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University of South Florida

Pasco names director of support services

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Pasco County commissioners approved the appointment of Paula Baracaldo for the newly created position of director of support services, effective Jan. 1.

Baracaldo will receive an annual salary of $105,000.

The position results from a county departmental reorganization, prompted by Pasco’s growth over the past years. COVID-19 also is adding to the demands for services.

Baracaldo’s new position is part of the public services branch. She currently serves as chief of staff for Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles.

Baracaldo primarily will have oversight of the veterans services and the fiscal services divisions, formerly part of the community services department.

She also will support other executive functions within the public services branch.

Baracaldo is a public certified manager. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida in political science and international studies, and a master’s degree in public policy and administration from Northwestern University.

Published December 16, 2020

Veterinarian honors his father, by donating a barn

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Dade City’s Centennial Elementary School has a brand-new barn for its 4-H Club.

But, this structure is much more than a sturdy protective home to hogs and sheep, with goats on the way.

It’s a son’s tribute to his late father, a pioneering marine biologist and beloved resident of Dade City.

Funds for the Blake Barn at Centennial Elementary School were donated by Dade City veterinarian Jonathan Blake, in honor of his late father. (Courtesy of Gretchen Rudolph-Fladd)

The “Blake Barn’’ was funded by a $10,000 donation from Dade City veterinarian Jonathan Blake, in the memory of his father, Norman Jasper Blake.

The elder Blake, who was 74 when he died in 2018, initiated the University of South Florida marine science program at its St. Petersburg campus.

“We are so appreciative of Dr. Blake’s generosity because when we put out the word for fundraising, we thought it would take a couple of years to happen,’’ said Kristi Dorough, a third-grade teacher at Centennial and the 4-H club leader. “Now we already have it and it’s already making a huge impact for our students. It has been wonderful.’’

Blake said he had been searching for a way to honor his father. Centennial’s plans seemed like a perfect fit, especially considering the family’s connections to the school — his mother, Virginia, was a charter faculty member when the school opened in 1986 and his son, Levi, is currently a fourth-grader there.

“It was a good opportunity for my wife and I to get involved,’’ Blake said. “I’m interested in the teaching of agricultural science and maintaining the roots to the rural nature of our Dade City area, and teaching kids where their food comes from.

“Those are important values that we are slowly losing. So it’s a perfect marriage — a way to honor my dad and, at the same time, do something good for our community.’’

Centennial principal Gretchen Rudolph-Fladd said Dorough began the 4-H club about three years ago. Some chicken coops were moved to the campus, but overall, Centennial relied on another barn.

Centennial Elementary School’s robust 4-H Club got a major asset with the construction of the Blake Barn.

When some Zephyrhills High School seniors donated three prize-winning sheep to Centennial, there was a problem — nowhere for the sheep to live. So the plans began.

It played nicely into the plans of Rudolph-Fladd, who wanted Centennial to become a STEAM school. While the “A’’ typically stands for the Arts, at Centennial, it stands for Agriculture and Aviation (including the use of drones).

“We want our ‘A’ to be cubed and the science learning is so closely tied to our community,’’ Rudolph-Fladd said. “It has worked so well. We are delighted that the Blake name will resonate forever at our school.’’

The Blake Barn, which will include a plaque about Norman Jasper Blake and a wrought-iron sign, has eight stalls. It was constructed by Affordable Building, a Hernando County company.

So far, the 4-H Club has 15 members from kindergartners to eighth-graders. The older students attend Centennial Middle School.

The Blake Barn already has hogs and sheep that are cared for by the Centennial Elementary School 4-H Club students.

Besides the plans for hogs, sheep and goats, there also are designs on bringing in dairy cows.

“From a very practical standpoint, the barn allows us to house more animals and grow our ability to educate the students,’’ Dorough said. “If some members live in the city limits and don’t have the farmland, they can keep their project at the barn.

“It opens up so many opportunities. The young members can see what the older kids are doing. That will get them excited and interested.’’

Blake said it’s an appropriate way to honor his father, who spent his life dedicated to education and conservation. He had a particular interest in the study of scallops, oysters and clams. Blake said his father was instrumental in returning the scallop population to West Central Florida.

“He had friends everywhere,’’ Blake said. “He would love to see these kids using that barn. When I hear ‘Blake Barn,’ those words cause me to choke up because I know it would’ve meant a lot to him.’’

The University of South Florida-St. Petersburg meant a lot to him, too.

But, he moved his brood to the family land in Dade City.

For more than three decades, he made a long commute to work. But, the community-feel of Dade City was more than worth that trade-off.

“It is a great honor for my husband to be remembered,’’ Virginia Blake said. “It means a lot that my son gets to honor his dad. We miss him very much, and I know all of this would make him happy.’’

By Joey Johnston

Published November 25, 2020

USF urged to continue preparing teachers

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The Pasco County School Board has adopted a resolution urging the University of South Florida to continue teacher preparation programs at all of the university’s campuses.

Board members adopted the resolution at their Nov. 3 meeting, after they and Superintendent Kurt Browning weighed in on the issue.

“We think that it would just be devastating to our programs across the Tampa Bay area for them to close that program down,” Browning said, noting he had joined superintendents from Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee and Sarasota for a community conversation to discuss USF’s proposal to end the program.

“I don’t think people on the outside of education fully understand the impact that this is going to have on our district,” Browning said. “We are direct recipients of great teachers who come out of USF.”

School board member Alison Crumbley characterized USF’s decision as “short-sighted.”

Like Browning, she said the district relies on USF’s program.

“Thirty percent of our teachers come from USF,” she said. “It’s just a huge disappointment to me, and letdown for the school districts and taxpayers in the Tampa Bay area that this is the situation,” Crumbley said.

Board Chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin, who herself is a teacher, added: “It’s unfortunate that there’s been a decline nationally, in the number of people pursuing degrees in education. That is the root of the problem.

“What we’re discussing here could be a result of the excessive state mandates, testing, evaluation system and lack of respect teachers are given,” she said.

She added those factors could be deterring people from pursuing a career in education, which Beaudoin described as “a noble profession” that creates “lifelong learners and productive citizens.

