FREE LIFE ENRICHMENT CLASSES TO THE COMMUNITY THIS SPRING

Hope for Her is starting its spring semester of Healthy Habits classes. Each class is held on a Monday night from 6:15-7:30 p.m. at Hope for Her, located at 140 Yarbrough Rd. in Brandon.

“Our Healthy Habits classes are based on our whole-person approach. The class topics are in the areas of spiritual health, emotional health, financial health and physical health, and our teachers are knowledgeable women who have the heart to share their experiences with others,” explained Cheryl Hickman, executive director of Hope for Her.

Classes started on February 13 with ‘Parenting Our Adult Children’ with Ilene Stubbs, a counselor at Bay Life Church Counseling Center. As children become adults, parental relationships evolve with respect and healthy boundaries. This isn’t always easy. Several people joined others for encouragement and insights.

February 20 was ‘How To Cook Amazing Meals With Your Air Fryer.’ Johnna Gelfenstein shared ways to cook delicious and versatile meals with that air fryer you got for Christmas. There are so many options to make fun food for your family.

On February 27, Jean Ligon encourages spiritual health with ‘When We Decrease.’ Society sends the message that as women we have to ‘do more and work harder,’ but when we decrease and stop trying to control everything, God shows up in a mighty way.

March 6 is ‘Functional Fitness’ with Amanda Wolverton. Wolverton is a certified yoga instructor with extensive knowledge of health and wellness. Dress comfortably as she shares tips and techniques to stay healthy and keep your body moving. And finally, March 13 is ‘Food and Love.’ Stubbs will share about how what we eat afects every aspect of our lives, from our physical health to our emotions to our ability to love. This is based on Dr. Gary Smalley’s book of the same name. All classes are free. RSVPing is helpful but not required. Call 813-309-3357 for more information or go to the ‘Events’ page at http://hopeforherfl.org/.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Announces Vibrant Event Lineup For 2023

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay just announced its exciting lineup of events for 2023, ofering guests never-ending fun and entertainment options like one-of-a-kind seasonal festivities, a worldclass lineup of concerts and events included with park admission and thrilling attractions such as the award-winning Iron Gwazi and the new Serengeti Flyer opening this spring.

Inspired by the vibrant colors and delectable flavors of New Orleans’ biggest celebration, Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Now through Sunday, March 5, select dates) will transport guests to a festive realm of bayou-inspired fanfare featuring Cajun-inspired culinary delights, a lively parade with new festive characters, multicolored beads, an authentic brass band playing live and spirited entertainment oferings for the entire family.

The Real Music Series, Busch Gardens’ longest-running concert series, has returned with all-new acts. Tuesdays through Sundays now through Sunday, February 26, the Stanleyville Theater will host fantastic live performances including artistic renditions of some of the best-known classic rock, rhythm and blues and pop bands.

Sesame Street® Kids’ Weekends at Busch Gardens is the place for kids and parents to join in on the fun. From Friday, April 28 through Sunday, May 21 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, families have an additional option to meet and greet their favorite furry friends at the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area for story time, interactive dance parties, arts and crafts and much more.

Each weekend from Friday, March 10 through May 21, the Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival ofers delectable dishes to pair with wines, craft brews and cocktails. While indulging in the event’s vibrant culinary delights, guests will also enjoy some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. The lineup for 2023 includes Kansas, Maddie & Tae, SWV, Dustin Lynch, Rodney Atkins, Flo Rida, MacKenzie Porter, +LIVE+, The Fab Four (Beatles tribute band), 38 Special and Hoobastank.

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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay hosts a celebration of Hispanic music, food and culture from Friday, May 5 through 21 at Viva la Música. Every Saturday and Sunday, guests can dance to live musical performances from award-winning Latin artists, authentic cuisine and more. At Cinco de Mayo from May 5 through Sunday, May 7, guests can also enjoy tasty Mexican cuisine and festive entertainment while celebrating Cinco de Mayo at

Busch Gardens. At Summer Nights from Friday, May 26 through Sunday, August 6, the thrills continue after dark as summery fun mixes with Florida’s top thrilling attractions and a festive ambiance. The vibrancy of Summer Nights is powered by electrifying entertainment, including new shows, an updated ice-skating show and more, available throughout the park from opening and extended way past sunset. Fireworks will be available on select nights.

Celebrate the Independence of the United States at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay from Friday, June 30 through Tuesday, July 4. The event features a synchronized fireworks spectacular set to an emotive soundtrack, entertainment and more.

