Author: Celeste McLaughlin

Local Author’s First Book Sparked By Roar Heard In Wesley Chapel

The RoarWEB — Alicia White was inspired by a thread on the Wesley Chapel Community Facebook page to write her first novel, entitled The Roar.

Although Alicia White has lived in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes for 20 years, she says the first time she heard a roaring sound she describes as “ominous” was when she moved to Wesley Chapel a year ago.

White, who is a fifth grade teacher at Turner/Bartels K-8 School in nearby New Tampa, said the noise shook the windows and she felt it in the ground.

“I happened to be online and noticed people posting about it on the Wesley Chapel Community Facebook page,” she says, and it piqued her curiosity. “It’s the kind of thing that makes you look at someone in the room and say, ‘You heard that, too, right?’”

Alicia says that sparked an idea and led her to write a book. “The story is entirely fictional, but the idea came to me from hearing this roaring noise here in Wesley Chapel.”

Alicia’s self-published book is called The Roar and is available in hard copy and e-book form on Amazon.com. Alicia’s pen name is A. M. White.

The Roar is classified as “young adult dystopian fiction,” Alicia says, and is planned to be the first in a series. The book’s back cover explains it this way: “The world as we know it disappeared with the roars. Alex was enslaved by those controlling them. Little does she know that some have survived the roars and live outside the compounds, and someone out there is very interested in finding her. Alex’s world is about to expand beyond her imagination.”

Alicia is currently writing the second book in the series. Although she doesn’t use the book in her classroom (“That would be a little too much shameless self-promotion,” she laughs.), she does use her story to inspire her fifth graders. “It’s not just my dream to be a published author,” she tells her students. “It’s something that can be realized.”

Alicia says she intentionally wrote the book so that it would be appropriate for her students who might come across it. “Nowadays, it’s harder to find things that aren’t risqué,” Alicia says. “There is some violence in the book, because it’s a dystopian novel and has people trying to survive. But, I kept out profanity and sexual content.”

Alicia has been encouraged by reviews and the response to The Roar so far. She says book bloggers from around the world – from Denmark, India, South Africa, and the Philippines – have contacted her, wanting to read and review her novel.

“That’s been really neat,” she says. “It makes the world a bit smaller.”

The reviews on Amazon.com include this one by Maddy, who says:

“The Roar was a novel that sucked me in before I even started with a unique and captivating concept, took me through twists and turns and then left me wanting more. The characters were interesting and relatable, the story held my attention as I held my breath, cried, and laughed throughout, and the post apocalyptic world painted was one like no other. This book will please fans of post apocalyptic novels with slight nods to The Hunger Games and Divergent. You won’t be disappointed.”

As for those noises in Wesley Chapel? Alicia still hears them from time to time. While the most popular explanation seems to be they are from military exercises from MacDill Air Force Base, Alicia insists that just doesn’t make sense.

“It doesn’t seem like there’s a good explanation,” she says.

You can read more reviews or get your own copy of the book by searching “The Roar by A.M. White” at Amazon.com.

Wiregrass Ranch High Valedictorian Ethan Munden Headed To MIT

As many high school students approach their senior years, they choose classes they think will be fun and interesting. That’s the approach Wiregrass Ranch High (WRH) Class of 2016 valedictorian Ethan Munden took, although what’s fun and interesting to him might cause other students to raise an eyebrow. His senior classes included AP calculus B/C, AP computer science, AP physics 1, AP physics 2, AP environmental science, plus honors government and economics.

“Other people might not think these classes are fun,” says Ethan. “But I do.”

By taking the most rigorous courses and earning straight As, Ethan earned his school’s top weighted GPA of 4.67.

Ethan didn’t have English on his schedule because he had taken a college-level dual enrollment English class during his junior year, “to get it out of the way.” He wanted to focus on the math and science courses that really interest him.

“Calculus is a lot of fun,” he says. “It’s interesting because there are some odd math concepts that aren’t explored that much in algebra. It’s teaching a new way of thinking.”

He says he also enjoyed chemistry, “because of its real world applications.”

Munden will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA, in the fall.

He’s not sure yet what he wants to major in, but says he is leaning toward electrical or chemical engineering. He says he’s also interested in computers and coding, and his environmental science class made him consider a professional interest in energy and alternative energy.