“Being a teacher is rewarding and fulfilling. I’ll support anything that provides a pathway for students to enter the career,” she said.

School board member Megan Harding, a graduate from the USF College of Education, said she hopes the college will reconsider.

“Not only does this affect teachers, but it’s also going to affect the children,” her Facebook page says. “We already have a teacher shortage.”

Harding read the resolution, which the board adopted.

The resolution notes that Pasco County Schools hires approximately 525 teachers annually, and the USF undergraduate teacher preparation program contributes more than 30% of those teachers. The resolution also points to the existing statewide teacher shortage.

The resolution asserts “USF’s action will harm not only the school districts in the Tampa Bay region, but also the larger communities they serve, including families sending children to our schools and the business communities served by the graduates of our schools.”

The resolution concludes by pledging the Pasco school board’s support for any and all efforts to maintain USF’s undergraduate teacher preparation programs at all of its campuses, and encourages the college to work closely with Pasco County Schools, and other stakeholders and partners to find an alternative to closing the programs.

Browning said the resolution will be forwarded to the president of USF, the provost and acting dean.

Published November 11, 2020

Big decisions on the ballot in Election 2020

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Voters already have begun casting their mail-in ballots in Election 2020 — making decisions that will have enormous consequences.

The top of the ballot features a choice between reelecting President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, or electing challengers former Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris.

Early voting will begin in Pasco and Hillsborough counties at several locations on Oct. 19.

Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley said his office will work with Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco’s office to ensure that elections are safe, just like they have in other elections. (File)

Pasco County voters, for instance, will decide who should represent them in District 3 and District 5 on the Pasco County Commission. They also will choose the superintendent of Pasco County Schools.

A number of other key races are on the Nov. 3 ballot.

In Hillsborough County, voters will select the county sheriff, county tax collector, the county property appraiser, and seats on the Hillsborough County Commission and Hillsborough School Board.

Voters also will choose their congressional representatives and state lawmakers, in contested races.

Key races at the local level include Florida’s 12th congressional district; District 36, District 37 and District 38, in the Florida House; and District 20, in the Florida Senate.

Statewide, voters will  decide the fate of a half-dozen constitutional amendments.

All of this comes in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer and Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley are encouraging voters to consider voting by mail, or taking advantage of Early Voting, to reduce waiting time for voters on Election Day, Nov. 3.

They also assure that steps will be taken to protect both voters and poll workers at election sites — through social distancing, face coverings and other precautions.

In addition to the pandemic, Election 2020 comes at a time of bitter partisan divide.

Political scientist Susan MacManus put it like this: “Obviously, everything that we thought we knew about politics has been turned upside down this election year.”

The national party conventions were different. The presidential and vice presidential debates have been different. The way people will vote — with experts predicting a record number of mail-in ballots — is different, too.

And, the constant frenzy of breaking news on social media and cable networks has made an impact.

“We’ve seen issues change by the hours, making it very difficult for campaigns to come up with a clear message,” added MacManus, a retired distinguished professor of political science at the University of South Florida.

“The nation is the most partisan/polarized in its history. The partisan divide is the deepest ever and so is the generational divide, really, politically,” added MacManus, who has been a close observer of elections for decades.

“Democrats are seen as moving more toward Socialism, and Republicans are seen as more toward, what they call maintenance of the Capitalistic system,” she said.

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer says voters can be assured of a safe and secure election in Hillsborough County. (Courtesy of Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections)

On top of that, she said, “you had a health care and an economic meltdown at the same time, basically reconfiguring how people live — in every facet, whether it’s no toilet paper in the grocery, to the point of, ‘Now, do I send my kid to school in person, or do I not?’

Plus, there are clashes over racial injustice and the role of police.

The political landscape is changing, too, MacManus observed.

“The demographic shift that’s taking place across the country is very evident in the registration, and the makeup of Florida’s electorate. It’s much more racially and ethnically diverse, and much more age diverse than it was, even in 2016,” MacManus added.

“Many women are running in the Legislature and Congress this year, and a lot of them are women of color.

Turnout is a big question for both Democrats and Republicans
MacManus, who is frequently called upon to share expertise with national news outlets, said each political party is struggling to reach specific groups of voters.

Democrats are seeking to attract working class whites, particularly men; the Latino vote; and Minority School Choice voters, she said, noting in the past those groups were predictably Democrat voters.

This is what it looks like when voters drop off ballots in Hillsborough County. (Courtesy of Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections)

Republicans are seeking to reach college-educated white women; suburban moms with kids; and older voters, especially women. In essence, Republicans are struggling with a gender gap, she said.

“Then, each of them, of course, has a big, big, big, big turnout question,” MacManus said.

For the Democrats, the big turnout question is how many young voters will turn out.

Young voters, she said, want to be inspired, they want genuine discussions of their issues, and they value diversity.

Republicans, on the other hand, are worried that moderate Republicans will cross over and vote Biden. They’re also concerned that voters deemed as ‘Never Trumpers’ just won’t bother to vote, she said.

Despite those issues, MacManus believes that turnout will be higher for this year’s election.

She thinks it’s important for voters to understand that it may be awhile before the final results are known.

“There are legitimate reasons why you may not know on Election Night in a very close state like Florida,” she said.

Election privacy booths are spaced out, to provide social distancing and privacy for voters. (Courtesy of Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections)

A delay in counting overseas ballots is one of those reasons.

“Military and overseas ballots aren’t due until 10 days after the Election, and we have a lot of people that meet criteria,” MacManus said.

“No. 2, if you vote early and you forget to take your ID, you can still cast what’s called a provisional ballot. Then, after the election is over when the canvassing board meets, they can check it. If you are indeed registered, your vote counts. In 2000, they would have been tossed out.

“The third reason is that you can get an onslaught of mail-in ballots that get there on Election Day or a day or so before.

“If it’s really, really tight in Florida, you may go to bed thinking it’s one candidate (who won), and then a couple of days later it will be different — and, it won’t be because anybody’s fraudulent,” MacManus said.

Even after the votes are counted, it might not be over, she said.

“Each side is already lawyered up to the max,” MacManus said.

Voting
There are three ways to vote:  Vote By Mail, Early Voting, and voting on Election Day.