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Friday, July 28 through Monday, September 4, Bier Fest ofers a ultimate jaw-dropping combo: the delectable blend of food and favorite craft beers from around the world as well as local favorites.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is transformed into a nightmare of inescapable fear for Howl-O-Scream 2023. Spine-chilling scares and haunted houses, devious creatures lurking in every dark corner and pulse-pounding rides in the absence of daylight return on select nights from Friday, September 8 through Tuesday, October 31. Howl-O-Scream is a separately ticketed event.

At Busch Gardens Spooktacular, guests will step into a whimsical world of enchantment full of not-so-spooky Halloween fun. This family-friendly event features a costume parade, story time and trick-or-treating from September 8 through October 31 (Fridays through Sundays, plus October 30-31).

Christmas Town is back, beginning Monday, November 13 and continuing daily through January 7, 2024.

A celebration of Yuletide traditions, Christmas Town is the holiday winter wonderland for guests to enjoy millions of lights, heartwarming treats, festive entertainment and the perfect set for a family photo.

For a limited time, for the price of a single-day admission ticket to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, guests can secure their 2023 Fun Card, guaranteeing year-round access to all the fun.

For more information about events, special deals and announcements, visit https://buschgardenstampa.com and following Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.

District Adds Infrastructure Projects For South County Schools

Hillsborough County has experienced explosive growth in the past decade, while local planning ofcials are anticipating the south county area to gain an additional 150,000 residents between 2010 and 2040. Our Growth Management team continues to work diligently to plan for new families while creating the proper infrastructure needed to accommodate our growing population.

Our families in south county will notice several exciting infrastructure projects aimed at better accommodating the number of students attending our schools. First and foremost, Hillsborough County Public Schools is building a new high school currently titled ‘UUU’ that is set to open in 2025 in Wimauma. This building is slated to add 3,400 student stations, helping to alleviate overcrowding at Sumner High School as the area continues to swell.

Another project that will help to add much needed space for students and staf is a new auditorium at Newsome High School with a 900-seat capacity. This addition will come with state-ofthe-art technology and lighting systems

By Superintendent Addison Davis

along with a dedicated shop space and costume storage for student-led productions.

The existing auditorium will be repurposed to become a dedicated classroom space for chorus, orchestra and band programs. Student-athletes at Newsome will also enjoy a new weight room sized to accommodate larger teams along with a new athletic training room and dedicated girls’ varsity locker room.

Durant High School will also benefit from beautification projects in the near future, including a brand-new turf field that will enhance the athletic experience for so many of our talented athletes. Both Durant and Newsome will also receive new rubber tracks to increase safety for our athletes and provide enjoyment for years to come.

We are working proactively to address the astronomical growth we are experiencing in our south county schools. I want all parents to know the district has both short and long-range plans to continue to meet the needs of our learners in innovative ways. We want to make Tampa Bay one of the best places to raise a family and one of the preeminent school districts in the country.

Hillsborough County Public Schools Outperforms State Graduation Rate For First Time In Five Years

and a 3-point increase from prepandemic.

Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) is celebrating a graduation rate of 87.9 percent for the 2021-22 academic year, a nearly 2-point increase from prepandemic levels. This marks the first time since 2017 that HCPS students have outperformed the state graduation rate.

While graduation rates have declined across the state from last year, this was expected due to state ofcials waiving graduation requirements during the pandemic due to continued learning disruptions. Our students have excelled in key areas, showing tremendous growth in a five-year period:

• African American students had a 1.6-point increase in graduation rates over the last five years.

• Hispanic learners achieved a 2.4-point graduation rate increase over the last five years.

• Students with disabilities achieved a 4.9-point increase over the last five years,

“This accomplishment is about more than a number. Our students, families and staf have contended with a worldwide pandemic that created struggles that extended far outside the classroom. This is an impressive feat that is directly related to the tireless eforts of dedicated teachers, school-based leaders, school counselors, support professionals, parents and community partners,” said Superintendent Addison Davis.

The majority of our high schools demonstrated positive trajectories in graduation rates over a five-year period. Highlights include:

• Riverview High School achieved the highest graduation rate increase year over year, reaching 96.6 percent, a 2.4-point jump since 2021.

• Armwood High School experienced a 2-point increase from last year’s graduation rate, and a 4.9-point jump over a fiveyear period.

• Newsome High School once again has the distinction of the highest graduation rate in our district at 98.9 percent.