The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

University of Central Florida

Library team sets out on scientific challenge

By

Pasco County Libraries is taking on the NASA challenge — “Plant the Moon” — to attempt to grow plants in a simulated moon base environment.

A libraries team has embarked on a 10-week challenge that started in February, to examine how vegetation grows in lunar soil.

Science is ‘sprouting’ at the Hugh Embry Library in Dade City, as Pasco County Libraries embarks on a NASA challenge. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

When the growing period is complete, the findings will be submitted and showcased during a virtual symposium scheduled for April 29 and April 30, with NASA scientists and other researchers.

The challenge was issued by the Institute of Competition Scientists in collaboration with the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Center for Lunar and Asteroid Surface Science (CLASS) Exolith Lab, according to a news release.

The UCF lab provided lunar soil simulant for the libraries to use, to conduct the experiment.

“We are so excited for this unique opportunity,” said Hugh Embry Library associate Sarah Pass in the release.

“Our team, the MoonRakers, is attempting to find ways to grow plants effectively in a simulated moon base environment. We hope our customers will enjoy this experience as much as we are,” said Pass.

The public is welcome to stop by to see the plants growing in the center of the library, at 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City.

Those interested also can track the plants’ progress on the Hugh Embry Library’s Facebook page.

Published March 17, 2021

Paying it forward, through music

By

For 35 years, Karen Bishop taught orchestra in the schools, working with kindergartners through high school seniors. She saw it all. Or, so she thought.

Nearly two years after her retirement — and the immediate realization that she “missed it terribly’’ — Bishop has organized a community orchestra that motivates her passionate musicians and helps worthy causes at the same time.

Karen Bishop, who directs the Play it Forward Orchestra, stands alongside Daniel Ramos. The group had a Christmas benefit concert to help Ramos, a violinist in the orchestra, who has cancer. (Courtesy of Karen Bishop)

The “Play It Forward Orchestra’’ is a 25-member group that adheres to its motto — “A group of beautiful humans making the world a better place through music.’’

Last July, Bishop called around, trying to assemble a few violinists for a driveway concert to benefit the medical needs of a former student. More than two dozen musicians showed up. There was no rehearsal, just some inspired music for the cars that drove by. Someone asked, “When are we doing this again?’’

It has been going strong ever since.

In December, the orchestra held a fundraising Christmas concert for one of its own, violinist and Steinbrenner High School senior Daniel Ramos, who has cancer. Drinks and snacks were served by the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation Fighters, a Steinbrenner group formed by Lexie Mulvihill, whose brother died of cancer last year.

The orchestra, open to anyone with high school or college music experience, includes current and former musicians from Blake, Gaither, Hillsborough, Steinbrenner, Hillsborough Community College, the University of South Florida, the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida.

“It’s all volunteer and people who are doing it for the love (of music),’’ said Bishop, who spent the last 12 years of her career at Martinez Middle School. “It has been so much fun. The people in the group are loving and caring. If you tell them, ‘We have something next week in Ybor City at 8 in the morning,’ they will be there.

Karen Bishop directs the Play it Forward Orchestra, during a driveway concert.

“I hope it continues to grow. They love practicing and performing. There are a lot of fundraising and benefits we can do to help out.’’

In turn, the orchestra has been a helpful experience for the musicians — even beyond their love of music and performing.

Just ask violinist Bryan Camus, 32. He was in the orchestra at Blake, a performing arts magnet school. He became a nurse practitioner and lost himself in that career, partially losing his identity in the process. Life’s stresses seeped in. He experimented with drugs, considered suicide and spent nearly a month in rehab.

When he heard from Bishop, who was his middle school teacher, Camus hadn’t played his violin for nearly four years.

“We went through all of the pieces, and Karen and I were both shocked at how well I was playing,’’ said Camus, now a nursing professor at Rasmussen University. “Music has saved me.

“Looking at my life, I had some trauma piled on top of other trauma. My career didn’t help. In nursing school, you learn to put your emotions aside to help others. But you break at some point. “Now I have found an outlet, my love of music, and I look forward to everything we do,” he said.

Members of the Play it Forward Orchestra take their cues from their director, Karen Bishop.

The group gathers for a weekly rehearsal and for events, as needed.

Camus said the level of music ranges from intermediate to advanced. The enjoyment level? Off the charts.

“The basis for this is having fun and raising money for people who need it,’’ Camus said. “I think we will continue to grow. When Karen wants something to happen, it tends to happen.

“This isn’t like a full symphony. It’s still a small group. We all enjoy each other and pick fun at each other. I am the oldest and half these kids are better than I am, even though I’m twice their age. But it’s a very welcoming, inclusive group and you feel great just being around everyone.’’

Bishop said the group’s numbers could easily double, perhaps incorporating more adults who haven’t played in a while but never lost their musical interest. She’s looking into requesting nonprofit status and exploring other fundraising options.

For more information on the Play It Forward Orchestra, contact Bishop at .

By Joey Johnston

Published March 17, 2021

Wiregrass Ranch High student wins honor for civil rights video

By

Aimee Johnson is on track to become a nurse, a profession she loves.

But, this 18-year-old senior at Wiregrass Ranch High School also is an award-winning videographer.

