Saint Leo celebrates homecoming
Alumni and guests from throughout the United States and the world came home to Saint Leo University to celebrate homecoming weekend at University Campus.
The three-day event included a Greek Mixer; Brews & Bites; a Scholarship Ball; brunch with Jeffrey Senese, Saint Leo president; alumni recognitions; softball, baseball, volleyball and soccer games; a Lions Rally; and, the crowning of the homecoming king and queen.
Alumni awards went to:
- Antonio Cruz, Christopher Laney and Kevin Sullivan II — Roaring Onward Recognition
- John Gassler — Benedictine Spirit Award
- James Cervera — 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award
Maurqise McGill and Victoria Omoregie were crowned the 2019 homecoming king and queen.
The weekend wrapped up with goat yoga, Mass at the Abbey Church, and a brunch.
Elementary school hosted family night
Chester Taylor Elementary School, 3638 Morris Bridge Road in Zephyrhills, hosted a Physical Education Family Night on Nov. 21, for students, families and staff.
Physically active kids are more likely to be motivated, focused and successful in school.
Practicing a skill helps improve abilities and helps to make kids feel more accomplished.
Mastering physical skills builds confidence at every age.
At the event, parents had the chance to learn about healthy eating choices and fun physical activities to do at home with the kids.
Students participated in games like Pin Knock Over, Spike Ball, jump rope and more.
There also was a raffle at the end of the evening, and special appearances by Raymond, the Tampa Bay Rays mascot, and players from the USF Bulls.
Saint Leo: Best for Vets
Saint Leo University was named by the Military Times as the No. 1 university in the country for educating veterans.
Saint Leo ranked first in the nation in the Military Times’ Best for Vets: Colleges 2020 in the Online and Nontraditional Schools category.
This ranking recognizes the school’s commitment to educating military personnel, veterans and their families wherever they may be, even if they are deployed.
The first-place ranking marks a jump from last year’s fourth place, and an eighth place in 2017.
More information about the rankings can be found at Charts.militarytimes.com/chart/17.
Financial aid tip
According to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), an important phrase in the language of student aid is “satisfactory academic progress” (SAP).
All colleges that award federal student aid must have SAP standards, based on three key areas: GPA, pace, and a maximum time frame.
The GPA may vary by school, major and whether the student is an undergraduate or graduate student.
The pace means that the student has to pass a stated percentage of the classes taken in a given period of time. This also may vary by college.
The maximum time frame means the student will have to finish his or her degree within a given number of attempted credit hours.
If a student does not meet the school’s SAP standards, he or she may not be able to receive state or federal student aid.
The public, nonprofit agency KHEAA was established in 1966 to improve students’ access to college. It provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents.
For information, visit KHEAA.com.
Withlacoochee Electric scholarships
The Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC) will accept applications for scholarships, starting Dec. 1.
Students will be selected in their senior year of high school by local guidance counselors and WREC personnel.
Each applicant must:
- Be a high school senior and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA
- Be a dependent of a WREC member
- Be a bona-fide resident within the service area of WREC for at least one year prior to Dec. 1
- Plan to attend an in-state college, university or technical school full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester)
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA each semester (or higher if mandated by the institution) to maintain eligibility
Each successful candidate will receive $1,375 per semester (maximum $11,000) for undergraduate studies.
Applications will be available after Dec. 1 at high school guidance offices, any WREC district office, or online at WREC.net.
Completed applications must be mailed to WREC headquarters and postmarked no later than March 20.
Bahamas school supply drive
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is collecting donations of school supplies to assist the schoolchildren of the Bahamas. An estimated 18,000 children and their families have been displaced since Hurricane Dorian struck the islands on Sept. 1.
Ten schools were destroyed on the island of Abaco alone, while many other schools sustained damages.
The children of the Bahamas, some of whom lost family members, classmates, and their homes are transitioning to schools that are undamaged but strained to accommodate additional students.
Donations of classroom supplies will be accepted at all PHSC libraries.
Each college store also is accepting donations and selling discounted supplies to anyone contributing to the drive.
Needed items include new backpacks, flash drives, notebooks, binders, calculators, pens, pencils, art materials, and other typical classroom supplies.
The deadline to donate is Dec. 5, as the items will be shipped to the Bahamas in December.
Campuses are in Dade City, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey, Brooksville and Spring Hill.
For information, email Lucy Miller, director of community outreach, at .
Pre-kindergarten screenings
Pasco County FDLRS Child Find offers developmental information and free screenings in coordination with the Past County Pre-K Assessment Team.
The screenings are for children not yet enrolled in kindergarten who may be having difficulties with speech, language, hearing, vision, concepts or motor skills.
Primary emphasis is on children ages 3 to 5.
For information, call Child Find specialist Caitlin Ryan or Colleen Costa at (813) 794-2630, (727) 774-2630 or (352) 524-2630.
Feeding Pasco food drive
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office’s annual Feeding Pasco Kids food drive is in full swing.
The proceeds from the drive will go directly to local organizations whose mission is to provide support for homeless children and students.
This year, the recipients include the Pasco Schools system and Metropolitan Ministries.
Donation boxes are placed in the lobbies of the Pasco Sheriff’s office buildings throughout the county.
Several area churches also agreed to have boxes in their buildings to assist with the food collection.
Monetary donations can be made by check or money order to Pasco Sheriff’s Charities, with “Food Drive” in the ‘for’ line, and mailed to Food Drive Donations, Pasco Sheriff’s Charities, 8700 Citizen Drive, New Port Richey, FL 34654.
The deadline to donate is Dec. 13.
For information, call (727) 844-7759.
