Sunlake Junior Cheer Clinic
Sunlake High School Cheerleaders are presenting the 2017 Junior Cheer Clinic on Oct. 21, from 9 .m. to 3 p.m. at the Sunlake High School football field. The clinic is open for kindergarten through eighth-grade students. The school is at 3023 Sunlake Blvd. in Lutz. Register on the day of the camp by 8:45 a.m. cost is $35. Bring a sack lunch and a water bottle. For additional information, text questions to (813) 300-7505 or email . This is the first time the cheerleaders have offered this camp, but they expect it to become an annual event.
Saint Leo helps college students during hurricanes
Saint Leo University has assisted students during a hurricane season that has produced one massive storm after another.
Throughout the devastation of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, Saint Leo University has served to shelter students and to ensure their education could continue uninterrupted.
During Hurricane Irma, the university sheltered more than 600 students.
With the support of generous donors, the university also established an emergency scholarship fund for students who were in the path of the three storms—including those who study at University Campus, at 27 teaching locations, and online, according to a Saint Leo news release.
The university also has announced a special program for college students in Puerto Rico whose education was affected by the aftermath of the hurricanes.
For the semester beginning in January, Saint Leo will provide these students with free room and board, as well as a discounted tuition rate of $8,500. While these students will be responsible for the cost of books, Saint Leo also will waive their student fees to further aid in these students’ ability to continue their educations. Federal financial aid and other private scholarships may be utilized to help pay the discounted tuition rate.
“At Saint Leo we live by six core values, one of which is community,” Dr. William J. Lennox Jr., university president, said in the release. “We are happy to extend this helping hand and extend our community to those who have had their college careers interrupted by this devastation.”
PHSC president joins high tech council
(Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)
Pasco-Hernando State College president Timothy Beard is the newest member of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.
The corridor council is an economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF).
The corridor council’s mission is to expand high tech in the corridor and encourage innovation through partnerships that support research, marketing, workforce and entrepreneurship, according to a news release announcing Beard’s addition to the council.
The corridor council is a partnership involving more than 25 local and regional economic development organizations (EDOs), 14 state colleges and 12 CareerSource boards.
Beard joined PHSC in 2007 as the vice president of student development and enrollment management after more than 30 years in education and student services. He was named the college’s fourth president in 2015.
During Beard’s tenure, PHSC’s enrollment has increased by 40 percent. Several programs at the college also have been recognized as “Exemplary Best Practices” by the Association of Florida Colleges.
Beard’s expertise and knowledge in higher education and workforce development is expected to help guide the corridor council in its mission to grow high tech industry and innovation through partnerships that support research, marketing, workforce and entrepreneurship, according to the release.
Strike up the orchestra
Pasco County Schools music students will be performing with the Florida Orchestra in the Florida Orchestra Youth Concert Series.
Four shows are planned.
The first two shows are at Center for the Arts at River Ridge on Oct. 18. The first show is at 10:30 a.m. and the second show is at noon. That auditorium is at 11646 Town Center Road in New Port Richey.
The second set of shows is at Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel. The first show is on Oct. 19 at 10:30 a.m. The second show is at 11:45 a.m. That auditorium at 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.
The Florida Orchestra is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and select music students from Pasco County Schools will rehearse and perform alongside it. The students will perform only during the second performance each day. All performances are open to the public. Tickets are $7 each.
PHSC community seminars
Pasco County State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch is hosting two upcoming community seminars.
They are:
- Medical Marijuana Legalization and Regulation Awareness Seminar, Oct. 26, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Driving Under the Influence Awareness Seminar, Nov. 15, 11 a.m. to noon
These seminars are open to students, teachers, staff and the community. Both sessions will be in the Conference Center, Building B., Room 303 at Porter Campus, 2727 Mansfield Blvd.
Out of the darkness community walk
Pasco County is having its third annual Out of The Darkness Community Walk on Oct. 28, at 9:30 a.m. at Sims Park, at Grand Boulevard and Bank Street in New Port Richey.
The walk raises money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Last year more than 700 walkers raised $30,000 for the cause.
This year’s goal is to attract 1,000 registered walkers and to raise $35,000.
Join a team by going to this link: http://bit.ly/2waWwzy.
Pasco County ranked fourth in Florida in 2012 for the highest number of suicides.
This annual walk is aimed at raising awareness about depression and suicide, and is intended to provide comfort and support to those who have lost someone to suicide.
For more information, contact Dawn Daniels Hahn, Gulf High School social worker at (727) 774-3457.
Free middle-school math enrichment programs
Saint Leo University is offering students, parents and teachers two free educational offerings to help middle-schoolers develop their confidence and enjoyment of mathematics.
The two programs are:
- Math Circle, an after-school activity for middle-school students held every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Lewis Hall, Room 131, under the direction of Professor Monika Kiss.
The program features hands-on and fun activities to help children enjoy mathematics, and to boost their confidence. To arrange for a child to participate, or to get more information, please email Dr. Kiss at with the words Math Circle in the subject line. Or, call Dr. Kiss at (352) 588-8836.
- Free entry for middle schools into the American Mathematics Competition being held at the Saint Leo University campus in November. The national competition, developed by the Mathematical Association of America, seeks to help young students develop positive attitudes about mathematics and analytical thinking by allowing them to apply their classroom learning to a 25-question, multiple-choice exam given in a friendly environment.
Saint Leo is able to accommodate 30 students. Mathematics faculty will monitor, and the test will be given on Nov. 14, at 5:45 p.m., in TECO Hall in the School of Business building. Students have 40 minutes to complete the test, and can learn more about it here: https://www.maa.org/math-competitions/amc-8.
To participate, parents must contact mathematics Professor Kiss in advance at and include the words AMC 8 in the subject line. Alternately, parents may call Dr. Kiss at (352) 588-8836.
Saint Leo University is at 33701 State Road 52, St. Leo, 33574. Free parking is available without any restrictions in the evenings in surface lots and in the campus garage.
‘Your vote is your voice’ contest
Pasco seventh-graders are invited to enter the Pasco Supervisor of Elections video contest. The contest deadline is Nov. 3. Video submissions must be between 3 minutes and 5 minutes long and must communicate:
- How your vote is your voice
- How we affect change and make a difference together
- The importance of participating in the democratic process
Check with the Pasco Supervisor of Elections Office for more information.
Veterans Elementary Veterans BBQ
Veterans Elementary School will have a barbeque to honor veterans on Nov. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. If you are a veteran or know a neighbor, community member, or family member who is, please call 813-346-1400 to RSVP or email Sharon Zurita by Nov. 3.
