Updating Three Of The Stories That Ran In Our Last Issue

Wharton High grad Gabriel Hassan lost his battle with Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome after receiving his diploma.

Because of the fact we only have an issue every four weeks in each of our markets, sometimes the stories that appear in our issues are or become “old” even before (or shortly after) that issue arrives in your mailbox.

In our Feb. 6 issue, we had two such stories that really needed to be updated in this issue and a third that was an event that took place after that issue hit mailboxes.

The most important, and saddest, of these was the fact that Gabriel Hassan who was on the cover of our last issue for receiving his diploma for graduating from Wharton High on Jan. 22, while he was still at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital — passed away less than two weeks after that event.

Gabe, who was suffering from terminal leukemia, succumbed to his cancer and was buried by his family on or the day before Valentine’s Day. We also learned that his specific form of leukemia is called Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome, or SDS.

When we posted the story that Gabe had passed, his father Mahmoud Hassan commented on our Facebook page:

“He was my beloved boy — a precious soul who loved people and life.

He loved service to others, EDM music, Roblox, Video Games, Going to the movies.

He was our proud Eagle Scout and graduated HS despite all of his challenges.

Gabriel was a sweet angel and he will be missed dearly. We are grieving for our angel in heaven. We miss him so much.”

Although I never met Gabriel or his family, we join the Hassan family in their grief. Rest in Peace.

To help those afflicted with SDS, please search“Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Alliance” on Facebook.

Suzy Tkacik Falls Short Of Award

We also knew that our story about Pride Elementary media specialist Suzy Tkacik (photo) being a finalist

for the Hillsborough School District-wide Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year award would be old news by the time the Feb. 6 issue reached your mailbox.

Even so, we still felt it was important to highlight Ms.Tkacik in these pages, as she was the only finalist for any of the District’s “Excellence in Education” awards from a New Tampa school.

Well, at the District’s award gala on Feb. 1, this year’s Ida S. Baker award went to Dr. Ilfault Joseph, the community resource teacher at Jennings Middle School.

Congratulations again, Suzy. You’re still a winner in all of our eyes!

Wharton Tournament Nets $6,400!

The third story we needed to update was the second annual Wharton High Cornhole ithloma. Tournament, which was held on Feb. 10 and ended up raising more than $6,400 to provide teacher grants and classroom needs for the school.

Our congratulations go out to Wharton teacher Matt McKernan (left in photo, left) and his partner (and fellow former Wildcat) Tate Wheeler, who outlasted 28 other teams to take home the top prize, after finishing as the runners-up in last year’s inaugural Cornhole Tourney. The second-place finishers were Benito Middle School teacher Christopher Taylor and his uncle Shawn Quinn. Both winning teams left with prize packages worth more than $700!

These Seniors At Wesley Chapel’s High Schools Were Voted As Outstanding! 

It’s that time of year again, when high school seniors approach the finish line, reflecting on all that they’ve accomplished in high school and getting ready for graduation. Valedictorians at each school will be named and will receive accolades for having their school’s highest grade point average. 

Wesley Chapel’s public high schools also each honor an overall outstanding senior, recognized for being well-rounded leaders on campus, while also maintaining excellence academics. At each school, students vote for who they think should represent their class as their school’s most outstanding senior, and then the faculty votes to choose the winner. 

Please note that one of Wesley Chapel’s high schools — the Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation — doesn’t have a senior class this year, so no Kirkland student is featured below. Even so, we offer our congratulations to the outstanding seniors at each of the other three high schools in Wesley Chapel. 

Cypress Creek High 
Katya La Costa 

Katya La Costa maintains a 4.4 GPA, is an athlete who captains the varsity volleyball team and was a track & field Regional qualifier. She also leads key events and clubs, and is her school’s go-to videographer. 

She started a spirit club to organize dress up days, decorates for games and even started away game buses for students, explains Cassie Adley, Cypress Creek High’s college and career specialist. 

Katya also started a brunch for new students, where they are invited to share a meal and make connections. 

“She advertises everything on social media with clever posts and phenomenal videography,” Cassie explains. “At the start of the brunch, Katya plays her video which introduces key people at the school, clubs, school spirit, online platforms and more.” 

