Lutz woman graduates from Centre College
Cailynn West of Lutz received a Bachelor of Science degree in behavioral neuroscience at the May 20 commencement ceremony at Centre College, of Danville, Ky., one of the nation’s top 50 liberal arts colleges, according to U.S. News. West is the daughter of Craig and Georgia West of Lutz.
USF student to attend Fulbright program
Christine Goddard, a student from the University of South Florida (USF), has been selected to be part of a Fulbright Summer Institute and will study at Cardiff, Bangor and Aberystwyth universities. The summer institute is one of the most prestigious and selective summer scholarship programs in the world.
The United States-United Kingdom Fulbright Commission was created by treaty in 1948 and is the only bi-lateral, transatlantic scholarship program offering awards and summer programs for study or research in any field, at any accredited university in the United States or United Kingdom.
Goddard will attend a six-week summer program that will focus on Welsh culture and industry.
The Honors College student at USF is pursuing degrees in public health and Spanish, with a minor in history and a concentration in Latin American and Caribbean studies.
As a participant in the Fulbright Wales Summer Institute, she hopes to learn about the British healthcare system and incorporate that knowledge into a future career in public health.
Goddard graduated from the International Baccalaureate Program at Land O’ Lakes High and is a resident of Crystal Springs in East Pasco County.
Battle of the Belts raises awareness
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for American teenagers, and statistics show teenagers have the lowest rate of safety belt use among drivers particularly when there are multiple teens in the vehicle.
The Battle of the Belts program seeks to change these statistics by boosting safety belt use by teenagers. Pasco County high schools were invited to participate in the program through their school resource officers.
Award categories included: highest seat belt use; most improved seat belt use; best school campaign; best public service announcement; best poster and best essay.
Local schools in the competition included Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills high schools, which was sponsored by Safe Kids Pasco Council led by All Children’s Hospital.
Wesley Chapel was the only local school that came away with winning one of the categories. The Wildcats claimed gold in campaign book, which came with $250 sponsored by Rasmussen College.
Vacation Bible school in Land O’ Lakes
Land O’ Lakes First United Methodist Church is presenting its 2012 Vacation Bible School- I-JAM Jesus’ Amazing Miracles! June 25 through 29. The school is free and open to children in kindergarten through fifth grade.
The program will feature stories, music and fun. The sessions are from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the church, 6209 US 41 in Land O’ Lakes.
Register online at www.lolumc.org and click the VBS tab. For more information, contact Tonya Stout at or (813) 996-3533.
San Antonio Credit Union scholarships
The San Antonio Credit Union and its ATM service, Accel/Exchange, each awarded $5,000 in college scholarships.
The money went to seven graduating high school seniors. David Roth of Land O’ Lakes and Rachel Wise of Zephyrhills each received $2,500.
Jonathan Yann, Gloria Manriquez and Timothy Dombrowski, all from Pasco; Beverly Mejias of Bishop McLaughlin and Kelly Farrell of Zephyrhills each received $1,000.
Senator Fasano honored by USF students
State Sen. Mike Fasano has been named the 2012 Outstanding Student Advocate by the University of South Florida (USF) student body. The award was given “in appreciation for his tireless advocacy on behalf of the USF student body, as well as for his commitment and dedication to the University of South Florida system.”
“We wish to recognize you because you were one of the students’ biggest advocates over the past year through the difficult legislative session we faced,” stated immediate past Student Body President Matthew Diaz in a release. “Furthermore, you listened to our students and their concerns and consistently and tirelessly worked on our behalf.”
USF was the target of significant budget cuts as well as controversy about the separation of USF Polytechnic in Lakeland from the main university system.
Fasano was credited by students for playing an instrumental role in restoring many of the budget cuts, in particular those targeting the USF School of Pharmacy, as well as being the university’s voice regarding the protection of USF Polytechnic.
Florida Gulf Coast graduates
These local residents recently graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University:
—Jake Proudfoot of Land O’ Lakes with a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Business
—Megan Smith of Land O’ Lakes graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Education
—Melissa Simat of Land O’ Lakes graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the College of Professional Studies
—Melanie Belknap of Lutz with a Bachelor of Science from the College of Business
—Nancy Daniel of Lutz with a Master of Science from the College of Health Professions
—Amanda Goble of Lutz with a Bachelor of Science from the College of Professional Studies
—Seth Monaco of Lutz with a Master of Social Work from the College of Professional Studies
—Hayley Katzof of Odessa with a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Arts and Sciences
—Michelle Persante of Odessa with a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Education
—Sara Rieveley of Odessa with a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the College of Health Professions
Applications still open for Buc-Packs
Applications are open until June 29 at 5 p.m. for Buc-Packs for Back-to-School, one of the Glazer Family Foundation’s signature programs.
Each summer, the program presents Buccaneers backpacks filled with school supplies to children throughout Central Florida. This year, youth from local community groups will receive a total of 5,000 backpacks during the team’s training camp at One Buccaneer Place.
After receiving backpacks, the children will have the opportunity to watch the Buccaneers practice before participating in their own on-field football drills.
The foundation accepts applications for the Buc-Packs for Back-to-School program from local community organizations with nonprofit status. Applications for the program will only be accepted online. To learn more, visit www.GlazerFamilyFoundationn.org.
