A Whole New World For Performers With Special Needs

The joy in the room is palpable as the New Tampa Players’ Penguin Project group practices dance steps for “Prince Ali.” Peer mentor Olivia Carr dances with her Genie, Connor Olsen. (Photos: Libby Baldwin)

The cavernous main hall at the University Area Community Center swelled with a chorus of voices. The booming energy of the song “Prince Ali,” from the classic Disney film “Aladdin” sounded like a seasoned community theater production.

In fact, however, it was just a regular rehearsal for a very special group of New Tampa Players (NTP).

“Aladdin” will open on Friday, April 5, at 8 p.m., with additional performances on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. 

All performances will be at the University Area Community Center, located at 14013 North 22nd St. in Tampa. Tickets can be purchased online for $15.

The local community theater troupe’s president, Nora Paine, was attending a theater conference in summer 2018 when she learned about the Penguin Project, an initiative that gives children with special needs the chance to perform onstage. 

Established in 2004 by Dr. Andrew Morgan, who spent more than 35 years as central Illinois’ primary medical specialist for children with disabilities, the Penguin Project matches each “young artist” with a peer mentor. These mentors, who  are mostly children the same age as the performers who don’t have disabilities, volunteer their time to work side-by-side through four months of rehearsals and during the final performance.

“The New Tampa Players had been looking for something like this, but didn’t want to re-invent the wheel,” said Paine, herself a mother to three special needs children. “This program is unique because it gives these kids a chance for social networking outside of the special needs community.”

“Aladdin Junior,” which wasn’t modified from the original script, will be the first Penguin Project production not just for NTP, but in all of Florida.

The performing artists and their mentors attend 3-4 rehearsals per week that run for no longer than 90 minutes, to ensure attention spans don’t run out. Each peer mentor learns every line, every dance move and every blocking move, along with his or her artist. 

Rehearsals are no slower-paced than regular children’s theater; peer mentors are expected to keep their artists on task.

If a special needs child becomes upset, the show still must go on.

“The young artist and their mentor go off to the side until they are able to calm down,” Paine said. “Then, they come back and join us. No big deal.”

The special needs actors get plenty of support from the all-volunteer New Tampa Players’ staff if they become overwhelmed. Music director Brad Roberts and choreographer Charis Lavoie comfort a young artist. 

Paine has years of stage managing experience, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Montessori Education, but she and her staff of choreographers, costume designers and musicians are all volunteers.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the happiness that it brings these kids,” said Brad Roberts, the music director for NTP’s “Alladin Junior,” who says he previously has worked with special needs children.  “A lot of these kids, despite working at a different speed than I’m used to, have really impressed me with their raw talent and ability to learn and retain.”

While some of the artist-and-mentor pairs rehearsed, others sat patiently off to the side, using the time to run lines or go over dance steps. Even the youngest mentors, some under the age of ten, offered only smiles and  gentle encouragement to their artists.

“They’re just so open and ready to go for it, and that makes them be a really supportive family for each other, which you don’t always see in groups of ‘regular’ kids,” said Roberts.

Truly A Special Bond

The young mentors don’t seem to mind that all their hard work will lead to someone else getting the spotlight.

Olivia Carr works with Connor Olsen, who is playing the Genie, on his lines.

“I’ve found a really good friend, and an understanding for how these kids think,” said 13-year-old Olivia Carr, who peer mentors the young actor playing Genie. “I have a lot of fun with him because he’s very energetic, and we have the same personality.”

Olivia’s mom, Tami Carr, enjoys watching her daughter be part of such a selfless undertaking.

“She looks forward to rehearsals all day; being a kid in general is rough, so seeing anyone struggle makes her want to help,” said Carr. “I wish everyone would come and see how much joy they have. It’s contagious, and hopefully, it will ignite a spark here that will catch fire.”

Paine said she plans to put on one Penguin Project show each year, and said the response from the community has been overwhelming. She credits District 7 Tampa City Council member Luis Viera, who is very involved in the special needs community, with helping her secure local sponsors, including Pepin Academies, the Arts Council of Hillsborough County, MOSI and more.

Paine’s 12-year-old son, Sebastian, mentors Jaden Figueroa, also 12, who landed the title role of Aladdin. Jaden said he wants to be a movie star when he grows up.