Voters who vote by mail can either mail in their ballots, or drop them off at an early voting site. Your ballot must be received by your Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m., on Nov. 3.

Those voting by mail are encouraged to mail in their ballots early, to ensure they arrive on time. When voting in person, bring one or two forms of ID, which include your signature and photo. If you do not bring proper ID, you can vote a provisional ballot. A canvassing board will evaluate it for eligibility.

Important dates to remember
The deadline to register was Oct. 5.

Early voting in Hillsborough County begins Oct. 19 and ends Nov. 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily

Early voting in Pasco County begins Oct. 19 and ends Oct. 31, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

Election Day voting nationwide is Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For a list of Early Voting places and other information, go to PascoVotes.gov for Pasco County and VoteHillsborough.org for Hillsborough County.

Safe and secure at the polls:
Steps are being taken in Pasco and Hillsborough counties to keep voters safe. Those include:

  • Limiting the number of people inside the polling place at one time.
  • Ensuring that poll workers have face coverings
  • Providing hand sanitizer
  • Reminding voters to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines

Election security: 10 reasons your vote is safe and secure
Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer offers these 10 reasons that voters can be assured their vote is safe and secure.

  1. The Florida Division of Elections checks each voter registration form to verify the applicant’s identity.
  2. Our voter registration database is updated regularly to remove deceased and ineligible voters.
  3. Voters have to show photo and signature identification to vote.
  4. Our voter records are updated electronically to record when a voter has requested a mail ballot or voted. If someone comes to vote in person, their mail ballot is immediately canceled. And vice versa.
  5. The state-certified equipment is tested before each election with a public logic and accuracy test to make sure machines are counting votes correctly. During this test, pre-marked ballots are put in a randomly selected sample of our machines to make sure the count is what it’s supposed to be and that every position on the ballot is being read by each machine.
  6. Our ballots and equipment are under 24-hour camera surveillance and stored in areas with restricted key card access until they are deployed for voting. During voting, the ballot scanners are kept in plain sight and secured with seals to prohibit tampering.
  7. We use a stand-alone server, not connected to the Internet, to tabulate and report results.
  8. Electronic results from each ballot scanner are encrypted and backed up by printed results that are posted on the doors of each polling place and driven to our central office.
  9. Paper ballots are held for 22 months and can be rescanned if there is a problem with the equipment or question about results.
  10. After every election, we run a post-election audit using a separate system to re-tabulate the ballots and confirm the accuracy of our results.

Source: Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections’ website

Published October 14, 2020

Panel discusses race, social justice issues in America

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Finding meaningful solutions to enduring race and social justice issues in America — begins first with open, honest, respectful conversations with one another.

That was the overarching theme of a group of panelists taking part in a virtual seminar called “Equity in our Nation.”

Tim Beard is president of Pasco-Hernando State College (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

The Sept. 14 event, hosted by Pasco-Hernando State College, brought together local speakers of diverse race and religious backgrounds.

The panelists spent three hours expressing their views on the current state of America, and offering suggestions for how to improve systems to increase fairness, justice and educational equities.

Social justice issues have come front and center — in the wake of persistent nationwide protests in response to incidents of police brutality and other racially motivated violence against Blacks.

Having a safe haven in higher education and faith-based structures to debate differing ideas and have meaningful dialogue is the foundation to facilitate change in what’s become a nation divided in recent months, said PHSC president Tim Beard.

Beard, who is Black, put it like this: “We all perhaps would agree that our country is very divided right now. I’ve never seen it this divided in my little short 58 years. I think it’s going to take sessions and platforms to learn how to listen to each other. None of us know it all, but together, we can make America a great nation.”

James V. Williams is senior pastor of Clearwater’s Mt. Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church. (Courtesy of Mt. Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church)

That message resonates with Pasco Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Bryan Banner.

In a period rife with social unrest, Banner has “serious skin in the game” being a Black man who works in law enforcement, and who has three sons.

“I always say: I don’t think there’s much that can’t be solved over coffee and some conversations. That’s just my approach to life and problem-solving,” said Banner. “Before we point guns at each other, before we take up arms and kill each other, how about we attempt to have a conversation?”

Panelists also agreed that being humble and treating others how you want to be treated are paramount to improving society, on the whole.

Protesters stood on the side of the road at the intersection of State Road 56 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, chanting slogans during a peaceful protest on June 6 to try to raise awareness for the need to take action to end systemic racism. (File)

“When you have a problem, you don’t fix the problem by becoming the problem,” said James Williams, a Black senior pastor at Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church in Clearwater.

“In this nation, we’ve come to a place where we reach conclusions about someone based on the narrative of the day. What do I mean? Instead of giving a person the opportunity to show you their character, we generalize them, we’ve come to a conclusion about them, based on a previous experience. …What if we give people the opportunity to show us their character, before assuming that they are what we’ve experienced?,” Williams said.

Rabbi Jeff Zaremsky of Beth El-Shalom in New Port Richey and St. Petersburg similarly observed “loving one another” and “having a heart that puts the other person first and cares about them” can collectively instill sustainable social justice throughout communities.

Black in America
A significant portion of discussion veered into the Black experience in America.

Pasco-Hernando State College trustee Al Hernandez (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

AdventHealth West Pasco/North Pinellas community engagement coordinator Trevor Williams underscored the struggles people of color face today in the U.S., resulting from what he claimed is a nation originally founded “on racist beliefs and the notion of white supremacy.”

Those ideals, Williams said, remain steeped in policies and procedures “that are not made to factor in minorities and furthers the gap of equality.”

As an example, he said, “Black people who commit a crime are more likely to receive a harsher punishment compared to a white person who committed the very same crime with the same exact background.”

Williams, who is Black, also detailed how segregation is still prevalent in school systems, noting large percentages of Black and Latino students receive a weaker quality of education growing up in poorer communities, therefore placing them at a greater disadvantage in health and social outcomes compared to white counterparts.

He then summed up the obstacles overall: “Let’s just say that if my name was “Travaris” and not “Trevor” my chances of receiving a callback for an application would be cut in half.”

Pasco Alliance for Substance Addiction Prevention (ASAP) community health coordinator Bonni Snider supplemented those points — stating people of color have felt invisible and marginalized throughout American history.

