Riverview/ Apollo Beach
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August 2025 Volume 23, Issue 8
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CELEBRATING 23 YE ARS OF PUBLISHING POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS
WIMAUMA WELCOMES STATE-OF-THE-ART AQUILLA J. MORGAN HIGH SCHOOL Staff Report
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID MANASOTA, FL PERMIT #1456
Hillsborough sborough County County Public Public Schools, Schools officially the high school opened its 29th honors her enhigh school with during impact on a ribbon-cutgenerations of ting ceremony students. Over 50 celebrating the members of her launch of Aqfamily attended uilla J. Morgan the ceremony High School, a and presented a cutting-edge $10,000 donacampus named tion to the school in honor of a legin her memory. endary educator The 2-story and community campus includes leader. state-of-the-art District leadfeatures, such as ers, construction an electric vehipartners and cle-focused automembers of the motive program, Morgan family Aquilla J. Morgan High School opens this fall as the c o s m e t o l o g y gathered at the most expensive, largest and most cutting-edge high and culinary arts school campus in Hillsborough County. new school, locattracks, esports ed at 1712 W. Lake Dr. facilities and even in Wimauma, to mark pickleball courts. the occasion. SuperA spacious 2-story intendent Van Ayres, gymnasium features Principal Brittney an indoor walking Wilhelm and Chief of track, and the media Operations Chris Farcenter spans both kas delivered remarks, floors. joined by representaWilhelm, who betives from Harvard Jolly | PBK and The gan her career as a paraprofessional in Beck Group, who helped bring the $178 Wimauma, expressed her pride in leading million project to life. the school: “This is more than a building “This is a proud moment for our dis- — it’s a promise to our students and comtrict and the Wimauma community,” said munity.” Ayres. “To the future Mustangs, you’re Architect Jose Gomez, a Wimauma napart of history now.” tive and son of Mexican migrant workers, The 359,000-square-foot facility, set reflected on the project’s significance: to open to students this fall, will help “To design a school just five minutes from ease overcrowding at nearby Lennard where I grew up is a full-circle moment.” and Sumner high schools. The school will The new Mustang mascot and school serve grades nine through 11 initially, with colors — navy blue and determined ora senior class to be added in 2026. ange — symbolize the school’s bold viNamed after Aquilla Jackson Morgan, sion and commitment to excellence. For the first Black teacher at Wimauma El- more details, visit www.hillsboroughementary and a 40-year veteran of Hill- schools.org.
SIDEKICKS FAMILY MARTIAL ARTS EXPANDS TO RIVERVIEW WITH POWERFUL KIDS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
Staff Report
Sidekicks arts classes, Family Martial structured Arts is proud to physical acannounce the tivity and grand opening Sidekicks’ of its newest Powerful location in RivWords Charerview, bringacter Deing its Powervelopment ful Kids After Program. School Program Each day is to families in designed to Chief Instructor and CEO Manny Cabrera poses outside the the Big Bend location for Sidekicks’s newest After School location at South help children area. Located at Shore United Methodist Church for K-5th grade students. grow phys11525 Big Bend ically, intelRd. in Riverview, this lectually, emotionnew location will serve ally and socially, all as a hub for empowwithin a safe and enering young students gaging environment through structured, fun led by highly trained and character-building coaches. afternoons. The new Riverview Starting Monday, location is conveAugust 11, Sidekicks niently situated near Family Martial Arts the intersection of in Riverview will offer Big Bend Road and transportation and afClement Pride Bouter-school care for stulevard. dents in kindergarten Sidekicks Family through fifth grade Martial Arts also has from the following loa location in Fishcal elementary schools: Hawk, located at • Dawson Elementary 16132 Churchview Dr., School • Summerfield Ste. 210, in Lithia. Elementary School • Limited spots are Summerfield Crossings available for the Elementary School • 2025-26 school year. Collins Elementary Families interested in School. securing a space or “Our mission has allearning more about ways been to build strong kids, strong the program at either location can visit families, and strong communities — one https://ilovesidekicks.com/ or call/text black belt in life at a time,” said Man- 813-497-4443 (Riverview) or 813-308ny Cabrera, chief instructor and CEO 0306 (FishHawk). of Sidekicks Family Martial Arts. “With this expansion, we’re thrilled to bring our unique blend of martial arts, characABWOMEN’S CLUB.......................................PG 3 ter development and leadership training to even more families who are looking PARADE PICKS CHARITIES.........PG 9 for more than just a daycare solution.” WHERE TO RETIRE FLAGS..........PG 14 The Sidekicks After School Program MEET LYNN BARBER......................PG 24 is rooted in a holistic approach to child EYE ON BUSINESS..........................PG 33 development, combining daily martial
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