Constitution essay winners
Among a record of 103 entrants in Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’ Neil’s fifth annual Constitution Essay Contest, Carly Bowling, a fifth-grader at Woodland Elementary School, came out on top with her deep research, a keen grasp of history and the intent of the Constitution, as well as clear writing skills.
Bowling will receive a tour of the Pasco County courthouse of her choice and lunch with O’ Neil.
Lake Myrtle Elementary’s Priscilla Savill and Oakstead Elementary’s Philip Fleming both had strong essays with personal touches, that produced second and third places, respectively.
Savill’s essay wrote about the role her generation will play in “passing freedoms on to my children and future generations.”
Fleming’s submission was well-organized and packed with relevant background information that “flowed nicely into information about the Constitution,” wrote one judge.
All three winners will be presented to Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning and the district staff of Paula O’ Neil at the school board meeting on Dec. 18, where they will receive trophies and memorabilia from Saint Leo University.
Honorable mentions were awarded to Ben Roorda, Oakstead Elementary; Megan Levy, First Christian Academy; William Vaughn, Woodland Elementary; Emma Hatzistefanou, Trinity Elementary; Ethan Florer, Woodland Elementary; Bella Whiffen, Oakstead Elementary; Della Krook, Oakstead Elementary; and Genevieve Tucker, Longleaf Elementary.
The three winning compositions are posted online at Facebook. Com/PascoClerk/.
Fall job fair
Pasco County Schools will host a Fall Instructional Job Fair on Nov. 14 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.
All education interns, teachers, student services employees, and those who have a bachelor’s degree and are interested in becoming certified educators are invited to attend.
Candidates are being sought for these positions: math, science, elementary education, school nurse, behavioral analyst, guest teachers, exceptional student education (ESE), and emotional and behavioral disorders/autism spectrum disorders (EBD/ASD).
Applicants can meet with administrators and hiring managers for on-the-spot interviews.
Register by visiting PascoFallJobFair2018.eventbrite.com.
Registered applicants can win door prizes and giveaways.
Certification information sessions will take place at 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.
For information and to submit an application, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/hreq/, or email .
Merit scholarship semifinalist
Hannah Holliday, a senior at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School in Spring Hill, has been named a 2018-2019 National Merit Scholarship semifinalist.
More than 1.6 million junior students entered the competition by taking the 2017 PSAT, from which the top 1 percent became semifinalists.
Moore-Mickens social
The Moore-Mickens Alumni Association (Classes of 1940-1972) will host a “Blue & Gold Social” Nov. 10 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the Moore-Mickens Educations & Vocational Center, 38301 Martin Luther King Blvd., in Dade City.
There will be games, prizes, food and dancing. The cost is $15.
For information, call The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce at (352) 567-3769.
Saint Leo open house
Saint Leo University, 3370 State Road 52 in St. Leo, will host an open house Nov. 10 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., for students of all ages.
Check-in and breakfast will be available from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., in the Student Community Center.
Check-in and late registration will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., by the clock tower at the Student Activities Building.
There will be a presentation by Saint Leo’s Office of Admissions at 8:30 a.m.
Guests can learn about the school’s academic programs through faculty visits, resource fairs, and academic presentations and demonstrations.
Visitors also can tour the campus, talk to current students, learn about clubs and organizations, meet with financial aid representatives, talk with admissions counselors and more.
Lunch also will be provided.
Admission is free.
To register, visit SaintLeo.edu/open-house.
For information about the event, call (352) 588-8283, or visit .
Mathematics contest
Saint Leo University is looking for middle schoolers to participate in the American Mathematics Competition 8, on Nov. 13. The contest was developed by the Mathematical Association of America, and is free.
The purpose of the competition is to encourage students to develop positive attitudes about mathematics and analytical thinking by having them apply classroom learning to a 25-question, multiple-choice exam.
Students have 40 minutes to complete the questions. Learn more about the subject matter at MAA.org/math-competitions/amc-8.
Saint Leo will accommodate 30 students and mathematics faculty will monitor the contest.
Students are asked to arrive by 5:45 p.m., and go directly to Selby Auditorium in Lewis Hall. The test starts promptly at 6 p.m.
Advance registration is required. Parents should email Dr. Kevin Murphy at to reserve a spot, and include the phrase “AMC 8” in the subject line. Or, parents also can call (8352) 588-7192.
Great American Teach-In
Wesley Chapel High School is looking for speakers for the Great American Teach-In that will take place Nov. 14.
Guests are to speak for a 30-minute session and give students a few minutes to ask questions.
Students would like to hear about different jobs, hobbies and/or interesting experiences adults have had in their lives.
For information, call Kelly Faysash, college and career specialist, at (813) 794-8717.
Grants for innovation
The Hunter Brooks Memorial Fund offers grants to young people, ages 16 to 25, who have demonstrated a passion and enthusiasm in developing new ideas, especially in the fields of music, the performing arts, computer technology and entrepreneurship.
These grants, up to $5,000 each, are direct financial support to help young people bring their ideas and projects to fruition.
There is not cost or obligation to apply.
Further information and the grant application can be found at HunterWatson.org/grants.
The deadline for the current grant cycle is Nov. 15.