“He (Sebastian) helped me with my lines; we’re good friends,” said Jaden.

Paine’s 7-year-old daughter also Zoe is a peer mentor, and although the mentors don’t get the spotlight, Paine believes they gain something much more meaningful from the experience.

“She’ll come home after mentoring her friend Jack, and she’ll be so excited and proud that she helped him learn his lines and perform well,” she said. “They get a very special relationship.”

New Tampa Teen Wins Community Hero Award From The Lightning!

Harsh Bagdy (right) with 9-year-old Sabian, who was the first to receive a donation from Harsh’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Charity Health Resources.

When New Tampa resident Harsh Bagdy was in the fifth grade at Montessori Preparatory School, the place he loved the most was the soccer field — and it was in bad shape. More rocks and dirt than grass, it was too dangerous to play on.

So Harsh, whose father Ash had instilled in him a passion for giving back, decided to do something about it. Together, they rallied people in the community to raise $40,000 for a brand new field.

That was only the beginning. In seventh grade, Harsh secured enough money to build a new computer lab at Terrace Community Middle School. By his sophomore year at King High, he had founded his own nonprofit, Charity Health Resources, a 501(c)(3) that raises money to purchase quality wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs and other devices for people without adequate health insurance.

“I see mobility as something we all take for granted,” said Harsh, whose mother Kavita Jain works as a physical therapist. He said she often tells him about the great need for mobility equipment she sees. 

“It’s impossible to go out, have a job or do really anything if you aren’t mobile, and if you’re worried about paying for food or housing, you can’t do anything about it,” he said.

Harsh, 17, a first-generation American whose parents moved to Tampa from India 25 years ago and now a junior in high school, was honored by the Tampa Bay Lightning on January 19 as this season’s 25th Lightning Community Hero.

He received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program. Half of the money will go towards his own education. He gave the other half to Metropolitan Ministries, an organization he’s been volunteering with since the sixth grade, and the one he turned to when establishing Charity Health Resources. 

“I instantly connected with Metro’s outreach team, because we had something they couldn’t easily provide and they could find people who needed it,” said Harsh. 

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Alex Killorn (left) and CEO Steve Griggs present Harsh Bagdy, the 25th Lightning Community Hero this season, with a check for $50,000.

A new partnership between Metropolitan Ministries and Charity Health Resources, made possible by Harsh’s winnings, will put more members of the outreach team further into the community, allowing them to find mobility-challenged clients who are unable to travel to the main outreach center in Tampa Heights. 

“Because of Harsh, when our team meets someone in the community with a handicap or mobility challenge, we can just call him up and he’ll fulfill the need,” said Metropolitan Ministries’ president and CEO Tim Marks. “That’s something we never could have done without him.”

Charity Health Resources, said Harsh, has made between 15-20 donations in its first year. Their first donation was a new wheelchair for a 9-year-old boy named Sabian with spina bifida. He was growing too big for his chair and too heavy for his mother and grandfather to carry around, but his insurance wouldn’t pay for another wheelchair for two more years. 

The chair that Charity Health Resources donated to him enabled him to return to riding around in his grandfather’s car, spending time with his cousins and other family.

“I really enjoy hockey,” said Harsh, who attended the January 19 Lightning game against the San Jose Sharks as the team’s guest of honor. “I see it as a faster-paced soccer game.”

When Harsh — who is enrolled in demanding International Baccalaureate (IB) classes at King and travels multiple weekends a month for debate competitions, and also is a Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) member — isn’t at school or doing charity work, he still loves playing soccer and occasionally goes out for movies or dinner with his friends.

He’s hoping for admission into a prestigious business school to pursue his interests in business.

“Being chosen for this award felt amazing, both for me and for the work I’m doing,” Harsh said. “I may get the recognition for it, but the best part is that it allows me to spread my branches further and help people in areas I couldn’t reach before.”

For more information about Charity Health Resources, visit charityhealthresources.org. For additional information  about the Lightning Community Hero award, visit NHL.com/lightning/community/community-heroes.  

New Tampa Family YMCA Names New Director & Volunteer Of The Year!

