Category: Featured

It’s Been All About The Experience For Freedom Valedictorian

The pressure for many high school valedictorians can be stifling. While mostly grateful for finishing at the top of their respective classes, the journey is usually one that provides them with a sense of relief when they graduate.

But, Freedom High Class of 2022 valedictorian Pascale Carvalho says that, for her, there never was any pressure. She loved the journey. And, she has made putting in a ton of hours to earn her Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree from Hillsborough Community College and compiling an 8.5 high school grade point average actually sound, well, fun.

“I was never aiming for a certain spot,” Pascale says. “It was never motivation to do better in school. It was just a perk.”

From the very start of high school, which officially ends with graduation Thursday morning at 8 a.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Pascale made sure to take classes she would enjoy, not just classes that would beef up her GPA.

Her freshman year, she took music theory because despite already playing the guitar (jazz fusion and rock) and cello — and cymbals in the high school band — she wanted to learn how to read music, too. And now, she writes her own music as well.

“It was an irreplaceable experience,” she says.

As a sophomore, Pascale took a heavy load of dual enrollment classes, because one of her major goals was to earn her A.A. degree prior to actually starting college. Her junior year, she took Japanese at the University of South Florida, because she had an interest in that culture and language.

Her senior year, Pascale took a pair of 4000-level health science classes at USF, another strong area of interest for her. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do in college prior to her senior year, but her wide range of interests and classes has helped clarify that vision.

While undecided on which college she will attend, she is mulling over acceptance letters from the University of Southern California at Los Angeles, for its outstanding music composition programs, or Brown University in Providence, RI, or Washington University in St. Louis, for health sciences.

“My goal was just to give myself the best possible education I could, and provide myself with the best college opportunities, and that’s what I did,” she says.

The groundwork for a successful high school experience was laid by her family. Her parents Chantal and Daniel stressed education — Pascale laughs at the math books and essays Chantal assigned during the summer — and older brother Antoine, a Freedom grad, is at Boston University, while older sister Dominique recently graduated from USF after studying biological health science.

“They definitely emphasized being good at what you do,” Pascale says. “If you do anything, try to be the best at it.”

Pascale also strove to be her best, but was never consumed with her academic standing. “Being No. 1 is just one of those hoops you go through,” she says. “Once you reach it, (you should) look back, and see if your experience equates to that number. Because it should.”

Pascale’s high school experience also included athletics. While she couldn’t compete her sophomore and junior years due to an undiagnosed neurological problem, she still managed to play two seasons of soccer and, as a senior, was on the swimming and cross country teams.

While she ponders college, Pascale spends her spare time with friends, watching anime and playing her guitar.

But if you ask her to play a tune, don’t expect a rendition of “Sweet Home Alabama.” She didn’t take music theory and Japanese for nothing.

“Well, I like a lot of Japanese music,” she says, laughing, “so it’s probably going to be a random Japanese heavy metal song that nobody’s ever heard.”

freedom high school graduation

Wharton’s 2022 Valedictorian Will Stay Local For College

When Sonya Patel walks across the stage as Wharton High’s Class of 2022 valedictorian during the school’s graduation ceremony on May 25, she will do so with its highest-ever GPA — 9.40.

Sonya didn’t set out to break any records. In fact, being valedictorian wasn’t even her goal.

“But,” she says, “I did want to push myself to do my very best.”

She wanted to learn as much as she could and take advantage of every opportunity placed in front of her. Her incredible work ethic led her to set that new high mark for future Wharton students to aspire to beat.

Sonya spent all of her school years in New Tampa, starting at Pride Elementary and going to Benito Middle School before attending Wharton.

When she graduates, she’ll stay close to home. She plans to attend the University of South Florida in Tampa and major in biomedical sciences on her way to a career as a doctor.

“I plan to apply to medical school in the future,” Sonya says. “I currently have fields that interest me but I’m keeping an open mind about what I actually want to do in the medical field.”

