Avalon Park Sun Wesley Chapel April 2021 Edition

KEEPING THE NEWS LOCAL.... AND THE COMMUNITY CONNECTED.

APRIL 2021

LIVE

Absolutely Avalon in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

Join Avalon Park Wesley Chapel in celebrating culture and diversity at Absolutely Avalon, April 17th! The festivities will kick off at 5 pm with a variety of fun activities for all, including a rock-climbing wall, bumper boat rides, an obstacle course, face painting, food trucks, vendors and the evening will wrap up at 8 p.m. with a laser light show!

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LEARN

You will have the chance to enjoy the live cultural performances from local community members, delicious international foods from our visiting food trucks, and shop for beautiful handmade creations and more from our wonderful vendors. Finally, there will be a laser light show to close out the evening in a fantastic display of colors. You do not want to miss it!

For more information on vendor and sponsorship opportunities, email us at info@avalonparkwesleychapel.com or give us a call at 813-783-1515. To stay up to date on all Avalon Park community events, visit us at avalonparkwesleychapel.com.

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PLAY

April 17th, 2021 5-8pm 5060 River Glen Blvd.

Wesley Chapel, FL 33545

PAGE 9 LASER LIGHTS BOUNCE HOUSES FOOD TRUCKS

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is conveniently located 3.5 miles East of I-75 on SR 54. 33613 SR 54, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543

VOLUME 2 EDITION 4

For more information on this and other events visit AvalonParkWest.com or call 813-783-1515.

April 17th, 2021 5-8pm 5060 River Glen Blvd.

Wesley Chapel, FL 33545

LASER LIGHTS BOUNCE HOUSES FOOD TRUCKS Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is conveniently located 3.5 miles East of I-75 on SR 54. 33613 SR 54, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543

For more information on this and other events visit AvalonParkWest.com or call 813-783-1515.

LIVE ORLANDO

Coffee Hour with BEAT

the higher end) creates a healthy community.

It is our vision to create communities with every price point from an apartment to a townhome, to a single-family home and estate, where From inception, it has you are almost guaralways been very important for Avalon Park anteed diversity just in this aspect.

Wesley Chapel and each of the communiAdditionally, it is not ties that we build to I grew up in Switzerembrace diversity. First uncommon in Avalon land a country that is Park to have families and foremost, respect, about one quarter the with 4 generations livunderstanding and size of Florida, in the ing within walking dislearning comes from heart of Europe. Found- knowing each other tance of each other. The ed in 1291, the small and belonging to some- grandparents can spend country has had over 700 years of developing its rich culture, diversity, and history. of the country has the ability to interact in their own culture, while respecting the other national and international cultures.

It is my belief that culture often starts with languages and in Switzerland there are 4, the national language German, French, Italian and Romansh. While I speak the first 3, I do not speak Romansh.

However, I do also speak a mix of Italian, Arabic and a few more.

It is very common in Switzerland and other European countries to speak several languages. If you were to follow a debate in the Swiss House of Representatives, you may be surprised that all official languages are spoken. So, a representative from my native Zurich may address the audience in German, and the answer from his colleague from Geneva will come swiftly in French. Each part

I BELIEVE A HEALTHY COMMUNITY IS MADE UP OF A DIVERSE BODY OF PEOPLE.

about business and life, those differences are what help us build diversity into our communities.

Another diverse component is the inclusion of our global partners.

Several times a week we have intercontinental video calls. Generally, early in the morning in Orlando, we discuss business, politics and other subjects with our offices in Switzerland, Singapore and Australia. When friends and business partners from 4 continents, with different ethnical backgrounds share ideas for the good of Avalon Park, diversity can be realized at its fullest.