The New Tampa Family YMCA’s Volunteer of the Year Steve Young (left) and new executive director Robyn Ostrem at the YMCA Regions Community Impact Dinner on March 4.

The New Tampa Family YMCA in Tampa Palms has a new executive director at its helm.

Robyn Ostrem, 46, relocated to Tampa from Chicago last month to accept the position that seemed tailor-made for her. It opened up right when her husband, Matt, decided to retire from a career in law enforcement. 

“It was always our hope to land in Florida when that happened,” says Ostrem, who is in the process of finding a new home for her family in Tampa. Her husband Matt, their two daughters and the family’s Labrador retriever will arrive in our area in June.

“Three weeks in, and I love everything about my new post,” she says. “I’ve met such great people, and you can’t beat the weather!”

Ostrem’s passion for the YMCA grew from her beginnings at Big Brothers Big Sisters in Chicago, where she ran a suburban branch of the agency for 13 years. A major donor took notice of Ostrem’s skills and persuaded her to transition in 2013 to the Sage YMCA of Metro Chicago, where she served as executive director for the past five years.

“One of my favorite parts of working in the Y movement is community connectedness,” she says. “YMCAs are pivotal parts of communities across the U.S., and New Tampa is no exception.”

The New Tampa facility opened in 2001 and is located at 16221 Compton Dr. It is a popular staple in the area for its family events, fitness classes and volunteer opportunities.

“The Y is an amazing resource for families; we’re grateful for their summer camp and affordable programming,” said member Catherine Mund on Facebook. “We moved here in the last year, and the Y helped make New Tampa home.”

Members enjoy a robust selection of amenities, including a full gym, group sports for children and adults, and even the City of Tampa’s only Olympic-sized (50 meters long) swimming pool.

Ostrem says she is excited about what she sees as enormous potential for her new workplace. “This is a large, robust center with dedicated staff, members and advisory board,” she says. “Collectively, these groups will bring innovative programming and an excellent experience to the community, along with raising much-needed funds to support our Open Doors program.”

The Open Doors initiative, currently established in many YMCA facilities around the country, allows residents who are struggling financially to apply for a membership on a sliding fee scale. 

“The New Tampa community is fortunate to have a YMCA here,” said Ostrem, who says she has an open-door policy and welcomes input from members. “You can expect some transformation projects in the coming years, and I’m elated to assist!”

Ostrem’s first major project as executive director will be the Safety Around Water program, which will provide free swim lessons for children aged 3-12, whether or not they are YMCA members. 

The four-day course, taught by certified instructors for one week in May and one week in September, teaches children the skills to reduce the risk of drowning and increase their confidence in and around water. 

Camp Extravaganza, an open event on Saturday, April 27, 1 p.m.-4 p.m., will feature the Healthy Kids Day initiative and offer family activities, vendors, raffles, treats and more. 

Ostrem entirely credits YMCA volunteers with the New Tampa Y’s success, particularly the Board of Directors, which she hopes to expand in the coming years.

“My vision is to bring the Y into the community by being more visible, aligning our selfless leadership staff with service opportunities and assisting other nonprofits to further their missions,” she says.

Congrats, Steve!

Among the six volunteers on the New Tampa Family YMCA board is Steve Young, who was honored as the New Tampa Y’s 2019 “Volunteer of the Year” during the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA’s Regions Community Impact Dinner on March 4 (photo). 

The annual event attracts more than 500 guests and showcases the volunteer accomplishments from every Tampa-area YMCA. “Not only does Steve help provide guidance and leadership for the New Tampa Y’s cause-driven life-changing work, but he is also actively involved in raising funds, increasing community awareness and creating partnerships that further the success of the Tampa Y’s Vision 2020 strategic plan,” said Lalita Llerena, the senior communications director for the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCAs. “(That plan is) to close the achievement gap, improve the community’s health and well-being, prevent drowning and develop teen leaders.”

Young, a Tampa native and YMCA member since 2011, joined the New Tampa YMCA Board in 2014.

For more information about recreation and volunteering at the New Tampa Family YMCA, visit TampaYMCA.org or call (813) 866-9622.