Katya plans to pursue nursing and participated in a pilot internship program at the University of South Florida while still a student at Cypress Creek. While maintaining impressive grades, extracurricular leadership, sports and an internship, she also worked part-time at Ice Dreammm Shop. 

“Katya is one of a kind,” says Cassie. “She is intelligent…motivated….respectful… hard- working…kind-hearted…and diligent.” 

Wesley Chapel High 
Joshua Moua 

Joshua Moua is an Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma candidate, which means he not only took rigorous AP classes, but went above and beyond to earn the Capstone designation by taking designated AP classes that develop skills in research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration, writing and presenting. 

Beyond the classroom, Joshua is president of Wesley Chapel High’s Student Government, National Spanish, National English and National Honor Societies, and secretary of the school’s National Social Studies Honor Society. He is a graduate of Youth Leadership Pasco County, founded and serves as president of the school’s GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) club and is the co-founder and co-president of the school’s first ever Asian Student Association. 

“We are so pleased to have Joshua represent our class,” says Kelly Faysash, Wesley Chapel High’s college and career specialist. “He is a dynamic, motivated young man who truly recognizes the importance of education. He is a model for our students in perseverance, responsibility, initiative and creativity.” 

His nomination letter calls him “a friend to everyone,” saying he “sets the standard” for other students to look up to as an example of good citizenship. 

“Joshua has a very bright future ahead of him and we are thrilled to call him a Wildcat,” adds Kelly. 

Wiregrass Ranch High 
Tanmay Patil 

Tanmay Patil’s rigorous academic classes have included many Advanced Placement courses, and despite the challenge, he has maintained a perfect, unweighted 4.0 grade point average. 

“Throughout his high school career, he has taken honors, dual enrollment and AP level coursework,” explains Diamela Vergne, assistant principal at Wiregrass Ranch High. “For this school year, Tanmay was the only student at the school who qualified as a National Merit Scholar semifinalist.” 

He did that by scoring an impressive 1480 on his PSAT exam, a score he later topped by earning a near-perfect 1560 on the SATs. 

While his academic record is impressive, Tanmay also serves as president of one of the largest clubs in the school, the service-oriented Key Club, with 115 members. He also is his school’s ambassador for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. In addition, Tanmay also volunteers at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel hospital as part of his school’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program. 

“Tanmay embodies exemplary scholarship, leadership, citizenship, and service,” says Diamela. 

Gabe Hassan Passes Away After Graduating From Wharton

On the cover of our Feb. 6 New Tampa issue, we told the story of Gabriel Hassan, the Wharton High senior who received his diploma for graduating from the New Tampa high school with a 4.7 GPA on Jan. 22, despite suffering from terminal leukemia. 

It was with heavy hearts that we learned yesterday that Gabe had succumbed to his cancer a few days ago and was buried on or the day before Valentine’s Day. We also learned that his specific form of leukemia is called Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome, or SDS.

Out of respect to the Hassan family, we didn’t try to contact them, but we did want to at least acknowledge his tragic passing here, as well as post the story we published about him in the paper.

To help those afflicted with SDS, please search “Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Alliance” on Facebook.

Upcoming Events: Cornhole Tournament, Book Signing, Jazz Performance, Book Sale & More! 

Last year’s “Hole Lotta Love” Cornhole Tournament at Wharton High was so successful and so much fun, the school’s PTSA decided to make it an annual event. 
(Cornhole Photos provided by the Wharton PTSA) 

Although we no longer have a regular Community Calendar listing in our print issues, there are a number of upcoming events that merit your consideration, so we decided to include as many of them here as possible. 

If you have an event upcoming that takes place after March 5, feel free to email me at ads@ntneighborhoodnews.com and I will see about getting it included in our next New Tampa issue. 

Saturday, February 10, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. — The Second Annual ‘Hole Lotta Love” Wharton Cornhole Tournament.

