant abandonment and supporting mothers in need through education, direct assistance and community involvement.
By educating the younger generation, the organization aims to foster a more informed and compassionate community who can contribute to spreading awareness and saving lives, according to a news release.
Safe Haven has developed a community service mobile app to educate high school and college students about this life-saving program, while they earn their required hours from wherever they are, the release says.
To ensure accountability for hours earned and project completion, students can choose one or more of the projects listed, including:
- Create a Safe Haven awareness video and earn up to six community service hours
- Create a Safe Haven article and earn up to three community service hours
- Create a Safe Haven poster and earn up to three community service hours
Students will receive a letter of completion and a certificate of appreciation for their portfolio, while raising more awareness to help save the lives of innocent newborns.
To learn more and to be part of the solution, visit ASafeHavenForNewborns.com, or email .
Local student takes on role of ‘senator’
Emily Peake, of Land O’ Lakes, was one of 100 high school seniors selected to attend American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Girls Nation in Washington D.C. The weeklong program, founded in 1947, provides civic education to thousands of students, teaching them how the federal government works, according to a news release.
Peake was one of two participants representing Florida as a “senator” at ALA Girls Nation and took part in mock Senate sessions complete with caucuses and debating bills that range from personal to political interests.
Other activities included a visit to Arlington National Cemetery to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a visit to Capitol Hill to meet with U.S. senators from their state, and a tour of D.C. monuments.
Peake is a rising senior at Cambridge Christian School. She also participates in the Student Leadership Institute, Ovation Ensemble, STEM Club, Speech and Debate, Future Lancer Business Leaders, Key Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Science Honor Society, English Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and volleyball.
To learn more about ALA Girls Nation, visit https://www.legion-aux.org/ALA-Girls-Nation.
Student graduations
- Zoe Adkins, Lutz: Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, Muhlenberg College, Pennsylvania
- Taylor Marie Morja, Lutz: Master of Science-Management, University of Maryland Global Campus
- Lisa Demos, Master of Arts-Happiness Studies, Centenary University, New Jersey
- Ellis Erickson, Lutz; Bachelor of Arts in Communication-Organizational-Corporate and Bachelor of Science in Sports Management, Northern Illinois University
- Jesse Filippelli, Land O’ Lakes: Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management, magna cum laude, Southwestern College, Kansas
- Hannah Houser, Odessa: Master of Business Administration, The University of Alabama
- Jack Houser, Odessa: Master of Business Administration, The University of Alabama
- Noah Kilpatrick, Lutz: Master of Arts, The University of Alabama
- Alexandra Koch, Bachelor of Arts-Individualized Studies, summa cum laude, Centenary University, New Jersey
- Jameson Miller, Lutz: graduate, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Elliott Morales, Wesley Chapel: Master of Science-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Vraj Patel, Lutz: graduate, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Vedant Ruia, Odessa: graduate, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Giselle Sang, Land O’ Lakes: Bachelor of Science-Cell Biology/Chemistry, Bucknell University, Pennsylvania
- Marissa Reyn Schabes, Lutz: magna cum laude, Furman University, South Carolina
- Sanjana Srinivasan, Lutz: graduate, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Shania Tjhang, Lutz: graduate, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Christiana Till, Odess: Bachelor of Science-Communication & Business Administration, The University of Alabama
- Marcos Tolentino, Odessa: Bachelor of Arts, Harding University, Arkansas
- Allison Trask, Lutz: Bachelor of Business Administration, Harding University, Arkansas
- Payton VanNort, Lutz: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater-Directing, Marietta College
- Claudia Vitale, Lutz: Faculty Honors, graduate, Georgia Institute of Technology
