HOPE Services Hosts Another Successful ‘Dance Your Dream’ Event 

“This is a dream come true,” says Cindy Bray, executive director and founder of Hope Services, Life Skills & Vocational Training Center, reflecting on the success of this year’s annual “Dance Your Dream” event. 

Dance Your Dream was designed to offer a free prom-type experience for individuals ages 14 and older who live with disabilities, starting four years ago with just 80 attendees, Dance Your Dream has become an annual tradition that now brings together the community in celebration of hope and support. This year, the event saw 300 attendees at Wesley Chapel District Park on Apr. 26, where the gym was filled with music, laughter, and dreams coming to life. 

Chick-fil-A provided delicious meals (and the Chick-fil-A cows) that added warmth to the night, and the event featured music, games and a 360-photo booth. 

A highlight of the evening was the surprise guest, Raiqwon O’Neal, the offensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneer (#75), whose presence brought joy and excitement, lifting the spirits of everyone in attendance. “His message and meet-and-greet were the perfect way to start the night,” Bray said. 

“The smiles and laughter in the room were priceless,” says Cindy Bray. “My heart is full of all the joy we shared that night.” 

With 22 years of experience, Cindy founded Hope Services, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization contracted with the Department of Education/ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Serving 10 counties within a 50-mile radius from their location at 5426 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Hope Services offers life skills and vocational training to individuals living with disabilities. To support Hope Services, visit HopeGetsJobs.com.

Congratulations To The Top Seniors At Every Wesley Chapel High School! 


Congratulations to the graduating classes of 2025! For those in our community graduating from college, high school, or even kindergarten or preschool, it’s an exciting time to look forward and chase your dreams. At Wesley Chapel’s four public high schools, hundreds of students are anticipating tossing their caps and moving on to the next phase of life, whether it’s further education or starting their careers. This includes the first-ever graduating class at the Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, which opened for the 2022-23 school year with just freshman and sophomores. We salute these top students at each of our Wesley Chapel public high schools and say congratulations to you and all of the graduates! 


Cypress Creek High 

1. Anastasia Herzek 

GPA: 4.7143 

Clubs/Activities: National Honor Society (NHS), American Sign Language Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, Clemson Summer Scholars, Game Master at Arcanum Escape Room 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Chemistry 

Best thing about high school: Making connections with friends and staff at Cypress Creek. 

2. Daniel Garcia 

GPA: 4.7000 

Clubs/Activities: Science National Honor Society, NHS, Custodial Service with Robotics team, Volunteer at pharmacy, Work at Kohls & Publix 

College planning to attend: University of Central Florida 

Planned major or future career: Mechanical Engineering 

Best thing about high school: Being able to see my friends! 

3. Nico Gust 

GPA: 4.6780 

Clubs/Activities: NHS, McDonald’s, Raising Cane’s, Martial Arts (black belt), Model UN, Crochet Club, National Merit Scholarship Finalist 

College planning to attend: University of North Florida 

Planned major or future career: Marine Biology 

Best thing about high school: Being done! 

4. Keira Lefebvre 

GPA: 4.6885 

Clubs/Activities: Track, Cross Country, NHS, Science National Honor Society, Volunteer at AdventHealth, Insurance Marketing Associate, Crochet Club, Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Chemistry 

Best thing about high school: Hanging out with my friends. 

5. Marisa Morales 

GPA: 4.6275 

Clubs/Activities: Volunteered at Pasco County Animal shelter, Volunteer at Pasco Schools, Clemson summer scholar, NHS, NSHS, HOSA 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Biochemistry 

Best thing about high school: My friends 

6. Cristina Dima 

GPA: 4.6146 

Clubs/Activities: Author & illustrator of a children’s book, Elem. school volunteer at library, Bioengineering research program (Clemson Summer Scholars), NHS, HOSA, Hillsborough State Park Halloween Event Volunteer 

College planning to Attend: Univ. of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Biological Sci. 

Best thing about high school: My friends 

7. Hannah Hershey 

GPA: 4.6019 

Clubs/Activities: Student Government, Treasurer of Spirit Club, Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy, National Honor Society, Volleyball, Job at Chicken Salad Chick & Pack Leader 

College planning to attend: Univ. of Central Florida 

Planned major or future career: Accounting 

Best thing about high school: Meeting new people and making connections. 

