Youth art contest winners
The Medical Center of Trinity announced the award recipients for its sixth annual Expressions of Thanks Youth Art Contest.
More than 700 entries from students in kindergarten through 12th grade were received from 31 schools, including home schools.
The entries, which included art, compositions and poems, honored veterans of all branches of service.
Recipients of a $25 gift card were: Alison M., Genesis School; Aaliyah R., Connerton Elementary; Gavin C., Hudson Elementary; Whitney D., Dayspring Academy; Ariana S., Dayspring Academy; Audrey L., Pine View Elementary; Austin W., Hudson Middle; Stella T., Seven Springs Middle; Isabella M., River Ridge Middle; Roberto T., Hudson High; Erika W., River Ridge High; Brenda A., Harry Schwettman Education Center; and, Megan G., Ridgewood High.
The grand prize recipients who had a choice of a bicycle or iPod were Emily B., Genesis School; Lily H., Longleaf Elementary; Mia M., Genesis Preparatory School; and, Faith G., Ridgewood High.
New academy info session
The North Tampa Christian Academy (a new early childhood through 12th grade school under construction in Wesley Chapel) will host a Parent Meet-and-Greet/Information Session Dec. 4 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway. Light refreshments will be served.
The school is slated to open in August 2018.
To RSVP, call (813) 591-0309.
Letter-writing session
The Global Studies Club at Saint Leo University will host its annual campus activity in support of Write for Rights, a campaign sponsored by Amnesty International, the global human rights organization, Dec. 4 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., in Kirk Hall, Room 308.
Materials will be available from Amnesty International about individuals or groups that are suffering oppression or human rights abuses in a variety of countries.
The activity is to generate letters of support to the afflicted individuals or groups to boost morale.
Project participants also can write separate letters to the responsible government authorities to advocate for freedom, justice or protection for the oppressed individuals.
Sample letters, writing supplies and refreshments will be provided.
For information, email Patricia Campion at .
Information also can be found online at Write.AmnestyUSA.org.
Order of the Gown induction
Julia Elizabeth Peacock, of Lutz, was inducted into the Order of the Gown at the University of the South, a school comprised of a College of Arts and Sciences, and a School of Theology, in the Tennessee Cumberland Plateau.
The Order of the Gown is an academic honor society and a student government body among U.S. colleges and universities. Since 1875, the Order has remained the body responsible for maintaining the spirit, traditions and ideals of the University of the South.
The wearing of the gown is both a sign of academic achievement and a promise to uphold the school’s ideals and traditions.
Peacock is the daughter of Catherine and Nicholas E. Peacock.
Free Rock School jam session
The Patel Conservatory will host a free Rock School Jam Session and Open House Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon, for fifth grade through adult. Rock School classes will start Jan. 20.
Jam session participants will jam together and get tips on musicianship from Rock School creator and instructor Lee Ahlin.
Instruments provided at the jam session will include keyboards, bass guitars and drum sets. Those playing other instruments, such as guitars, are asked to bring their own.
Those attending a jam session and register for Rock School before Jan. 1 will receive a 15 percent enrollment discount. If students cannot attend, they can still join Rock School by auditioning Jan. 6 or Jan. 9.
Registration for the jam session is available online at PatelConservatory.asapconnected.com, or by emailing .
For information about Patel Conservatory, call (813) 222-1040.
Schools compete in recycling challenge
Fifteen schools participated in Pasco County Schools’ “A Bag’s Life” plastic bag recycling challenge.
When the contest closed Nov. 15, in recognition of America Recycles Day, Odessa Elementary School emerged as the winner, amassing more than 2,494 pounds of plastic bags.
Gulf Trace Elementary collected 823 pounds, and Bexley Elementary collected 725 pounds, in a close battle for second place.
For winning, Odessa Elementary will receive a bench made of recycled plastic bags from the contest sponsor Trex. The presentation will be made Dec. 4 at 10:30 a.m., at the school, 12810 Interlaken Road in New Port Richey.
In addition to the main contest, two other challenges were issued — a race to collect the most plastic bags by Halloween and an art contest to design the plastic bag collection boxes.
Odessa and Gulf Trace elementary schools each won a $100 Walmart gift card for the most bags, and Lacoochee Elementary won first place in the box design contest.
Combined, the 15 schools collected almost three tons of plastic bags, or more than 300,000 individual bags.
Art grants available
The Arts Council’s Professional Development for Artists Grant Program recognizes the value and important contributions of creative individuals to the cultural vitality of Hillsborough County.
The program’s intent is to support and develop a vibrant, creative community that inspires, energizes and stimulates prosperity for residents and visitors alike.
The annual grant program provides financial support to emerging or established artists in a variety of disciplines.
The program is open to literary performing and visual artists residing in Hillsborough County.
Applications for grants must be submitted with proper documentation by 4 p.m., Dec. 15.
For information, visit TampaArts.org.
