Chamber honors student citizens
Nine students from across the community were honored as the Greater Zephyrhills Students of the Month for November. Students are chosen by the teachers and administration of their individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. The students recognized were: Michael Barnes, The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Justin Cleary, The Broach School; Jacob Holcomb, Chester W. Taylor Elementary School; Victor Garcia, Heritage Academy; Sophie Graziano, Raymond B. Stewart Middle School; Gavin Jones, West Zephyrhills Elementary School; Sophia Olleres, Woodland Elementary School; and Jonas Short, Zephyrhills High School.
Stewart ‘top dogs’ recognized
The First Quarter Top Dogs at Stewart Middle School were rewarded with a certificate, a gold dog tag and Hungry Howie’s Lunch. One student is selected by the teachers from each team for his or her academics and leadership role in the school. Students receiving the honor were: Chloe Poulimenos, Briana Daulton, Faneeza Mangroo, Melvin Joseph, Rose Medeiros, Kayla Cameron, Coryn Graham, Brandon Hodge and Naihomy Santiago.
Field dedication
Land O’ Lakes High School, 20325 Gator Lane, will host a Community Open House and Vicky A. King Field Dedication on Dec. 13.
The open house and tours begin at 6 p.m. The field dedication ceremony will take place after the girls varsity soccer game at 7 p.m. Admission to the game is $3.
Hockey club fundraiser
The Wiregrass Ranch High School Hockey Club will host a fundraiser through Twistee Treat in Wesley Chapel on Dec. 14, all day.
For each purchase made on behalf of Wiregrass, Twistee Treat will donate 20% of the proceeds to the hockey team.
For information, call the school at (813) 346-6000.
Academy market
East Pasco Adventist Academy, 38434 Centennial Road in Dade City, will host a holiday market on Dec. 15 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
There will be cultural food and drinks, cupcakes, holiday décor, accessories, natural body products, crafts, clothes, T-shirts, mugs and more. And, a holiday photo booth will be available with fun props for pictures.
Admission and parking are free.
For information, call (352) 567-3646.
Mural art contest
Pasco County and The Autism Society of Florida are calling on student artists to enter the “Food For All” Mural Art Contest, now through Dec. 27.
Students in Pasco County, ages 6 to 21, in the autism and special needs communities are asked to create and submit a colored drawing or painting depicting what sustainable “Food For All” means to them.
Six winners will have their artwork memorialized in a mural at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, next to the new Community Gardens.
Free registration is open until Dec. 15 online at bit.ly/PascoFoodForAll.
Artwork must be submitted by Dec. 27.
All art will be displayed at the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey from Jan. 13 to Jan. 31.
Pepin receives designation
Pepin Academies Pasco is now an official “Interact Club” — the first of its kind in Florida for students with learning disabilities, according to a news release.
Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18.
Interact Clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but Interact is self-governing and self-supporting.
The Rotary Club of West Pasco Sunset announced the Interact Club sponsorship.
Pepin Academies Pasco teacher Belinda Delaney will be the school’s sponsor for the new Interact Club.
Pepin Pasco students have already participated in a coastal cleanup event this year, and now as an official Interact Club, plan to participate in other community service projects through the school year.
Leadership class graduates
Members of Leadership Saint Leo’s Class of 2019 recently graduated from the program, which is designed to develop and train leaders.
The program began at Saint Leo University in 2005 to expand leadership capacity, build culture, and create a common leadership lexicon across the university, including its education centers and online offices.
Saint Leo’s program is conducted by CODA Partners Inc., a professional services firm based in Gulfport and Dade City.
The Leadership Class of 2019 includes: Nikki Heister, special programs manager for the Department of Public Safety Administration; Yvonne Montell, associate director of outreach and enrollment; Kristina Floyd, senior accountant; Iris Crawford, Human Resources business partner; Alaina Plowdrey, director of the Key West Education Center; Conner Kilpatrick, assistant director of recreation; Dr. Holly Atkins, chair, undergraduate education, and professor of education; Dr. Sheri Bias, assistant professor of human resource management, Langley Office (Virginia); Lorna Holden, associate director of financial aid; Andrea Colon, Saint Leo Worldwide communications/training specialist; Greg Kunzweiler, innovation implementation specialist; and, Elizabeth Vestal, associate registrar.
