Local student named rodeo queen
Hannah Forkum, 16, is a junior at Land O’ Lakes High School, and the daughter of Jennifer Roberts, of Land O’ Lakes. Forkum competes in breakaway roping, goat tying, barrel racing, and pole bending, and recently was crowned 2022 Miss Florida High School Rodeo (Queen). She also is an active member of the FFA (Future Farmers of America) and 4-H where she shows hogs and cattle. When she is not at a rodeo, Forkum enjoys working with horses, showing livestock, and spending time with her family and friends.
Speaker series
Saint Leo University is now a preferred provider to RGA (Revenue Generating Activities) Network, a group of networking organizations that supports small businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and salesmen and saleswomen. The network meets in locations throughout Central Florida.
Through the RGA preferred-provider agreement with Saint Leo, members now will receive a 10% tuition discount, according to a news release. And Saint Leo students, alumni, staff and faculty are offered RGA Network membership discounts, as well.
As members, students will have access to mentoring from RGA industry experts.
In addition, the Tampa Education Center, 1403 N. Howard Ave., in Tampa, will host an RGA Speaks-Speaker Series, similar to a TED-talk with industry experts, career advice, and more.
The next session is Sept. 29 at 6 p.m., on the topic of “Notepad to Launchpad!” featuring a 90-day sprint framework, discussion of shifting into motion, and how to adapt and overcome problems.
Other upcoming sessions are scheduled for Oct. 27 and Dec. 1.
The network group has meetings each week, including at 11:30 a.m., on Fridays, at Green Door on 8th, 14148 Eighth St., in Dade City.
For more information, contact Tiffany Anderson at or 813-226-2778.
Job Fair
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) and CareerSource Pasco Hernando will host a free Job Fair on Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the PHSC West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey, in R-151.
For questions, email Jackie Eden at or Nathan Stevens at .
Scholarship semifinalists
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced the names of 16,000 semifinalists in the 68th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
The students have an opportunity to continue in the competition for 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring, according to a news release.
About 95% of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.
The high school students from The Laker/Lutz News area that were recognized are:
- Salpriya Gande and Saneyah Khan, of Academy at the Lakes
- Anastasia Bogdatova, of Cypress Creek High School
- Jessica Afiat and Britney Pun, of Freedom High
- Liam Ballard, Sara Fernandez and Olivia West, of Gaither High
- Thehan Atalugama, Hannah Beatty, Andrew Domonkos, Sarvesh Gade, Allen Ho, Rishabh Kanodia and Andria Wang, of Land O’ Lakes High
- Kartikeye Gupta, Louis Li and Andrew Maroun, of Steinbrenner High
- Jenna Ly, of Wesley Chapel High
- Diganto Ray-Sarkar, of Wiregrass Ranch High
National Merit Scholarship winners of 2023 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July.
Poster/bookmark contests
The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with its annual Poster and Bookmark Contests for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
The art contests are a way for kids and teens to celebrate the culture and traditions of Hispanic Americans reflected throughout the community.
The contests are open to elementary, middle and high school students, and prizes will be awarded to the winners.
Students in kindergarten through eighth grade can design a bookmark using crayons, markers, colored pencils or paint.
High school students can participate in the poster contest that celebrates Hillsborough’s Hispanic heritage. The poster must be 8 ½ inches by 11 inches.
Participants can scan and submit their finished artwork electronically, via email, to , or drop it off at any public library through Oct. 15, by 5 p.m.
Winners will receive prizes including art supply packages and the opportunity to have their creation professionally printed.
For inspiration, students can view last year’s winning bookmarks and posters at HCPLC.org/events/hispanic-heritage-winners-2021.
