Valrico 25-33
36
March 2022
Volume 19, Issue 3
Ph: 657-2418
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
BLUE WAVE SWIMMER MEETS OLYMPIC HEROES, COMPETES IN SOUTHERN ZONE SPEEDO SECTIONALS By Nick Nahas
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
By Michelle Caceres Valrico native and During her trials, a Durant High graduate quote from New York Victoria ‘Tori’ Leto Times bestselling auwas crowned Miss thor Ann Voskamp Tampa at the 75th anhelped her persevere: niversary of the Miss “No amount of regret Tampa Scholarship will change the past Pageant in January. and no amount of Leto, a junior at the worry can change the University of South future.” Florida majoring in “It’s my mantra to premed psychology, help me stay groundhad competed in paged and focused,” she eants in high school, said. “It reminds me but this one had the to be present in every most intensive semoment and do what lection process, she I can to move forsaid. Contestants were ward.” scored on a personal Leto is definitely interview with judges moving forward. She (35 percent), talent will head to the Miss (35 percent), red-carFlorida Scholarship pet evening wear (15 Pageant in Lakeland percent) and on-stage in June, where more interview/social imthan $1.1 million in pact pitch (15 perscholarships have been cent). awarded in the last For the talent porfive years. If she wins tion of the competithe title of Miss Florition, Leto, who has da, Leto will represent been a competitive Florida in the Miss trumpet player for America Scholarship nine years, wowed the Pageant. judges by performing She’s honored to “La Vie en Rose” by Valrico native Victoria ‘Tori’ Leto was represent her homecrowned Miss Tampa and will represent town in the pageant Louis Armstrong. She plans to use her our city in the Miss Florida Scholarship and is grateful for the Competition in June. platform to address community support. the uncomfortable “They say it takes a perceptions surrounding teen mental village, but I feel like I have the entire health and use her own story to inspire city of Tampa behind me encouraging and educate others through hard-hitting me on this journey,” said Leto. and necessary conversations. For more information about the Miss “I had a pretty unfortunate high school Tampa Scholarship Competition or Leto, experience and struggled with mental visit www.officialmisstampa.org. health in high school,” she admitted. “I have an opportunity to help others that are in that situation and want to share a message of the importance of self-love.” She is sharing her message to local CRAWFISH FESTIVAL .........................PG 3 schools, has started writing a book and BSHS RED LETTER ............................. PG 15 hopes to create partnerships with local ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PG 23 organizations like the Crisis Center at EYE ON BUSINESS ..........................PGS 38 the Gracepoint Foundation.
IN THIS ISSUE:
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Blue Wave swimmer Valentine’s Day goody Michaela Walker recently bags for the Migrant Eduqualified to compete at the cation Program. The bags Southern Zone Speedo Secwere for the less fortunate tionals in Orlando, where kids of migrant workers in she got to swim in the same need. pool with Olympic Gold The swimmer didn’t do medalists, Caeleb Dressel, as well as she wanted at Katie Ledecky, Natalie Hinds the event, but meeting her and Michael Andrew. Walkrole models has changed er swam the 50m and the her perspective. 100m breaststroke and also “I didn’t do as well as I got to watch these Olympic wanted to, but my coach legends race, which left a told me that this meet is Photos courtesy of Agnese Walker great impression on her. just an experience and Michaela Walker met Caeleb “I was starstruck when Dressel, the fastest swimmer in the start of a new chapI saw them in person,” said ter,” said Walker. “He told the world. Walker. “I especially was me to just watch them, excited to see Katie Ledecky as they are some of best and Caeleb Dressel because swimmers in the world, I’ve looked up to them since and just take in everyI started swimming at age thing. My favorite part of 8. It was very fun to watch that weekend would have Katie Ledecky beat her to be getting the opportuOlympic times. When she nity to swim in the same touched the wall, the atmolane as Katie Ledecky and sphere on-deck was crazy Caeleb Dressel. I was just as everyone was cheering. casually warming up and Watching Caeleb Dressel when I got to the wall and was also amazing, knowing looked up, there was Katie that he’s the fastest in the Ledecky right in front of world. Actually meeting all me. I was shocked that I the Olympians and having a was in the same lane as Michaela Walker stands with conversation with them was Olympic swimmer Natalie Hinds the fastest person in the after the competition. incredible, and I was at a world. This was the moloss for words. Reflecting back on it makes ment that made me realize that although me realize that they are just people, proving Ledecky has literally won the Olympics sevthat anything is possible.” en times and has swum all over the world, Walker has competed as a swimmer she is just a person.” since she was 8 for the Blue Wave at High 5, Walker will compete at the senior chamInc. The sophomore also swims for Straw- pionships, which is a state-level meet for berry Crest High School, where she partic- swimmers aged 15-18 who qualify. She ipates in the IB program. Walker is a great hopes to continue to improve and make student-athlete with a 5.0 GPA, balancing more sectional cuts and swim in more school and swim six days per week. events at sectionals. She also wants to The 16-year-old is also active in her com- make a Futures cut and has aspirations of munity as a volunteer. She recently made swimming in college.
LOCAL RESIDENT WINS MISS TAMPA TITLE
This year’s event will feature more than 20 delicious dishes to pair with wines, craft brews and cocktails so park guests can explore a variety of flavors while enjoying a diverse concert lineup, including 22 live musical acts for all tastes. The Food & Wine Festival runs Fridays through Sundays from March 11 to May 22 and is included with admission to the park. To read the full article or for more information, see page 14.
EXPIRES: 9/30/2020
Exp 3/31/2022