While these are just a few examples of how thing together: a com- quality time with the we embrace diversity at munity. And I believe grandkids after school Avalon Park Group, we a healthy community is while the parents may a made up of a diverse still be at work. Build- continue to grow, learn and develop how we ing roots in a commubody of people. This can create communities melting pot of perspec- nity is a healthy way that every person feels tives gives the commu- to make any town and like they belong in and family strong. nity depth and allows can live, learn, work its members to live life and play together. This inclusive of every back- With age comes expemonth we celebrate the rience and at Avalon ground and belief rediversity in our comgardless of generation, Park Group we work munities in Orlando origin, race, and income with team members and Wesley Chapel ages 15 to 90+. Someclass. times when pondering with a multi-cultural event called Absolutely a business idea, I not As a developer, one of Avalon. We invite you the ways that we build only ask my 15-yearto join us as we celein diversity, is literally old son Alex, but also brate the diversity in my Switzerland-based by building an open these communities and and long-term busicommunity at every ness partner and friend we look forward to beprice point. I personing able to celebrate in ally do not think gated Raoul, who will turn our newer communities communities with only 91 this month. While single-family homes in they both have different in Tavares and Daytona one price point (often at ideas and perspectives very soon!

LIVE (Cont.)

April Update from Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore

I hope you all had a wonderful month of March and enjoyed time with your family and friends. We are now approaching one year of my column in the Avalon Park Sun, I greatly appreciate you taking the time to read about what is happening in our community and all over Pasco County.

Please make sure to continue following the guidelines from our health experts to fight the spread of COVID-19: wear a face covering when you cannot distance from others, wash your hands regularly, and avoid large groups. Vaccine rollout is continuing with all Floridians over age of 18 scheduled to become eligible on April 5, 2021. Please check out the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County’s website at pasco.floridahealth.gov for all the latest information.

On April 13th, I am partnering with Farm Share to bring another food distribution to our area. This is a great organization and I’m excited to help provide boxes of fresh food to our community. In May 2020, we hosted a food distribution that gave out 33,000 pounds of

food to 700 cars with the assistance of 50 volunteers. This year’s distribution will begin at 9 a.m. on April 13th at The Grove Theatre, Bistro and Entertainment venue parking lot.

The theatre is located at 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544. This is a drive-thru only event.

The flyer is with this column, please share this information with anyone you may know in need.

On March 25th, I had the privilege to join Pasco Fire Rescue Station 13 in a push-in ceremony for a new fire engine. This is a traditional ceremony for firefighters to welcome new fire engines or other equipment into service. The new engine has the latest technology to protect our Pasco firefighters while they provide the best possible service to our citizens. I am proud of my work as a Commissioner to prioritize public safety and I will continue to make sure our first responders have the best possible equipment to serve our community.

Every Friday morning, ABC Action News Good Morning Tampa Bay program focuses on a different community

in our region. March 26th was Wesley Chapel’s turn in the spotlight! I greatly appreciate the station spending all morning focused on the great things happening in our area!

They were live from the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County and had stories on growth of our tourism industry, Wesley Chapel District Park, road projects and many local residents and businesses.

ber, we will continue to get through this by working together!

About: Commissioner Mike Moore represents District 2 on the Pasco County Commission. He lives in Wesley Chapel with his wife and three As always, information children. changes fast. Please check out Pasco County’s website at MyPasco.net for all the latest information. Remem-

LIVE (Cont.)

Pasco County Nears 100,000 Florida Residents Vaccinated for COVID-19 The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH-Pasco), in partnership with Pasco County Emergency Management, Sears at the Gulf View Square Mall and Saint Leo University, continues to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to Florida residents in an effort to keep the percent positive on a downward trend.

through Pasco’s Local State of Emergency, or • K-12 school employees until the county rescinds 50 years of ages and oldthe order, whichever er – NEW comes first. To see a list • Sworn law enforcement DOH-Pasco continues to of Frequently Asked Questions about Pasco officers 50 years of ages look for ways to reach County’s order, please and older – NEW and vaccinate residents visit MyPasco.net or call • Firefighters 50 years of 60 years of age and oldPasco County Customer age and older – NEW er. Working with home health agencies, hospitals Service at 727-847-2411.

