Land O’ Lakes grad passes board examination
U.S. Navy Lt.j.g. Arthur Rano Mapugay, of Land O’ Lakes, passed the board examinations for professional mechanical engineers, taken in Chicago, Illinois. Mapugay is currently stationed at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois with the Naval Facilities Engineering Command. Mapugay is an alumnus of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2014 and a graduate of the IB Program at Land O’ Lakes High School.
Fire Academy recognizes graduates
Pasco-Hernando State College had a Fire Academy graduation ceremony recognizing 11 graduates with fire fighter certificates on Dec. 9 at the East Campus in Dade City. Launched in August 2016, the Fire Academy graduates included 11 cadets who completed two eight-week Fire Fighter courses and one cadet who completed a volunteer fire fighter certificate. Front row, from left: Austin Ruzycki (esprit de corps award), Thomas D’Ascanio (class leader), John Barranco, Anthony Schifini and Dalton Flowers (outstanding student). Back row, from left: Kyle Forchion, Kevin Fisher, Shawn Roper, Pantelis Krouskos and Phillip Burrill. Not pictured: Barry Lovett and Kobie Holmes (volunteer certificate).
Junior Scholars fundraiser
Shred360 will provide paper shredding services on Jan. 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Muvico Starlight 20, 18002 Highwoods Preserve Parkway in Tampa, to support the Junior Scholars of America Chapter at John Long Middle School (the only middle school chapter in the United States).
The event will help raise money for the students to attend and compete in the Winter Congress in Washington D.C. All monetary donations during the event will support the JSA students.
Guests can bring up to three boxes or bags per vehicle. Binders, clips, rubber bands, wire folders, CDs and DVDs do not have to be separated or removed from documents.
For information, call (813) 944-2223, or visit Shred360.com/Tampa.
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.
Countryside Montessori open house
Countryside Montessori Charter School, 5852 Ehren Cut-Off in Land O’ Lakes, will host an open house for the 2017-2018 school year on Jan. 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., for first to eighth grade. Guests can tour the campus, and meet the teachers and staff.
For information, call (813) 996-0991.
Elisabeth Derby joins prestigious band
Elisabeth Derby, of Lutz, has become a member of the prestigious “Sound of the South” Marching Band at Troy University in Alabama.
The band is a precision collegiate ensemble that has developed a national reputation for its quality musicianship, and its exciting arrangements and innovative field productions.
“Sound of the South” is the largest student organization on campus, with more than 300 members each semester.
Band members have represented almost every organization on campus, maintaining leadership positions in the fields of academia, student government, athletics and other areas of campus life.
Local student news
Gianna N. Basulto, of Land O’ Lakes, has been named to the Dean’s List at Andrew College in Cuthbert, Georgia.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must have earned a 3.5 GPA or higher, on a 4.0 scale, with 12 credit hours or more and no incomplete grades at the time the list is declared.
Sean Garvey, of Lutz, has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Valdosta State University in Georgia.
Lynn Keller, of Odessa, has been selected for Samford University’s chapter of Chi Omega. Keller graduated from J.W. Mitchell High School, and is a freshman finance major.
Saint Leo partners with It’s On Us
Saint Leo University has partnered with It’s On Us, a national campaign aimed at changing the culture surrounding campus sexual assault.
As a proud It’s On Us Campus Innovation Partner School, Saint Leo is committed to upholding and implementing the three pillars of the campaign: support for survivors of sexual violence, bystander intervention and consent education.
Through the program, the university will work with campaign staff and the school’s student leaders to create sustainable and institutionalized change on the campus.
Magnet application period
The Pasco County Schools magnet application period ends on Jan. 20.
Parents interested in enrolling their students in one of the specialized magnet programs, can find out more information and complete an application at PascoSchools.org/ed_choice/magnet.
All properly completed applications will be entered into a lottery. Families will be notified of acceptance status by mid-February, so those who are not accepted have time to complete the traditional school choice open enrollment application between Feb. 1 and March 1.
Pasco County Schools’ magnet options include Sanders Memorial STEAM Elementary Magnet School, Centennial STEM Middle Magnet School and Bayonet Point STEM Middle Magnet School.
Families who do not have computer access, can complete applications at their local school or public library.
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.
