Living an integrity-centered life
Skylar Lee, 18, a senior at Cypress Creek High School, has earned the highest recognition the American Heritage Girls (AHG) offers to members — the Stars & Stripes Award. The AHG is a Christian-based Scouting-like program dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.
Award recipients have completed these requirements to achieve the honor:
- Earning a total of 16 merit badges
- Having held a leadership position in their Troop for a minimum of six months
- Planning, developing and providing leadership to others in a 100-plus hour service project
- Writing a Life Ambition/Spiritual Walk essay and resume
- Receiving at least three letters of reference
- Passing a Board of Review
Lee chose to serve Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church (OLOR) by raising more than $17,000 to purchase and set up two custom-made votive stands and kneelers for the church —something the church never had and whose parishioners asked for them.
She has served as flag ceremony coordinator for four years and announcement leader for one year. Lee also has received the President’s Volunteer Service Award six years in a row, including five Gold awards for volunteering more than 1,230 hours over the last five years.
She has earned 29 merit badges, as well as faith-based medals and awards.
During the OLOR project, Lee also served as a teen leader and altar server captain, completed in high school golf (2nd Team All-Conference, ranked 86th in state high school golf), and became a member of the National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars.
She also is a Best Buddies volunteer for special education peers.
Lee is the daughter of Alan and Susan Lee, lives in Lutz and is a member of Our Lady of the Rosary.
She will be recognized in a Court of Honor Ceremony on Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m., at the Hillside Community Baptist Church in Brooksville.
Pasco Pathways Expo
Pasco Pathways Innovative Programs and School Choice will host its Pasco Pathways Expo 2023 at two locations:
- Nov. 14, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
- Nov. 16, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Cypress Creek High School, 8701 Old Pasco Road, Wesley Chapel.
For information, to see a list of attending schools, and to register, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/expo/.
Students honored as Citizens of the Month
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has recognized its Student Citizens of the Month for October. Students are chosen by the teachers and administration of their individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. Back row, from left: Jeremiah Simpkins, Suncoast Credit Union; Lucy Huber, Zephyrhills Airport; Jaxson Nichols, Chester Taylor Elementary; Katie Frier, Zephyrhills Christian Academy; Hailey Dester, Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Mayor Melonie Monson; and Ashley Breaux, AdventHealth Zephyrhills and Dade City. Front row, from left: Chick-fil-A cow; Sophia Longsdale, Woodland Elementary; and Daisy Hagler, Heritage Academy. Not pictured: Evan Nicholas, CES Elementary; Rain Pierre, Children’s Educational Services; Liela Villanueva, Stewart Middle School; Brodie Dykes, West Zephyrhills Elementary; and Dylan Fleshood, Zephyrhills High School.
A Taste of OLLI
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of the University of South Florida (OLLI-USF) will host “A Taste of OLLI” on Nov. 16 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel, 4501 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Ground Floor Classrooms A-C. This is a free event for individuals ages 50 and older residing in the suburban north Tampa communities to learn more about OLLI-USF and to sample its lifelong learning courses and lectures.
The guest instructors will be Sheryl Long and Robert Jacob, who will present condensed versions of their lectures about “Women Inventors Who Didn’t Make the History Books” and “Florida Pirates: Truth, Legend, Myths,” respectively. Free refreshments also will be offered.
To reserve a spot, call 813-974-5848, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Educator grants
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) has awarded $108,304 in grants to 51 educators within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program, according to a news release.
The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in kindergarten through 12th grade.
The Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities, as well as engagement of the greater school community through awareness campaigns.
Each school district allocates a portion of their annual youth education funding provided by the District to support the Splash! grants in their county.
The following schools/teachers in Pasco County were awarded grants:
- Dr. Mary Giella Elementary School, Meagan Brinkman
- East Pasco Education Academy, Dr. Jose Olmo
- Hudson High School, Shamsher Lamba
- J.W. Mitchell High School, Dennis Koslin
- Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, Megan Jungferman
- Zephyrhills High School, Catherine Sutton
Grants are available to support water education programs and activities that are focused on water cycle basics, freshwater or estuarine ecosystems, water quality and water conservation.
For more information, visit WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants.