Olympus Pools Is Growing, And Helping, In The Local Community

The team at Olympus Pools not only takes great pride in their pools, but also in their community service, like donating time and money to local schools, the New Tampa YMCA and organizations like Feeding Tampa Bay, where they filled carts of food and delivered them to the needy. (Photo: Alexis Staten)

Olympus Pools owners James and Alexis Staten are getting ready to bring their business closer to the community they’ve been part of for six years.

“New Tampa is our home,” says Alexis, who grew up in Coral Springs and has five children ranging between ages 9-15 with James, who was born in New Smyrna Beach. “We’re here for the long term and really take pride in being the main pool builder (in our area), so we want to invest in the area.”

Alexis says that more than half of Olympus’ custom-designed pools have been built in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area, including K-Bar Ranch, Meadow Pointe, Grand Hampton and many more, so requiring customers to travel to the current showroom near Tampa International Airport was something the Statens decided to fix.

“Plans are in the works for a new facility to open up in Lutz this summer, with a lot more space, so several customers can work with designers at the same time,” says James, who adds that he had worked every job there is in the pool business before opening Olympus. “Now when people are thinking about a new pool, they will be able to get to us in ten minutes or less.”

The bigger and better showroom will feature a slew of brand new features, cutting-edge design and of course, the latest technology in pools — something the Statens have always made paramount.

“Everything we do is digital,” says Alexis. “We want to do more than just build a pool; we’re providing an experience.”

The company uses a 3-D imaging AutoCAD system to bring the customer’s vision of a new pool to life before the Olympus Pools’ construction staff even breaks ground.

You can take a 360-degree tour of your pool on a high-definition screen. The technology even allows you to see what the pool will look like at dusk or at night, and can also give you a close-up view of what it will be like floating through the pool.

The Statens’ latest addition to their high-tech arsenal is a smartphone app that keeps customers informed about their pool project 24/7.

Users can receive daily updates via the project management app, pay bills and even ask staff questions that will be answered the same day (in most cases). Olympus employees use the app to post blueprints, photographs and more to keep you fully informed, even if you aren’t home.

“Our technology and in-house equipment helps us deliver the finished product faster,” James says. “Nobody’s ever sad when the construction is over.”

It doesn’t matter whether you’re budgeting for a $30,000 or a $300,000 pool, Olympus uses the same top-quality products.

“We use the best filters, best pumps and best salt systems included with every pool,” James says. “Even the most basic design gets the most premium quality money can buy.”

How About These Add-Ons?

Olympus Pools doesn’t just build pools to swim in, they specialize in delivering the entire pool experience, along with other customized offerings.

Built-in pool bars are a popular choice these days, because they save space that would normally be taken up on the pool deck, and they offer comfort and convenience. Olympus Pools can build something fancy or simple, and are able to accommodate virtually any design you can dream of, so customers and their family and guests can enjoy their food and drink without ever having to leave their pool.

And, if you want to keep the party outdoors, Olympus Pools also builds outdoor kitchens to enhance your pool time. From a refrigerator to a grill to a storage space, outdoor kitchens can be the ultimate entertainment space.
And, while Olympus is not a standalone kitchen builder, they can add them to your new pool construction project. Custom-designed kitchens, custom outdoor cabinetry, grilling islands with built-in grills, smokers and pizza ovens, fireplaces and fire pits and appliances are all available.

The Statens also take great pride in their staff, most of whom have been with them from the company’s birth in 2013. There are six designers and four project managers on staff, and more than 150 crew members in the field on a daily basis. James, Alexis and their senior employees have more than 200 years of combined experience in a steadily-growing industry. Olympus Pools designed and built just shy of 400 pools in 2018.

James says that the family-oriented, team environment in which everyone reaps the benefits of hard work is the key to Olympus’ success.

“We feel the most pride and satisfaction when a customer is thrilled with his new pool; that means a lot to us,” says James. “The best people in this industry can go anywhere, so we try to create an environment where we’re supporting our staff and helping them give the best customer service possible.”

Customer & Community Service

Olympus Pools employees, more than half of whom live and work in the New Tampa area, enjoy team-building events throughout the year and have enthusiastically joined the Statens in their mission to better the community they all love.

“Our kids are growing here, their lives are here,” says Alexis of the company’s community service efforts. “We have the means to help our community thrive, and we want to do that as much as we can.”

