New Saint Leo board leadership
The Saint Leo University Board of Trustees announced the appointment of three Tampa Bay area leaders to its executive team, effective July 1. Former Florida legislator Edwin Narain, vice president of external and legislative affairs for AT&T Florida, will served as chair; Noel Boeke, partner with Holland & Knight, will serve as vice chair; and Iskra Sbraccia, Citi compliance sanctions director and global head of CitiScreening content management, will serve as secretary.
Volunteer recruitment
The Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills, will host a Teen Volunteer Recruitment Session on Aug. 23 at 2:30 p.m., for students who may need volunteer hours for scholarships.
Teen volunteers will help with upcoming events by preparing and assisting with children’s programs. Members also are being sought to form a teen advisory board to help plan and execute teen programs. All volunteers must submit an application and personal injury waiver, which will be provided at the meeting. Applicants will need to provide their social security number, too.
Pizza will be served. Register for the session by calling 813-780-0064.
Victory High has successful summer
Victory High, a nonprofit private school in Pasco County for teens in recovery from substance-use disorders or co-occurring disorders, reported a successful “Sober Summer,” according to a school email.
The facility provided: 38 hours of individual counseling; 40 hours of academic classes passed; 12 hours of group therapy; 12 hours of visual arts classes; nine hours of trauma informed yoga; and five field trips.
A lifetime of connections was made for the 144 participants that attended.
Ice Cold Air gives back in a big way
For the 16th consecutive year, Ice Cold Air franchisees in Tampa Bay joined together to host a Back to School Supplies Drive and accompanying Back to School Bashes. This year, through the end of July, six franchise locations offered free oil changes in exchange for $20 worth of school supplies donated. It also gave away 50 backpacks with school supplies to pre-registered families. From left: Ashley Butler, Adrien Julious-Butler, Sarah Price, Keith Cox and Brittany Taggett.
School Fishing Club
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s 2023-2024 School Fishing Club Program is now open for registration.
This annual educational program focuses on teaching youth anglers about best fishing practices to help ensure the future of fishing in Florida.
To register, club sponsors need to apply for a Florida R3 Fishing Grant, which is funded by the Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, Coastal Conservation Association, and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.
The grant will award up to 50 school fishing clubs or teams $500 each to assist with club expenses, such as the purchase of fishing licenses or gear for participants.
The grant application period is open until Sept. 15, but grant funding is not required to participate in the fishing club program.
To be considered for the grant, school fishing clubs or teams must have a minimum of five members and be represented by a school faculty member or parent.
Each participating club will be provided with program curriculum and educational materials. The curriculum consists of lessons and activities on ethical angling, conservation, Florida’s aquatic habitats, basic fishing gear, and general fishing concepts, applicable to both fresh and saltwater fishing.
Additionally, at least one conservation project activity must be completed each school year and is an opportunity for clubs to earn points for a chance to win prizes.
Applications can be found online at MyFWC.com/SFC, by scrolling down to “Florida’s R3 Fishing Grant Program.” The deadline for submitting applications is Sept. 15.
Grant applications open
Applications are now open for the 2023 McDonald’s Golden Grants program.
McDonald’s owner/operators across Florida, southeast Georgia and southeast South Carolina will select educators, nonprofit organizations, and the like, who represent programs that fuel the imagination, education and growth of students, as recipients of a grant.
This year, 27 Golden Grants will be awarded in the following amounts based on creativity and hands-on application of projects:
- Three grants in the amount of $10,000
- Seven grants, $5,000
- 12 grants, $2,500
- Five grants, $1,000
Qualifying activities include arts programs, education initiatives, mentorship and empowerment programs, after-school programs, community service, sports activities, and technology.
To apply, visit GoldenGrantsFl.com through Sept. 15. Winners will be announced on Oct. 12.
Shoes & Socks Drive
The eighth annual Two Good Soles Shoes and Socks Drive is underway with Pasco County Government and Constitutional offices working together to collect footwear for kids in Pasco County Schools.
“It’s not just about providing a new pair of shoes and socks to each child in need,” said Paula Baracaldo, Pasco County support services director, in a news release. “It’s about giving them a sense of dignity and security. It’s about enabling Pasco County schoolchildren to focus on things other than basic needs,” said Baracaldo.
The types of new shoes and socks that are needed include:
- Children’s shoe sizes 9 and up
- Adult shoes in all sizes
- Socks in all sizes/neutral colors
- Closed-toe shoes only/no flip-flops
Donations can be dropped off in collection boxes at Pasco County Government locations and the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller, Property Appraiser, and Tax Collector offices (visit PascoTaxes.com).
All new shoes and socks will be donated to Pasco County Schools at the end of October.
Essay scholarship winners
Negative Population Growth (NPG) leaders announced 18 student winners in its annual Essay Scholarship Contest. Awards ranged from $5,000 to $1,000, to help with a student’s tuition and other expenses.
Graduate students competed for the scholarship awards by writing an original 750-word to 1,000-word essay addressing the provided prompt.
Students were asked to consider a future in the U.S. with an additional 70 million people and to discuss the aspect of their lives that would be most affected by the increase in human population.
They also were asked to include their thoughts on whether or not the U.S. government should encourage policies designed to reduce population growth to a more sustainable level.
High school seniors and undergraduate students competed for the awards by writing an original 450-word to 600-word essay on considering what life in the U.S. would be like with 70 additional people over the course of 40 years and to describe three aspects of their lives that would be most affected by the growth.
NPG is a national nonprofit membership organization dedicated to educating the American public and political leaders regarding the damaging effects of population growth. The organization has worked with teachers nationwide to help bring facts about population to American classrooms.
For more information, visit NPG.org, follow on Facebook @NegativePopulationGrowth or on Twitter @npg.org.
Student achievements
- Liam Andrews, Lutz: Dean’s List, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
- Charles Clerc, Odessa: Dean’s List, University of Maryland Global Campus, Adelphi, Maryland
- Brent Knox, Lutz: Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega
