(Courtesy of Lake Myrtle Elementary School)
Taking the Turtle Pledge
Lake Myrtle Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes recently hosted an unveiling ceremony to showcase a mural in its cafeteria funded by The Tampa Foundation. The artwork represents the school’s commitment to character education through its daily Turtle Pledge.
The pledge is recited by the school’s students every day and embodies the principles Lake Myrtle strives to instill in every student:
- I pledge to be a kid of character.
- I’ll be worthy of trust.
- I’ll be respectful and responsible, doing what I must.
- I will act in fairness; I’ll show I care.
- I’ll be a good citizen and do my share.
Three Florida colleges rank in top five
A study by the university ranking site Research.com analyzed more than 1,700 higher education institutions across America and its territories, looking at the average cost of their tuition and fees, room and board charges, and books and supplies.
The study was based on the universities that rank in the top 10% of Research.com’s Best Colleges ranking, to discover the institutions that offer high quality education at the most affordable price, according to a news release.
The University of Florida-Gainesville topped the ranking as the most affordable college — its average total cost for one year of $20,045 makes it the most affordable college in the country. Tuition is an average of $8,285, while average room and board charges are $10,950. The cost of books and supplies, at $810, is the lowest of all entries in the top five, the release says.
Tallahassee’s Florida State University offers the second most affordable high-quality college education. The average cost of books and supplies is $1,000, tuition comes in around $7,493, and room and board charges average $11,565 — all adding up to $20,058 for the university, which has a 37% acceptance rate.
In fourth place is the University of South Florida in Tampa. Its total average cost for the year is just $18 more than third place New Mexico State University, at $20,078. The tuition average is $6,410, room and board charges come to $12,568, and books and supplies are $1,100.
Purdue University in Indiana placed fifth.
Hispanic student scholarships
As Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations continue throughout Florida and beyond, the Duke Energy Foundation is committing $75,000 to the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund to create educational opportunities for Hispanic students in central Florida, according to a news release.
The grant will help the fund provide college scholarships for local Hispanic students and expand the number of professional development workshops to support transitioning to the workforce. A large portion of the grant will be used to award eight additional scholarships, and the remaining dollars used for the fund’s annual scholarship award ceremony.
Since 2000, the scholarship fund and its partners have awarded 494 Hispanic Heritage Scholarships totaling more than $2 million, the release says.
For nearly a decade, Duke Energy Florida and its Foundation have provided about $230,000 in scholarships and sponsorships to support the fund.
Pasco Pathways
Pasco County Schools will host a Pasco Pathways Expo on Nov. 14 at Sunlake High School, for west county, and on Nov. 16 at Cypress Creek High, for central/east county. More information will be sent out in next month’s Pasco Post.
Holiday Card Lane
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce is calling on local schools and artists to collaborate in reimagining its Holiday Card Lane for this and future generations. The cards adorn the paths of Sims Park in downtown New Port Richey throughout the holiday season and are sponsored by local Pasco County businesses.
The chamber is seeking creative ideas and expertise:
- Material innovation: Looking for environmentally friendly materials to replace the heavy plywood traditionally used. The new materials should be sustainable, transportable and weather-resistant.
- Artistic Expression: Looking for artists to infuse their unique styles and celebrate the spirit of the season while incorporating sustainable themes.
- Community Involvement: This is an opportunity for schools and artists to gain exposure and engage with the local community.
Artists, schools or anyone who fits the bill should reach out to the chamber at 727-842-7651. Ideas, suggestions and contributions are welcome.
Fish art contest
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)’s annual Fish Art Contest is now open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. In partnership with Wildlife Forever, FWC announced a second annual category for a Florida Native Fish Award, in addition to the national Fish Art Contest that students can qualify for by submitting a Florida native species from the specified list below.
Grade brackets awards will be kindergarten through third grade, fourth through sixth grade, seventh through ninth grade, and 10th through 12th grade.
Students can submit an original piece of physical artwork featuring any fish including one or more of these Florida native species from the same category:
- Category 1: Freshwater: largemouth bass, striped bass, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, spotted sunfish, channel catfish, Florida gar, chain pickerel, bowfin
- Category 2: Saltwater: snook, redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, tarpon, mahi-mahi, Spanish mackerel, hogfish, queen snapper, black grouper
Digital artwork will not be accepted.
Students also must submit a piece of creative writing, no longer than one page, about the chosen species (required for grades four to 12) and a Florida State-Fish Art Contest entry form.
The deadline to enter is Feb. 28.
To enter, visit WildlifeForever.org/home/fish-art/fish-entry-forms/florida-entry-forms/.