“For years, minorities have been thought of as less than human; thought of as more of a condition than a person,” Snider said.

It’s something Snider has experienced firsthand, as a biracial woman.

“I have been asked numerous times, ‘What are you?’ and when I hear that question, it makes me think I’m seen more as an object than I am as a person. My response typically is, ‘I’m a human.’

“How many times can a non-minority, someone who’s Caucasian, say that they’ve experienced those same things?”

Snider went on to reference the provision of the original 1787 U.S. Constitution, which allowed Southern states to count slaves as three-fifths of a person in population counts.

Rod Cunningham, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) community outreach director (File)

The so-called Three-Fifths compromise, she reasoned, perpetuated the marginalization of Blacks for generations.

“If you fast forward, Blacks have often been seen for many years as waiters, cooks, shoe shines, field hands, service individuals, and when you think about service individuals, we don’t see them until we want something from them or until we want to ask them a question,” Snider said.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) community outreach director Rod Cunningham echoed those beliefs, too.

Cunningham, who is Black, shared how he’s been blessed to have a 29-year military career, received a quality education, robust financial situation and stable family life in the U.S.

But, he emphasized, “If I get pulled over (by police), I don’t feel so privileged, because my black skin won’t always get me out of that situation.”

Systemic racism and classism, Cunningham said, is underscored today in the U.S., via mass incarceration, privatized prisons, crime laws and so on.

He argued such systems have kept down people of color because society has been conditioned to reject convicts — through stripping voting rights and limited career prospects, exacerbating recidivism.

Cunningham observed: “At one point you’re gonna get frustrated making $9 an hour, and you’re going to do something illegal…”

Equity starts with personal responsibility
Preventing negative outcomes and other challenges minorities face can be mitigated with personal responsibility and demonstrating a strong moral and ethical compass, some panelists argued.

Al Hernandez, a member of the PHSC board of trustees, is an example of a minority living the American dream.

Hernandez, a Cuban immigrant, came to the U.S. “with two pennies and nothing else.”

Pasco Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Bryan Banner (Courtesy of Pasco Sheriff’s Office)

Today he’s a market vice president at Humana and proudly holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Nova Southeastern University.

With that, Hernandez pushed back on victimhood culture, which he believes has become all too prevalent in the U.S.

“We need to be careful, as we look at ourselves and our communities. The reality is, you’re going to make your life — you do have the responsibility and you do have the personal responsibility for yourself, for your family, for your kids.

“At the end of the day, we’re all Americans, and we’ve got to start seeing ourselves as Americans first, and really get to that point of view.”

He continued: “The reality is, we’re all going to encounter issues. We’re all going to encounter situations in life. Some of them, whether it’s fair or not, is somewhat irrelevant. It’s what you do with it, and how do you actually overcome these obstacles that are going to happen in your life.

“Personally, I don’t allow anybody or anything, regardless of whether I have an accent or not, to tell me or to change my career path or to change where I’m coming from. As a person, you have to have individual responsibility to work hard, to do what is required of you to be a good member of society.”

Zaremsky added onto those views.

“The change starts with us,” Zaremsky said. “We need to look at ourselves, and that’s where the change needs to take place, and having equal laws and equal ramifications for decisions—whether good decisions or bad decisions.”

Even with the ongoing calls for social justice, the Jewish leader put into perspective America’s eminence, also warning against the ills of socialism and communism.

“We’re the least prejudiced, with the least injustices. We’re the freest and most equal country in the world, thus we should not burn it down,” Zaremsky said.

“We keep from having an unjust balance of power by allowing freedom of speech—not censoring tweets of people we don’t like, or not allowing dissenting opinions on panel discussions or on college campuses.

“Echo chambers cause prejudice, injustice, and imbalance of power. Freedom — free speech, free market, religious freedom — are the best defenses against unjust, imbalances of power. Because of our wonderful constitution, every citizen can lawfully address injustices,” Zaremsky said.

Other panelists and speakers included Emery Ailes, PHSC LIFE (Linking Faith In Education) coordinator; Joe Bohn, University of South Florida College of Public Health professor and community engagement director; Shauna Hale, assistant U.S. Attorney, Middle District of Florida; Tonicia Freeman-Foster, Central Florida Behavioral Health Network change specialist; Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Shawn Crane; and, Imam Hassan Sultan, CEO of the Muslim Connection in Tampa.

Published September 30, 2020

RapTime gives kids the tools to stay in school

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It’s called RapTime, and it has made a big difference for children in Wesley Chapel.

Eight years ago, sisters Pam Thomas and Susan Riley, while working with Life Church and the Life Community Center, began a program to help kids stay in school and strive for high school graduation.

The RapTime kids took a field trip to a University of South Florida basketball game, again, pre-COVID-19. (Courtesy of Pam Thomas)

They came up with RapTime, which stands for Reducing Adolescent Problems Through Increased Motivation in Education.

The first group of kids are now juniors at Cypress Creek High School. The program enrollment has grown to 24.

Their grades have improved drastically. College is not only a dream, it’s now an expectation. Through field trips, they have been exposed to a range of educational and cultural experiences.

With funding from Life Church and the United Way, which helps with professional tutors, RapTime is thriving and getting results.

“RapTime has really helped me,’’ said Serena Burgos, one of the program’s original students. “I’m more confident about school and learning a lot from the tutors. They really help me get my grades up.’’

“It has been phenomenal,’’ said her mother, Yvette Burgos. “I have two daughters participating (including 12-year-old Isabella Melendez) and I never have to worry about their grades. My older daughter (Serena) is talking about becoming a nurse or maybe a doctor. She has a lot of great goals. She talks all the time about going to college. It has been a great, great thing for us.’’

It has fulfilled the dreams of Thomas and Riley, who simply wanted to give back in their neighborhood. They once did research and found that approximately 80% of the people in their area did not finish high school. They wanted to reduce that drop-out rate.

“What separates us from most after-school programs is we follow it through all the way to graduation,’’ Thomas said. “We’ve been with some of these kids a long time and seen all the maturation, all the changes.’’