When she started high school, Sonya wasn’t sure she wanted to be a doctor. She signed up for dual enrollment (DE) classes at Hillsborough Community College that sounded interesting, and the more classes she took in the medical field, the more she became sure she wanted to one day help people in that way.

While those dual enrollment classes helped her solidify her future plans, along with a lot of Advanced Placement (AP) classes, they also helped her earn that sky-high GPA.

“I counted at least 15 science classes that she’s taken, and it blew me away,” says Christi Atkinson, who is Sonya’s Marine Science teacher this year. “She takes on so many activities and is capable of managing her time and getting everything done. It’s amazing.”

Knowing it’s a long journey through med school and residency, Sonya’s AP and DE classes will help her get her undergraduate requirements out of the way, and because she’s a high school student, the classes have been free.

“It seemed a great way to work on my future goals,” she says, earning credits toward her undergraduate degree while learning about what she calls “cool subjects.”

While she’s worked hard in school, she enjoys spending her free time painting, doing henna body art and cooking. She says her most fun class has been orchestra, where she plays the cello.

Her orchestra teacher, Elise Prather, says, “She has been a dream student. She is respectful, kind, communicates effectively, is a great team player, gives 110% on everything, and is very helpful to me and other students.”

While Sonya was accepted to several schools, she decided USF was the most convenient and least expensive choice.

“And it has great opportunities, so I’m not missing out,” she says.

When she graduates from high school, Sonya will have earned 62 credit hours from Hillsborough Community College, plus many hours from her AP classes, which will help her fulfill her college general education credits. She hopes to finish her Bachelor of Science degree at USF within two years.

She says she loves volunteering, especially at the local Bay Chapel food pantry, because she appreciates that her community has a local food pantry to help those who need some help.

In addition to her difficult academics, orchestra and volunteering, she also serves as co-president of Wharton’s Mu Alpha Theta National Math Honor Society club, secretary of the Science National Honor Society and orchestra clubs, and is a member of the school’s National Beta Club and National Honor Society.

“She’s just a really good kid,” Atkinson says. “She’s someone you can rely on and depend on.”

And while Sonya and her peers dealt with a lot of adversity due to Covid-19, Atkinson adds, “she adapted very well and rose above the challenges.”

That’s what Sonya intends to do in the future, too. She’ll keep setting goals, working hard, making practical decisions, and taking the next step forward.

As she moves from one chapter of her life to the next, she says, “I’m looking forward to new experiences, whatever they may be.”

wharton high

Sand Pine Teacher Corinne Staney Retires After 53 Years

Second-grade teacher Corinne Staney has retired once before, in 2005, before moving to Wesley Chapel.

But this time, she says, after 53 years in education — including the last 15 at Sand Pine Elementary — it’s for good.

“I promised my granddaughter this would be the last year,” Staney says. “I’m looking forward to spending time with my family, that’s really important, and now’s the time.”

May 27 will be the last day of school for Staney, 75, who lives in Meadow Pointe with her husband Joseph, a retired educator who spent 36 years as an administrator and coach. She has left a lasting legacy that will be hard to replace.

“It’s going to be a huge loss for us,” says Sand Pine principal Christina Twardosz, “but we are super excited for her to be able to spend some time spoiling herself.”

Twardosz says if anyone deserves it, it is Staney, who is always one of the first to arrive and among the last to leave every day at Sand Pine.

What will Staney do on May 28, her first day as a retiree? She’s going to start off with a book to read just for enjoyment, for the first time in forever. She may work on her cooking and rediscover a few hobbies. Michaels is her favorite store, so maybe a little crafting here and there. And, she has a daughter, Lisa Couture, and a son, Tim, as well as grandkids Dom, Ryan and Maddy, and of course, her husband to keep her days filled.

Her family may want to keep her away from tutoring or volunteering at any schools, however. When she retired the last time, it was a tutoring gig that led to a year of being a preschool teacher that then led to her applying for an opening at Sand Pine.

Teaching, she says, is in her blood. Her grandmother taught in a one-room schoolhouse, and because her parents — her dad managed a meat department in a grocery story and her mom had to turn down a scholarship and became an executive secretary — couldn’t go to college because they had to work during World War II, they emphasized the importance of education to their daughter.

