Good for the ‘sole’
The final numbers are in for the ‘Two Good Soles’ shoe and sock drive spearheaded by the employees of Pasco County Government, Pasco County Constitutional Offices and Pasco County Schools. The drive collected 1,117 pairs of new shoes and 1,583 pairs of new socks for Pasco County schoolchildren, more than doubling the collection goal of 500 pairs of shoes.
Caps of Love
Students at Saint Leo University gathered on National Make a Difference Day to sort and prepare bottle caps for donation to Caps of Love.
Students, faculty and staff collected bottle caps for Caps of Love, a Florida-based nonprofit organization that recycles plastic tops. The proceeds from recycling the plastic is used to purchase new and refurbished wheelchairs for children, under the age of 21, with mobility disabilities.
Last year, Saint Leo donated 8,000 pounds of bottle caps, and 14 pallets containing the plastic were shipped by truck to the recycling facility.
The university’s collection will continue through March.
For information, call (800) 334-5532.
Art showcase & book fundraiser
Wiregrass Ranch High School will host a Holiday Art Showcase and Book Fair Fundraiser on Dec. 15 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Barnes & Noble, 28152 Paseo Drive, Suite 100, at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.
There also will be face painting, storytelling, a choir performance, artists in action, improv and more.
To shop online, visit BN.com/bookfairs and use the voucher code “12029922.”
The school’s band boosters also will host a fundraiser on Dec.15 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with gift wrapping at Barnes & Noble.
PHSC seeking mascot successor
Conquor, the sword-wielding mascot representing the Conquistadors at Pasco-Hernando State College since 1993, is retiring, effective this coming spring.
Conquor announced his retirement and kicked off a search for his replacement at a college-wide employee event last month. A retirement celebration will be scheduled at the college’s annual Athletic Awards Ceremony in April, and Conquor’s successor will be introduced to faculty, staff and students during the college’s fall Welcome Week, beginning Aug. 21, 2017.
Conquor, as well as PHSC students, faculty and staff, alumni friends and the community are invited to participate in the mascot selection process. Once the new mascot is selected and approved, a competition will be held to seek student input on naming the new mascot.
Suggestions can be provided at PHSC.edu/mascot, and will be accepted through Dec. 31.
GED classes
Following the November rededication and opening of its new facilities, the Fred K. Marchman Technical College, 7825 Campus Drive in New Port Richey, will provide GED classes on Jan. 9, and start a new semester of technical programs on Jan. 12.
For program options, call (727) 774-1700, or visit MTEC.Pasco.k12.fl.us.
Carrollwood Day School open houses
Carrollwood Day School, 1515 W. Bearss Ave., in Tampa, will host two open houses:
Jan. 12 at 9:30 a.m., for elementary school; and, Jan. 12 at 7 p.m., for high school.
To RSVP, visit budurl.com/CDSRSVP16.
PHSC Foundation fundraiser
The Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation will host its second annual Sporting Clays Tournament on Jan. 27 at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays, 10514 Ehren Cutoff in Land O’ Lakes.
Participants will receive 50 targets, a team cart, lunch, beverages, an awards banquet dinner, official tournament apparel, ammunition and more.
Sponsors and teams will be recognized in promotional materials, including the PHSC website, publications and event program.
For tournament information and sponsorship opportunities, call (727) 816-3410, or visit PHSC.edu/foundation/events.
Cox Elementary celebrates 90
Rodney B. Cox Elementary School, 37615 Martin Luther King Blvd., in Dade City, will host a second celebration for its 90th anniversary on Jan. 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with a dinner fundraiser and a Memory Walk featuring photographs through the eras of the school’s history.
For information, call (727) 774-5100.
The Laker/Lutz News likes to spotlight local school news in our Chalk Talk section every week. Send us your photos, events, accomplishments, etc., so our communities can see what your school is up to! Submissions can be emailed to .
