Local sixth-grader crowned at pageant
Ashlynn Nicole Diaz, a sixth-grader at John Long Middle School in Wesley Chapel, was crowned the new 2013 Miss American MAC Florida Citrus Preteen at a pageant Sept. 1 at Downtown Disney.
MAC is more formally known as Miss American Coed.
Diaz volunteers for the Fill-a-Heart Project, a program that makes pillows for breast cancer survivors. She also participates in Relay For Life, Autism Walks and volunteers at Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa.
At the competition, Diaz received the highest awards for best academic achievement and best interview. She will represent Florida at nationals during Thanksgiving week in Orlando.
Red Ribbon Week kick-off
Red Ribbon Week is a national drug prevention program used by the Pasco County school system to teach drug prevention in schools. The kickoff for this year’s event is Oct. 28 from 2 p.m. to dusk at the historic courthouse in Dade City.
For the past four years, Office Friendly has decorated the \courthouse with red ribbons. It also hosted a pep rally to spread the anti-drug message.
Cpl. David Hink is in need of red ribbon material to decorate the courthouse. He is asking local businesses to decorate their storefronts as well.
Anyone who can help with donation should call Cpl. Hink at (352) 424-4827.
Open house at CDS
Carrollwood Day School is hosting two open houses at its campus at 1515 W. Bearss Ave.
There will be an open house for middle and high school students on Oct. 6 at 1 p.m., and another for high school students only on Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.
To RSVP, contact Michelle Caceres at (813) 920-2288, or .
John Long Middle walkathon
In an effort to raise money to replace photography equipment stolen from Dr. John Long Middle School last year, the school’s PTSA is coordinating a Go-Take-A-Hike Walkathon on Oct. 18.
Pledge packets for this pre-collection walkathon will be sent home with students on Oct. 7.
Students will have opportunities to receive a “get out of class” pass, join a “minute to win it” party, get a T-shirt, grab cash and prizes in a cash machine, or win gift cards.
Visit Facebook.com/JohnLongPTSA.
PHCC peace week
Pasco-Hernando Community College will host keynote speakers, guest lecturers, exhibits, presentations, interactive workshops, peace and religion festivals, and musical performances throughout Peace Week Oct. 7-11.
All events are on the West Campus in New Port Richey, East Campus in Dade City, North Campus in Brooksville, and the Spring Hill campus.
For a daily agenda of activities, times and locations, visit www.phcc.edu/peace, or call (877) 879-7422.
Open house at Corbett Prep
Corbett Preparatory School, 12015 Orange Grove Drive, in Tampa, will host admission open houses Oct. 9 and Nov. 20 for students in prekindergarten through eighth grade. It begins at 8:30 a.m.
Each date includes an overview of the school, tour of the campus and a light breakfast. Personal tours can be scheduled at any time.
For information, call admissions director Jennifer Morrow at (813) 961-3087.
PHCC collects canned food
Pasco-Hernando Community College Human Services Club members will compete in The Volunteer Way’s fundraising competition “Canstruction” on Oct. 18 at the Pasco Government Center, 7535 Little Road, in New Port Richey.
The exhibit will be open to the public Oct. 21-25 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
PHCC has a goal to collect more than 1,000 cans of food for the event. All food collected will be donated to The Volunteer Way Food Bank after the competition.
Collection barrels are located on the West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road, in the library through Oct. 17.
Local students make semifinalist list for National Merit
The National Merit Scholarship Corp. has announced the names of approximately 16,000 seminfinalists in the 59th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
Hillsborough County Public Schools led the state in the number of National Merit semifinalists, with 60 students earning the honor. Local students include:
- Rachael Hargrove and Shahob Miltenberger, Land O’ Lakes High School
- Bridget Weber, Sunlake High School
- Stephen Hurley, Steinbrenner High School
- Rohith Ravi, Freedom High School
- Jorge Rodriguez, Sickles High School
- Kiana Outen, Wharton High School
- Chelsea Chitty, Wiregrass Ranch High School
Devon Dominguez graduates from Cornell
Devon Dominguez of Odessa has graduated from Cornell University’s summer college program.
The summer program invites talented high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to spend three or six weeks on the Cornell campus in Ithaca, N.Y., experiencing what it’s like to live and learn at an Ivy League university.
Students take official courses, earn college credits and explore majors and career options.