Her 10-minute video on the St. Augustine civil rights movement won a first-place regional award in an annual competition that celebrates National History Day.

Aimee Johnson, who is graduating from Wiregrass Ranch High School, won a first-place regional award in a competition about civil rights history. (Courtesy of Aimee Johnson)

It is featured at the ACCORD Civil Rights Museum in St. Augustine.

Even though it was “a very prominent movement and had one of the most violent histories,” Johnson said, it also “was a hidden history people didn’t know about.”

She compiled archival photographs and interviewed St. Augustine civil rights activists to tell the story of racial tension and hatred in the mid-1960s.

She started her video journey with a visit to the ACCORD Civil Rights Museum, which holds artifacts from that period, including the fingerprints of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Police arrested the civil rights icon in June 1964 for trespassing when he and others tried to dine at a whites-only restaurant.

It was King’s only arrest in Florida.

Johnson held the document and touched King’s fingerprints.

“It was very eye-opening, and I’m grateful that I got to do something like that,” she said. “It’s become something more to me. I’m very happy about that.”

The museum is at the former office of dentist and civil rights activist Robert B. Hayling, who is considered the “father” of the St. Augustine civil rights movement.

He headed the St. Augustine NAACP Youth Council before joining with King’s Southern Christian Leadership Council.

In addition to her museum visit, Johnson interviewed Janie Price, 98, who first met King at Morehouse College in Atlanta. When King came to St. Augustine in the summer of 1964, he stayed at her house.

Because of the threats from the Klu Klux Klan, King had to frequently move from one house to another.

Price is remembered as the “house mother” of the St. Augustine civil rights movement.

Robert Batie, who grew up in St. Augustine, recounted an attack on his family.

Someone, believed to be a Klan member, hurled a hub cap through a living room window. Later a soda bottle crashed through another window. The shattered glass wounded Batie, who was just 9 at the time.

He later was among the first blacks to integrate schools in St. Augustine.

The video highlights several historical events, including the sit-in at Woolworth’s lunch counter by 16 teenagers. Four teenagers later arrested and sent to reform school became known as the St. Augustine Four.

In another confrontation, whites and blacks held a “wade-in” at a local motel pool to the dismay of the Klan. The white motel owner threw acid into the pool.

The demonstrations played a pivotal role in the national movement which led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

“I actually was always interested in the civil rights movement especially my being a black woman,” Johnson said. But, Florida often is left out because historians take a more national view of events, she said.

Her interest in history is matched by her passion for creating videos. That seemed a perfect match for her civil rights project.

Still, she wasn’t sure where to start.

However, her mother did. She posted a message on Facebook explaining her daughter’s plan and got a response that led Johnson to Gwendolyn Duncan.

Duncan is a long-time activist who led efforts to found the ACCORD museum, and served as its museum project manager. The name stands for Anniversary to Commemorate the Civil Rights Demonstrations Inc.

Duncan helped introduce Johnson to Price and Batie. She also provided a video clip of former Gov. Charlie Crist issuing a resolution to expunge the records of hundreds of civil rights activists arrested in St. Augustine during the demonstrations.

Johnson felt pressure to create a special video.

The night before turning it in, she felt overwhelmed with schoolwork and worried that the video wouldn’t be good enough.

Her Mom set her straight. Just do your best, she said.

“My Mom is always there to support me,” Johnson said.

Winning regionally against about 300 other entries was her reward.

Now, Johnson is focused on her nursing career. She has been a dual enrollment student since ninth grade when she started in the school’s nursing program.

Johnson is vice president of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), and is a member of Best Buddies, SADD, Key Club and Bulls Nation.

She is one of seven children from a family that immigrated from Jamaica. It’s also a family with many doctors.

She jokes that the medical show, “Grey’s Anatomy,” showed her that nursing was “cool.”

“I was so interested in it,” she said. But, she is certain nursing is her calling. “It’s become more to me,” she said. “I was able to sink into it.”

She will begin online classes with the University of Central Florida in June, and hopefully will transition to on-campus life in fall.

Even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, she is steadfast.

“I understand the dangers,” Johnson said. “I fully understand and truly love the nursing field. I love just being able to help other people.”

To view the video, visit YouTube and search The Civil Rights Act: St. Augustine 1964 NHD/Aimee Johnson.

Published June 03, 2020

Finding a way to shine a spotlight on seniors

By

During normal times, Marie Joles is busy at her day job, working as a dental hygienist.

And, typically during this time of year, high school seniors are gearing up for their final festivities in high school — prom, awards ceremonies, graduation.

But, the threat of a highly contagious and deadly virus — the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic — has upended life’s ordinary routines.

So, instead of going to work, Joles has been at home. And, instead of gearing up for traditional celebrations and hanging out with friends, seniors have been spending their final school days distance learning.

(Courtesy of Marie Joles)

Joles hated the thought that their senior year would end that way. After all, she remembered how special it was for her family to go through the festivities when her daughter, Samantha, graduated last year.

So, Joles, who is a board member of the Wiregrass Ranch High School’s PTSA and in charge of that group’s social media efforts, asked PTSA president Jennifer Kanyok, if she could do Senior Spotlights on their social media.

Once she got the go-ahead, she began soliciting the spotlights on her personal Facebook page and on the Seven Oaks Facebook page.