8. Diana Le 

GPA: 4.5673 

Clubs/Activities: Lady Coyote Engineering, Vietnamese language tutor, part-time retail job 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Accounting 

Best thing about high school: The community. 

9. Camryn Paradise 

GPA: 4.5600 

Clubs/Activities: NHS, National English Honor Society, spirit club, Science NHS, Spanish NHS, Club volleyball, Volleyball 

College planning to attend: Clemson University 

Planned major or future career: Business; minor in Biology 

Best thing about high school: Being involved with clubs and organizations and putting events together especially (my favorite) pep rallies! 

10. Jacob Sheldon 

GPA: 4.5510 

Clubs/Activities: National English Honor Society, Book Club, Art Club, Reading/Writing, Poetry, Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Weightlifting 

College planning to attend: University of Central Florida 

Planned major or future career: Neuroscience 

Best thing about high school: The unique personalities and people that I got to know over the years. My friends mean so much to me. 

Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation

1. Diana Bisekeeva 

GPA: 4.59 

Clubs/Activities: GPS Robotics (VEX & FIRST Team), Founder & Pres. of ResuPrep, Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, GPS Connect Outreach Founder & Pres., R:ED Robotics Education Software Engineer Intern, Mediacube UI/UX Designer Intern, The TCK Times Founder & Editor-in-Chief, NHS President, Science NHS, Women of Tomorrow, Math Peer Tutor, Varsity Tennis 

College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Industrial & Systems Engineering 

Best thing about high school: The connections you build with your peers. 

2. Sarah Streeter 

GPA: 4.34 

Clubs/Activities: Editor-in-Chief of yearbook, Officer of FFA, SGA representative, Dual Enrollment Student 

College planning to attend: Georgia State University 

Planned major or future career: Neurology (pre-med) 

Best thing about high school: The opportunity to connect with your peers and enjoy your youth together in one place. 

3. Nolan Correa 

GPA: 4.46 

Clubs/Activities: Volunteer at Star Academy 

College planning to attend: Pasco Hernando State College 

Planned major or future career: Radiology 

Best thing about high school: The overall freedom that you have. 

4. Rudra Patel 

GPA: 4.40 

Clubs/Activities: Chess Club, math tutor, Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation News 

College planning to attend: Florida Polytechnic University 

Planned major or future career: Computer or Cybersecurity Engineering 

Best thing about high school: The people you meet. 

5. Giovanni Ventilato

GPA: 4.40 

Clubs/Activities: Health & Fitness Club, Church activities 

College planning to attend: University of South Florida 

Planned major or future career: Aerospace engineering 

Best thing about high school: Having a good amount of freedom. 

6. Donovan Arteaga 

GPA: 4.55 

Clubs/Activities: National Honor Society member, Flower power club member 

College planning to attend: University of South Florida 

Planned major or future career: Chemical engineering 

Best thing about high school: The friends you make and the people you meet. 

7. Alexi Sanchez 

GPA: 4.49 

Clubs/Activities: NHS, Volunteer at Marine Corps League & Special Olympics, initiated a program to promote oral health to underprivileged children, participated in World Stride Educational Travel-STEM & Cultural Immersion program, dual enrollment student at Pasco Hernando State College, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society 

College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Biology (pre-med) 

Best thing about high school: Hanging out with friends. 

8. Jansen Warren 

GPA: 4.34 

Clubs/Activities: Volunteering at Kirkland Ranch K-8 

College planning to attend: Pasco Hernando State College 

Planned major or future career: Computer Science 

Best thing about high school: Spending time with friends. 

9. Camden Chase 

GPA: 4.42 

Clubs/Activities: Soccer, Student Government Vice President, NHS Officer, Health and Fitness Club Member, Dual Enrollment Student 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Finance 

Best thing about high school: Figuring out what you want to do in the future. 

10. Emersyn Mullis 

GPA: 4.46 

Clubs/Activities: Dual Enrollment student, Employed student 

College planning to attend: Pasco Hernando State College 

Planned major or future career: Business 

Best thing about high school: The ability to branch off and learn more about yourself. 