Staney cut her teaching teeth in Worcester, MA, at a number of different schools, always in grades K-5. She was active in the teacher’s union, joined a group of education researchers at nearby Clark University, absorbed herself into the field of teaching and eventually “retired” to Florida.

But, she says she was called back to the classroom, as retirement turned into more of a very short sabbatical.

“I was bored…and I just love what I do,” Stanley says. “I love working with kids, I love learning new things, I love having a job that makes you want to get up in the morning and go. Kids are phenomenal. Every year is a fresh new start, a chance to be better, and a chance to be a part of a group of people that want to teach and learn. It’s fantastic.”

Staney says teaching won’t make you rich, but if you can find joy in it, it can make you happy.

“Her love and joy for children is inspiring,” says Twardosz.

As this issue is reaching your mailbox, there’s still a few days of classes left, and Staney plans to enjoy every minute of what’s left. She has given away many of her books, to a new teacher and another who teaches children with special needs, and her Christmas tree. Her most prized teaching possession — a ceramic apple that she was given by her fellow teachers to mark her 50th year as a teacher — will be displayed at home.

She could, quite honestly, teach forever, and that’s why, some days, as her final year as a teacher winds down, she has to hold back the tears.

“I didn’t cry until I thought about all of the years and all of the kids,” Corinne says. “But every year when school is ending I have a hard time.”

When she closes her eyes, she says she can still see her first class in 1969 at Woodland Street School in Worcester, and most of her classes since.

But, she says her last class may just be her most special one.

“All of them were adorable,” Stanley says. “I just look at their faces and have such high hopes for them. They clap for each other, encourage each other, all for one and one for all. The future looks pretty bright if you just look at the kids’ faces.”

Corinne Stanley sand pine

A Fresh Start For The New River Library

Nearly a year after it unofficially opened following major renovations, the New River Library at 34043 S.R. 54 finally got its official Grand Opening last month.

The library was closed from October 2019 through a soft opening in April 2021, receiving a major upgrade that was extended by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The New River Library was officially rededicated with a ribbon cutting and ceremonial release of butterflies on April 21, attended by Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, Pasco Libraries regional manager Angelo Liranzo, other library officials and the architects of the project.

Liranzo praised the efforts of landscape architect Celia Nichols, who transformed the outdoor space at the library.

“What we have now is completely different and totally transformed into something so wonderful,” he said. “Instead of just a community garden…we have 28 planter beds that can be reserved for a quarter at a time.

Liranzo added that all of the planter beds already have been checked out and that there is now a waiting list.

The library also has a larger and brighter lobby, two soundproof study rooms and a larger one for bigger groups, four new family bathrooms, a larger children’s area, a teen room and an upgraded scanning and printing area.

The new outdoor study area and community garden are highlights. The garden has four water barrels, a butterfly garden and sensory items for children who are on the autism spectrum.

New River Library

Local WC High Schools Looking For Starting QBs and more

Spring football always presents a host of questions for area coaches to answer.

Who is going to start here, who is going to block there, and who is going to step up in the fall?

But, in Wesley Chapel this month, all three local high schools have at least one question in common:

Who is going to play quarterback?

The game’s most important position at Wiregrass Ranch (WRH), Wesley Chapel (WCH) and Cypress Creek (CCH) was handled by seniors Rocco Becht, Ethan Harper and Owen Walls, respectively. Together, the trio passed for more than 4,300 yards and 45 touchdowns. Their backups threw a combined five passes, completing one.

So, who will line up under center on May 19 when Cypress Creek hosts a jamboree against Pasco and St. Petersburg Catholic and Wiregrass Ranch visits Berkeley Prep at 7 p.m., or May 20 when Wesley Chapel hosts Land O’Lakes at 7 p.m.?

Good question.

Bryson Rodgers is considered one of the top prep receivers in the country.

Nowhere does the quarterback search seem more of a necessity than at WRH, where the Bulls are flush with a pair of fantastic, dare we say once-in-a-lifetime wide receivers.