Then she reached out by text and email to Robyn White, the school’s principal; David Wilson, the athletic director; and to all of the school coaches.

She also reached out to Bobbie Gebhart, the band booster president, and Jeni Wiseman, the football team mom — to spread the word about the profiles.

The parents submit the photos and blurbs, which Joles tweaks and posts.

In less than 24 hours, she had seven profiles ready.

Now, there are dozens posted.

They convey a sense of pride of the parents who submitted the blurbs about their children.

The profiles offer a glimpse of the lives these members of the Wiregrass Ranch High Class of 2020 have led, and offer insights about their personalities and aspirations.

Some have earned college credits, a college diploma or industry certifications while still in high school. Others have volunteered hundreds of hours.

They’ve been in theatrical performances, in marching band and orchestra, in color guard and cheerleading.

They’ve competed in lacrosse, soccer, swimming, football, track, basketball, weightlifting, basketball and other sports.

They’ve been members of the National Honor Society, the Key Club, and Health Occupations Students of America, to name just a few clubs.

And, they have wide-ranging ambitions.

Some plan to pursue traditional careers, such as nursing, law and business administration. Others aspire to less common paths, such as becoming a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer, a makeup specialist or an animator.

Most graduates appear to be heading off to higher education in the Sunshine State, at such colleges as Pasco-Hernando State College, Saint Leo University, the University of South Florida, the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida, Florida State University and Stetson University.

Regardless of what they’ve done, or where they’re going — they have made an impression.

One graduate is described as “a beautiful soul and a day of sunshine.”

Another is said to have “a musician’s heart.”

One “has a big heart, is a hard worker and knows how to live in the moment.”

Another has “a wicked sense of humor, amazing spirit and zeal for life.”

Joles said she wanted to do the spotlights because this is a special time for seniors and they deserve recognition.

“I wanted to let them know that we appreciate them,” she said.

Those wishing Joles to post a profile of a Wiregrass Ranch senior can reach out to her at  , or text her at (813) 830-8643.

How are you celebrating your graduating seniors?
The normal ceremonies that mark completion of high school are being postponed until later this year. Meanwhile, families and schools are getting creative in their efforts to help celebrate members of the Class of 2020.

What are you doing? We’d love to know. We’re planning to do a story sharing how families and schools within The Laker/Lutz News are rising to the occasion to make their high school seniors feel special.

Send your submissions to .

Thank you, in advance, for your help.

Published May 06, 2020

Wiregrass Ranch grad leads by example

By

At Wiregrass Ranch High School, Carly Norman was a senior team captain and standout defender on the varsity girls lacrosse team — helping the program to a 14-2 mark during the 2019 season.

She also graduated in the top 10% of her class, with a 4.0-plus GPA.

But, it’s her contributions off the field and outside the classroom that proved to be most rewarding.

Wiregrass Ranch High School graduate Carly Norman became the school’s first recipient of the Congressional Citizen Award, for volunteerism and community service. Norman was president of the school’s Key Club service organization. (Courtesy of Kathy Norman)

Carly was involved in as many as 10 extracurricular activities.

In one of those, she was president of the school’s Key Club, the oldest and largest international student-led service program for high school students.

Through that, she spearheaded volunteer efforts at Feeding Tampa Bay, Bay Chapel Food Pantry, Humane Society of Tampa Bay and Habitat for Humanity, among others.

One definitive moment occurred in 2017, when Carly helped organize a weekend neighborhood cleanup in downtown Tampa, following Hurricane Irma.

The Wiregrass Ranch graduate recalled a local woman came up to her volunteer group and began sobbing. The woman thanked them for picking up trash and debris the devastating tropical storm had left behind.

Moments like that make volunteering all the more worthwhile, for Carly.

“It was just so touching to see how much my little effort, just taking some time off on Saturday morning for a couple hours to pick up trash made her feel so good,” Carly, now a freshman at the University of Central Florida, said.

The young woman’s efforts to serve have not gone unnoticed.

Earlier this year, she received the Congressional Citizen Award from U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

The honor was bestowed for Carly’s exemplary volunteerism and community service.

She was Wiregrass Ranch’s first-ever recipient of the honor, which goes annually to select graduating seniors in Bilirakis’ district.

Though she wasn’t seeking recognition, Carly said she was “really touched” to be chosen for the award.

Seeing the value of giving back

Some volunteers who are Carly’s age may view helping others as a necessary chore to obtain needed service hours. But, in high school, Carly began embracing the opportunity to help others who are less fortunate.

The 18-year-old put it like this: “I  kind of just grew to love volunteering. It became almost like fun for me. It’s a great way to give back to my community and have fun with my friends while doing it. …If you just take some time to find it fun, it really is amazing.”

Carly said her mother, Kathy Norman, instilled in her the value of volunteering.

“When I grew up, my mom always taught me, ‘You give back to others. You help others,’” Carly said.

She began at an early age by writing personalized holiday cards to military members.

In addition to her volunteerism, Norman was a senior team captain and standout defender on the Wiregrass Ranch High School varsity girls lacrosse team.

It blossomed from there.

“When I did get older and had more opportunities to help, I really did jump at that,” Carly said.

Since then, she has gone on to become a member of UCF’s Circle K International service club, the college and university counterpart of the Key Club.

