Class of 2018 graduates leadership program
Saint Leo University recently graduated its 2018 class from the Leadership Saint Leo program, which is designed to develop and train leaders. The program began in 2005 to expand leadership capacity, build culture, and create a common leadership lexicon across the university, including its education centers and online offices. Front row: Elainne Feeney, Jennifer Martell, Moneque Walker-Pickett, Sharon Scruggs, Raphael Rosado-Ortiz, Jeffrey D. Senese (Saint Leo president), Amanda Ross, Dawn Boltin and Kristen Nash. Back row: Cyrus Brown, Colleen McIlroy, Jessica Markham, Charlene Cofield, Melinda Carver, Lan Pham and Nancy (Laura) Cheek.
Student winter break
Both Pasco and Hillsborough county schools will closed for winter break from Dec. 24 through Jan. 7. All students will return to classes on Jan. 8.
For complete 2018-2019 school calendars, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/calendar or SDHC.k12.fl.us/calendar.
Festival of Reading
The 2018 Tampa Bay Times Festival of Reading took place in November and featured a lineup of children’s authors, adult authors, music and food.
The winners of the 2017-2018 Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing Award (an annual writing contest for area high school students) were honored at a presentation at the festival.
Allana Taylor, a Sunlake High School student, was recognized as the 2018 second runner-up for her submission, “How to Resurrect Your Fish in Five Easy Steps.”
Vice president appointed
Dr. Jeffrey D. Senese, Saint Leo University president, announced the appointment of Dr. Mary T. Spoto as vice president of Academic Affairs.
Spoto, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, has served as the acting vice president of Academic Affairs since Senese was named president.
She has served in several roles during her 25-year history with Saint Leo.
Prior to serving as dean, she was chair of the Department of English, Fine Arts and Humanities (now the Department of Language Studies and the Arts).
She also is a professor of English.
Spoto earned her Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and doctoral degree in English from the University of South Florida.
Military academies nominations
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) officially nominated 27 high school students for admission into the nation’s military academies: Air Force (USAFA), Navy (USNA), Army (USMA) and Merchant Marine (USMMA).
Nominations are earned based upon each student’s interview with Castor’s Nomination Committee, their individual academic record, extracurricular activities and leadership qualities.
All U.S. military academies, except the Coast Guard Academy, based upon U.S. law, require a nomination from their Congressional representative, senator or the vice president of the United States as part of the application process.
Students from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area that were nominated were Josef Stooks, Steinbrenner High School (USMA), and Christian Thompson, Wharton High School (USNA).
Parents and students interested in the nomination process can visit Castor.house.gov.
Online poster contest
The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center is hosting the Kids Safe Online Poster Contest for kindergarten through 12th-grade students, nationwide.
Students can submit pieces of artwork that cover topics such as being safe online, good online security practices, cyber bullying, and how to be a good digital citizen.
The winners of the contest are made into cybersecurity awareness posters and calendars that are distributed throughout the country in recognition of National Cyber Security Awareness Month.
The contest is open until Jan. 25.
For information on how to access the contest guide and registration form, and how to enter and submit artwork, email .
