Two Sections, 40 Pages of Community News
Valrico
May 2019 Volume 16, Issue 5 Ph: 657-2418
22 C E L E B R A T I N G
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Y E A R S
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P U B L I S H I N G
Professional Storyteller Inspires Students At Schools And Libraries By Kate Quesada
Osprey Observer 918 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Brandon, FL 33511-6121
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Over his 40holds Storytelling year career as a Clubs at two local teacher, Windell schools where stuCampbell has dents regularly meet touched the lives after school. Some of of countless stuthe clubs’ members dents. But 25 have gone on to years ago, he compete in annual found his passion local and state storyand has been telling festivals. using it as a way to “Some are really, reach local children really good,” he said. ever since. “It is powerful to Campbell is a watch.” professional oral Campbell storyteller who became interested in Local elementary teacher Windell travels all over the storytelling after seeCampbell is a professional storyteller who state visiting will visit libraries throughout Hillsborough ing another performer County this summer to host Summer libraries for sumduring a school field Reading Programs. mer reading protrip. grams in addition to running after-school “I was captivated and decided I needclubs in two elementary local schools. ed to learn how to tell stories the same During the summer programs, he perway,” said Campbell, whose favorite tales forms some of his favorite stories, usually come from a storytelling book called Sody from folk and fairy tales, and teaches the Sallyratus. children how to present themselves, givA Valrico resident for many years, ing their own interpretations to the literaduring which time he taught at Alafia ture. Elementary and Mulrennan Middle “The main goal of the summer proschools, Campbell often performs at the gram is to inspire children to pick up and Bloomingdale Regional Library and plans check out books,” said Campbell. “There to visit libraries all over Hillsborough are many other wonderful side effects too County this summer. though.” “My wife, Pam Lewis, has been a Through the sessions children also great support in not only my storytelling learn the structure of stories and how to career but also in forty years of teaching,” perform them using gestures and tone. said Campbell. “Without her, I could not “They also master how to stand up have managed combining my two and perform in front of a group of people, careers in such a meaningful way.” a skill that will benefit them into adultTo learn more about Campbell, who hood,” said Campbell. “When they are also performs for birthday parties and successful it gives them confidence, church groups, email him at makes them feel accomplished and windell.campbell@verizon.net or call 684inspires them to learn more.” 3819. For a schedule of summer proA teacher of gifted studies at Plant grams at local libraries, visit City’s Cork Elementary, Campbell also www.hcplc.org.
Hillsborough High Schools Page 28
P O S I T I V E
Aquatics Expert, Miranda Briggs, Leads New Swim Lesson Program At BSAC
By Carli Walko, BSAC Director of Marketing
Brandon successfully Sports and coached diving, Aquatic Center USA (BSAC) has Swimming, officially Master’s swimlaunched its ming, Summer brand new League, and swim lesson Special program which Olympics. She offers eight proalso has valugressive stages able experience of development. as a Water This exciting Safety expansion is Instructor and being led by Lifeguard Miranda Briggs is the new Director of Swim Education at BSAC. Miranda Briggs, Instructor, and BSAC’s new Director of Swim Education. will make a great addition to the BSAC After a recent drowning spike in team. Hillsborough County, the BSAC aquatics For more than 55 years, BSAC has team found Briggs, and used real case worked to fulfill its mission of youth studies to restructure curdrowning prevention in riculum and create a plan the Tampa Bay area. of action, which will Briggs hopes to expand directly impact the youth the program even further in our area. Children will by writing new curriculum progress through fun levthat would serve US vetels of development while learning vital erans through aquatic therapy in the water safety skills that will help keep them future. BSAC proudly offers military dissafe around bodies of water. counts to families. “Our new program compares to no Visit Briggs and daughter Essex on others,” said Briggs. “We put a big focus the pool deck during BSAC’s Dolphin and on teaching safety skills that will translate Pup class this summer. For more inforfor the rest of these kids' lives.” mation: www.mybsac.org/swim. In 2018, Briggs became a Gold Star Spouse after losing her husband, Garrett Briggs, an Army Ranger in 1st Battalion at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia. Relocating to the Brandon area has given Briggs and her one year old daughter, Essex, the opportunity to start a new chapter and make a major impact in 15 the community. “I know how happy my husband RIVER HILLS COUNTRY CLUB SALE .....PG 3 would be for this chance to work with so many awesome people at BSAC in such COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ..............PG 10 a beautiful place,” said Briggs. “I feel very EYE ON BUSINESS .....................PGS 25‐26 close to him still- he was a swimmer- so I know how excited he would be.” CHALKLINES .....................................PG 28 This will be Miranda’s 15th year in the aquatics field since starting as a READ MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE swimming instructor. As her passion for www.ospreyobserver.com teaching grew, so did her career. She
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Photo courtesy of the Department of Defense warrior Games
Wheelchair basketball is ont of the 14 events of the Warrior Games, which will take place at various venues throughout Hillsborough County from June 21-30. To read the full article and schedule, see page 15.
3426 Lithia Pinecrest Rd • Valrico (813) 681-2223 (located behind Chili’s)