By Matt Wiley
This year’s Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) scores are in, and New Tampa’s schools clearly have been working hard.
According to the FCAT 2.0 test score reports released by the Florida Department of Education (DOE), the Hillsborough County School District (HCSD) performed well on the tests given in reading (grades 3-10), math (grades 3-8), science (grades 5 & 8) and writing (grades 4, 8 & 10).
By Matt Wiley
Congratulations to the Class of 2013 from Freedom and Paul R. Wharton High Schools, as you shift your tassels and move into the world after high school.
During graduation ceremonies on June 3 and 4 inside the Expo Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds (located off U.S. Hwy. 301), more than 1,000 New Tampa-area seniors crossed the stage to collect their respective diplomas.
By Matt Wiley & Gary Nager
During a small, early morning ceremony, anticipation and excitement about the future fills the room, as three Freedom High School athletes prepare to put pen to paper and sign letters of intent to attend college on athletic scholarships.Continue reading
By Gary Nager |
I already had planned to write this editorial about the recent Speech Contest at the Rotary Club of which I’m a member (the New Tampa Noon Rotary, which meets every Wednesday for lunch at Hunter’s Green Country Club, or HGCC), but since then, our country has survived another terrorist act of war perpetrated by two young people who were both naturalized American citizens in another major U.S. city.
As the father of two young men I’m very proud to call my sons, I felt it was even more important to commend and compliment the three young people who participated in our Club-level speech contest. The trio made every member of our club proud to have them represent us and yours truly even prouder to be one of the three judges for the event.
Little things like speech contests and other academic achievements are often overlooked, even by community news magazines, but I felt that at a time like this, when our faith in some seemingly wonderful young people has been shaken by a horrific act, it was even more important to honor these three teens — Wharton High sophomore Ali Giardezi, Freedom High senior Oriana Caffo and our winner, Wharton sophomore Kennedy McCann. All three spoke clearly and concisely on this year’s chosen subject — which, coincidentally (and a little stunningly), was already selected to be “Peace Through Rotary.”Continue reading
Congratulations to both Freedom and Wharton High Schools for making The Washington Post’s annual list of America’s Most Challenging High Schools!Continue reading