Rising senior Bryson Rodgers recently committed to Ohio State — which had two wideouts drafted in the first round of last month’s NFL Draft — and rising junior Izaiah Williams picked up a college offer from national champion Georgia last week, to go with those he has received from the likes of Florida State, Cincinnati and Michigan.

Bulls coach Mark Kantor admits it’s not ideal to have to find a new, unproven quarterback for a roster that arguably has the two best receivers in school history, but he has his fingers crossed that the answer emerges from the spring battle between last year’s backup Elijiah Brown and junior varsity starter Brendyn Collela.

“They’re even right now,” says Kantor.

While Kantor would like to see a starter emerge that can take advantage of his star receivers, who combined for 1,200 yards and 18 TDs last year, he does have the area’s top returning running back in Kenneth Walker, who scored seven TDs last year.

Quarterback aside, Kantor does have other issues. He has an offensive line to replace, though he feels good about the spring efforts so far and thinks he has found four of the five future starters, and his defense has to be better.

Last fall, the Bulls lost four of their last five games and surrendered an average of 37 points in those losses.

He is counting on guys like rising senior Nick Johnson (LB) and Elijiah Westbrooks (CB), rising junior Jaden Bering (MLB) and rising sophomore Ola Omaloye (MLB) to pack some extra punch into the defensive unit.

“We’ve got to get back to playing physical defense,” Kantor says. “I gotta find some dudes who want to crack-a-lack.”

CCH Grooming Neimann

Meanwhile, at Cypress Creek, Walls’ departure will hurt, but coach Mike Johnson likes what he has seen in jayvee starter and rising junior Jack Neimann this offseason.

“I think we’ve got some great guys trying to fill those shoes,” Johnson says. “Jack is a guy who has been productive, and we have a lot of confidence in him.”

While quarterback may be the biggest loss, the entire offense is in need of a spring overhaul. Even if Neimann can prove to be the answer at QB, he will need blockers, pass catchers and running backs and the Coyotes went into spring looking for all those things.

Dylan Lolley, a 6-3, 225-pound tight end, is a great route runner and had 28 catches for 329 yards last year, so he’ll be counted on to replace a lot of the 1,200 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns lost to graduation. And, rising senior running back Tre Gibson is expected to take over in the backfield.

As for the offensive line, Johnson says a torn ACL, back surgery and dislocated elbow will keep three of his veteran offensive/defensive linemen sidelined this spring, but he feels good about the fall.

Defensively, it’s been a five-year battle to find a unit that can produce like Johnson wants it to. In the team’s brief history, the Coyotes have been allowing more than 30 points a game.

Can The ‘Cats Run To Wins?

While the Wildcats (6-4 last season) also need a quarterback, they don’t rely on the pass as much as their area counterparts.

Harper threw for 600 yards last season, so whoever inherits the reigns between rising senior Dillon McGinnis, junior Colin Opperman and sophomore Desmond Devore won’t be asked to do too much.

Instead, how they lead WCH’s run-first offense will be the key.

“Whoever shows the leadership for the position will be the guy,” says coach Anthony Egan.

Egan has rising senior bookend tackles in Max Hambrecht (6-4, 325) and Ryan Warren (6-3, 270) and tight end Conner Libby (6-5, 230) to anchor his offensive line, so look for the Wildcats to do what the coach likes best and pound the rock while controlling the clock. The loss of 1,000-yard rusher Jaylan Blake needs to be replaced, and Egan says last year’s fullback Mason Quinn could be that guy.

On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Josh Poleon will anchor the unit, which is in rebuilding mode. The hardest part about rebuilding, whether it’s finding one player like a quarterback or an entire defensive line, are the number of choices. At Wesley Chapel, Egan’s biggest spring battle could be finding enough players.

“We’re still struggling with numbers,” says Egan, who had about 45 kids out this spring. “It definitely presents some special challenges. We have good kids, with great skills, but we need more of them.”

bryson rodgers cypress creek Wesley Chapel Wiregrass Ranch