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CELEBRATING 22 YE ARS OF PUBLISHING POSITIVE COMMUNITY NEWS
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HOSTS ‘PATRIOT DAY: 9/11 REMEMBRANCE’ EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 11 Staff Report
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Tw e n t y - t h r e e • Hillsborough years after the atCounty Fire Restacks that sparked cue Chief Jason our nation’s lonDougherty, Temgest war, Ameriple Terrace Fire cans continue to Chief Ian Kemp honor the lives and Plant City lost on SeptemFire Rescue Chief ber 11, 2001, by Jeremy Sidlausc o m m e m o rat i n g kas. a National Day of • The Urban Service and Re- First responders and military veterans hope to in- Search and Resspire the next generation with a spirit of duty and cue team. membrance. H i l l s b o r o u g h service at the annual Patriot Day: 9/11 Remem• The U.S. Coast brance event. County Fire ResGuard St. Peterscue, Consumer & burg Station. Veteran Services and the • The U.S. Marine Veterans Council of HillCorps 4th Assault Amsborough County invite phibian Battalion. the community to their In the spirit of the annual Patriot Day: 9/11 National Day of Service Remembrance event at and Remembrance, stu10:30 a.m. on Wednesdents and attendees are day, September 11. It will encouraged to interact be held at Veterans Mewith various service promorial Park and Rear Adfessionals following the miral LeRoy Collins, Jr. Veterans Museum, 9/11 ceremony. First responders, military located at 3602 U.S. 301 N. in Tampa. members and veterans will be on hand In honor of Patriot Day, first respond- to meet, greet, take photos and enjoy ers, military veterans and civic leaders refreshments. In addition, the U.S. Coast aim to inspire a generation too young Guard will display a 29-foot rescue reto recall the historic events of 9/11 with sponse boat, the U.S. Marine Corps will the spirit of service and duty. Students, exhibit a military vehicle and Hillsborteachers, parents, neighbors and veter- ough County Fire Rescue and the U.S. ans are invited to attend a ceremony fea- Army Reserve will present department turing: trailers. • A giant American flag hoisted by ladThe 23rd anniversary Patriot Day: 9/11 der trucks. Remembrance event is free and open to • A traditional fire service ringing of the public at Veterans Memorial Park’s the bell. outdoor amphitheater. Attendees also • A solemn escort of the beam, a solid are invited to enjoy the park’s many me135-pound section of steel salvaged from morials. New York’s Twin Towers that resides at For more information about the event Veterans Memorial Park, representing or Veterans Memorial Park and Rear Adthe supreme sacrifices on 9/11. miral LeRoy Collins, Jr. Veterans Muse• Junior Reserve Officers’ Training um, call Hillsborough County Consumer Corps (JROTC) from Hillsborough County & Veterans Services at 813-635-8316 or high schools. visit www.hcfl.gov/veterans.
PEPIN ACADEMIES HOSTS
RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY AND LOOKS FORWARD TO THE FUTURE
By Lily Belcher
Photo Courtesy of Linda Chion.
Pepin Academies officials and supporters, with the proclamation read by Tammy See, chair of the Central Hillsborough County Chamber of Commerce.
Pepin Academies celebrated its 25th anniversary at the end of August, honoring its past and cutting the ribbon to the next 25 years of serving the community. With qualities such as specially designed classrooms, small class sizes and a transitional program for its graduates, Pepin Academies takes a unique approach to serving its ESE (exceptional student education) students. The ESE charter school, which opened its doors in 1999, kicked off the school year with a trio of ceremonies at local chambers of commerce. Pepin Academies’ Tampa campus was the first to open, but this year’s celebration recognizes all three campuses, including the New Port Richey and Riverview campuses, that have hosted tremendous growth. Pepin Academies started off with just 17 students and has grown to serve almost 1,200 local kids, teens and young adults. “To me, it’s just remarkable growth for such a specific population of students,” Executive Director Jeff Skowronek said. What’s unique about Pepin Academies is that the school recognizes the specific needs of students and works with what they need throughout the school day. All its teachers are certified in the subjects they teach as well as in ESE education, equipping them to effectively teach and support the students. Each campus has several mental health counselors, language pathologists and administration to help families navigate the
IEP (Individualized Education Program) process. To further help their students, teachers adapt their classrooms with modifications, such as different seating options and covered lights. Class sizes are smaller too, with roughly 15 students to every one teacher. Pepin Academies boasts a 92 percent graduation rate, higher than the national average for ESE students, according to Skowronek. After graduating, Pepin Academies’ transitional program helps students gain experience in the field they hope to work in through its partnerships with a variety of local companies. “The longer you can stay at Pepin Academy [and] the earlier we can get our students here, the more of an impact we can have,” Skowronek said. For more information on Pepin Academies or to support its mission through volunteering or making a financial donation, visit https://pepinacademies.com/. Contact the school or apply to enroll on the website. Pepin Academies’ Riverview campus is located at 9304 Camden Field Parkway.
IN THIS ISSUE: MOTORING TAMPA BAY..................PG 5 SCHOOL SAFETY...........................PGS 6-7 HOWL-O-SCREAM.............................PG 15 EYE ON BUSINESS...........................PG 25 HS FOOTBALL REVIEW.......PGS 38-41
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Who is ready for some high school rivalry football games? We have a full article about four of the local high school football teams. The full roster and the schedule are also included for your convenience. Save the page on your refrigerator so you don’t miss a game. To read the full articles, see pages 38-40 in our second section.
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