Lutz resident joins Virginia Tech’s Highty-Tighties
Josie Econom, of Lutz, a cadet in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 2016, has joined Virginia Tech’s regimental band, the Highty-Tighties.
The Highty-Tighties are celebrating their 119th anniversary this year under the direction of Maj. George McNeill.
Founded in 1893, the regimental marching band is the oldest continuously performing musical organization at Virginia Tech.
The Highty-Tighties performed in the inaugural celebration for President Barack Obama at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. They also regularly perform at Virginia Tech football games.
Double Branch BBQ
Double Branch Elementary’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is hosting a Fall BBQ Roundup on Oct. 25 at the school, 31500 Chancey Road in Wesley Chapel.
The event will include food, carnival games, bounce houses and raffle items.
Festivities will also include choral performances with kindergarten and first-graders performing at 6 p.m., second-graders and third-graders singing at 6:30 p.m. and fourth-graders and fifth-graders singing at 7 p.m.
PTA members with a valid membership card will be admitted starting at 5 p.m. and general admission will begin at 5:30 p.m. If you wish to join the PTA, forms are available in the school’s front office.
Annual college nights in Hillsborough County
The Hillsborough County Public Schools Guidance Services department is hosting college nights for all high school students, as follows:
—6 p.m. Oct. 2 at Plant High, 2415 S. Himes Ave., Tampa
—6 p.m. Oct. 3 at Chamberlain High, 9401 N. Boulevard, Tampa
—6 p.m. on Oct. 4 at Brandon High, 1101 Victoria St., Brandon
Students and their families will be able to visit with more than 100 college, university and military academy representatives about preparing for college, applying to college, financial aid and scholarships. Students are invited to attend any college night regardless of where they attend school.
Seeking entrants for coloring contest
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam is encouraging students in kindergarten through fifth grade to participate in the annual Florida Agriculture Youth Coloring Competition, sponsored by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Agriculture in the Classroom and the Florida State Fair.
The contest celebrates the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de Leon’s arrival to Florida. The contest theme is Florida Agriculture: 500 Years in the Making.
To print the coloring page and eligibility requirements, visit www.freshfromflorida.com, www.floridastatefair.com or www.flagintheclassroom.com.
School for the Deaf and the Blind open house
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is having a public open house from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 3 on the campus in Kirk Auditorium.
The event features performances by the school’s band and dance troupe. Activities also include an Orientation and Mobility demonstration. Seating is limited and reservations are required. To reserve a spot, contact Rick Coleman at (904) 827-2277 or email . To learn more about the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, visit www.fsdb.k12.fl.us.
Socks drive to help cancer patients
There will be a socks drive during the Pasco High football game at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 12. New socks of all sizes and types may be brought to the W.F. Edward’s Stadium at the school, 36580 SR 52 in Dade City, and dropped off in collection baskets located at each entrance.
The sock drive will support cancer patients of all ages who are currently seeking treatment in a local or Tampa Bay Area hospital or The American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge located in Tampa.
Cancer patients are in need of therapeutic and moisturizing socks, which can be found in the health section of stores such as Walgreens and Walmart. Fun and colorful socks also will be welcome to boost patient spirits.
If you have questions, or if your organization would like to organize a socks drive, contact Courtney or Janet Nathe at (352) 206-4059.
PTA raises $3,500 for new reading program
Veterans Elementary’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) hosted a schoolwide read-a-thon on Sept. 7.
Each class at the Wesley Chapel school spent an hour reading for pleasure. Collectively, the school read 17,158 pages.
The PTA hosted the read-a-thon to raise money for the school’s new Accelerated Reading program. The read-a-thon raised $3,500.
Dade City Sunrise Rotary family hosts exchange student
John and Michelle Levitt, who are members of the Dade City Sunrise Rotary Club, are hosting Keythellyn Alves-Silva from Parta Segura, Brazil, as part of the Rotary Youth Exchange program.
Alves-Silva, is attending Pasco High for the 2012-13 school year. The Levitts have two daughters, Angella and Amanda.
The Youth Exchange is a Rotary International Program brings students from foreign countries to study and live with Rotary families for an entire school year. Likewise, there are American students in other countries as part of the exchange.
National Merit semifinalists
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced the names of about 16,000 semifinalists in the 58th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
These students have the opportunity to compete for some 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million.
Here are the local students who have been named semifinalists:
—Jacob A. Stark, Academy at the Lakes
—Brian T. Balling, of Land O’ Lakes, homeschooled
—Colin R. Defant, Rohit Iyer, Dana Lawson, Patel Priyanshi of Land O’ Lakes High
—Emily Payne, Wiregrass Ranch
—Jake Bittle, Ana Cheng and Nathaniel Lee, of Steinbrenner High