This event, held for the first time last year and hosted by Wharton’s PTSA, will again be held on the Wharton football field (20150 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.). This is a community event for players of all ages and skill sets. Tournament play begins at 2 p.m. and check-in opens at 1 p.m. There is no deadline to sign up, but pre-registration is highly encouraged for quicker check-in. Spectators and fans also are encouraged to come and cheer on their favorite teams and best of all, 100% of the proceeds will fund grants for Wharton’s teachers and staff. 

Each two-player team is guaranteed to play four games in the Round Robin qualifier for a chance to enter the Single Elimination Championship! In addition to ultimate bragging rights, the players from the top two teams will each walk away with a prize package. 

Can’t make the event, but still want to show your love from afar? Consider supporting us by purchasing 50/50 tickets or by making a general donation. 

The cost to play is $20 per player and all registrations are considered to be a donation to this fund-raising event. No refunds will be issued for cancelled registrations. For more information, see the ad below. 

Thursday, February 15, 8 p.m. — The Tampa Jazz Club’s USF New Tampa Jazz Series presents singer Alexis Cole with the USF Jazz Ensemble 1. 
New York-based singer Alexis Cole will join the USF Jazz Ensemble 1 at a big band performance at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center on Feb. 15. 

The USF Jazz Ensemble 1 will present an evening of modern big band jazz with outstanding New York-based singer Alexis Cole at the amazing New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Sponsored in part by the Neighborhood News. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for Jazz Club members, $10 for students and just $5 for USF students For more info, see the ad below. 

Friday, February 23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & Saturday, February 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. p.m. — The Friends of the New Tampa Library’s Annual Giant Book Sale.

The Friends of the New Tampa Library will host their annual Giant Book Sale at the New Tampa Regional Library (10001 Cross Creek Blvd.). With most books being sold for just 50 cents, all proceeds will benefit the library’s Summer Reading programs for children and events and classes for all age groups. For more information, see the ad to the right. 

Monday, February 26, 7 p.m. — Monthly meeting of the New Tampa Democratic Club.

The New Tampa Democrats are gearing up for the upcoming 2024 Presidential and local election season. For more information, see the ad below. 

Wednesday, February 28, 6 p.m. -8 p.m. — Book Launch Performance & Book Signing for Running From Yesterday by Margarette Allyn.
Margarette Allyn will be dancing and signing her book Running From Yesterday: 
A True Story of Hope, Courage and Love at the NTPAC on Feb. 28. 

Margarette Allyn (photo, left) is an author, speaker and dancer who believes in the healing power of making choices guided by instinct, intuition and faith. 

Two unexpected episodes played pivotal roles in Margarette’s life, introducing her to the world of the performing arts. 

The first was watching “The Nutcracker” on TV. The second was encountering the iconic TV show “Fame,” which struck a chord with its relatable characters and stories that felt just like her own. Dance soon became Margarette’s refuge — a way to escape and express herself. Her dance aspirations took flight when she was accepted into Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts — the real “Fame” school — in New York’s Upper West Side. 

It was a dream that seemed beyond reach, especially for a young woman from Harlem. But, Margarette held onto the idea that the sky has no limits. However, unforeseen circumstances, ego and personal choices halted her burgeoning dance career, crushing her dreams of attending Juilliard and leaving her with a deep sense of loss. 

At the age of 24, Margarette embarked on a new path, joining the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Despite battling an overwhelming cloud of dread, despair and her complex relationship with alcohol, she clung fiercely to her discipline, determination, and the will to truly live. 

Supported by her loyal friends and colleagues, she dedicated twenty years to her police career, retiring as a Sergeant in 2019. 

Today, Margarette resides in New Tampa with her husband and two sons. 

This remarkable journey serves as the focal point of her inspiring memoir, Running From Yesterday, A True Story of Hope, Courage, and Love. Grateful for the grace and mercy bestowed upon her, Margarette finds purpose in giving back to those she mentors, is dancing once again, accepts motivational and inspirational speaking engagements and looks forward to many more years of being on stage. 

Pride Elementary Media Specialist Suzy Tkacik Falls Short Of Winning Diversity Educator Of The Year Award

Updated by Gary Nager

Pride Elementary principal Paulette English (left) with Pride media specialist and 2024 Hillsborough County Public Schools’ Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year award finalist Suzy Tkacik in the school’s Media Center. (Photo provided by Hillsborough County Public Schools)

Among more than 200 nominations for the 2024 Hillsborough County Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year award, just four finalists were selected.

