Saucy! by KFC to open Trinity location May 6
TRINITY — Saucy! by KFC will open its Trinity restaurant Wednesday, May 6, at 3154 Disciple Lane, marking the chain’s sixth Tampa-area location this year.
The opening had been scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, but was pushed back a day, according to a representative for the brand. A Bradenton location at 5484 Lena Road remained on track to open Monday, May 4.
Grand opening celebrations begin at 11 a.m. at both restaurants, with giveaways and free samples while supplies last.
The Trinity and Bradenton restaurants are Saucy!’s fifth and sixth Tampa Bay openings of the year, part of what the company calls one of its fastest-growing markets in Florida.
Customers will get a first look at two product launches: a four-drink collaboration with Drips by Pepsi and the Big Sammie, a chicken tender sandwich on a King’s Hawaiian bun with hash brown straws and a choice of Saucy! sauce.
The chain centers its menu on chicken tenders and sauces, with customers able to dip, stack or wrap their orders.
River Ridge student wins Congressional Art Competition
A River Ridge High School student has won Pasco County’s Congressional Art Competition, earning a year-long display of her artwork in the U.S. Capitol complex.
Katelyn Krapfl’s piece will hang in the Cannon Tunnel, the corridor connecting the Capitol to the Cannon House Office Building, where it will be seen by members of Congress, staff and visitors.
The win comes with round-trip airfare from Southwest Airlines for Krapfl and a parent to attend the national exhibition in Washington, private tours of the White House and a $1,000 scholarship from the Suncoast Art Guild. She also gets free Chick-fil-A for a year.
Krapfl said her piece reflects how the country has changed over time.
“This award means the world to me,” she said. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to display my art in the Capitol and the recognition that comes with it.”
Karen Mayer, director of strategic operations for U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ office, helped present the award at a school ceremony.
The Congressional Art Competition is an annual nationwide contest for high school students, with one winner selected from each participating congressional district.
Two Pasco seniors awarded Florida Prepaid Scholarships
Two Pasco County high school seniors received Florida Prepaid Scholarships in surprise visits April 27 from Superintendent John Legg, school board members and district staff.
Jessa Crandall, a senior at Zephyrhills High School, won a Florida Prepaid Scholarship. Sydney LeBaron, a senior at J.W. Mitchell High School, won the district’s first Florida Prepaid Civics Scholarship, which recognizes civic engagement and academic achievement.
The civics award requires students to pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam and demonstrate leadership and an understanding of government.
“Sydney’s achievement as a Civics 250 Scholar is an incredible honor and a reflection of her passion for leadership and public service,” school board member Megan Harding said. “She embodies what it means to be an engaged citizen as a young adult.”
Legg called Crandall’s commitment to academics commendable and said she sets an example for her peers.
The Florida Prepaid Scholarship Program, run by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, awards prepaid college plans to students across the state based on academic performance and other criteria.
Sons of Thunder set American Legion baseball tryouts
LAND O’ LAKES — The Sons of Thunder, American Legion Post 108’s senior baseball team, will hold open tryouts May 9 and May 16 at Land O’ Lakes Field 10.
Tryouts run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the back fields at 3032 Collier Parkway. Players should bring full baseball gear.
The team is open to players ages 16 to 19 who will not turn 20 at any point this year.
Registration is recommended in advance through a form on the team’s social media. Questions can be directed to the Sons of Thunder Baseball page.
PHSC, FGCU sign agreement to ease student transfers
NEW PORT RICHEY — Pasco-Hernando State College and Florida Gulf Coast University signed a memorandum of understanding April 28 that lays the groundwork for transfer agreements and other academic partnerships between the two schools.
The five-year agreement, approved by both boards of trustees, sets a framework for future deals on program articulation, transfer credit alignment, joint recruitment, scholarships and faculty collaboration on research.
PHSC President Eric Hall said the partnership is meant to create a more connected academic experience for students moving from the two-year college to the four-year university.
“By partnering with Florida Gulf Coast University, we are creating a stronger, more connected academic experience that supports students from their first class through the completion of their educational goals,” Hall said.
The agreement may be renewed by mutual consent. It does not by itself create transfer pathways but allows the schools to develop them under a shared set of standards.
PHSC serves Pasco and Hernando counties. FGCU is based in Fort Myers and serves Southwest Florida.
MetroLagoons offers summer swim lessons at three sites
MetroLagoons will hold swim lessons from May through October at three of its Florida locations, including Epperson Lagoon in Wesley Chapel and Mirada Lagoon in San Antonio.
The lessons, run in partnership with Floatz, will also be offered at Brightwater Lagoon in North Fort Myers. Each course runs two weeks, with sessions starting May 2, June 6, July 11, Aug. 8, Sept. 12 and Oct. 3.
Three group levels are offered: parent participation for ages 6 months to 3 years, preschool for ages 3 to 5 and youth beginner for ages 6 to 12. Children are skill-tested and placed by ability. Adult and private lessons are also available.
Group courses cost $150 to $190 and include six sessions of 25 to 35 minutes each.
The parent participation classes are offered at Brightwater and Epperson, with Mirada adding them in June. The other two levels are available at all three locations.
Registration is open at MetroLagoons.com/Swim-Lessons.
PHSC honors students, alumni at 37th annual awards ceremony
NEW PORT RICHEY — Pasco-Hernando State College named Jody Jones its Distinguished Alumna of the Year and recognized dozens of student leaders at its annual awards ceremony April 23.
Jones, a 1980 graduate, has worked as a statewide advisor for Florida colleges, universities and K-12 schools since 1999 and is a longtime leader in Future Business Leaders of America.
Curtis Scaglione, dean of the School of Business Innovation and Technology, won the Exemplary Student Engagement Award. Scaglione advises the college’s FBLA chapter and was named Advisor of the Year at the Florida State Leadership Conference last year.
The Corporal Timothy J. Read Veteran Student Exemplary Leadership Award went to one student from each of the college’s five campuses: Shane Stalvey (North), Rick Damer (East), Ryan Sjolander (West), Kris Kranz (Spring Hill) and Joseph Lasko (Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch).
The Dr. Felisha R. Barker Outstanding Student Leaders Award was presented to Kyla Flood, Gisselle Guerra, Amanda Campos, Lasita Knox, David Secrest, Bianca Vasquez, Lynn Sampat and Kealy Hunter.
Five student clubs earned 5-Star Honor recognition: FBLA, NAMI on Campus, Phi Theta Kappa, Psi Beta and the Social and Human Services Club.
The college also honored Rising Star and All-Star students and student ambassadors from each campus. A full list of recipients is available from the college.