That, plus a demanding undergraduate physical therapy program, keeps her plenty busy.

As she watches her daughter juggle multiple responsibilities and still make time to serve others, Kathy Norman is “beyond proud” of her Carly.

“She works really hard and balances a lot. She basically just wants to be a good kid and do her best in everything.

“She’s really grateful for what she has, and to think that other people don’t have the bare basics, it really does pull on her heart a lot,” Kathy Norman said.

In addition to the Congressional Citizen Award, Carly received another distinction her senior year.

She was one of three Wesley Chapel-based high school female athletes to receive the inaugural HERStory Museum scholarship, offered by the new women’s sports virtual museum at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel.

Though she was a dancer and cheerleader growing up, Carly transitioned to lacrosse her sophomore year, as it was becoming a sanctioned Florida high school sport.

She recalls being encouraged by the school’s boys lacrosse team to try out for the girls squad so they would have enough players to field a program. (Because of Title IX, the school must offer both a boys and girls lacrosse program.)

She quickly fell in love with the sport, she said, noting it “made me appreciate how much Title IX does for women’s athletics.”

Carly wound up developing into a team leader, and was known as a scrappy defensive player. She also recovered from a torn ACL her junior year.

“It kind of taught me that I’m tough,” Carly said of the experience. “The truth is, I’m not a star athlete. I’m really just a kid who has a lot of heart.”

Wiregrass Ranch girls varsity head coach Craig Havemann wasn’t surprised to learn of Carly’s scholarship from the local women’s sports museum.

He speaks fondly on Carly’s three seasons in the program, citing her positive attitude and “go-getter” mindset.

“She just had the grit and determination to want to succeed,” Havemann said. “She had that extra little quality that some people have that they just stand out as leaders — always asking questions, always wanting to improve.

“She’s one of those people that always has a smile. I can’t remember her ever being down on herself or just down in general,” he said.

Havemann noted Carly stepped up as an upperclassman to lead offseason workouts, and helped acclimate new players into the program.

She took them under her wing and showed them the ropes, and let them know what the expectations were, he said.

It’s the type of initiative from a player any coach can appreciate.

“As a coach, she makes the job a lot easier,” Havemann said. “She’s one of those people you want to have on your team because she just brings the whole team up.”

He also observed that Carly “was a much better player than she gave herself credit for.”

Published November 27, 2019

Sunlake High teacher lands geography fellowship

By

In her AP Human Geography classes, Sunlake High School teacher Anne Cullison strives to “lift the veil” on what the world is really like.

She often tells her students: “Everything is geography, and geography is everything.”

The local educator soon will get a chance to broaden her knowledge and add to her kit of tools for teaching.

She is one of just 50 teachers nationwide selected as a 2019 American Geographical Society (AGS) Teacher Fellow. This is the second time she has been selected for the honor. The first time was in 2016.

Sunlake High School social studies teacher Anne Cullison was recently named a 2019 American Geographical Society (AGS) Teacher Fellow. She is one of just 50 teachers nationwide selected to the year-long fellowship program. (File)

The AGS fellowship is a year-long professional development opportunity that enables geography teachers to incorporate open source mapping into their classrooms. It also provides supplementary resources and materials.

As part of this year’s fellowship, Cullison will attend the AGS Fall Symposium in Nov. 21 and Nov. 22, at Columbia University in New York City.

The symposium, titled “Geography 2050: Borders and a Borderless World,” gives the fellows an opportunity to interact with geography and geospatial leaders from across the country. They also receive professional training in open source mapping.

Samantha Power, U.S Ambassador to the United Nations under President Barack Obama (2013-17), will be the keynote speaker.

Other scheduled speakers include National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency director Robert Sharp and Nada Bakos, a former CIA analyst and targeting officer who was instrumental in tracking down Osama bin Laden and other terrorist figures.

Cullison, in her seventh year at Sunlake, is eager to learn and network with fellow educators and professionals “who actually work in the field that I’m teaching about.

“I really enjoy getting to listen to people who are so incredibly knowledgeable of that real-world application side of what we actually do — what I spend my days talking about,” Cullison said.

She also appreciates being selected for the honor.

“It feels great. It’s a great way to feel recognized for working hard with kids to get them to see the world in a different way,” Cullison said.

She now teaches about 170 students across five AP Human Geography classes.

Coursework in her class goes far beyond simply labeling areas on a map and learning the basics of other cultures, she explained. It attempts to answer the what, where and why of human patterns, and the social and environmental consequences of that.

She put it like this: “It’s more about, ‘Why are some countries successful and others aren’t? Why are there people starving in some places and some places aren’t? Why do some people practice one religion and then others something else, and how does that affect the politics, the culture and languages they speak and everything?’”

In essence, she said, it enables her students “to see the world in a different way.”

Before arriving at Sunlake, Cullison taught social studies at Rushe and Pine View middle schools, in Land O’ Lakes.

Cullison studied political science at the University of Central Florida and University of South Florida.

Her first teaching experience came during an internship with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies in Washington D.C.

There, she was tasked with educating Middle Eastern government and military officials on American foreign policy in that region.

The experience, she said, “gave me the first touch of, ‘I really like teaching. I want to be able to help people understand where (other) people are coming from.’”

