The Laker/Lutz News

Terrace Community Middle School

Imagine School boys soccer celebrates banner campaign

By

Peter Arroyo dreamed of being able to hoist a Tampa Charter Athletic League (TCAL) soccer championship before he graduated from Imagine School at Land O’ Lakes.

The eighth-grader’s wish was actualized when the school’s boys middle school program won its first-ever title earlier this fall.

“I’ve been waiting to get this since the fifth grade,” said Arroyo, a captain and one of the Dragons leading scorers and distributers.

Imagine School finished the year with an impressive 10-1-1 mark, plus the showy gold hardware.

The Imagine School of Land O’ Lakes boys soccer program won its first-ever Tampa Charter Athletic League Championship earlier this fall. (Courtesy of Imagine School at Land O’ Lakes)

They entered the TCAL playoffs as the No. 2 seed, behind Terrace Community Middle School — the lone team they lost to 2-1 in a regular season contest.

After defeating Lutz Learning Gate Community School in the TCAL semifinals 2-1, the Dragons had the chance to exact revenge on Terrace Community in the championship.

The Dragons initially fell behind 1-0, but soon rattled off four consecutive goals — two scores apiece from Arroyo and fellow eighth-grade striker Preston Russo.

Motivational words from Dragons head coach Henry Cheung helped spark the offensive attack, after the team trailed early on.

Cheung recalled the watershed moment, “I told the team, ‘Hey, we can beat them,’ and I told them, ‘Hey, we’ve got to focus. This is it, this is the last game for some of these (eighth-grade) players, we have to go all out…’”

Fifth-grade left-wing striker Julian Cash also recollected the title game’s swing in momentum.

“(Terrace Community) thought they would beat us because they beat us in the regular season and we were like, ‘That’s not going to happen,’ so they were like, ‘This is going to be easy game,’ and when they were up 1-0, they thought they were going to win, and then we come back, because they were (playing) lazy, right, thinking they were going to win.

“We come back, put the pressure on them, and win 4-1,” he said.

Altogether, securing the first title in team history “was kind of like really shocking and overwhelming,” Arroyo said, noting the weighty competition season long. “I’m still like shocked that we won,” he said.

Russo — who led the Dragons with 17 goals scored— likewise characterized the achievement as “hard to process.”

The banner campaign yielded more significance, given the program didn’t have a traditional season in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, they scheduled an informal tournament with a couple other local schools.

Aside from successes, simply returning to an organized soccer season offered a breath of fresh air. “It just feels good, with the pandemic and all that, we just need something back to normalcy,” said Cheung.

Progression, from start to finish
Despite the overall record and final outcome, the Dragons banner season was consistently a work in progress, from start to finish.

Cheung acknowledged the 16-member team’s talented group of fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders.

But getting them to work together as a cohesive, selfless group was an early task.

“They have their experience, and individually, they’re really good, but it’s that working together that I have to build them up throughout the season,” explained Cheung.

“I’m glad it worked out, because in the beginning, we struggled a little bit, because everybody, they have their own, ‘I want to take the ball, I want to take the chance,’ but we have to learn how to pass the ball, work as a team to move forward.

“I think that’s the most important part as a team, that we have learned this season — we work united, as a team,” he said.

Cash observed the team’s evolution in a similar lens, “In the beginning, we all just wanted to score goals and we wouldn’t pass the ball, but when we started passing the ball we played much better.”

The team’s talent and soccer instincts were other guiding factors, added Arroyo.

“We have a lot of athletes, a lot of speed,” said Arroyo. “Everyone that contributed to most of the goals has an attacking mindset. Like, they all know how to create plays, they all know what to do, and especially on defense, too. They know what to do on defense, they know when to do it, so,  it’s like very well-rounded team overall.”

Robust game planning was another component.

Cheung reviews film of all the team’s matches. He studies other opponents’ tendencies and varies formations from there, be it a defensive set or counter-attack. “We play two formations throughout the season,” the coach said.

Bittersweet memories
While Arroyo relishes helping make program history, it’s a somewhat bittersweet ending as he’ll soon embark on a new journey as a freshman at nearby Sunlake High School.

The team leader is going to most miss providing mentorship to the squad’s fifth-, sixth- and seventh-graders.

“Playing with the younger kids, teaching them the ropes and how to do it, I’m going to miss that a lot,” he said. “Like getting all of the eighth-graders together that play soccer, and teaching the fifth-graders how to play, it was just like a guiding lesson.”

He added, “As soon as we get to high school, everyone’s going to be older than us…and it’s not going to be as fun.”

Russo acknowledged that advancing to the prep ranks will offer a different dynamic for him, Arroyo and the team’s three other eighth-graders.