Three years ago, James began contributing a portion of Olympus’ profits to DonorsChoose.org, an organization that brings much-needed supplies and improvements to low-income Hillsborough County schools, and the company now sponsors a classroom about five times annually.
Students at those schools recently received new tablets and multimedia equipment to keep them on track with children in more affluent schools.

Olympus Pools has also supported local schools like Hunter’s Green and Pride Elementary and Turner/Bartels K-8 School with technology items the past few years, and the pool maker also supports student athletics by sponsoring several local Little League teams.

The Statens send their children to the Turner/Bartels K-8 School and Turner Elementary, and in 2018, James led the effort to remove a hazardous wooden structure outside of Turner. Olympus installed a new paver deck area and gazebo, creating a nice area where students can eat lunch outside.
The Statens also sponsored the school’s annual Winterfest fundraiser, participate in the Great American Teach-In each year and have supported the Hillsborough County Anti-Bullying initiative.

And, to celebrate Water Safety Month last May, Olympus donated more than $2,000 of that month’s profits to the New Tampa YMCA’s scholarship fund, providing swimming lessons to local kids who otherwise could not afford them.

The Statens’ 9-year-old son Jacob introduced them to Feeding Tampa Bay, a child-hunger nonprofit, when he asked for donations instead of gifts to mark his fifth birthday. He has done so every birthday since, and the organization has become a family favorite that now includes the entire Olympus staff.

“It’s very cool to see over 20 people filling their carts, loading and unloading pallets of food,” James says. “It’s fun for all of us, and it’s nice to have a hands-on activity rather than just writing a check.”

Alexis says that her employees work especially hard that time of year, because they know if they don’t sell enough pools, the funds to help won’t be there.

“We joke with them that if they don’t sell, children won’t eat,” said James with a smile. “But, they always come through.”

In 2018, Olympus raised enough for 2,200 meals and toiletries. The company has pledged to help even more as they continue to grow, creating one totally unique backyard oasis at a time for their customers in New Tampa and beyond.

For more info about Olympus Pools, visit “Olympus Pools” on Facebook or OlympusPoolsFL.com or call (813) 983-7854. Olympus works with clients in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Hernando counties. The company’s current design center is located at 4422 N. Lauber Way in Tampa, but the new Olympus showroom will open in Lutz sometime this summer.

Wesley Chapel’s Best Big Bro

Howie Taylor and his “little brother” Hunter have enjoyed many adventures together, including this recent visit to Busch Gardens Tampa. The two were named the Big Brother & Little Brother of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.

All that Howie Taylor says he wanted for his fifth birthday was a toy truck.

Instead, he got a baby brother.

Howie, now 52, and his brother Chris were inseparable. They grew up in Kansas City, MO; closer to each other than to any of their other siblings because of that shared birthday. They stayed close even as they settled in different places — Chris in Nebraska, and Howie with his wife Karen in Wesley Chapel, with whom he has two adult daughters. Howie has been a Wesley Chapel resident for the past 20 years. 

In 2014, Chris passed away, and Howie sunk into a deep depression. Just a year later, his youngest daughter moved out, widening the sudden empty space in Howie’s life.

All that changed in 2016, when Howie walked into a Dairy Queen and left with a flyer that would bring him a new little brother.

The flyer was for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.

It led to a connection with a 12-year-old Land O’Lakes boy named Hunter, that turned into more than either expected — Howie and Hunter were recently named the Big Brother and Little Brother of the Year by the Tampa Bay chapter of the nonprofit organization, and have a shot at the national prize, which will be announced later this year. 

“It’s kind of a whirlwind right now,” said Howie, who was asked to travel to Tallahassee and speak to legislators about the importance of mentoring. “We’ve got 500 kids sitting out there like Hunter was, just waiting on somebody to step up and offer a few hours of their time.” 

Filling Needs

The loss of Chris, combined with his daughter’s moving out, left a noticeable void in Howie’s world.

 â€œThe house just seemed so much bigger,” says Howie, a web developer.