11. Dalyn Brown 

GPA: 4.54 

Clubs/Activities: Dual Enrollment Student at Pasco Hernando State College, earned Associate of Arts, Track & Field Athlete, Volunteer: AdventHealth, Employed Student, National Future Medical Leaders Conference, National Society of High Scholars 

College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Pre-Med/ Biomedical Sciences 

Best thing about high school: The friendships and company you keep, along with the memories you make, define your journey through these four years. 

12. Alessa Gonzalez 

GPA: 4.42 

Clubs/Activities: Dual Enrollment Student, Tennis, Soccer, Johns Hopkins Summer Program Participant, Pepin Family USF Summer Nursing Pathway Program, HERricane Summer Camp Participant, NHS Member, Navigating Our Community, Employed Student 

College planning to attend: University of South Florida 

Planned major or future career: Biomedical science/neuroscience Pre-Health USF 

Best thing about high school: All the friends I made and the labs I participated in at KRAI’s Biomedical Science program.

13. Tessa Mast 

GPA: 3.92 (unweighted) 

Clubs/Activities: Bowling 

College planning to attend: University of Central Florida 

Planned major or future career: Business (pre-accounting) 

Best thing about high school: Getting real-world experiences and skills through the programs at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation.  


Wesley Chapel High School 
Wesley Chapel High’s Top-10 Graduating Seniors are (l.-r.) Caique Santos-Silva, Sean Donahue, Luiza Guryeva, Maya Almodovar, Pierre-Etienne Boisvert, Erin McDermott, Filipp Ramsey, Nikki Watson and Ming Yang. Not pictured here: Luanna Mineiro De Souza. (Group photo provided by Wesley Chapel High) 

1. Sean Donahue, Valedictorian 

GPA: 4.7213 

Clubs/Activities: Eagle Scout, Debate Club Co-founder, IPPF Policy Debate, Lacrosse, SAT & Elementary Tutor, NHS Vice President, AP Capstone Diploma 

College planning to attend: Yale University 

Planned major or future career: Computer Sci. 

Best thing about high school: Away games with the lacrosse team 

2. Pierre-Etienne Boisvert, Salutatorian 

GPA: 4.71 

Clubs/Activities: Taught myself how to program and make video games, AP Capstone Diploma 

College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Physics 

Best thing about high school: How much I was able to test my own skills and limits, pushing myself further and further every day to accomplish goals. 

3. Luanna Mineiro De Souza 

GPA: 4.68 

Clubs/Activities: Associate of Arts degree at PHSC through Dual Enrollment 

College planning to attend: Pasco Hernando State College’s Nursing Program 

Planned major/future career: Nurse Anesthetist 

Best thing about high school: Going to volleyball and football games with my friends and enjoying the school spirit! 

4. Filipp Ramsey 

GPA: 4.67 

Clubs/Activities: Programming/Game development, AP Capstone Diploma 

College planning to attend: USF 

Planned major or future career: Computer sci. 

Best thing about high school: Opportunity to learn alongside some of the smartest and hardest-working students I have met. 

5. Caique Santos-Silva 

GPA: 4.65 

Clubs/Activities: VP of WCHS Business & Finance Club, Secretary of NHS, Secretary of Science NHS, FCA Member, Varsity Lacrosse, AP Capstone Diploma, Associate of Arts degree at PHSC through Dual Enrollment 

College planning to attend: University of Florida Honors 

Planned major or future career: Business Administration or Accounting 

Best thing about high school: Meeting all my friends and the staff. I continuously grew as a person, and so did those around me. I found people who pushed me to improve and held me accountable in all the things I do. I doubt that I would be who I am now without all those who kept me laughing, smiling and working hard. 

6. Maya Almodovar 

GPA: 4.63 

Clubs/Activities: Dance teacher, tutor, receptionist, barista, Rho Kappa (president), NEHS (vice president) & NEHS (member), Earned my Associate of Arts degree at PHSC through Dual Enrollment 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Civil Rights Lawyer 

Best thing about high school: Having the opportunity to attend USF my senior year. 

