Aquarium opens new season of Tide Talks
TAMPA — Beluga whales and remotely operated underwater research vessels are among the topics The Florida Aquarium will talk about during its newest episodes of Evening Tide Talks, which will be presented at the Florida Aquarium and select cable channels.
Produced by TBAE Network in cooperation with The Florida Aquarium, each episode features an invited guest who shares compelling stories about their research, discoveries, and conservation efforts in environmental fields. Past speakers have included artists, authors, research scientists, and conservation advocates from around the world.
The new season kicked off June 1, with four episodes scheduled throughout the month:
• June 1, 4 and 7 – Learning from Beluga Whales with Tim Binder, senior vice president of Animal Care & Health and Facilities at The Florida Aquarium
• June 8, 11, and 14 – Changing the World Through Food with Chef Matthew Beaudin, executive director of culinary and sustainability innovation, SSA Group
• June 15, 18, ands 21 – Nature-Based Shoreline Stabilization Solutions with Thomas Ries, president of EcoSphere Restoration Institute, Inc.
• June 22, 25, and 28 – ROVs, AUVs and Subs with Erica Moulton, assistant dean of natural science at St. Petersburg College.
All episodes will air on Mondays and Thursdays at 10 a.m.; 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and on Sundays at 4 p.m. on TBAE Network (Frontier Channel 34 | Spectrum Channel 636 in Hillsborough County). They are available to stream free anytime at watch.tbae.net.
Carrollwood Day celebrates Class of 2026
There are some graduating classes that leave behind memories, and then there are classes that leave behind change. The Carrollwood Day School Class of 2026 did both, school officials report.
This year’s class of 99 students continued CDS’s tradition of 100% admission to four-year colleges and universities. Collectively, they submitted 902 applications across 198 colleges and universities, with an overall acceptance rate of 76%. Early decision remained a meaningful pathway, with 30% of students applying through Early Decision I or II and earning a 63% acceptance rate. Nearly all students, 95%, were admitted to at least one Phi Beta Kappa institution, reflecting both the strength and breadth of their academic reach.
“Throughout their time at CDS, this class distinguished itself not only through achievement, but through action,” CDS said in a press release. “They brought initiatives to life, created businesses, launched a boys’ volleyball program, helped host CDS’s first-ever Round Square Conference with students and educators from five continents and seven countries, and built a culture of leadership grounded in both ambition and empathy. “
Head of School Sara Rubinstein reflected on that legacy during her commencement address, celebrating the class for the example they set across campus. “You showed the entire school how a class comes together with drive and creativity, with intellectual ambition and empathy to make things happen, not just for yourselves individually, but for everyone.”
Rubinstein challenged students to think differently about success. In a speech centered on intentionality and self-awareness, she spoke about the importance of making thoughtful choices in a world full of endless possibilities.
This year’s Patriot Award, presented by Class of 2025 recipient Jago Stokes, was awarded to environmental advocate, speech and debate leader, cheer captain, and aspiring astrophysicist Avery Wallace. The Patriot Award recognizes the graduating senior who best embodies the values and spirit of CDS through scholarship, leadership, moral character, and service.
The ceremony also featured remarks from salutatorian Isha Dham. Dham excelled in HOSA competitions, placing first in pharmacy science at both the regional and state levels and ranking among the top 30 internationally. Dham conducted independent bioinformatics work focused on DNA methylation and cancer detection.
The ceremony also featured an address from Valedictorian Anika Iyer, whose academic excellence, leadership, and advocacy have already earned recognition on both local and national stages. From founding the Psychology Club and a nonprofit, Arts for Care, to delivering a TEDx talk on neurodiversity and earning acceptance to Yale University to study neuroscience, Anika has spent her high school years combining intellectual curiosity with meaningful service.
Tampa students among five to win two years of free college
JACKSONVILLE – Two students from the Tampa area are among five statewide who have received two-year scholarships from personal injury law firm Farah & Farah.
The scholarships to Margaret Oladokun, a senior from Jefferson High School, and Liss Rodriguez, a senior at Hillsborough High School, will pay for two years of college courtesy of the law firm’s partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida and Florida Prepaid College Foundation.
“We’re thrilled to continue to support the next generation of exceptional leaders with this scholarship,” said Eddie Farah, founding partner of Farah & Farah. “The absolute best part of my year is calling these outstanding young people and telling them they won the scholarship and their first two years of college are on us.”
Oladokun plans to study Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Rodriguez plans to study nursing and pursue a career as a psychiatric nurse.
Daily Eats closes in change to Meeting House
TAMPA – After more than 20 years on South Howard, Ciccio Restaurant Group (CRG) is closing Daily Eats. Its space will soon be occupied by a new restaurant, Meeting House.
CRG said in a press release that Daily Eat will “temporarily close for a full refresh of the space” on June 15. It will reopen a few weeks later with the new name Meeting House, “a neighborhood restaurant centered around lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, and a place where guests can ‘meet, eat… and repeat.’”
“This is not goodbye to the people or spirit of Daily Eats,” the company added. “The team will remain together, some guest favorites will stay on the menu, and the next concept is being built with the same energy and personality that made Daily Eats what it was.”
Nominations open for student YEA! Awards
HILLSBOROUGH – Nominations are being accepted through Sept. 8 for the Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards (YEA! Awards).These awards, presented annually, recognize the many positive contributions made by young people in the community.
Nominations can be submitted for both middle and high school students in each of the following categories:
•Leadership – This award recognizes one middle school student and one high school student who have demonstrated 21st Century skills, including: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity in how they led others academically, in extracurricular programs, or in service to the community.
• Success Despite Difficult Odds – This award recognizes one middle school student and one high school student who have persevered through challenges to make a positive impact on others.
• Volunteer or Community Service – This award recognizes one middle school student and one high school student who have dedicated substantial time to serving their community.
The nomination form is available for submission online at HCFL.gov/YEA. Nominations will be reviewed by the Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women.