And, although she didn’t end up winning the award, one of those four standout District-wide educators/finalists was Pride Elementary media specialist Suzy Tkacik.

“Mrs. Tkacik is deserving of this recognition because she positively influences every student, teacher, support person, district worker, and visitor who comes our way,” says Pride principal Paulette English. “She is enthusiastic, creative, motivating, and kind. Because of her leadership and love for students, our Media Center is a cheerful, well-organized, welcoming environment, and always buzzing with happy students, teachers and volunteers.”

The Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year is one of three awards given out each year by the Hillsborough Education Foundation, in partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools. 

According to the Foundation’s website, the award is named after Ida S. Baker, who became the first African-American to serve as Deputy Superintendent for the Florida Department of Education (DoE), after she also was the founding principal of Cape Coral High and the first-ever Black high school principal in Lee County. Baker was known for her efforts to support diverse students and encourage academic success. After her passing in 1992, the DoE created this statewide award in her honor.

Each school in Hillsborough County may nominate one teacher who, “embodies the pioneering spirit of Ida S. Baker by going above and beyond to meet the needs of our diverse student population.”

Suzy says she loves being the media specialist at Pride, where most of the school’s families come from other countries.

“About 60 percent of our families are from India, and then we have students from China, South America, Africa, Europe, Eastern Europe and others,” she says. “I’ve gotten to meet students from all around the world.”

She says that once she meets a student, she tries very hard to remember his or her name. “We have students who have more than 20 characters in their first name alone,” she says. “I take a lot of time to learn their names and learn how to pronounce them. It matters a great deal to me.”

And then, she also makes sure that every student is represented in the Media Center’s library by the books and materials that are available to them.

She says she recently had a seven-year-old ask for a book about her home country of Jordan. Since there wasn’t one already in the library, Suzy found one to be added to the collection. When it arrived in the Media Center last week, Suzy says the girl’s eyes just lit up.

“That’s Amman!,” she says the girl exclaimed as she flipped through the pages. “That’s my city!”

Suzy says the wonderful diversity of her school has had a deep impact on her. 

She thinks back to last fall, when she challenged her students to share information about the Hindu festival of Diwali on the school’s morning show. Suzy says she learned about the ways Diwali is celebrated by many of the school’s families who are from India. While it’s a common holiday to celebrate, each family has different traditions and some even have different beliefs about the origin of Diwali.

“When I get to hear their stories of their rich backgrounds, I want to soak it all in,” Suzy says. “They teach me more than anything.”

Suzy has been the media specialist at Pride since she launched her second career 15 years ago. Before that, she earned a degree in public relations and journalism. She says once her children — who are now 28, 25, and 22 — started school, she “discovered school libraries and what cool places they are” and returned to college to earn a Master of Arts (M.S.) degree in Library Information science from University of South Florida (USF). 

For the last 15 years, she says she has been surrounded by fantastic educators who do an amazing job of maintaining Pride’s “A” rating year after year.

“I don’t have a degree in education,” Suzy says, “so everything I’ve learned about being an educator has been from watching my great colleagues. It’s a team effort.”

Unfortunately for the timing of our Feb. 6 New Tampa issue, Hillsborough County’s 2024 Excellence in Education Awards Gala was held on Feb. 1, after that issue went to press. The Ida S. Baker Award winner this year was Dr. Ilfaut Joseph of Jennings Middle School.  The other two annual awards announced at the Excellence in Education program on Feb. 1 were the 2024 Teacher of the Year Dr. Clayton Nylund of Blake High and Instructional Support Employee of the Year Maria Ortiz of Temple Terrace Elementary

All 11 schools in New Tampa submitted a nominee in each of the three categories. But this year, Suzy was the only New Tampa nominee to be chosen as a finalist in any category. “Our amazing Mrs. Tkacik wears lots of hats and is many things to many people,” English says. “She makes every child feel special and makes everyone she works with feel valued and appreciated.”