Kids art program raises record $38,632 for schools
TAMPA – The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office raised a record $38,632 for local schools through its Kids Tag Art Program.
Sixty-six Hillsborough County elementary schools participated this year, with each school receiving $585 to support its art programs.
Tax Collector Nancy Millan brought the Kids Tag Art Program to Hillsborough County in 2021. It has raised more than $181,813 for art education across the county.
This year’s program also generated $5,043 in direct Kids Tag Art merchandise sales, with proceeds from every plate, keychain and mug sold going straight back to participating schools.
“These numbers tell the story of a community that believes in investing in its young artists,” Millan said.
This year’s top honorees were:
- Tax Collector’s Choice Award: Melina Fenton, Apollo Beach K-8 School
- Title Sponsor Award (Suncoast Credit Union): Annabelle Webster, J.S. Robinson Elementary
- TECO Powerful Art Award: Samantha Garcia-Gomez, Lake Magdalene Elementary School
- Best Teacher Artwork Award: Melissa Santiago, Hunter’s Green Elementary School
On the web: HillsTaxFL.gov/shop
DAVRON donates money, supplies to Christian Social Services
LAND O’ LAKES – DAVRON recently held a Backpacks for Kids School Supply Drive for Christian Social Services in Land O’ Lakes.
The company is an executive search and outplacement firm for the engineering, architecture, construction and manufacturing industries.
Staff collected school supplies such as backpacks, notebooks, calculators, folders and pencils. DAVRON also donated a $5,000 check to help Christian Social Services continue supporting children and families.
Students make dean’s, president’s lists
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Several students from Lutz and Odessa made honors lists for the spring semester at the University of Alabama.
Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or above to make the dean’s list and 4.0 to make the president’s list.
Lutz students to make the dean’s list were Isabella Becker, Audrey Durrieu, Victoria Ferreira and Christopher Hovan. Odessa students to make the dean’s list were Dillon Costello and Jaden Scott.
Lutz students to make the president’s list were Renata Blatt, Danielle Kanas and Madison Maxwell. Odessa students to make the president’s list were Logan Hinsberg and Graydon Horn.
Student achievements
- Tiana Alfsen, College of Letters and Science, earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. Alfsen, who attended UW-Madison’s College of Letters and Science, also made the dean’s list for the spring semester.
- Kelsey Barrett, of Odessa, made the provost’s list at Troy University in Troy, Alabama, for the spring semester/term 4. Students must have a grade point average of at least 3.65.
- Caitlyn Culpepper, of Odessa, received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi’s College of Liberal Arts. Culpepper majored in biochemistry and Spanish.
- Allison Ferguson, of Lutz, has enrolled at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and plans to major in International Affairs – BA.
- Noah Kliewer, of Lutz, made the dean’s list at Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. Students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.4.
- Kassandra Kocan, of Odessa, earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Sarah Roberson, of Lutz, made the dean’s list at Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. Students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.4.
- Sarah Salemy, of Odessa, earned a Master of Science in College Student Personnel at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island.
- Kaleb Smith, of Odessa, has enrolled at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and plans to major in Business Management – BBA.
- Frank Xu, of Wesley Chapel, made the dean’s list for the spring 2026 semester at Washington University in St. Louis. Xu, who is enrolled in the university’s College of Arts & Sciences, earned a grade point average of at least 3.6.
