Due to a new state law implemented for the start of the 2025-26 school year, students in grades K-8 can no longer be on their phones during school and high school students can only use their phones at lunch time.ย (Photo is a stock image not taken at a Pasco County School District school)ย
A new state law in use for the first time for the 2025-26 school year says students canโt use cell phones or any wireless devices during the school day. And so far, it looks like school administrators, teachers, parents and maybe even students in the Wesley Chapel area are glad for the change.
โI donโt want to jinx myself,โ says Cypress Creek Middle School principal Tim Light, โbut I havenโt gotten any pushback.โ
He says students have been respectful, and itโs nice to see that they donโt have earbuds in as theyโre walking around school. Teachers donโt mind that they have to use school technology, such as laptop computers, rather than students using their own phones for technology-based learning.
Next door at Cypress Creek High, principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles agrees that not having the students wearing headphones is positive for campus culture. โTheyโre talking to each other and talking to us adults,โ Hetzler-Nettles says. โIt makes them more communicative.โ
Where students may have been in their own headspaces listening to music before, she explains that now they are smiling and saying โGood morningโ in a friendly way.
At the high school level, students are allowed to use their phones during lunch, which Hetzler-Nettles says comes toward the end of the day, and she feels is a fair use of personal devices.
Other than at lunch time, high school students have to have their phones off or in airplane mode from the time they arrive on campus until dismissal, including passing periods.
โParents want their kids to come here and learn,โ she says, โand not have all the distractions. Weโre all on the same page.โ
Kelly Grills is a parent who agrees. A former Pasco County elementary teacher, she says she loved it when the Pasco School District started adding restrictions on the phones a few years ago.
โItโs a huge win for teachers,โ she says. โThere were so many distractions and issues with [students on their] phones.โ
Grillsโ three children now attend middle and high school.
โMy own children carry them in their backpacks,โ she says, explaining that she uses a tracking app, especially for her youngest, who rides his bike to and from school.
Light agrees the distractions have been limited by the policies the District has enacted over the years.
โYears ago, the majority of our discipline was [dealing with] students on phones,โ he says.
But now, he explains, there are no students texting each other in a way that causes problems or pulling out phones to shoot video when fights break out.
Even with the stricter rules on kindergarten through eighth grade campuses, where phones arenโt allowed at all โ even during lunch โ Light thinks the new policy is working well.
โThey are able to focus on school and personal, face-to-face relationships,โ he says. โOverall student discipline and how students are carrying themselves conduct-wise has changed dramatically for the positive.โ
New Tampa Schools Are Adjusting To The New Electronics Lawย
A new Florida law this school year says students canโt use cell phones or any wireless device during the school day, and so far, school administrators say the change has been welcome.
In many cases, especially at the high school level, it doesnโt look much different than last year, when district policy said phones couldnโt be used during school except if allowed by teachers for instructional purposes.
โWe really didnโt need to change much,โ says Freedom High principal Kevin Stephenson. โThe law just gave us teeth to enforce the rules.โ
Communication has been key, with both the district and individual schools providing information about the new policies that align with the law, which went into effect July 1. All devices must be powered off or in airplane mode throughout the school day. For elementary and middle school, that starts when students arrive on campus and lasts until they leave campus at the end of the day. High school administrators have discretion to allow phones at lunch and during passing periods, and teachers may authorize the use of personal devices for instructional purposes.
Students, parents, and administrators admit that enforcement may vary from classroom to classroom, depending on how teachers are enforcing the rules.
โI know it is still a struggle for some students in very few classrooms,โ says Eva Chen, assistant principal at Freedom, โbut when I called home, the parents were very supportive and aware of the policies in place.โ
Sigrun Ragnarsdottir is a New Tampa mom who also teaches middle school robotics at Pierce Middle School, near W. Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa.
She says it takes some instructional time away, as students have to get laptops out of the laptop cart, power them up, then shut down and put them away before the bell at the end of class. That sometimes leaves a few minutes at theย end of class if sheโs overestimated how long that process will take.ย
โIt does require more work for me to teach bell to bell,โ she says.
But, she adds, โThereโs an upside to it. Students arenโt distracted on their phone or trying to find ways to hide the phone anymore.โ
LaMarr Buggs, principal of Turner/Bartels K-8 School says, โItโs working for us. Parents are supporting us and itโs being looked at as positive.โ
He agrees that the biggest difference is that his students can no longer use electronic devices for instructional purposes. Instead, middle school students at Turner/Bartels start their day by getting a laptop from their homeroom teacher, use it throughout the day for all of their classroom needs, then return it at the end of the day.