She said it also helped her to gain insight on why other peoples’ perspectives are sometimes different.

Cullison is eager to use the fellowship to introduce more open source mapping tools in her classroom.

Open source mapping is a collaborative volunteer project to create better, digital maps available of an area, specifically in less developed nations.

Cullison said the program is particularly useful for search and recovery efforts after natural disasters.

It allows first responders “to see what something is or was” in destroyed areas — whether it be schools, homes, buildings, roads and so on, she said.

“It’s really all about being able to identify and locate, and mark what computers can’t do,” the educator said.

Two years ago, her classes utilized the mapping program to aid humanitarians and first responders in Puerto Rico, in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

It helped in the search and recovery efforts to find people who had been injured by the natural disaster, or those who had not survived, she said.

Published Oct. 2, 2019

Pasco County honors its 2019 graduates

By

As graduates stepped across the stage at the University of South Florida’s Yuengling Center to accept their diplomas — the crowd erupted with cheers and applause.

That’s not an atypical reaction at graduation ceremonies, but this one was particularly special.

The Class of 2019 at Cypress Creek Middle High School made history on June 5, by becoming the first crop of graduates from the Wesley Chapel high school.

Lucas Budd, class valedictorian, addresses his peers, during the Graduate-to-Graduate Message portion of the program. (Christine Holtzman)

They were among thousands of seniors marking the traditional rite of passage, in graduation ceremonies large and small across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Many of those graduation ceremonies took place at USF’s Yuengling Center, but some were held in smaller, more intimate settings.

The Cypress Creek seniors wore gowns donned with green and yellow — representing their school colors.

These graduates have been leaders at the school since it opened in the Fall of 2017, without a senior class.

“Every graduating class is special, but these guys and girls are incredibly near and dear to our hearts,” said Cypress Creek Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles. “They’ve literally built the foundation for this school.”

The graduating class is comprised of 225 students, included six pairs of twins.

Many Cypress Creek graduates have been accepted already to colleges, such as  Saint Leo University, the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida, the University of South Florida and scores of others.

“I’ve been accepted into USF since September (2018),” said Cypress Creek graduate Hayley McManus.

She’s considering a major in engineering or psychology.

Graduation marks an end, and a beginning
Thousands of students across the region are leaving a familiar place — whether it was a sprawling college campus, a small private school, or a large high school — to start a new journey in life.

The thought of receiving her diploma was a lot to take in, for McManus, an 18-year-old from Cypress Creek.

Lisa McMahon, a speech therapist at Cypress Creek High School, straightens the cap of graduate Matthew Montesant, before festivities begin.

“It’s kind of surreal,” she said. “I had hopes that I would graduate, but I never thought about how being the inaugural class would feel. I feel kind of special that I’m setting the precedent.”

Sam Mazzeo had a similar feeling of pride about being Cypress Creek’s first graduating class, and also about helping to set an example for the school’s younger students.

He wants to return to Cypress Creek to help coach football.

Jason Stahlgren, a Florida transplant from Ohio, didn’t arrive at Cypress Creek until his senior year.

But, the warm welcome he received made it a good experience, he said.

“Moving my senior year was tough, but everybody here made it really easy,” said Stahlgren.

When Karisma Brooks initially arrived at Cypress Creek, her only desire was to return to her former high school in Tampa, she recalled.

Over time, though, she adjusted to her new environment and was able to create some memorable moments – especially as a member of the school’s first step team.

“It was a really big impact on us to bring African-American culture to the school,” Brooks said, with a smile.

The 17-year-old is now ready to serve her country as part of the U.S. Air Force, and then plans to seek a degree in health sciences.

Graduates earn diplomas, accolades
Lucas Budd, the Cypress Creek valedictorian, was one of more than 60 Pasco seniors from various high schools to receive an associate’s degree from Pasco-Hernando State College.

During the ceremony, Budd told his fellow students: “Today marks the end of a significant and memorable chapter in our lives. Be proud of this accomplishment, but leave some praise for the people who helped us graduate. We should be thankful for our families who have supported us.”

Lori Vogel was in the crowd to support Ashley Nickisher, a graduate and Vogel’s niece.

“This is a very special moment, and I’m very excited for her,” Vogel said.

A group of Cypress Creek High School graduates pose for a picture with the school’s mascot, Carmine the Coyote, before the graduation ceremony. From left: Derek Attwood, Michae’la Davis, Christian Wilmore (dressed as the mascot), Rebecca Bobik and Jonathan Blake.

In her remarks during the ceremony, Cypress Creek Principal Hetzler-Nettles told the Class of 2019: “You’ve made me so very proud. As you move into life on your own personal journey and to new territory, exploring new things, remember what you’ve accomplished. You’re an integral part of something larger than yourself.”

While Cypress Creek graduates were making history, members of the Class of 2019 across Pasco County had plenty of reasons to celebrate.

Land O’ Lakes High School, with more than 400 graduates, received more than $12 million in scholarship offers.

Zephyrhills High, with an estimated 360 graduates, pulled in more than $750,000 in scholarship offers.

Pasco High School, which issued diplomas to more than 300 students, received more than $1 million in scholarship money.

And, that’s just to mention a few of the accomplishments, among the region’s public schools.