“We are part of this community, so we live it, breathe it and do it with them every day,’’ Riley said. “How can you ride down the street and turn your face in a different direction when you see someone in need? Our pastor always said, ‘Use whatever is in your hands’ and ‘Your geography is your ministry.’ The best thing is to help these children and hope they come back and help future generations.’’

Along the way, RapTime has also received some help. Life Church (formerly Victorious Life Church) opened a new 3,000-square-foot community center that replaced a 900-square-foot building, allowing RapTime to add more programming and people.

The after-school programs run from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., on Monday (elementary school), Tuesday (middle school) and Wednesday (high school).

“We are still a small program, but we have grown,’’ Thomas said. “It’s word of mouth, not open to everyone. We grow from the foundation. We have gotten the parents to buy in. Not everyone wants the private tutoring, but it’s available to those who do want it. Even beyond our after-school sessions, we try to provide other areas of growth.’’

RapTime offers field trips. The kids have gone to the University of South Florida and Saint Leo University. They have visited museums, attended concerts and experienced athletic events.

“One of the reasons we took them to a USF women’s basketball game was to show them there’s more outside the four walls of their community,’’ Riley said. “And, it showed them that if you want to get to this point and go to USF, you’ve got to do A, B, C and D. You’ve got to finish high school and maintain good grades to get scholarships.

“The parents really want their kids to be involved in something. We want to give them a goal and keep them off the streets, where we sometimes see kids running wild and crazy. We want them to be focused and accomplishing things. We are reaching those goals,” she said.

When the first group of RapTime kids reaches high school graduations next year, they can expect a huge party.

Thomas and Riley, with a laugh, promise that a limousine will be involved.

“We all have something to shoot for,’’ said Ashley Wells, 16, a sophomore at Cypress Creek. “I used to have a lot of drama at school. This program has helped me not to have drama. Whether it’s my homework or the everyday schoolwork, I get stuff done now. It’s more fun this way.’’

By Joey Johnston

Published September 23, 2020

Hometown kids to watch in college football

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Before becoming college football standouts regularly seen on national television and in massive stadiums across the country, these athletes distinguished themselves on the gridiron locally, in Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

Big-time college football has returned this fall — later than usual and with a pared-down schedule amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

But that won’t stop several locals with ties to The Laker/Lutz News coverage area from enjoying the big stage and making plays on Saturdays in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Southeastern Conference (SEC) and American Athletic Conference (AAC), among others.

Here’s a closer look at a handful of hometown players to keep an eye on throughout the 2020 college football season:

Isaiah Bolden, receiver
College: Florida State University, redshirt sophomore
Local tie: Wesley Chapel High School

Wesley Chapel High product Isaiah Bolden is a redshirt sophomore receiver/kick returner at Florida State. (Courtesy of Florida State University sports information department)

After spending his first two years working as a defensive back at FSU, the 6-foot-2, 196-pound Wesley Chapel High product has shifted to the offensive side of the ball — to wide receiver. Throughout preseason, FSU coaches have raved about Bolden’s size, athleticism, big play ability and passion for the game.

But, just how much playing time the redshirt sophomore garners at the position remains up in the air, as he tries cracking a deep, experienced position grouping.

At the very least, expect to see plenty of Bolden as a co-starter on kick return duties. Playing in all 13 games last season, he returned six kickoffs for 156 yards, including a career-long of 41 yards, and one punt return for seven yards.

Bolden was a three-sport star at Wesley Chapel, shining in football, basketball, and track and field. In addition to his pigskin talents, Bolden was the varsity basketball team’s leading rebounder (8.5 rebounds per game in 2017-2018) and collected a bronze medal in the 100-meter dash at 2018 Class 3A state championships.

The former Wildcat was a consensus four-star recruit and courted by some two dozen Division I FBS college football programs, including several other blue bloods.

Donovan Jennings, left tackle
College: University of South Florida, junior
Local tie: Gaither High School

Gaither High product Donovan Jennings is looking to build off a respectable 2019 campaign along the offensive line for USF. (File)

The massive 6-foot-5, 338-pound Gaither High alumnus is cemented as USF’s starting left tackle in a new up-tempo offense, and is looking to build off a strong 2019 showing where he saw action in 10 games and made eight starts.

In fact, Jennings last season was the team’s highest-graded offensive lineman by Pro Football Focus (66.9), a website that focuses on thorough analysis of the National Football League (NFL) and NCAA Division I football.

He’s been lauded by coaches for his pass protection skills and effectiveness in the run game, a combination of quick feet, balance and strength. He often was tasked with blocking opponent’s top pass-rushers in one-on-one situations last season.

Expectations remain high again in 2020. He’s been named to the Athlon Preseason All-Conference Fourth Team and Phil Steele Preseason All-Conference Fourth Team.

Jennings, surprisingly, didn’t begin playing football until his freshman year of high school, as size limitations in youth leagues prevented him from playing the sport. However, he blossomed in four short years at Gaither, earning All-State honors and scholarship offers from the University of Central Florida, and Virginia, Marshall, Old Dominion and Toledo universities, among others.

Odessa native Devontay Love-Taylor brings an experienced presence to Florida State’s offensive line. Love-Taylor prepped at Mitchell High School. (Courtesy of Florida State University sports information department)

Devontay Love-Taylor, right tackle
College: Florida State University, redshirt senior
Local tie: Odessa native

The Odessa native is set to make an immediate impact for Florida State — penciled in as the team’s starting right tackle following his transfer from Florida International, where he made 16 starts in 32 career games and last season earned honorable mention All-Conference USA recognition.

The sturdy 6-foot-4, 315-pound lineman is being leaned on for his experience, work ethic and maturity. The website Pro Football Focus graded Love-Taylor an above-average rating (74.2) on 721 snaps last season in an FIU uniform.

Love-Taylor prepped at Mitchell High School, where he earned first-team All-Conference honors and pushed the program to the 6A state playoffs. He also played basketball.

Tre’ McKitty, tight end
College: University of Georgia, graduate student
Local tie: Wesley Chapel native

Wesley Chapel native Tre’ McKitty is listed as the starting tight end at Georgia, an SEC program with legit national championships aspirations this year. (Courtesy of University of Georgia sports information)

The Wesley Chapel native looks to be entrenched as the starting tight end on a Georgia team with legitimate aspirations of hoisting a national title and ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll.