7. Nikki Watson 

GPA: 4.62 

Clubs/Activities: Golf (First Tee team and players club), Band, including marching band as drum major and playing flute, wind ensemble playing flute and piccolo, and concert band playing trumpet, NHS, Associate of Arts degree at PHSC through Dual Enrollment 

College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Biology with a specialization in Biotechnology 

Best thing about high school: Finding a ‘family’ in the band and also finding who I really am through all of my experiences. Making it as drum major in my senior year, and making friends with everyone. Everyone is growing in life just like you, so you can always find people that you connect with. 

8. Ming Yang 

GPA: 4.62 

Clubs/Activities: Clean Earth Club, National Honors Society, Tennis AP Capstone Diploma 

College planning to attend: University of Pennsylvania or Brown University 

Planned major or future career: Physics 

Best Thing About High School: The amazing people I met, both peers and teachers, that made school enjoyable. 

9. Erin McDermott 

GPA: 4.608 

Clubs/Activities: Club Gymnastics, NHS, Wesley Chapel Dance Program, AP Capstone Diploma, Anne Frank Humanitarian Award 

College planning to attend: United States Air Force Academy 

Planned major or future career: Biology/Pre- Health Professions. I plan to become a Flight Surgeon. 

Best thing about high school: Meeting all of my best friends. 

10. Luiza Guryeva 

GPA: UW: 3.98/ W: 4.56 

Clubs/Activities: ResuPrep Startup Founder & CEO, Florida Founder & Executive of Active Hearts Association, GPS Robotics Business Lead for FIRST Competition, author of Comparative Case Study on Immigrant Entrepreneurship, Market Research Website & Analysis Report Creator, Founder and President of Business & Finance Club, Team Leader & Strategy Coordinator for Wharton Global Investment Competition, Calaton Systems Business Development Manager Trainee, Varsity Tennis, AP Capstone Diploma 

College planning to attend: Georgetown University 

Planned major or future career: Finance 

Best thing about high school: Hospital visits with the Active Hearts Association club. 


Wiregrass Ranch High School 
Wiregrass Ranch High’s High’s Top-16 Graduating Seniors are (l.-r.) L to R: Vedanti Patel, Sydney Ficks, Nicholas Kovacs, Vishnu Araveeti, Daniel Cheng, Rohit Naras, Tristan Pasquale, Ian Kim, Austin McCallister, Jack Flanary, Aubrey McKeon, Nicollette Watson, Brenden Brewer, Vera Zheng, Darren Lin & Hunter Paladio. (Group photo provided by Wiregrass Ranch 

1. Austin McCallister, Valedictorian 

GPA: 4.75 

Clubs/Activities: Science Olympiad 

College planning to attend: Georgia Institute of Technology 

Planned major or future career: Computer Engineering 

Best thing about high school: Mr. Cuviello’s and Mr. Cordero’s science labs. 

2. Nicholas Kovacs, Salutatorian 

GPA: 4.7302 

Clubs/Activities: Studying, focusing on academics 

College planning to attend: USF 

Planned major or future career: Mechanical Engineering 

Best thing about high school: Meeting people. If I hadn’t attended high school, I wouldn’t have met all these other bright students. I am hoping we can all stay in contact. 

3. Ian Kim 

GPA: 4.69 

Clubs/Activities: Science Fair, Science Olympiad, Orchestra, Mu Alpha Theta, FBLA, Tri-M, Science National Honor Society 

College planning to attend: California Institute of Technology (Caltech) 

Planned major or future career: Electrical Engineering 

Best thing about high school: Hanging out with friends and Mr. Cordero in AP Physics every day. 

4. Daniel Cheng 

GPA: 4.6897 

Clubs/Activities: Future Business Leaders of America, Cybersecurity Club, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Piano, Volunteer at MD Oriental Market 

College Planning to Attend: Univ. of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Computer Science or Computer Engineering 

Best Thing about High School: Collecting memories, not just homework. 

5. Vishnu Araveeti 

GPA: 4.6639 

Clubs/Activities: FBLA, Science Olympiad; I also ran a commerce business. 