He recognizes that parents want their students to have phones, and the law โ and school administrators โ allow phones to be carried by students, as long as they are put away out of sight in a backpack or purse.
In case of an emergency, those phones are close at hand.
On the day we spoke with him, Turner/ Bartels had been on lockdown for several minutes after a teacher inadvertently pressed a button to trigger the emergency procedures.
โIโm guessing kids were contacting their parents via text during lockdown,โ says Buggs, โand thatโs okay.โ
In fact, he tells students that if they see something dangerous on campus, such as a classmate who brings a weapon, they can use their phones to anonymously report it using the Fortify Florida app provided through the school district.
Of course, they can also report directly to a teacher or administrator, but if they need to use their phone for an emergency, their safety is a priority. And, he says, teachers and administrators are happy for the change.
โThey see the difference,โ he says. Instead of a school full of kids who have their heads down looking at their devices, โNow, the kid whoโs on his phone looks like the odd man out.โ
School letter grades in Wesley Chapel are up overall this year, according to a report released by the Florida Department of Education in July.
Four of Wesley Chapelโs nine elementary schools improved by a letter grade, including Sand Pine, which moved from a โBโ to an โA.โ
โWe are thrilled,โ says Sand Pine principal Angie Shauger. โFor me, this A grade is more than a letter. Itโs a celebration of whatโs possible when a school unites around a shared mission to do whatโs best for our students. I could not be prouder of our students, staff, and school community that has led us here.โ
The other three elementary schools that improved their letter grades from the 2023-24 school year to 2024-25 are Double Branch, Quail Hollow and Veterans, all of which moved from a โCโ to a โB.โ
At Quail Hollow, both principal Norman Graham and assistant principal Nicole Sciarratta joined the school for the 2023-24 school year, and they agree that itโs rare for a school to have a complete turnover of the administrative team all at once. Last year, they say they experienced โtypical growing pains,โ while this year they were able to establish new expectations and increase the staffโs focus on student achievement.
โOur teachers focused on setting specific goals with every student in reading and math, so they were able to help students make growth in very specific areas,โ says Sciarratta. โWe saw tremendous growth in proficiency and learning gains this year, and we were just one point from an A.โ
All of the elementary schools that improved their grades were quick to express their pride in their school and the importance of hard work by both teachers and students, and the support of parents and the community.
โI am super proud of our community pulling together,โ says principal Lisa Grimsley at Double Branch Elementary. โNot just the teachers, but our fantastic PTA and even our PLACE [after-school program] staff, where they have time for homework and support our academic needs.โ
While the principals are pleased with the higher grades, they are keeping an eye toward further growth.
โAs we look ahead to the new school year, we are energized and committed to reaching an A,โ says Melissa Bidgood, the principal at Veterans Elementary, who says this yearโs success โstems from a laser-sharp focus on data, identifying areas of need, and closely monitoring student growth.โ
Seven Oaks Elementary maintained its A, while Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass elementaries maintained their Bs.
Two Wesley Chapel elementary schools dropped a letter grade, including Watergrass, which fell from a B to a C, and New River, which dropped from a C to a D. Neither New River principal Kelly Wisneski nor Watergrass principal Andrea Altman were reached for comments about their schoolโs respective grades.
Meanwhile, the new Kirkland Ranch K-8 school received an A as its first ever letter grade.
All of Wesley Chapelโs other K-8 and middle schools maintained their previous letter grades, including As for John Long, Pinecrest Academy, and Union Park Charter Academy, while Cypress Creek, Innovation Prep and Weightman middle schools all earned Bs.
At the high school level, Cypress Creek High earned its first-ever A after earning consistent B ratings since it opened for the 2017-18 school year.
Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation and Wiregrass Ranch High both maintained their As from the previous year, and Pinecrest Academyโs high school showed the largest increase of any Wesley Chapel school, as it moved from a C last year (its first year receiving a grade) to an A this year.
Even high-achieving schools recognize that boiling so many measurements into just one letter can be problematic, and may not represent all of the complexities of an entire school and all of the students within it. The letter grades take into account various measurements to represent student achievement, learning gains, graduation, acceleration success, and maintaining a focus on students who need the most support.