Private schools and area colleges also had plenty of reasons to be proud.

Academy at the Lakes in Land O’ Lakes had its graduation ceremony on May 18.

“We had 42 graduates – 100 percent of them going on to college,” said Mark Heller, head of the private school.

Among the schools accepting Academy students are Yale University, Vanderbilt University, University of Florida, University of Washington and the Pratt Institute art school.

“At a school like Academy at the Lakes, relationships are everything,” Heller stated. “Relationships between the teachers and students really are the key to preparing these young adults to be the best they can be.”

Even at the collegiate level, there was much to be celebrated.

Pasco-Hernando State College had two commencement ceremonies at its West Campus in New Port Richey.

Graduate Stephanie Bostick received an associate of arts and associate of science degree in legal assisting. Tracy Meshey persevered with a brain injury to earn her associate of science degree, and Maria Madeiros received her associate of arts degree after relocating from her native Brazil and learning to speak English.

Saint Leo University awarded more than 1,250 degrees.

The university’s valedictorian was Angela Lazzaro, a psychology major. Its salutatorian was Jennifer Fields, a criminal justice major.

Published June 12, 2019

Locals make 2018 NFL rosters

By

The NFL season is underway and a handful of athletes from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area wound up making rosters, proving themselves worthy throughout training camp and preseason action.

Here is a look at the locals now playing at football’s highest level:

Janarion Grant
(Courtesy of the Baltimore Ravens)

Janarion Grant, receiver—Baltimore Ravens
College: Rutgers University (Piscataway, New Jersey)
High School: Pasco High School; graduated in 2013

The 5-10, 173-pound shifty athlete overcame the odds as an undrafted rookie—and nagging injuries his last two college seasons—to make the Baltimore Ravens’ 53-man roster.

His prowess on special teams was a big reason why; penciled in as the team’s starting kick and punt returner.

Grant, 24, showcased that skillset in Week 1, with a field-flipping 51-yard return in the Ravens 47-3 home win over the Buffalo Bills, breaking several tackles, and utilizing his agility and straight-line speed.

Path to the pros
Grant’s path to the NFL wasn’t without some hardship, particularly in regard to staying healthy.

While at Rutgers, Grant suffered an ankle injury early in 2016 that forced him to miss all but four games and later gain a medical redshirt. He also battled ailments the following year as a fifth-year senior, able to play in just seven contests.

Despite limited action his final two collegiate seasons, Grant wound up becoming Rutgers’ all-time kickoff return yardage leader (2,857 yards) and tied for the NCAA record for combined kick return touchdowns (eight).

Meanwhile, Grant left a lasting legacy at Pasco High School, where he was a four-year starter and still holds the county record for most career touchdowns (77) by a skill player. The two-time All-State selection also tallied over 5,000 career all-purpose yards in his prep career.

Joey Ivie
(Courtesy of the Kansas City Chiefs)

Joey Ivie, defensive tackle—Kansas City Chiefs
College: University of Florida
High School: Pasco High School; graduated in 2013

The 6-foot-3, 295-pound defensive tackle is now on his fourth NFL franchise since being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round (228th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Ivie, 23, was recently signed to the Chiefs practice squad after brief stints with the Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks, respectively.

He spent most of the 2017 regular season on the Falcons’ practice squad after being waived by the Cowboys before the start of that season.

Though he’s not yet seen any regular season action as a practice squad player, NFL teams seem to value his motor, energy and overall athleticism. Lack of desired mass and power as a run-stopper has been a knock, however.

Path to the pros
Ivie was a strong contributor to the Florida Gators since his freshman year. His best campaign came as a senior in 2016, starting 10 of 11 games while battling a thumb injury (26 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks).

Like Janarion Grant, Ivie himself shined for Pasco High School, where he posted a combined 142 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and 20 sacks as a junior and senior. The skillset and production on the line helped him become a prized four-star recruit, with more than 20 Division I scholarship offers. Meanwhile, the Pirates went a combined 36-3 mark and captured three district titles in the three seasons Ivie spent on varsity.

Alex McGough
(Courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)

Alex McGough, quarterback—Seattle Seahawks
College: Florida International University
High School: Wesley Chapel High School (freshman year only), Gaither High School; graduated in 2014

Selected by the Seahawks in the seventh round (220th overall) of this year’s NFL Draft, the

6-foot-3, 214-pound signal-caller proved himself worthy of making the team’s practice squad roster after showing signs of potential throughout the preseason — completing 58 percent of his passes for 416 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, and rushing for 59 yards.

The Seahawks certainly seem to like the 23-year-old McGough, considering he’s the NFL’s third-highest paid practice squad player, according to NFL.com reporter Tom Pelissaro, earning $28,235 per week, totaling up to $451,760 for the entire season. (The minimum amount a team can pay their practice squad player is $7,600 per week totaling up to $120,000 for the regular season.)

McGough is one of three quarterbacks on the Seahawks roster, behind four-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson and fourth-year veteran Brett Hundley.

Path to the pros
McGough became FIU’s most decorated passer and set numerous school passing records across four years as a starter.

For his career, he completed 807 of 1335 passes (60.4 percent completion rate) for 9,091 yards, 65 touchdowns and 37 interceptions. He also rushed for 535 yards and 16 touchdowns.