College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Data science/ Computer Science 

Best thing about high school: Having great teachers to learn from and creating many friends. 

6. Aubrey McKeon 

GPA: 4.6591 

Clubs/Activities: Tutored for math & science honors societies, leadership in music honors society, 9 years of choir, FMEA’s All-State Chorus, member of the Science Olympiad team 

College planning to attend: University of Central Florida 

Planned major or future career: Aerospace Engineering 

Best thing about high school: Friends and relationships you create along the way. 

7. Rohit Naras 

GPA: 4.6604 

Clubs/Activities: FBLA, Science Olympiad, Varsity Tennis, Research 

College planning to attend: Georgia Institute of Technology 

Planned major or future career: Computer engineering, hopes to start my own tech company 

Best thing about high school: Having genuine fun with my friends inside & outside of the classroom. 

8. Darren Lin 

GPA: 4.6346 

Clubs/Activities: Mu Alpha Theta, Key Club, FBLA, Asian Association &Allies, Amnesty Int’l. 

College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Mechanical Engineering 

Best thing about high school: It’s a great place to meet good people who share your values 

9. Vera Zheng 

GPA: 4.6296 

Clubs/Activities: Mu Alpha Theta, Key Club, FBLA, Asian Association & Allies, Amnesty Int’l. 

College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Computer Science 

Best thing about high school: Getting to find new friends and hanging out with them. 

10. Krish Patel 

GPA: 4.6207 

Clubs/Activities: SHNS tutoring, FBLA, HOSA & Key Club, Passion project to showcase the benefits of vegetarianism for the body & the environment, helped coordinate the first-ever fire ritual for youths to honor the largest Hindu temple outside of India. 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Microbiology and Cell Science (Medical Career) 

Best thing about high school: All the friends and memories that you can make before heading to college. 


Editor’s Note – We appreciate that all four local high schools provided us with the photos and information you see on these pages. We have no idea why some schools provided more than their top-10 graduating seniors, why some of the students’ photos were not provided nor why the students’ GPAs at Kirkland Ranch appear to be out of order. All we’ve done is provide an outlet for each school to provide their photos & information. 

The New Tampa Dance Theatre Is Celebrating 30 Years Of Success! 

The New Tampa Dance Theatre, located on Cross Creek Blvd. (across from the Heritage Isles community), has been providing dancers of all ages in the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel area with professional instruction in many different dance disciplines. (All photos provided by Dyane Elkins IronWing) 

For 30 remarkable years, the New Tampa Dance Theatre (NTDT) on Cross Creek Blvd. (across from the Heritage Isles community) has been a beacon of joy and artistic excellence, nurturing young dancers and helping them discover the transformative power of dance. Whether their students come with dreams of performing on the world’s grandest stages or simply to experience the joy of movement, NTDT is proud to offer a world class, professional and versatile program experience that is truly unmatched in the Tampa Bay area. 

NTDT is the largest professional dance training facility in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. Owner and Artistic Director Dyane Elkins IronWing is in her 30th season of creating dance memories and futures for her students, many of whom have gone on to study dance in college and/ or dance professionally. 

“As always, I’m beyond proud of our students,” says Elkins IronWing. “Our dancers become excellent college students, with their impressive time-management skills, perseverance, and creative thinking. As we kick off our 30th Anniversary Celebration, we plan to continue giving back to our community with the ‘Pay It Forward’ program and offering all new students $25 per month tuition for every class!” 

Growth Was Inevitable 

With the bigger location built in 2006, eleven years after NTDT first opened, Elkins IronWing was off and running, offering smaller class sizes and larger, more varied schedules. 

She says NTDT has an even larger pool of students today, with the ongoing explosive growth in Wesley Chapel, as well as in New Tampa. 

“Our name might say New Tampa,” she says, “but our location is much closer to Wesley Chapel than one might assume. We are extremely convenient to all of the current growth (there). Wesley Chapel families are shocked when they discover just how close we are and excited about how quickly they can drive to our facility.” 

Not Just For Future Pros! 