Hoping for a sense of normalcy and a way to fill his time in a positive way, Howie began seeking out volunteering opportunities. Even before his brother’s death, Howie was no stranger to giving back. He helped found the Gasparilla Krewe of Blackbeard’s Revenge, which has raised nearly $300,000 for local charities since its inception in 2011. 

He also worked with the YMCA, Metropolitan Ministries and other organizations before he walked into that Dairy Queen.

Hunter says he was looking for something, too. 

“I was spending all my time in my room, playing video games,” says Hunter, who is now 15 and plays multiple percussion instruments in the band at Land O’Lakes High School. “My mom told me I should probably go out and do stuff!”

You Have To Start Somewhere

Soon after discovering that flyer, Howie was sitting in a Land O’Lakes kitchen with Hunter and his family, getting to know his new best friend.

When Howie and Hunter first met, Hunter admits he was introverted, unsure of himself and uncomfortable in his own skin. He talked to other online video game players much more than he ever talked to people in real life.

“You couldn’t drag more than a few words at a time out of him,” says Fred Tanzer, Hunter’s grandfather. “Before Howie, the willingness on his part to open up just wasn’t there.”

Hunter, his older brother and their mother have lived with Fred and his wife, Linda, for the past 12 years. Hunter’s father calls him nightly, but their interaction ends there.

“Hunter hasn’t had a lot of parental anything from his dad,” says Linda. “Howie has just been a ray of light. He’s 100-percent invested, not 98 or 99 percent.”

Adults who volunteer to become Big Brothers or Big Sisters go through a background check and an orientation session, after which matching specialists select a Little Brother or Sister for them. The adults must commit to eight hours a month with their young “siblings.”.

“Both my kids are girls,” Howie says. “I never had a little boy to work under the hood of the car, play in the garage or throw a ball around with. I was hoping for someone not too rambunctious, but I just wanted to help.”

Back in 2016, Howie wanted to expose Hunter to the world outside his room, but not overwhelm him on their first excursion. He thought about his hobby of flying drones and realized it was the perfect compromise.

“We talked about how the dexterity you learn from video games can be good for a lot of things,” Howie says. “Within a few minutes, I handed him the controls and he had the thing out there dancing for me. He was a natural.”

Since that first meeting, the pair have shared a bevy of experiences that Hunter believes he never would have done otherwise, including offshore fishing, regular trips to Busch Gardens, charity walks and other volunteer events, car shows and even appearing together on Howie’s Gasparilla Krewe float the last three years.

“One of my favorite memories was watching him dance and sing at a Pentatonix concert,” says Howie. “I remember him asking if it was okay to do that, because it was his first concert.”

Hunter still talks about their offshore fishing trip; they caught black sea bass and sheepshead, and had a fish fry surrounded by new friends.

One of Howie’s Krewe connections hooked Hunter and two friends from school up with a recent trip to Monster Jam in a limousine.

“We see each other at least three or four times more than the minimum eight hours a month,” said Howie. “I’ve probably seen him three times just this week, and I hope to see him regularly for the rest of my life.”

Hunter’s grandparents consider Howie to be part of their family, which is Jewish. Although Howie isn’t Jewish himself, he has come up with small gifts for Hunter and attended Hanukkah festivities every year at their home.

“Whenever the school band has a concert, Howie and Karen are there,” Linda says. “Birthdays, he’s always at the parties. We feel very blessed that Howie came into his life — and ours.”

Hunter, who says he hopes to turn his gaming talent into a YouTube channel, said he has grown up during his time with Howie, particularly while volunteering, and realizes just how fortunate he is.

“I have a lot more than most people, and I’ve learned to respect others and be confident,” he says.

Howie adds that his friendship with Hunter has helped fill the voids in his own life left by his brother’s passing and his “empty nest” more than he ever imagined it would. 

“I’ve always got someone to hang out with,” Howie says. “I heard it said once that when your grown-up kids call you out of the blue, it’s like winning the lottery. I feel the same way when I get a call from Hunter after a long day at work.”

Howie hopes that those considering becoming a Big Brother or Sister will reach out to the organization and join.

“Anybody can do it, and it doesn’t take a lot of time or money,” he says. “It just takes interest, and a little bit of that can make such a huge difference.”

For more information, visit BBBSTampaBay.org, or call (813) 769-3600.