McGough, surprisingly, was rather under-looked coming out of Gaither High School — where he tallied nearly 5,000 passing yards and more than 50 passing touchdowns in three varsity seasons — earning just two college scholarship offers (FIU and Colgate University, in upstate New York).

He’s certainly proved any doubters wrong, becoming just the fifth player from a Hillsborough County high school to be drafted as a quarterback in the last 50 years. The others are Robinson’s John Reaves (1972), Leto’s Gary Huff (’73), Chamberlain’s Dean May (’84) and Plant’s Aaron Murray (2014). (McGough transferred from Wesley Chapel High School to Gaither following his freshman year.)

Locals placed on NFL injured reserve for the 2018 season:

TJ Mutcherson, safety—Seattle Seahawks
College: University of Central Florida, Iowa State
High School: Freedom High School

Trey Johnson, cornerback—Pittsburgh Steelers
College: Villanova University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
High School: Steinbrenner High School

Locals cut during the course of NFL preseason training camp

Jacob Pugh, linebacker—cut by the Seattle Seahawks
College: Florida State University
Schools: Godby High School (Tallahassee); Jefferson County High School (Monticello); Pasco Middle School (Dade City native)

Shaheed Salmon, linebacker—cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
College: Samford University (Homewood, Alabama)
High School: Land O’ Lakes High School

Published September 19, 2018

She wants to make sure girls’ voices are heard

By

Lindsey Turnbull, a former resident of Land O’ Lakes, has been named one of the University of Central Florida’s 30 Under 30 alumni award winners.

Turnbull was recognized for her work as the founder and CEO of MissHeard Media, a platform that offers teen girls the opportunity to elevate their voices and to create community.

MissHeard Media connects girls across the globe by giving them a place to share their stories and experiences, as well as an opportunity to learn new skills that will help them to chart their own course in life.

Lindsey Turnbull, a former resident of Land O’ Lakes, has been honored for her work to give young girls a chance to express themselves.
(Courtesy of Kathy Cabble)

This year’s class of 30 Under 30 award winners includes marketing and communications professionals, entrepreneurs, engineers, software specialists, attorneys, education leaders, doctors, nurses and a football star. Amber Mariano, who represents District 36 of the Florida House of Representatives, which includes a portion of Pasco County, is also on the list, according to a UCF news release.

Turnbull studied history, anthropology and women’s studies at UCF. She also served as the program coordinator for the Young Women Leaders Program.

MissHeard, with its board of teen girls and youth-related professionals, focuses on girl-centered and girl-created content to foster empowered, girl-positive communities.

MissHeard Media seeks “to create a world where all teen girls feel understood, prepared, confident, and most of all, heard,” according to its website.

Turnbull said her parents moved to Land O’ Lakes when she was 7. She attended Sanders Memorial Elementary School, Pine View Middle School and Land O’ Lakes High School.

She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Central Florida before moving to the Washington D.C. area to pursue a career in history and museum studies.

But, a government sequester, which placed a hard cap on government spending, closed off employment opportunities she had hoped to pursue, so she launched MissHeard Media.

MissHeardMedia is an outgrowth of Turnbull’s experience at the University of Central Florida, where she worked closely with teenage girls.

“What I really discovered was that all of these teen girls were really smart and funny, and had all of these really interesting things to say, but nobody was really asking them what they thought,” Turnbull said.

“I thought to myself: One day, I’m going to do something so everyone will know how awesome teen girls are,” she said.

That day came sooner than she expected.

She created MissHeardMedia.com to give girls a platform for girls to share their stories.

But, she also realized that she missed working directly with girls, so she began offering workshops. She also does speaking engagements.

“Most of what I do is in the D.C. area, right now,” she said.

Soon, she’ll be offering a summer workshop, which will focus on mixing creativity with technology, she said.

“We’re going to do an overview of all kinds of different ways to be creative,” she said.

“We still have the blog, which has stories from girls around the world. We have a teen advisory board, and they submit a lot of the writing,” she said.

Turnbull wants to create the opportunity for girls to be heard — both by their peers, but also by society, in general.

“I think what a lot of people may not realize is that teen girls are very aware of what’s going on in the world, and they want to make a difference and see change. I don’t think a lot of adults realize that.

“I know when the Parkland activists started speaking out after the shooting, all of these adults were like, ‘Teenagers don’t care about this. Why should they have a say? Why should we listen to them?

“And, as someone who has been working with girls for 10 years, I was like, ‘Of course they have things to say. You probably had things to say when you were 16,” Turnbull said.

To find out more about Turnbull’s work, visit MissHeardMedia.com.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Turnbull at (727) 491-3922 or email .

Published April 25, 2018

Track and field standout leaps into nationals

By

It didn’t take long for Keymo Pearson to realize Arielle Boone oozed potential when she joined his AAU track club last spring.

“Day 1, when I saw her…I said, ‘Hey, if this girl stays with the team, she’s going to be great.’ My exact words were, ‘She has the chance to be one of the best jumpers in Pasco County history,’” said Pearson, an assistant track coach at the Wesley Chapel-based Speed Starz Track Club.

Turns out the coach’s assessment is pretty spot on.