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound McKitty transferred to Georgia from FSU in January following a coaching change. He played in 35 career games in three seasons at FSU, hauling in a combined 50 receptions for 520 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

In camp with his new squad, Georgia coaches raved about McKitty for bringing a gritty demeanor and showing aptitude in blocking, along with making catches.

Prognosticators are likewise bullish on McKitty’s final season, as he was named to a preseason watch list for the John Mackey Award, awarded to the nation’s top tight end.

McKitty grew up playing in the Land O’ Lakes-based South Pasco Predators youth football league. He played his freshman year at Wesley Chapel High then prepped at Bradenton’s IMG Academy, where he was a blue-chip recruit

Steinbrenner High alum Noah Ruggles is in a kicker position battle at North Carolina. He was the team’s primary place-kicker last season. (File)

Noah Ruggles, kicker
College: University of North Carolina, junior
Local tie: Steinbrenner High School

Ruggles emerged as North Carolina’s primary kicker as a sophomore last season, converting 19 of 27 field goal attempts — including a long of 49 yards — and perfect on all 45 of his extra-point attempts.

The former Steinbrenner High standout was nearly automatic for the Tar Heels on kicks inside 40 yards, but struggled on some longer kicks, including going 0-for-3 on attempts of more than 50 yards.

His defining moment in 2019 came when he kicked the game-winning field goal in a 20-17 home win against conference rival Duke in a late October contest. It was just a week removed from UNC head coach Mack Brown benching Ruggles, after he missed two overtime field goal attempts in a road loss to Virginia Tech.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound kicker will need to prove himself once again. He’s listed second on the team’s depth chart behind All-American Furman transfer Grayson Atkins, but is still expected to earn ample opportunities.

Closer to home, Ruggles earned All-State honors at Steinbrenner and was named most valuable player of the East-West Hillsborough County Senior All-Star Game in 2016.

Zephyrhills High alum Ja’Quan Sheppard is poised for a bigger role this season for Cincinnati. (Courtesy of University of Cincinnati sports information department)

Ja’Quan Sheppard, safety
College: University of Cincinnati, sophomore
Local tie: Zephyrhills High School

The Zephyrhills High product is pressing for a larger role this season for a Cincinnati program favored to finish atop the American Athletic Conference (AAC).

As a true freshman in 2019 for the 11-3 Bearcats, the 6-foot-2, 197-pound safety played in nine games, mostly as a special teams ace, where he ranked among the team’s top special teams defenders with six stops on kickoff coverage. Sheppard collected two tackles in his Cincy debut at Marshall, and also tied that mark with two tackles at Houston.

In high school, Sheppard was mostly known for his skills as wide receiver at Zephyrhills, where he registered a combined 91 catches for 1,649 yards and 25 touchdowns across four varsity seasons. His impact helped guide the Bulldogs to arguably its best season in program history in 2018 — winning 11 straight games and reaching the Class 5A region semifinal. He was no stranger to accolades, earning All-State and All-Conference honors, and being invited to the Pasco County Senior All-Star Football Game. Sheppard was a consensus three-star recruit with more than 20 offers from Temple, Marshall and Kentucky, among others.

Published September 16, 2020

If you want to help kids, Kiwanis Club wants you

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A new Kiwanis Club in Wesley Chapel is looking for civic-minded people who want to help build leadership-related activities for school-age children.

“If I asked you, ‘Would you like to be part of an organization that gives all of its money to children and the development of children’s programs,’ how can you say no?’’ said Joe Meyer, a Sarasota-based Kiwanis member who specializes in building and maintaining clubs.

The Kiwanis Club has four new Tampa Bay clubs forming, including one in Wesley Chapel. Florida has 240 adult chapters with approximately 6,900 members.

In the United States, the organization raises more than $100 million annually and dedicates it to 150,000 community service projects, which translates into 18.5-million service hours.

Kiwanis Club in Wesley Chapel is seeking new members.

The clubs are involved in all sorts of public service works.

They have built all-access playgrounds, restocked libraries, created food pantries, bought medical equipment, hosted diversity fairs, and stuffed backpacks with school supplies.

Ed Anderson, a Wesley Chapel realtor and Kiwanis member since 1977, is serving as advisor for the new Wesley Chapel club.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced most of its organizational meetings to be held via Zoom video conferencing, but Anderson is encouraged by the initial response.

“Wesley Chapel is such a fast-growing area, one of the fastest-growing places in Florida, that it just seems like a natural to establish a club that could really grow,’’ said Anderson, who has most recently served as secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Carrollwood. “Even though Wesley Chapel is a fairly affluent area, there are still folks who need things.

“Once you’re a Kiwanian, it becomes part of your life. Once a Kiwanian, always a Kiwanian. You’re able to impact the community and make a difference. There are many networking groups and business groups. They are great, but their purpose is to build businesses. In Kiwanis, your sole objective is giving back to the community — specifically kids.’’

What are some of the Kiwanis projects?

The Terrific Kids bumper stickers, as in “I have a Terrific Kid at Wesley Chapel High School,’’ is a Kiwanis project.

The Key Clubs that exist in most high schools, emphasizing leadership, character development and service? That’s Kiwanis.

The BUG (Bring Up Grades) programs that recognize students who raise their grade to an acceptable range and offer certificates, buttons and parties? That’s Kiwanis, too.

Kiwanis also is about people such as Alex Dang, a Wiregrass Ranch High School graduate and a University of South Florida freshman who’s majoring in bio-medical sciences. He has designs on medical school and becoming a pediatrician.

In his sophomore year at Wiregrass Ranch, Dang joined the Key Club.

“The comparison of myself from the beginning of high school compared to now is so dramatic,’’ said Dang, 18. “I’ve learned about social networking, communication skills and public speaking. I was a Key Club board member, so I had to speak and become a leader.

“Before, I didn’t really pursue any of those skills. Key Club gave me a push in that direction and really put my life on a different course.’’

Dang has joined the Kiwanis Club of Wesley Chapel.