“It’ll be kind of like a restarting from the bottom, from the ones being taught what to do and how to play,” he said.

Cash takes a more upbeat, yet philosophical view on the exodus of eighth-graders. “One day, they’re going to be seniors and I’ll be a freshman, and it’s going to be an all-over repeating cycle — they’re going to tell me what to do in high school,” he said.

Though the Dragons will be without its leading scorer and team captain, they do return several other impact players, including its primary goaltender.

Cheung also is looking forward to seeing the advancement of each grade level, as well as some fresh faces that’ll enter the program.

The aim, of course, is to win another title.

“We’re going to go for No. 2, for sure,” the coach said. “I know we’re going to lose some of our good players, but I’m excited for the fourth-graders coming into fifth-graders.
“We’re a strong team, still. I think we should be good.”

Meanwhile, Cheung otherwise gets a kick out of seeing his players’ passion and enthusiasm for the game, harking back memories of his childhood growing up in Hong Kong, China.

“When I played at their age, seeing them play on the field, reminds me of myself when I played as a kid,” he said. “I enjoyed the moment, and so I want them to enjoy the moment, as well, so that’s why I became a coach.”

Imagine School Land O’ Lakes boys middle school soccer
10 wins, one loss, one draw
63 goals scored
12 goals allowed
Three shutouts

Game-by-game results
Regular season

  1. Lutz Prep (3-1 win)
  2. Sunlake Academy (10-0 win)
  3. Henderson Hammock (7-1 win)
  4. Innovation Prep (8-0 win)
  5. Hillsborough Academy (2-2 tie)
  6. Trinity School (5-2 win)
  7. Terrace Community (2-1 loss)
  8. Union Park (6-1 win)
  9. Learning Gate (3-2 win)

Playoffs

  1. Learning Gate (2-1 win)
  2. Terrace Community (4-1 win)

Roster
Peter Arroyo
Mathew Broderick
Jay Capelo
Julian Cash
Alessio Cullinan
Luca Greco
Trent Hamuay
Tyler Hamuay
Reece Lawrence
Nathan Merriman
Adrian Morales
Ethan Palazzi
Preston Russo
Elijah Tigue
Aidan Soto
Sebastian Suppa
Head coach: Henry Cheung

Published December 22, 2021

Lutz celebrates July Fourth in grand fashion

By

People who like to run, enjoy mingling with friends or are attracted to an old-fashioned, small-town parade found all that and more at the Independence Day celebration on the Fourth of July in Lutz.

The community, just north of Tampa, is known for its traditional Independence Day celebrations, and once again, it delivered.

Clint Randles, from Tim’s Church in Lutz, helps to entertain the early arrivals at the Lutz Fourth of July festivities. The Land O’ Lakes resident performed on the deck of the old Lutz train depot. (Fred Bellet)

Carmen Rairigh, of Lutz, was there with a group of about 40 people, including family members and friends.

They settled in at the corner of First Avenue N.W. and Second Street N.W.

It’s a prime spot because it’s at a turn in the parade route, and is a great place to catch candy, beads, cups and other parade swag.

“A lot of us go to First Baptist (Church of) Lutz,” Rairigh said, adding they thought it’d be fun to watch the parade together.

There were kids in the group who attend Lutz Preparatory School, Steinbrenner and Freedom high schools, Terrace Community Middle School and Learning Gate Community School. Some of the kids are home-schooled, too.

“We’re here to celebrate America’s birthday,” Rairigh said, adding it’s especially fun to go to the Lutz parade.

The wind-blown American flag covering his face did not throw this scout from Boy Scout Troop 12 off course, during the annual Lutz Independence Day celebration.

“It’s like a small-town feel. You always, always, always see people you know. You can’t necessarily say you can do that at the Gasparilla Parade (in Tampa).

“We see people every single time,” she said.

Parade participants ranged from scouts carrying flags, to kids riding bicycles, to belly dancers shimmying down the street.

Lots of people in the parade were clearly having a great time, including Rosie Heim, the newly elected honorary mayor of Land O’ Lakes.

Heim waved to friends and onlookers from the back of a convertible being driven by Suzanne Beauchaine, of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

Both women smiled broadly, as they made their way down the parade route.

Some parade watchers stood under the blazing sun. Others settled on lawn chairs, shaded by ancient oaks.

Three-year-old Benjamin Field, of Land O’ Lakes, sits on his dad, Matt Field’s shoulders. It’s the perfect perch for parade watching.

Wendi Meyers, of Land O’ Lakes, came to see her dad, Maj. Steve Gay, squadron commander of the of the North Tampa-Lutz Cadet Squadron of the civil air patrol. He was marching in the parade.