Sunlake High School senior Arielle Boone will compete at New Balance Indoor Nationals at the Armory Track and Field Center in New York City, from March 9 to March 11. She will take part in the triple jump and high jump events. (Courtesy of Speed Starz Track Club)

Boone will compete this weekend in both the high jump and triple jump events in New Balance Indoor Nationals at the Armory Track and Field Center in New York City.

A senior at Sunlake High School, Boone will join more than 3,500 of the country’s best track and field student-athletes, from more than 40 states and Canadian provinces — each looking to run, hurdle, jump, throw and walk their way to titles and All-American honors in 48 boys’ and girls’ championship events.

The event runs from March 9 through March 11.

Boone qualified for the prestigious competition after posting elite qualifying marks in triple jump (39’ 2.5) and long jump (18’ 2.5) at recent AAU meets in Orlando and Birmingham, Alabama.

She is believed to be just the second track and field athlete from Pasco County to ever compete in the national event. The other is former Pasco High star Alfreda Steele, who qualified in 2014. Steele now is a sprinter and jumper at the University of Miami.

Boone isn’t nervous about the big stage, despite squaring up alongside countless future Division I track starts and possibly some Olympians-in-the-making.

Instead, she’s poised to hold her own — especially after going toe-to-toe with such athletes at AAU meets throughout the summer and fall.

“I’m not worried about it. I’m just there to compete and to get my marks,” said Boone, who acknowledged she used to be intimidated, when she first began training for AAU meets in the spring and summer.

A former gymnast, Boone joined her high school track team as a freshman at the behest of former Sunlake track coach Nick Carroll, now the head football coach at Zephyrhills High School.

“Coach was like, ‘If you’re one of my fastest girls, you have to run for me, OK?’ Like, he really pursued me. He wanted me to run track. And, I was like, ‘You know what? My dad’s been telling me that for years, so I’ll try it,’ and I ended up being pretty decent, so I stuck with it,” Boone explained.

Early on in her high school career, Boone mainly competed in sprints, such as the 100-meter and 200-meter dash, and the 4×100 relay.

It wasn’t until last season she took field events seriously.

The leap into those events — especially the triple jump — was bred out of pure curiosity.

Said Boone, “Triple jump seemed so complicated and just difficult, which it is. It’s the hardest event track puts on your body. I just wanted to see how it works; I had no idea.”

Sunlake girls track coach Trey Burdick said Boone’s jumping numbers really took off toward the end the 2017 season.

“Something clicked at districts last year,” Burdick said.

All of sudden, Boone started hitting personal records of 2 feet, then 4 feet in the triple jump, and that’s something you don’t usually see, Burdick added.

Boone firmly solidified herself at the Class 3A state championships as one of the state’s top jumpers after securing a ninth-place finish in the triple jump (then a 36’ 11.25), just one spot away from podium honors.

She was also named named the Sunshine Athletic Conference’s Girls Field Athlete of the Year.

“I was just like, ‘Wow, I have been doing this event for not even six months, and I got this close. Next year I’m going to wreck it. That’s what I really want to do,’” Boone said.

After the season Boone joined Speed Starz to work one-on-one with Pearson, himself a former college track and field standout at Kansas-based Friends University and Independence Community College. He serves as an assistant with BB Roberts, who founded the AAU club in 2013.

Pearson trained Boone on core strength, plyometric movements, and shoring up her bounding technique to make her an even better jumper.

“I saw that she was very explosive, and that was really what drew my attention,” Pearson said.

“Just seeing the talent that she had without an offseason training, it just was like, ‘Wow, I know the drills that I’m going to give her is going to make her that much better as an athlete.’”

“I had to bound my way into becoming a really good triple-jumper,” Boone said. It’s a lot of training involved. It’s an event that you can’t play with it. You have to do a lot.”

After the national competition, Boone will go back to focusing on her final high school season.

In addition to Sunlake High records in the triple jump (38’ 9.5) and high jump (17’ 9.75), Boone also claims school records in the 200 meters (26.32 seconds) — which she’s owned since her freshman year — and as a leg on the 4×100 relay (49.55 seconds).

Burdick noted Boone could soon own the school record in the 100 meters, once she gets the chance to run the event. High school track athletes are allowed to compete in a maximum of four events per meet.

“She’s probably the reason why we’re the favorite to win conference this year,” Burdick said.

“She’s one of those athletes that if I could put her in six (events) I’d put her in six. She’s a guaranteed first place in at least three of her events every meet, and most of the times it’s four.”

Boone’s recent emergence, meanwhile, has the caught the eyes of multiple Division I college track programs statewide.

She’s picked up scholarship offers from South Florida, Central Florida, Florida Atlantic and Florida International universities.

Boone said she plans to spend the next month visiting colleges before making a decision by the time the spring singing period begins on April 11.

Whichever program Boone chooses, those coaches will be getting a dedicated and focused athlete.

“She catches on really fast — that’s what’s great about her. She listens, she’s disciplined, and she actually works on those things on her own so it makes it that much easier,” Pearson explained.

“Motivation’s never been an issue for her,” Burdick said. “She’s always came to practice everyday and is just like strictly business, ‘This is what we need to get done today’ and boom that’s what she’s doing.’”

“She knows (the) drills, she picks up on them, and she knows how to go out there and do it without me telling her,” he added.

Published March 7, 2018