Grant funds education for part-time students, parents
NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation has received a $40,000 grant from the Edward K. Roberts Community College Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.
The funds will support scholarships for PHSC students during the summer term and upcoming academic year, with preference given to part-time students and student-parents.
Since 2011, the fund has awarded over $670,000 to PHSC students.
Edward K. Roberts overcame early challenges to become a successful philanthropist and lifelong donor to PHSC. Upon his passing in 2009, he established the fund to continue supporting community college students in need.
Construction begins on new Catholic school
ST. PETERSBURG – Bishop Gregory Parkes led a groundbreaking ceremony June 13 and blessed the site of a new Catholic school, Mater Dei, to be built next to St. Anne Catholic Church in Ruskin.
The school will serve 300 students from Ruskin, Apollo Beach, Gibsonton and nearby areas when it opens in fall 2027.
The Diocese of Saint Petersburg spent over six years planning the project in response to the area’s rapid growth.
It will be the first Catholic school in Ruskin, where the nearest one is 40 minutes away.
“Anybody who drives through here or spends any time here can see how many homes are being built here and how many new families are moving into this community,” Parkes said.
Kroh earns Champion title
LUTZ – Stanley Kroh, a governing board member at Learning Gate Community School in Lutz, has been named a 2025 Charter School Champion of the Year by the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools.
Kroh is one of three board members honored for contributions to their schools during the 2024-25 school year.
Champion charter school governing board members “are those, who, through their service on their boards, have contributed significantly to the success of their charter schools,” according to nomination materials.
“Each of the winners helps to deliver quality education to Florida’s charter school students,” FCPCS President Robert Haag said. “They are important contributors to Florida’s hugely successful charter school movement.”
Hall gets new PHSC contract
NEW PORT RICHEY – The Pasco-Hernando State College District Board of Trustees voted to award Eric Hall a one-year contract to serve as president from June 17, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
The contract supersedes the full interim contract signed by Hall and trustees on May 20, 2025.
The decision was made at a board meeting June 17 at the Instructional Performing Arts Center. Hall was
selected unanimously by trustees as interim president during the May board meeting.
He assumed the interim president role on June 9.
Alabama students do well
TUSCALOOSA, Ala – Several area students made honors lists during the spring semester at The University of Alabama.
Lutz residents Emersen Angel, Renata Blatt, Danielle Kanas and Zoe Poulsen made the president’s list for earning a 4.0 GPA. Graydon Horn, of Odessa, also made the president’s list.
Madeline Griggs, of Odessa, made the dean’s list for earning a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Student achievements
- Jillian Abarca, of Odessa, made the spring dean’s list at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia for earning a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Froohar Barekat, of Lutz, was elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at University of South Florida.
- Salvador Antonio Castellanos, of Zephyrhills, earned a master’s degree in plant breeding at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
- Sietske Drijvers, of Wesley Chapel, made the spring dean’s list at Mercer University in Macon Georgia.
- Isabella Ann Gurau, of Dade City, earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
- Ben Graziano, of Lutz, graduated magna cum laude from the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, New York with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
- Riley Hall, of Wesley Chapel, made the president’s list at Mercer University in Macon Georgia.
- Shannon Kendall, of Land O’ Lakes, made the spring dean’s list at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut for earning a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Gennaro Scarfogliero, of Odessa, made the spring dean’s list at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia for earning a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Joshua Smart, of Lutz, made the spring president’s list at Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi for earning a GPA of 4.0.
- Laura Vigna, of Wesley Chapel, made the dean’s list at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.
