Flying high with career funds
Pilot Company has donated $10,000 to Pasco High School, to support its Career, Technical, and Adult Education (CTAE) programs, specifically those in the business, marketing, and agriculture career pathways. The ceremony took place at Flying J’s State Road 52 and Interstate 75 location. Flying J is a corporation dedicated to positively impacting communities nationwide, with a strong commitment to education.
Need a Homecoming outfit?
The Cinderella & Prince Charming Project, a division of Marjorie’s Hope, has a new location at the Gulf View Square Mall, 9409 U.S. 19 in Port Richey, in the Gemini Moon Rising Store, across from Spirit Halloween. Students need a high school ID to choose an outfit. Upcoming dates are Oct. 13, Oct. 14, Oct. 20 and Oct. 21. Hours are Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Astronomy Club eclipse viewing
Saint Leo University’s Astronomy Club will host an eclipse-viewing event on Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 33701 County Road 52 in St. Leo, in the Bowl area near the Student Community Center. The club will provide free solar eclipse glasses, while they last. There also will be activities for all ages, including decorating eclipse glasses and eclipse demonstrations. The club also hopes to stream the live event on a big screen.
The viewing area is a grassy lakeside space and those attending will have to walk down a small hill to reach the activities. Requests for accommodations can be made by emailing .
For more information about the event, email , or call 352-588-7408.
Student achievement
Sravani Gopaluni, of Lutz, participated in the Des Moines University Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program’s 2023 White Coat Ceremony. The White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage for students as they begin their medical education and prepare to become compassionate, competent health care providers. Gopaluni accepted the white coat as a symbol of the training aspiring health professionals receive and the accompanying responsibilities they’ve accepted for their future roles.
Literacy tutor training
The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will offer Adult Literacy Tutor Training on Oct. 14 at 10:15 a.m. Pasco County Libraries is looking for adults who would like to tutor adult individuals that struggle to read charts, instructions, basic texts, etc. For information or to register, visit PascoLibraries.org.
Donation helps to bolster scholarships
Pasco-Hernando State College was honored to have Florida College System Foundation board member Tim Morris visit the West Campus to present a donation for student scholarships aimed at relieving the nursing shortage and helping students who are the first in their family to attend college. The gift will provide funding for the Florida Blue Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship, the Helios Education Foundation First Generation Scholars Program, and the Bank of America Dream Makers Scholarship.
Reading challenge
Pasco County Schools’ R.A.C.E. to Read challenge is in full swing — the goal is to collectively read 15 million minutes as a district-wide community. The challenge is open to all students and staff members in Pasco County schools, regardless of age or role within the district. As of a Sept. 29 news release, more than 1 million minutes have already been logged. For more information, visit bit.ly/RaceToRead.
Sunlake school fundraiser
More than 800 students at Sunlake Academy of Math & Science will raise funds for playground equipment, field trips, and other school improvements by performing acts of kindness in the Tampa Bay area and beyond. The campaign will run through Oct. 20.
“Raise Craze,” the annual school-wide fundraiser for kindergarten through eighth grade, empowers children and their families to be good citizens by enlisting sponsors to donate money for each act of kindness performed by the student.
“Instead of selling candy bars, the kids are ‘selling’ acts of kindness that benefit the greater good,” said Lauren Dudley, chair of the Raise Craze Committee, in a news release.
Sunlake students will write letters to hospitalized children across the globe to bring encouragement and raise funds with the help of Letters of Love Global, a nonprofit organization that has provided emotional support to more than 175,000 patients in children’s hospitals.
The academy also is partnering with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay as a school-wide service project to marshal donations for the organization. Students will bring in much-needed items for the Humane Society to further its efforts to provide shelter for displaced animals.
Sunlake Academy is seeking sponsors to further its endeavors to raise money for the 2023-2024 school year. Sponsorships include money and in-kind donations.
For information about the charter school, visit SunlakeAcademy.com, or call 813-616-5099.
Tips for walking to school
National Walking to School Day was recognized on Oct. 4, to promote safer and more welcoming routes for students and families to travel to and from school.
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) continually works with community support to keep schools and students safe year-round. PSO offers these safety tips:
- Pedestrians and bicyclists should wear bright colors or something reflective to increase visibility in busy areas.
- Only cross at the crosswalk where drivers expect pedestrians to be and wait until the crossing guard or signal indicates you may pass.
- Bicyclists should dismount their bicycles and walk them within crosswalks.
- No matter how you travel, reduce distractions to prioritize everyone’s safety.
Crossing guards help students and their families stay safe when crossing the street.
Traffic control officers are careful in school zones while managing increased traffic from commuters.
The PSO has openings available for both of these positions at several locations throughout Pasco County. Visit JoinPSO.com for more information or to apply.