NTDT caters to both the recreational dance lover (even adults) as well as the devoted pre-professional — and every level in between. The school’s leveled curriculum offers multiple art forms for students to explore. Through personalized attention and professional expertise, NTDT’s professional faculty strives to provide a positive educational experience. 

Children ages 3-4 can participate in the school’s Early Childhood Program, ages 5-8 can take part in the Children’s Program and ages 9-18 are invited to join NTDT’s Youth Program. 

In addition to classical ballet training, NTDT also offers full programs in creative movement, modern, jazz, tap and hip-hop. 

Each program has its own directors and specific syllabuses guiding students in a structured manner through their studies. 

The facilities at NTDT are as top notch as the instructors, and include maple flooring for the tap classes, 20-25-ft.-tall mirrored walls, student locker rooms and a large studio space that can accommodate up to 200 people. 

Sprung floors provide shock absorption to protect the dancers’ joints and an on-site physical therapist ensures the health of the dancers. NTDT also features a cafĂ© for a break, meal, or homework. 

World-Class Credentials 

NTDT has developed a reputation for creating strong, professional dancers with alumni who have moved on to highly respected dance companies, Broadway productions, national tours, and the Walt Disney Company. 

Because NTDT students learn to be proficient in multiple art forms, they have an edge in the competitive world of dance and many of them have been accepted into prestigious summer intensive programs, including the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theater in New York City, The Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, Cincinnati Ballet and the Boston Ballet. 

“Reflecting on 30 years in our community, it’s beyond words the gratitude and love I have for the amazing people who have been a part of our dance programs and family,” says Elkins IronWing. 

One local former student certainly agrees with that assessment. “I credit all of my success as a professional dancer to the foundational training I received at NTDT from ages 6-18,” says Victoria DeRenzo, who today is a professional dancer and choreographer who has toured internationally in 28 countries on four continents, most notably with the renowned Pilobolus Dance Theatre in Washington Depot, CT. 

“I loved every second of my experience growing up there,” DeRenzo adds, “but I had no idea how spoiled I was until I graduated. Not many people receive a top-notch dance education in multiple artforms during their lifetimes, let alone at the age of 6.” 

If a student doesn’t choose to pursue a career in dance after high school, they can still reach a level of artistry to be accepted into many college dance programs, says Elkins IronWing. 

“Believing in yourself, respecting the process of working towards a goal, and having a well-rounded dance education give our students the tools and confidence to continue discovering new passions throughout their lifetimes,” she says. 

Participating In Productions 

All students have the opportunity to perform in NTDT’s “Spring Production” and — through the studio’s nonprofit partner, the Dance Theatre of Tampa (DTT) — in the winter production of “The Nutcracker (photo below)” as well as the “Summer Concert Series,” held in June at the USF Tampa campus. 

DTT provides more than 300 free tickets to NTDT’s corporate sponsors, local community supporters, alumni members and students. 

New Tampa residents Brian and Trisha Mangan enrolled their daughters Mattie and Mikayla at any early age with NTDT. 

“What began as tentative steps has blossomed into a journey of incredible growth, thanks to the dedicated and caring instructors,” Trisha says. “NTDT has not only shaped them into skilled dancers, but into confident and determined young women embodying the values of hard work and perseverance — attributes that extend far beyond the dance studio.” 

Every holiday season, Elkins IronWing says local residents look forward to the community’s largest and longest-running interpretation of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, “The Nutcracker,” now in its 25th DTT Anniversary season. This year, “The Nutcracker” will be performed Friday-Sunday, December 20-22, at the USF Tampa College of Arts Theater 1. 

Prior to the on-stage performances at USF, DTT also will again perform “The Nutcracker Suite” on Saturday & Sunday, December 7-8, at 6, 7 & 8 p.m., at The Shops at Wiregrass. 

“It’s all about the children at NTDT, always has been and always will be,” Elkins IronWing says. “We are a company that enables children to succeed. The key is setting high expectations, all while having fun and building self-confidence. With this 30th Anniversary celebration season ahead of us, we would like to thank all of our trusting and loyal families over the years and organizations that continually support our vision. Without their recognition and time, NTDT wouldn’t be the magical place it has become!” 