“Wesley Chapel is such a tight-knit community, so I really think a lot of people are going to join and participate in the activities and sponsorships,’’ Dang said. “The best thing about Kiwanis Club is anyone can join, no matter what skill set you have. In fact, it’s even better if you have a different skill set because that makes the club more diverse and strong.’’

Meyer, a membership-building specialist, said all walks of life are welcome.

“We get bankers, real estate professionals, insurance people, automotive repair, sales people, retailers, school employees … you name it,’’ Meyer said. “It’s all about getting people to work together and helping children in the community. You have to have a big heart and the desire to help kids. There’s great camaraderie in the club and the rewards are immense.’’

For any men or women interested in the opportunity, the Kiwanis Club of Wesley Chapel’s Facebook page summed it up:

“Kids are curious, lovable and hilarious. They are also wild, impatient and vulnerable. Help us look out for kids in Wesley Chapel and around the globe.’’

For more information on the Kiwanis Club of Wesley Chapel, contact Ed Anderson at (813) 841-2773 or .

By Joey Johnston

Published September 09, 2020

New principal embraces chance to lead Steinbrenner

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Tiffany Ewell, the new principal at Steinbrenner High School, said she always  knew she would face a learning curve when taking the leadership role at a school.

However, she said, “my learning curve might be a little steeper than I ever imagined.”

After all, in addition to assuming a  new role, Ewell faces a school year filled with uncertainties because of COVID-19.

“But, we’re all in the same boat,” Ewell said. “The challenges are there for everyone. We’re going to get through this and we’ll do it together.’’

Tiffany Ewell, the new principal at Steinbrenner High School, comes from Strawberry Crest High, where she was assistant principal in charge of the International Baccalaureate program. (Joey Johnston)

The educator, who was promoted in June from her position as assistant principal for the International Baccalaureate program at Strawberry Crest High in Dover, has spent her summer preparing for the new school year.

At a time when the incoming principal would normally be assessing her faculty lineup, meeting and greeting with parents, and getting to know the community, she’s forced to work at a social distance. She’s preparing Steinbrenner’s brick-and-mortar classrooms for the proper health precautions, while also devising strategies for eLearning students.

“Some of the best advice a first-time principal can receive is the need to be patient and flexible … and that’s certainly true right now,’’ Ewell said. “Even though we’re in a historic and stressful time, I know I’m surrounded by so much support. We all want the same thing and that’s to see our students be successful.

“Regardless of COVID-19, there are a lot of changes in the county with a new superintendent (Addison Davis). There’s a great feeling of camaraderie among all the principals. Staff and parents have been super supportive. Steinbrenner has been a great school for a long time. I’m relying on the support systems available to me and know things don’t have to be reinvented. I’m here to help and, at times, put my own direction on it. I’m very excited to be here.’’

Ewell replaces Kelly King, who was assigned to Hillsborough High after seven years as Steinbrenner’s principal.

Ironically, Ewell and King once worked side by side as social studies instructors when their teaching careers began at King High School. They went together from King to Freedom, following principal Richard Bartels, who told them both, “I’m going to make principals of you one day.’’

“Mr. Bartels was right … it actually happened,’’ King said. “Certainly, it defies the odds that two social studies teachers and next-door classroom neighbors just starting out would become principals.

“Even long ago, we talked about it all the time. We went through all the leadership development courses and programs. We had the same kind of goals. We were just two peas in a pod. I’m thrilled that Tiffany has gotten this opportunity, and I couldn’t think of a better person for the Steinbrenner position.’’

As they shifted into administration, King and Ewell worked a parallel path, sometimes applying for the same jobs, even driving together to attend back-to-back interviews.

“I can always pick up the phone and ask Kelly a question, so our friendship and her experience at Steinbrenner are a great asset,’’ said Ewell, who had worked at Strawberry Crest since the East Hillsborough County school opened in 2009.

King said the Steinbrenner community won’t notice much of a difference because “Tiffany and I are really similar in so many ways.’’

Indeed, they are close friends and confidants. They have even taken vacations together.

“Tiffany’s leadership style will be a great fit at Steinbrenner,’’ King said. “She was a very strong teacher and she has the IB experience, so she knows the importance of college readiness. I think she will continue the success of the academic and extracurricular programs.

“This is a unique time with unique challenges, but it’s still the best job in the world. As a principal, there are stressful times, but you remain focused on the big picture. You do what’s right for the students. You hear from all the people who have a stake in it, then make decisions, always keeping the students first and foremost. Through it all, you’ve got to have some fun, too. The job can wear you out, but it’s also so fun and so rewarding. Tiffany will have the perfect priorities for success,” King said.

In assuming the school’s top job, Ewell becomes just the third principal in Steinbrenner’s history, replacing King, who had replaced Brenda Grasso, the school’s first principal.

Ewell is a graduate of King High School. She originally attended the University of Florida (UF) with designs on becoming a broadcast journalist. In high school, she even conducted an interview with Fox-13 news anchor Kelly Ring, while dreaming of one day filling a similar role in her hometown.

Back then, some King teachers insisted that Ewell would ultimately migrate into education.

“I’m not going to be a teacher, I’m a journalist,’’ Ewell protested.

But, at UF, she visualized a gypsy lifestyle in broadcasting, hopping from town to town while climbing the career ladder, and that didn’t seem appealing.

She transferred to the University of South Florida, where she shifted to education.

Ewell hasn’t regretted the move.

She loves to travel. She’s a doting aunt to her nephews, Drew and Zach Ehrhard, both high-level baseball players. She’s passionate about all things Tampa Bay.

But, her biggest passion is education. And now, that passion is centered on Steinbrenner.

“Obviously, there are a lot of unknowns right now.

“But, we’re going to build relationships and make it work. Things have worked well at Steinbrenner for a long time. I’m here to lend support and keep things moving in a good direction,” Ewell said.

By Joey Johnston

Published July 29, 2020

Autism ID cards aim to help with policing

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The Pasco Sheriff’s Office has another tool, aimed at helping its deputies when responding to situations involving residents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The law enforcement agency has introduced an autism identification card program, otherwise being called Autism Assistance Cards.

The front of the cards has some general information to help deputies communicate with individuals with autism. For instance, deputies are advised to display calm body language and to allow for additional time for replies.