Quail Hollowโs Graham expresses it this way. โAt the end of the day, we want each one of our kids to be successful,โ he says. โWe want to look at each student as an individual and help them get what they need.โ
โThis is a dream come true,โ says Cindy Bray, executive director and founder of Hope Services, Life Skills & Vocational Training Center, reflecting on the success of this yearโs annual โDance Your Dreamโ 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.ย
A highlight of the evening was the surprise guest, Raiqwon OโNeal, the offensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneer (#75), whose presence brought joy and excitement, lifting the spirits of everyone in attendance. โHis message and meet-and-greet were the perfect way to start the night,โ Bray said.ย
โThe smiles and laughter in the room were priceless,โ says Cindy Bray. โMy heart is full of all the joy we shared that night.โ
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 Oโ 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 graduating classes of 2025! For those in our community graduating from college, high school, or even kindergarten or preschool, itโs an exciting time to look forward and chase your dreams. At Wesley Chapelโs four public high schools, hundreds of students are anticipating tossing their caps and moving on to the next phase of life, whether itโs 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!ย
Cypress Creek Highย
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, McDonaldโs, Raising Caneโs, 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 childrenโs 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 ofย 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.
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.
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 KRAIโs 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.ย ย
Wesley Chapel High Schoolย
Wesley Chapel Highโs 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)ย
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 Collegeโs 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 โfamilyโ 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 Schoolย
Wiregrass Ranch Highโs Highโs 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 Ranchย
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. Cuvielloโs and Mr. Corderoโs 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 hadnโt attended high school, I wouldnโt 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, FMEAโs 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 Intโl.
College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida
Planned major or future career: Mechanical Engineering
Best thing about high school: Itโs 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 Intโl.
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.
Editorโs 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 studentsโ photos were not provided nor why the studentsโ GPAs at Kirkland Ranch appear to be out of order. All weโve done is provide an outlet for each school to provide their photos & information.ย
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)ย
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 worldโs 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.
โAs always, Iโm beyond proud of our students,โ says Elkins IronWing. โOur 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 โPay It Forwardโ program and offering all new students $25 per month tuition for every class!โ
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.
โOur name might say New Tampa,โ she says, โbut 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.โ
Not Just For Future Pros!
NTDT caters to both the recreational dance lover (even adults) as well as the devoted pre-professional โ and every level in between. The schoolโs leveled curriculum offers multiple art forms for students to explore. Through personalized attention and professional expertise, NTDTโs professional faculty strives to provide a positive educational experience.
Children ages 3-4 can participate in the schoolโs Early Childhood Program, ages 5-8 can take part in the Childrenโs Program and ages 9-18 are invited to join NTDTโs 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 dancersโ joints and an on-site physical therapist ensures the health of the dancers. NTDT also features a cafรฉ 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.
โReflecting on 30 years in our community, itโs beyond words the gratitude and love I have for the amazing people who have been a part of our dance programs and family,โ says Elkins IronWing.
One local former student certainly agrees with that assessment. โI credit all of my success as a professional dancer to the foundational training I received at NTDT from ages 6-18,โ 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.ย
โI loved every second of my experience growing up there,โ DeRenzo adds, โbut 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.โ
If a student doesnโt 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.
โBelieving 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,โ she says.
Participating In Productions
All students have the opportunity to perform in NTDTโs โSpring Productionโ and โ through the studioโs nonprofit partner, the Dance Theatre of Tampa (DTT) โ in the winter production of โThe Nutcracker (photo below)โ as well as the โSummer Concert Series,โ held in June at the USF Tampa campus.ย
DTT provides more than 300 free tickets to NTDTโs 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.
โWhat began as tentative steps has blossomed into a journey of incredible growth, thanks to the dedicated and caring instructors,โ Trisha says. โNTDT has not only shaped them into skilled dancers, but into confident and determined young women embodying the values of hard work and perseverance โ attributes that extend far beyond the dance studio.โ
Every holiday season, Elkins IronWing says local residents look forward to the communityโs largest and longest-running interpretation of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovskyโs classic ballet, โThe Nutcracker,โ now in its 25th DTT Anniversary season. This year, โThe Nutcrackerโ 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 โThe Nutcracker Suiteโ on Saturday & Sunday, December 7-8, at 6, 7 & 8 p.m., at The Shops at Wiregrass.
โItโs all about the children at NTDT, always has been and always will be,โ Elkins IronWing says. โWe 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 wouldnโt be the magical place it has become!โ
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 โNew Tampa Dance Theatre.โ