“I really haven’t figured it all out yet,” he admits.

Although Ethan was born in Oregon, he started kindergarten at Wesley Chapel Elementary and lived in the same house, going to local schools, his whole life. He says leaving his family and friends to go all the way to MIT is a “big jump.” In true mathematical fashion, he says he’s “50 percent excited and 50 percent nervous.”

His two older sisters are college students – one at Florida State University in Tallahassee and one at University of South Florida in Tampa. His younger sister will start high school next year.

The first three years of high school, Ethan was in band, playing saxophone and bassoon, and spun flags, rifles and sabres in the color guard. He decided to take this year off from those activities and figures when he gets to Massachusetts, he’ll be looking for new activities to pursue. When he visited MIT, he realized there are a lot of clubs and many new activities to pursue, everything from juggling to gymnastics.

This year, Ethan served as president of his school’s National Science Honor Society, and was a member of Key Club.

He says he never really focused on the goal of becoming valedictorian.

“At the beginning of high school, I thought about it, but I decided I wanted to take the classes I thought I would enjoy taking.” But, he says, “I put it a lot of work to keep up my grades and manage all the homework.”

He says he realized he could be valedictorian at the beginning of his senior year, when his friend Neil Sambhu created a computer program to estimate the GPAs of many of the school’s top students. It predicted that Ethan and Neil would be at the very top of the class, based on the classes they were taking, and assuming they earned all As.

As it turns out, Neil’s program was correct, as he is graduating as the WRH Class of 2016 salutatorian.

Ethan generally comes across as very laid back, even when talking about being named valedictorian.

“People say I’m calm and collected,” he says. “But, I’m very excited.”

When asked if he thinks being valedictorian is going to help him in the future, he had these wise words to say:

“I think what’s more important is what I’ve gained from working hard and striving for success. That’s how I got to be valedictorian, and that’s more important than the title.”

Special Needs Teens And Adults Walk The Red Carpet At St. James’ Annual ‘Prom’

On a Saturday night last month, they got ready like anyone else would for their prom. Tuxedos were buttoned, hair was styled, nails were painted. For some in attendance, it wasn’t their first prom – but it was just as special.

St James United Methodist Church hosted its seventh annual “Red Carpet Affair” under balloons, lights and the sounds of laughter. Nearly 280 special needs adults, ranging from age 16 to 52, attended the Red Carpet Affair with their caregivers for a night of fun, food and dancing. For some, it was also a night of hope.

“Many of us graduate high school and move on to new social structures,” said Carlene Barbeau, who started volunteering with the Red Carpet Affair in 2012 because of the joy it gave her brother Matt. “But, in the special needs community, graduating high school often leads to a lack of a social world.”

Carlene says St. James hosts the Red Carpet Affair to remind our friends that they are special, beautiful in their own unique ways, and can still have a whole lot of fun in life. “Plus, the volunteers have a blast, too,” she says.

Posing for prom pictures are (l-r) Eric Thompson, Lindsay Danner, Tristan Snapp and MacKanzie Conour.

Since January, a team of ten volunteers met multiple times to make the plans to make the Red Carpet Affair a night to remember. Their goal: to make their special needs friends feel like the celebrities they know them to be.

That evening, a “Diva Room” gave women a place to have their hair styled by professional stylists, and makeup done by makeup artists. They were offered shrimp and chocolate-covered strawberries while they were given a manicure. The church’s sanctuary was transformed with light walls, balloon sculptures and floral arrangements. Live Fusion Entertainment blasted some of the most popular songs on the radio and lights spun and flashed.

As the guests arrived, they were greeted by cheers as each walked into the event on the red carpet. Two professional photographers captured smiles in portraits the guests took home as souvenirs of their evening. But, that was all only part of the magic.

Chrissy Hoerner walks down the red carpet on prom night.

Liz McCafferty, director of communications at St. James, says, “The true beauty of the night was in the spirit of community.”

She explains that a community of 120 volunteers, ages 12 to 91, gathered together to cut carrots, dance, hug and create a community for those who are sometimes forgotten. “That community is rooted in love,” Liz says. “Love for our differences and love that we all enjoy a great conga line. And a great conga line it was!”

If you would like to be part of next year’s Red Carpet Affair, or are interested in events tailored for those with special needs, please contact Sally DePalma at specialconnections@stjamestampa.org.

