Pepin Academies named Yass Prize Contender
TAMPA – Pepin Academies, a Tampa Bay-based network of public charter schools for students with learning disabilities, has been named a 2025 Yass Prize Contender.
The network was one of 23 organizations nationwide recognized for innovation in education.
The Yass Prize honors programs that are sustainable, transformational, outstanding and permissionless.
Pepin Academies serves more than 1,200 students in grades 3-12 across campuses in Tampa, Riverview and New Port Richey, plus a Transition Program for students ages 18–22 focused on life and workforce readiness.
“Every child has dreams and potential, and our job is to remove the barriers that stand in their way,” said Jeff Skowronek, executive director of Pepin Academies.
If selected as the $1 million Yass Prize winner on Dec. 4, Pepin Academies plans to expand its therapeutic education model, enhance staff development and strengthen programs that prepare students for life after graduation.
Students win YEA! Awards
TAMPA – The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners honored six students with Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards (YEA! Awards) on Oct. 15.
The awards recognize middle and high school students who show leadership, perseverance and community service.
This year’s recipients were as follows:
- Leadership: Arin Jadhao of Williams Middle Magnet and Ainara Gomez of Sickles High
- Community Service: Tritiya Rajagopal of Williams Middle Magnet and Suma Gadde of Hillsborough High
- Success Despite Difficult Odds: Alidy Clark of Ferrell Girls Preparatory Academy and Malia Kirschman of Steinbrenner High
Schools earn grants for water resources education
BROOKSVILLE – The Southwest Florida Water Management District awarded $113,138 in Splash! school grants to 52 educators.
The program provides up to $3,000 per school for K-12 projects that teach students about freshwater resources. Grants promote hands-on STEM learning and community engagement through water education activities focused on the water cycle, ecosystems, water quality and conservation.
Winners included Chris Anzalone (Dayspring Academy), Keri Helmus (Wendell Krinn Technical High School), Dennis Koslin (J.W. Mitchell High School), Shamsher Lamba (West Pasco Education Academy) and Jose Olmo (East Pasco Education Academy).
On the web: WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants
Quick Hits
- Jace Druschel, of Lutz, earned the David R. & June Demmerle Scholarship this fall at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio. The George M. Steinbrenner High School graduate is majoring in exercise science.
- Florida Recovery Schools of Tampa Bay holds its Golfing for Victory charity golf tournament Nov. 17 at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club. Register at golfingforvictory.com.
- Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation received $35,000 from the Hernando Healthcare Foundation for health programs and more thana $34,500 from the Florida College System Foundation for scholarships.