Meyers and her 5-year-old daughter, Ayla, had to wait quite some time to see Gay, but when they did, he flashed them a huge smile and a wave.

As people passed by throwing beads, Linda Voyton, of Lutz, encouraged them to toss them a bit farther.

“Get an arm, get an arm. You’ve got to throw harder than that,” Voyton said.

“Big arm. Big arm. Throw hard. Throw hard,” she urged another bunch of bead throwers.

Voyton, who was at the parade for the first time, was accompanied by her 7-year-old grandson, Jayden Beezer, and her daughter, Nina Beezer.

Three-month-old Braylen Moore had a great viewing place for the parade, sitting on her mom’s — Emily Moore of Lutz — lap at the parade.

As a group of U.S. Army Retired veterans rode by on motorcycles, Voyton expressed her appreciation. “Thank you for your service,” she shouted.

The parade attracted most of the crowd’s attention, but there were other aspects of the event, as well, including a baking competition and auction, a train show, races before the parade, vendors and the election of a new Lutz Guv’na.

Twenty-one-year-old Kori Rankin raised the most money, winning the title of Lutz Guv’na for 2017.

She defeated Lutz Guv’na incumbent Greg Gilbert, of Beef O’ Brady’s, and Jessica Sherman, of Pinch A Penny Lutz, to win the title.

All together, the candidates raised $7,000, which will be used to support Lutz community groups.

Rankin isn’t the first member in her family to win the coveted sash. Her stepmother, Jennifer Rankin, won the honorary title in 2015.

Published July 12, 2017

They’re off to learn the ins and outs of leadership

By

While some kids are heading to the beach or to a theme park this summer, a trio of girls who just wrapped up fifth grade at Lutz Elementary are gearing up for a trip to Washington D.C.

Kylie Flynn, Kaitlyn Britton and Alice Mooneyham will be participating in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference.

The students were nominated by their former teacher, Cindy Morrissey.

The girls can’t wait to check out the nation’s capital.

This trio of girls are heading to Washington D.C., to find out a few things about leadership. They are, from left, Alice Mooneyham, Kaitlyn Britton and Kylie Flynn. They’ll be participating in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference. (B.C. Manion)

“I’ve never been to Washington D.C., and I’ve wanted to go there,” said Alice, who is 11. “I think it’s going to be a really cool experience.”

Eleven-year-old Kaitlynn shares her enthusiasm.

“It’s going to be fun. My sister went in eighth grade. She got a lot of really cool photos. It was really pretty there.”

Plus, Kaitlyn added: “It will be fun to learn all about the statues.”

Ten-year-old Kylie is eager to make the trip, too.

“I can’t wait for the experiences to go to the different places,” she said. “I was really happy that I was nominated.”

Alice is particularly interested in visiting the Lincoln Memorial, while Kylie is looking forward to visiting Harper’s Ferry. Kaitlyn is looking forward to an activity-packed schedule.

“There’s going to be a lot of stuff to do in the day,” Kaitlyn said. “You’ll get to learn the history behind the monuments.”

The conference includes sessions on leadership traits and historic topics, as well as visits to national memorials, museums and a sleepover at the Maryland Science Center, amid mummies, dinosaurs and space exhibits.

Kaitlyn thinks the conference will be a good experience, but she’s not sure if it will help her with her future career. She wants to be a chiropractor when she grows up.

Alice wants to be a teacher.

Kylie wants to be a teacher, too. But, she said: “If that doesn’t work out, I want to be a lawyer. I want to be a lawyer that helps people get custody of their kids.”

Both Kylie and Kaitlyn live in Lutz, and Alice just moved from Lutz to Land O’ Lakes.

Kaitlyn will be attending Terrace Community Middle School in Temple Terrace. Kylie will be attending Buchanan Middle School in Tampa, and Alice will be attending Cypress Creek Middle High in Wesley Chapel.

Alice’s mom, Michelle Milone, is thrilled that Alice was nominated for the program.

“All three of you should be so super-duper proud of yourselves,” Milone told the girls, during a recent interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

“I think it’s really, really great,” Milone said.

“When I was in high school, I went to something called GHP, the governor’s honors program. It was paid for by the state. It was a big deal. I learned a lot.

“I went to law camp, one year,” she added. “I went to Spanish camp.”

“I met people. I learned things,” Milone said. She’s glad the girls can take advantage of this opportunity.

Like Milone, Andrea and Kiel Flynn are delighted that the girls were nominated.

They estimated the conference cost for each of the girls to be around $3,000, and that doesn’t count the expenses that Flynn, Milone or Dave and Melissa Britton will incur because they’ll be on their own.

While it’s pricey, Milone and Flynn think its worthwhile because they believe the experience will have a lasting impression.

Published June 14, 2017