—Submitted to the Neighborhood News by St. James UMC

Wharton’s Jared Bell Makes Class Valedictorian A Family Tradition

Jared Bell, the Class of 2016 valedictorian at Paul R. Wharton High has advice for those striving to finish at or near the top of their class.

Relax.

Have fun.

“Not too much fun,’’ he says. “But, don’t get too caught up in all the technical stuff and GPAs. It is important, but you should try to enjoy your time in high school, too.”

Sage advice from a guy who was following in the footsteps of his brother, 2014 class valedictorian Earl, and the son of two Wharton teachers — math teacher Dave and English reading teacher Diana Bell.

Pressure?

What pressure?

Jared, who will attend the University of Florida next year, finished high school with a 7.49 weighted grade point average.

“I didn’t really decide to be (class valedictorian), but after my freshman year I was first and my dad just said, ‘let’s try to stay in first,’” Jared says. “And we did.”

Having parents as teachers helped, although Bell says there really wasn’t any added pressure. But, he says the right frame of mind was instilled in him early on.

“We started at a young age with their education,” Dave says.

That included math games played in the car on long trips, no volume and closed captioning subtitles when they watched their favorite television shows, and plenty of reading time with their mother.

“They get their smarts from their momma,’’ Dad says.

Obviously, Jared not only had his parents as examples, he also had his big brother. Following in Earl’s footsteps certainly put a little charge into the process.

“I would say I put more pressure on myself than he did,’’ Jared says. “But my brother definitely helped me a lot.”

Earl was able to help Jared avoid some of the “prep pitfalls,” while also steering him clear of classes and teachers he didn’t think his brother would like.

Dave says both boys were, “typical teenage boys. They didn’t want to do homework. We pushed them a little bit. We stayed on them.”

Jared modestly declines to run down the list of all of his high school accomplishments, but says he was “active” in school. He joined several clubs, and was president of Mu Alpha Theta, a mathematics honor society.

He wrestled for three years, and says he worked with 15-20 clients as a private tutor to make a little spending money. He recently completed his final credits and will graduate with an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in Business from HCC this summer.

For fun, he says, he enjoys exercise and working out, hanging out with friends, and playing ultimate frisbee.

Jared only makes being class valedictorian sound easy. He does describe it as “very, very tough,” and said the biggest key, and struggle, is time management.

A typical high school day his sophomore and junior year would generally start at 6 a.m., with school until 3 p.m., then wrestling practice until 6, and home by 7, where he would do homework for a few hours before going to sleep.

“Then, repeat,’’ he says.

Jared is undecided about what he will study at Florida. He is attending the university in Gainesville on a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship, and will serve four years in the Army following his graduation. He said he will probably focus on the sciences for a major.

And, he and Earl will live together in Gainesville.

“Both boys worked very hard,” Dave says. “We are proud of both of them. Super proud.”

And, while two class valedictorians from one family is impressive, consider that the Bells may not be finished.

Earl and Jared’s sister Victoria is wrapping up her freshman year at Wharton.

Wounded Warriors Project Shows Competitive Side At The YMCA

WoundedWarrior4 By Christen Caporali

The New Tampa Family YMCA in Tampa Palms is well known for its impact on the community. On April 29, it expanded this impact to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Wounded Warrior Project provides free programs and services focused on the physical, mental, and long-term financial well being of injured veterans, their families and caregivers.

As of April 1, 2016, this 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization has served 87,264 veterans as well as 17,872 family members.

The New Tampa Y hosted 40 warriors from all over the southeastern U.S. — as far away as North Carolina — for the project.

WoundedWarrior The warriors participated in games like “Capture the Flag,” rock climbing, basketball and baseball, and completed a water fitness & therapy class conducted by a YMCA personal trainer.

The warriors and their families also took classes regarding healthy eating habits and diabetes prevention. New Tampa YMCA executive director Tony Kimbrough, who also ran the Wounded Warrior Project event, says that the goal is to make this an annual event for the Warriors.

“We are definitely looking to expand this program in the future,” Kimbrough says.

For more information about the Wounded Warrior Project, volunteer information, or to make a donation, please visit WoundedWarriorProject.org. For more information about the New Tampa Family YMCA (16221 Compton Dr.), please visit TampaYMCA.org/locations/new-tampa.