The New Tampa Dance Theatre offers year-round free trial classes for prospective dancers of all ages. To tour the facility or to rent it for a meeting, party or function, visit NTDT at 10701 Cross Creek Blvd. For more information and to check out the exciting lineup of Fall 2024 classes, visit NewTampaDanceTheatre.com or call (813) 994-NTDT (6838). You also can follow NTDT on Facebook and Instagram at “New Tampa Dance Theatre.”

“Stuff The Bus” Campaign Raises $15,000+ In Wesley Chapel!

The Pasco Education Foundation (PEF) has raised more than $15,000 in school supplies for its Wise Supplies program in three separate “Stuff the Bus” events held in and near Wesley Chapel (similar events are held throughout the county) in July and August. Wise Supplies program manager Sierra Johnson says that all told, the “Stuff the Bus” events held at the Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills Walmart stores (almost $5,000), at Bubba’s 33 (in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel, which raised nearly $6,000) and the most recent event hosted jointly by Rock & Brews and Main Event on S.R. 56 on Aug. 25 together (about $5,000) were “hugely successful and will help many teachers provide school supplies for their students who need them throughout the school year.” 

According to PEF’s website, “Wise Supplies is a Free Teacher Resource Store founded by the Pasco Education Foundation to help alleviate the financial burden for families and teachers. Many times teachers spend their own funds before letting their students go without. We want every student to have the basic supplies they need for academic success.” Johnson says that even though the Main Event/Rock & Brews event (which ended up being held the same day as a previously scheduled car show on the 25th), had to be rescheduled from Aug. 4 and wasn’t held until after the 2024-25 school year had started, “Pasco teachers need these supplies throughout the year for their students. The need doesn’t go away just because school starts.” 

To help PEF’s Wise Supplies program, which provided more than $154,000 in supplies for more than 1,300 teachers in 83 Pasco schools during the 2023-24 school year and will accept donations throughout this school year, visit PascoEducationFoundation.org.

PHSC Porter’s Campus Adds Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute 

The ribbon at the new Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute was cut by (l.-r., all holding scissors) PHSC Trustee & BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel president Becky Schulkowski, State Rep. Randy Maggard & Dr. Jesse Pisors. 

I was proud to attend the Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute’s Grand Opening and ribbon cutting on July 17 at Pasco Hernando State College (PHSC)’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch (where the Institute will be housed), where the room selected was so crowded (with probably in excess of 100 people in attendance) that I couldn’t get close enough to sit down and take notes (or record the proceedings). My story in the August 6 Wesley Chapel issue is therefore drastically different from what you’re reading, as I didn’t receive the video of the actual proceedings until after that Wesley Chapel issue went to press. 

At any rate, PHSC received $1.5 million in state appropriations in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ most recent state budget to fund the establishment of the new Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute and the event on July 17 brought together local healthcare leaders, community stakeholders and PHSC staff and faculty to celebrate the establishment of the Institute. 

Among those who spoke at the Grand Opening of the Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute at Pasco Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch on July 17 were (below right) PHSC President Dr. Jesse Pisors, (below left) State Senator Danny Burgess (who appeared via Zoom) and (above) Dr. Lisa Richardson, PHSC’s VP of Advancement, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships. 

According to Lisa Richardson, Ed.D., PHSC’s VP of Advancement, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships, this innovative and collaborative institute will address the well-documented allied healthcare and nursing shortage in the state of Florida and can be used as a model nationwide. 

“We are committed to building strong relationships, driving innovation and making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve,” Richardson said. 

Through a multi-pronged, comprehensive and collaborative approach, the institute will increase nursing and allied health pipelines on both sides of the equation — increasing the talent pipeline for faculty as well as for future nursing and allied health employees. 

Andrea Brvenik, PHSC’s General Counsel and VP of Government Relations, said that, “There really was a lack of harmony in trying to address our workforce issues. Synergy is what we hope to achieve with this Institute, with the idea of bringing funding to a problem that is needed. We do get state funding to buy equipment, but we don’t get state funding to truly address the workforce issues. But, this whole thing started to come together when (District 54) State Representative Randy Maggard called to ask me, ‘What are the things we can do here?’ And then, this whole thing started to come together.” 

