Greater East Pasco Chamber gives $12K in scholarships
ZEPHYRHILLS – The Greater East Pasco Chamber Foundation awarded a total of $12,000 in scholarships to high school seniors May 28 during its annual Academic & Vocational Scholarship Breakfast.
Recipients include six students from Zephyrhills High School and six from Pasco High School.
Winners included Bailey Cross, Madison Gocsik, Sophia Gomez, Federico Gonzalez Reyna, Jenna Goodman, Amara Hays, Heer Patel, Jason Sherman and Tristan Simons.
The breakfast honors students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, strong character, a commitment to community service and professional presentation.
Recipients are required to attend an accredited community college, university, vocational school or pursue an approved apprenticeship or internship program in Florida.
Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 or meet all requirements for high school graduation.
Candidates submit two essays. One is focused on their career goals and life experiences. Another reflects on the impact of community service in the Dade City area.
They must also document at least 100 combined hours of community service or work experience.
The program is part of a broader effort to encourage educational advancement and workforce readiness across East Pasco County.
IDEA Public Schools serves summer meals
TAMPA – IDEA Public Schools will provide free breakfast and lunch from June 9 to 27 to all children 18 and under through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
Meals must be eaten on-site Monday through Friday at IDEA Hope (5050 E. 10th Ave.) or IDEA Victory (11612 N. Nebraska Ave.) campuses in Tampa. The schedule is from 7:30 to 9 a.m. for breakfast and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch, except for federal holidays. No enrollment is required.
On the web: ideapublicschools.org
Nominate a student for the 2025 YEA! Awards
TAMPA – Hillsborough County is accepting nominations through Aug. 15 for the 2025 Youth Excellence and Achievement (YEA!) Awards.
The awards recognize the positive contributions made by young people in the community.
Honor outstanding middle and high school students in Leadership, Success Despite Difficult Odds, and Volunteer or Community Service categories.
County commissioners will announce winners in October.
Submit nominations at HCFL.gov/YEA.
Student Achievements
- Scott Abramson, of Odessa, made the spring dean’s list at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois for earning a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Anna Adcock, of Lutz, made the spring dean’s list at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
- Abigail Flanagan, of Lutz, made the spring dean’s list at Nazareth University in Rochester, New York for earning a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Joelle Gamble, of Lutz, made the spring dean’s list at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee for earning a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Jennifer Gilmore, of Lutz, made the spring dean’s list at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee for earning a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Tanya Hallowell, of Odessa, made the spring president’s list at Georgia State University at Atlanta, Georgia for earning a GPA of 4.0 or higher, - Dylan Heck, of Lutz, made the spring dean’s list at Nazareth University in Rochester, New York for earning a GPA of 3.5 or above.
- Lillian Hilt, of Land O’ Lakes, made the spring dean’s list at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee for earning a GPA from 3.5 to 3.9.
- Patty Labutis, of Lutz, made the spring dean’s list at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri for earning a GPA of 3.6 or higher.
- Naila Peken, of Lutz, was elected to The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at University of South Florida.
- Drew Pitts, of Lutz, made the spring dean’s list at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee for earning a GPA from 3.5 to 3.9.
- Annelisa Russo, of Odessa, made the spring dean’s list at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee for earning a GPA from 3.7 and 4.0.
- Chase Thurber, of Odessa, made the spring chancellor’s list at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina for earning a GPA of 3.8 or higher.
- Kelli White, of Odessa, earned Part-Time Honors at SUNY Canton in Canton, New York for earning a GPA of 3.25 or higher in six to 11 credit hours of coursework.