The back of the cards, meanwhile, offers space for an individual’s identifying information, such as name and address, and information on the person’s conditions, such as whether they are verbal vs. nonverbal.

The front of the Autism Assistance Cards has information to help deputies communicate with individuals on the autism spectrum. Suggestions include having officers display calm body language and provide additional time for replies. (Courtesy of Pasco Sheriff’s Office)

The roughly 4-inch x 6-inch cards were designed with the help of River Ridge High School’s graphic arts class.

The ID cards are being distributed to individuals with autism, so if there’s an encounter, the card can be handed to deputies to help them know how best to work with the individual.

Cards have been provided to caregivers to share them with a loved one who has autism. They’re also being sent to special education teachers in Pasco County Schools, who can pass them along to students’ families.

Pasco Sheriff’s officials suggest the autism ID cards may prove useful in incidents in which a person is lost or separated from their caregiver, and is unable to effectively communicate their disability, or when the individual is nonverbal or low functioning.

The cards would clearly and quickly identify the individual as being on the autism spectrum — eliminating potential miscommunication or misinterpretation regarding behaviors that are common among those on the autism spectrum.

“It’s all about improved communication and interaction,” said Pasco Sheriff’s Cpt. Toni Roach, who helped spearhead the program through the agency’s Behavioral Health Intervention Team.

In addition to standard personal information on the cards, Roach encourages caregivers to use the additional writing space to list as much information possible about the adult or child with autism.

That information could include listing various conversation starters, preferred nicknames, and various likes and dislikes. It also could identify what triggers the individual, what calms him or her, and other useful information.

As an example, Roach explained she knows of one particular child with autism who enjoys talking about the Nintendo Switch video game console, “so the deputies would be able to see that information and go, ‘Oh, OK, I can talk about a Nintendo Switch and I can redirect the child to calm down, and build that rapport and then be able to communicate and figure out how we can best resolve that situation, and why we got called out there to begin with.”

Roach offered another example of how it could be beneficial: “Like, if that person doesn’t like to be called by their first name but likes to be called, ‘Kiddo,’ then I can refer to them by that term and that will be less confrontational with them.”

Besides receiving the autism ID cards, caregivers also have the opportunity to register their loved one’s name into the agency’s computer database, which alerts deputies they’re dealing with someone with autism.

Program attracting attention
People outside Pasco County also have expressed interest in the cards.

Roach said the cards have been sent to residents in Pinellas and Hernando counties. An officer with the Philadelphia Police Department even requested a digital version of the ID cards so his agency could implement a similar program, Roach said.

“We don’t care what county you live in, as far as I’m concerned, if we can help law enforcement interaction, we’re going to send out the card,” she said.

The autism ID cards seemingly have been embraced by members of the autism community.

Port Richey resident Candace Smith recently obtained a card for her 15-year-old son who’s on the autism spectrum. She’s also passing out some to her network of friends and neighbors who have family members with autism.

“I’m in support of anything that’s going to keep an autistic person safe, and allow them to have the same rights as everyone else,” Smith said. “I do like the cards, because it’s just an automatic way to communicate quickly to let somebody know, ‘This person has autism,’ and it explains their behavior, so to me, it’s a step in the right direction.”

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office has introduced Autism Assistance Cards to better guide its deputies whenever they encounter an individual with autism spectrum disorder. The cards are being given to community members with autism. (File)

The parent said she often worries what an encounter with law enforcement would entail with her son, who may not immediately be able to respond to orders from police. Rather, she explained her son’s first instinct or “self-soothing” calming behavior is usually to walk away from a stressful or nerve-inducing situation.

Those fears are further exacerbated because her son is a black teenager, Smith said. “I just worry a little bit more, because of how things are; just being realistic,” she said.

The challenging part going forward, Smith said, is finding a way to have her son understand how to correctly show the autism ID card to a law enforcement officer in a particular situation.

She acknowledged it will likely take “a series of conversations” and maybe even an in-person meeting with a deputy to get her son comfortable with the scenario.

For the time being, the parent is considering laminating the card and putting it on a lanyard for her son if he’s on his own. She plans to keep another card on her person with her son’s information, too.

University of South Florida’s (USF) Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) is likewise in support of the law enforcement agency’s autism ID card program.

The center’s assistant program director, Christine Rover, said the initiative is “a really important element” to cultivate more positive interactions between law enforcement and individuals with autism, in addition to ongoing training, outreach and collaboration with various public safety agencies.

She commended the sheriff’s office for implementing the tool and taking progressive steps with the autism community.

“Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has really been a leader in their efforts to include residents with ASD for a long time, so it’s kind of no surprise that they’re adding to sort of the elements here, and we really appreciate that,” Rover said.

Rover explained the next step is the need to develop supporting education materials and a video tutorial for caregivers to show to their loved ones with autism on how to properly and effectively present the card to law enforcement. It’s something the state-funded resource center is actively brainstorming, she said.

Meanwhile, Rover stressed autism-related training for law enforcement officers beforehand is also critical, whether it’s a case of wandering, a traffic incident or even a criminal situation.

“The training component for the deputies is really important, because where this card might be helpful on a scene, if it’s a really crisis scene, then the deputies aren’t going to have the time to really read a card and say, ‘Oh, here’s some tips for interacting,’ Rover said.

“Autism is an invisible disability, so they’re not coming onto a scene or arriving at a home and saying, ‘Oh, I can see that individual has autism,’ so they have to be able to recognize that perhaps some of those behaviors could be interpreted as part of the autism spectrum disorder.”

For information on the program and to obtain autism ID cards, email .

Published July 22, 2020

CLARIFICATION 07/23/2020
A Port St. Lucie-based company, Debbaudt Legacy Productions LLC, has licensed autism on-scene response cards since 2005, and has produced and circulated over 250,000 of these cards in the past 15 years.

The Laker/Lutz News ran this story about an autism assistance card program that was recently introduced at the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, through its Behavioral Health Intervention Team. The text on these autism response cards uses language very similar to the text published on the autism on-scene response cards produced by Debbaudt Legacy Productions.

For more information about autism resources available through Debbaudt Legacy Productions, go to debbaudtlegacy.com and autismriskmanagement.com.