Rep. Maggard said he was proud to get the ball rolling for the state appropriation for the new Nursing Institute at PHSC. 

“Well-trained nurses and medical staff are needed over the next several decades not only for our community, but for our entire state,” said Rep. Maggard. “I was honored to sponsor this funding request for my Alma Mater, so that we can ensure our best and brightest have the opportunity to study nursing right here in our community. Through this program, these future nurses and medical professionals will have the tools they need to prevent a crisis level nursing shortage in the future.” 

Rep. Maggard also noted that, “It’s no secret that this area is becoming the medical hub of the state. We have doctors calling us from Europe and Asia wanting to come here.” He added that he and District 20 State Senator Danny Burgess, who appeared at the meeting via Zoom, are committed to trying to get additional funding for the new Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute in next year’s budget, too. 

“We both asked, ‘What’s our next step to keep this growing and growing?,’” Maggard said. 

The Institute will be housed at the college’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel. The first step in establishing the new institute will be to develop a strategic plan. 

“This isn’t going to be a new building,” PHSC President Jesse Pisors, Ed.D., said. “This is an effort to solve a problem. [This nursing shortage] is one of the major workforce problems our entire nation is facing and in the Tampa Bay area, with our growing and aging population, it is particularly acute.” 

Pisors pointed to PHSC’s 47-year history of adding nurses to the workforce — including more than 160 last year alone — “In fact,” he said, “NursingProgress.org listed PHSC as the best on-line and in-person LPN (Licensed Practical Nursing) program in the state of Florida, but the shortage has still grown, so we still need to do more.” 

He added, “Higher education institutions, including PHSC, desperately seek highly qualified faculty, and institutions of health services struggle with significant gaps in nursing and allied health employees. The circumstance is amplified because improved retention and development strategies are critically needed, and without a plan in place, a real threat exists in the health care system. The Nursing and Allied Health Advancement Institute will provide these plans and focus on solutions in collaboration with significant stakeholders.” 

Pisors also noted that the state budget was tight at the State level his year, “So I am grateful to Governor DeSantis for preserving this particular initiative. This wasn’t an easy year for him to do that, but I think this [allocation] is indicative of his commitment to workforce in the health care industry.” 

In addition to Dr. Pisors, Rep. Maggard, Dr. Richardson and Brvenik, other speakers at the event included PHSC Trustee Becky Schulkowski and Billie Gabbard, Ed.D., the Dean of Nursing & Allied Health Programs at PHSC. 

“I am here wearing two hats today,” Schulkowski said. “As a Trustee for the Board of PHSC and as a member of the health care community. As the president of BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel, I can tell you that this institute is greatly needed by our community and our entire state. Hiring and retaining qualified nurses and allied health care professionals is a top priority for not only our hospital but for hospitals across our entire state. We simply can not provide the quality of care that our patients deserve without a qualified pool of candidates from which to hire.” 

Schulkowski also noted that since so many nurses and allied health care workers left the workforce during the Covid-19 pandemic, “the industry has been slow to recover. But, through this new institute, we hope to find solutions to facilitate greater engagement among those who may be interested in pursuing a medical career and provide a clear pipeline from education to employment.” 

She added that it is estimated that Florida will need “an additional 59,000 nurses over the next ten years to meet [the state’s] demand. That is why this Institute is such an important need in this community and our state.” 

Meanwhile, Gabbard hailed the establishment of the new Institute as a “major accomplishment. This Institute will further strengthen the symbiotic relationships that already exists between PHSC and our community health care partners. Together, we can move forward and ensure that the health care needs of Pasco and Hernando counties are met. It is an honor to be part of such an innovative endeavor.” 

Among the many dignitaries who attended the Grand Opening event in person was County Commissioner Seth Weightman, whose District 2 includes the Porter Campus. 

The ribbon at the Grand Opening was cut by Schulkowski, Dr. Pisors and Rep. Maggard. 

For more information about the Pasco Hernando State College Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute, contact Lisa Richardson, Ed.D., VP of Advancement, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships, at (727) 816-3404. 

The room for the Grand Opening event was packed to standing room only.Â