Bloomingdale/FishHawk
37
March 2023
Volume 22, Issue 3
Ph: 813-657-2418
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CELEBRATING 21 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
BLOOMINGDALE’S BAND DIRECTOR PROMOTED TO SUPERVISOR OF SECONDARY MUSIC FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS
By Jane Owen
“I know what I wanted to do in college, and to be honest, if I couldn’t find a high school job, I wasn’t just going to take a job because my heart wasn’t going to be in it,” Sever said. Passion and dedication are cornerstones for Bloomingdale High School’s band. The Bloomingdale High School Rajun’ Bull Band has had straight ‘Superior’ ratings at Marching Band Music Performance Assessments (MPAs) since the school opened in 1987. Ted Hope was the first band director at the school. He left Bloomingdale after 17 years to take the position of supervisor of secondary music for Hillsborough County schools — the very position that Sever is taking after being the Bloomingdale’s band director for 19 years. “Jon was hired at Bloomingdale High School because we shared similar philosophies. Kids always came first, and eventually everything else lines up accordingly,” Hope said. If asked what he will miss most after taking his new position, there is no hesitation from Sever: “The kids, 100 percent.” Sue Burkett, Hillsborough County chief of schools and Bloomingdale principal from 2013-20, said Sever “gets it.” He gets kids and the structure needed to lead within music education. “There is no way that Bloomingdale can absorb the impact of Jon Sever in that building and with the band. The good thing is, he will still be working with music education for the district, and I highly doubt he will allow his successor to be anything but superior,” Burkett said.
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
By Jane Owen
Newsome High School tremendous difference sophomores James to those living with or in LaBarbera and Henry remission from a blood Sprinkle know the value cancer. Their work as of teamwork on and off leaders planning, orgathe ice. The two Newnizing and marketing some hockey players are the campaign is also leading a team to raise developing them as indimoney to help find a cure viduals. for blood cancers. “This fundraising Their team, the CUREevent has taught me saders, is made up of leadership skills, acnine fellow classmates countability and responand is part of the Leusibility. My partner and kemia and Lymphoma I must lead a team we Newsome Sophomore Society’s (LLS) Student picked to raise money James LaBarbera Visionaries of the Year for LLS, and any probprogram, which is a sevlems they have, or if en-week philanthropic they aren’t raising monleadership development ey, is my responsibility. I program for students. also must raise money Their team’s goal is to myself to prove that raise $25,000. I am an accountable LaBarbera and Sprinleader for my team,” kle were inspired to lead LaBarbera said. this year’s team after CUREsaders teamseeing the impact their mates include Lahockey teammates, Nick Barbera, co-leader; Ball and Aiden Byrnes, Sprinkle, co-leader; made with the program Alexandra Ball; Brady last year. They are pasCombs; Christopher sionate about their efIannicelli; Emma LaNewsome Sophomore forts because of people Barbera; Ethan Weitz; Henry Sprinkle suffering from cancer. Jacob Santarlas; Peter “When I was asked to be a participant Shaw; and Ryan Eichler. my freshman year, I realized that many The team’s Grand Finale Celebration will people I knew were either affected or be held on Friday, March 10. Donations can knew someone affected by this terrible be made through June. disease, and I wanted to do all I could to To learn more about the CUREsader help find a cure,” Sprinkle said. team or to donate, visit https://events. LaBarbera and Sprinkle chose the Pa- lls.org/sun/svoysuncoast23/tcuresader. tient Support pillar of LLS’s mission to Information about the national LLS camfundraise under because they both have paign can be found at www.llsstudentvihad people close to them who have had sionaries.org/. cancer. “I want to better the lives of the people suffering from blood cancers. People shouldn’t have to live with this illness af- CRAWFISH FEST ................................PG 3 fecting their lives every day, so I want to MOTORING TAMPA BAY ................PG 5 be a part of helping them be better,” LaTECO SOLAR ........................................ PG 8 Barbera said. The hours LaBarbera and Sprinkle spend EYE ON BUSINESS ...............PGS 25-26 fundraising with their team will make a SUMMER CAMP GUIDE ............... SEC 3
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Jon Sever, Bloomingdale High School’s music department head and band director for the last 19 years, is leaving Bloomingdale for a position with the Hillsborough County School District. Sever will be supervising all of the music in Hillsborough County for grades six through 12 as the supervisor of secondary music for Hillsborough County schools. Sever announced his departure at the school on February 9, calling all current band and guard members to the auditorium to share his promotion. Understandably, his announcement was met with mixed emotions — lots of tears and gratefulness. Bloomingdale Principal Dr. Marcos Rodriguez said Sever is an incredible band director for many reasons. “He takes the time to get to know his students and families, which allows him to create long-lasting relationships with anyone in the program. His passion and love for music are infectious,” Dr. Rodriguez said. Passion is what led Sever to become a high school music director. “I always ask the kids what their relationship is with music. It is very much like a relationship with a human being. Are you friends? Are you more than friends? Do you use music? Are you deeply committed? My relationship with music is a deep commitment,” Sever said. His commitment developed early in his life. He says he struggled in high school and music saved him. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in music and master’s in music education from Florida State University.
NEWSOME STUDENTS RAISE FUNDS AND AWARENESS AS VISIONARIES FOR LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY
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Join the fun as the 2023 SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo prepares to celebrate its 49th anniversary. The March 28 - April 2 event in Lakeland is the first major air show of the year. SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, has also announced that E3 Aviation Association is the new title sponsor. See Full Story in our Summer Guide Special Section
03/31/2023
$40 OFF BRAKES Includes Free Brake Inspection Not to be combined with any other offer. Only valid at Riverview, FL - Boyette location.
03/31/2023