Stepping up for others
Davron, an executive search and outplacement services business, completed its second annual Back-To-School Drive and its third year contributing to Christian Social Services (CSS) in Land O’ Lakes. Davron donated to CSS a total of 186 backpacks and a multitude of school supplies, along with $1,860 to help with the food pantry. From left: Matthew Noble and David Coreen, Davron; Sandra Stack and Jacquie Petet, CSS; and Lacy McElfresh, Eric Maddox, Leah Stevens and Wyatt Durney, Davron.
Scholarship endowment
In recognition of a distinguished business career and more than a decade of service at Bloomin’ Brands Inc., Bloomin’ Brands is investing $300,000 to establish a scholarship endowment through the Hillsborough Community College (HCC) Foundation, to honor retired chairman and CEO and current member of the board of directors Elizabeth “Liz” Smith, according to a news release.
The gift will fund the Elizabeth Smith Endowed Scholarship and will provide three full annual scholarships to female students for the duration of their studies at HCC.
Priority will be given to eligible students with a major in business operations/management and secondarily to those with the greatest financial need.
The scholarships will be awarded in spring 2023 for students beginning their studies in the fall of that same year. Subsequently, the scholarships will be awarded every year in that same time frame.
For more information on the Elizabeth Smith Endowed Scholarship, email Stephen Shear at , or visit HCCFoundation.com.
Keep students safe
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO), school resource officers and school crossing guards are dedicated to keeping students, schools and faculty safe, to promote a positive and supportive learning environment.
With school back in session, communities will see more school buses, bike riders and pedestrians with students.
Below are steps to take to help to keep students safe, according to a PSO news release.
- Drivers should always follow the speed limit and slow down in school zones and near bus stops.
- Cross at the crosswalk where drivers expect pedestrians to cross, until the crossing guard or signal indicates you may pass.
- Take time to learn your state’s school bus stop laws. Do not pass a stopped school bus with flashing lights and a deployed stop sign.
- PSO recommends parents and guardians talk with students about safe and appropriate behavior online, and stay aware of what apps students are using (more on this in next week’s edition of The Laker/Lutz News).
- PSO urges parents and guardians to reiterate to students to make sound decisions and to report anything suspicious to a responsible adult.
Merit scholarship winners
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recognized more than 1,200 additional winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by colleges and universities.
Sponsor colleges include 82 private and 73 public institutions located in 42 states and the District of Columbia.
These local students were selected as winners:
- Andrea L. Burgess, Lutz, Steinbrenner High School: National Merit University of South Florida Scholarship
- Devin T. Connerney, Lutz, Gaither High: National Merit University of Florida Scholarship
- Robert M. Muldrow, Odessa, Berkeley Preparatory School: National Merit University of Florida Scholarship
- Eric T. Reichard, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch High: National Merit University of Florida Scholarship
- Marc Taylor, Lutz, Hillsborough High: National Merit University of Florida Scholarship
Student achievement
April Prier, of Lutz, has been named to the Chancellor’s List at Troy University, Alabama, for the summer semester/Term 5 of the 2021-2022 academic year. The Chancellor’s List honors full-time undergraduate students who are registered for at least 12 semester hours and who earn a grade point average of 4.0.
Scholarship benefit
BCMF Calstrong in Trinity/Odessa and LiveFit in Hudson are partnering to host their first Walk-A-Thon on Sept. 10, at 11539 Pyramid Drive in Odessa. The event will benefit The Ashley Morrison Heart Scholarship for Pasco County high school athletes. Any remainding funds will be donated to meningitis research. For more information, call 727-842-7000.
School Fishing Club
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) 2022-2023 School Fishing Club Program offers school fishing clubs or teams the opportunity to apply for the Florida R3 Fishing Grant.
The grant program is focused on engaging youth anglers to ensure the future of fishing in Florida.
The Florida Sport Fish Restoration R3 Grant will award up to 40 high school fishing clubs or teams $500 to assist with club expenses, the purchase of fishing licenses or gear for the participants.
The grant program is open to new or existing freshwater and/or saltwater fishing clubs or teams in public, private and charter schools throughout Florida.
To be considered for the grant, the clubs or teams must have a minimum of five members and be represented by a school faculty member or parent who will follow the provided instructor’s manual.
Applications can be found online at MyFWC.com/SFC — scroll down to “Florida’s R3 Fishing Grant Program.”
The deadline for submitting applications is 5 p.m., on Sept. 16.
Anniversary plans
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) will celebrate 50 years of service to the district with free community celebrations, a speaker series, and other events and initiatives. The school’s golden annivesary year officialy began in July and will conclude on June 30, 2023.
The first of five campus-based community celebrations will be presented at the East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road in Dade City, on Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event, taking place during Hispanic Heritage Month, will feature the flavors and sounds of Latin culture, and guest speakers will explore local history and Hispanic culture.
Free entertainment, fmaily activities, food, campus tours and demonstrations will be included, and application fees to PHSC will be waived for prospective students attending the event.
Other campus celebrations will be hosted at the Brooksville, New Port Richey, Spring Hill locations, and the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel throughout the anniversary year.
Details on events and activities will be posted and announced online at PHSC.edu/history.