• Individuals deemed and physician’s offices, For more information on extremely vulnerable by we are expanding their DOH-Pasco’s vaccination a licensed physician – capacity to provide vacNEW cinations. In coordination operations, please visit: As of Tuesday, March Pasco.FloridaHealth.gov. with state and county 16, Pasco County has This week, DOH-Pasco efforts, we are exploring DOH-Pasco requests, bevaccinated 96,618 peofore contacting the health began offering COVID-19 a homebound program ple: 47,959 people have department directly, vaccination to residents to reach individuals in received their first doses who are 60 years of age please visit: COVID-19 those situations. and 48,659 people have Vaccination Distribution. or older, as well as all completed their secthose listed above. Flori- The statewide COVID-19 ond doses. DOH-Pasco For questions about secda residents age 60 – 64, vaccine registration syscontinues to work with ond dose vaccination, along with the 65+ restem is also available.

Pasco County Schools to idents, can now go to please visit: COVID-19 Florida residents can go vaccinate employees who patientportalfl.com or Vaccine Second Dose online to MyVaccine. are 50 years of age and and for frequently asked call 1-844-770-8548 to FL.gov or call 866-201older, as well as eligible create an account. Ap7092 to be put on a wait- questions, please visit: employees with Pasco COVID-19 Vaccination pointments open every list that is being run by County private schools FAQs Sunday at 2:00 p.m. for state sponsored sites. and the Pasco County the following week and More COVID-19 vaccine About the Florida DepartSheriff’s Office. In addiare not accessible at any is becoming available, tion, Pasco County Emer- other day or time. The and community partners ment of Health The department, nationalgency Management has DOH-Pasco vaccination – including retail pharcoordinated the distribu- sites do not appear on macies, hospital systems ly accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, tion of 25,176 vaccines to the CDR Maguire Patient and physician’s offices works to protect, promote people in 55+ communi- Portal until appointments – are beginning to reties who are 60 and older. are available. ceive COVID-19 vaccine and improve the health of all and put infrastructure in people in Florida through Beginning Monday, integrated state, county and Providers may also vacplace to vaccinate Pasco March 15, per the Gover- cinate persons age 18 or community efforts.

County residents. nor’s Executive Order 21- older whom a physician Follow us on Facebook, 62, all providers adminis- deems to be extremely Reminder: Pasco CounInstagram and Twitter @ tering COVID-19 vaccine vulnerable to COVID-19. ty’s Executive Order HealthyPasco. For more shall only vaccinate the Such physician deterissued in an effort to information about the following populations: minations must include prevent the spread of Florida Department of a statement that the paCOVID-19 remains in • Long-term care facility tient meets the defined Health please visit www. effect. Face coverings residents and staff eligibility criteria and are still required in most FloridaHealth.gov. established by the Floriindoor public places in • Persons 60 years of age da Department of Health Pasco County, where and older – NEW COVID-19 Determination social distancing cannot of Extreme Vulnerabilibe maintained. Pasco • Health care personnel ty Form completed by a County’s Face Coverings with direct patient conhospital provider or their Order was issued in June tact physician. Eligible resiand will remain in effect dents must present the completed form at their appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

LEARN ORLANDO

Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel Update Ms. Jedlicka’s 2nd grade class creating Geodes during STEM with Mr. Bompart!

Mrs. Perez’s class celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday making Green Eggs and Ham!

We celebrated Worldwide Culture Day! Everyone looked awesome!

LEARN (Cont.)

april 2o21

virtual Event Calendar

BABYTIME & STORYTIMES ADULTS 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/24, 4/40 | 10:00 AM Storytime Shorts with Ms. Karen and Ms. Kerry 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24 | 10:00 AM - Saturday Storytime with Ms. Karyn 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27 | 10:00 AM - Virtual Storytime with Ms. Bea 4/7 | All Day - Storytime with Ms. Danielle: Birth to age 5 4/14 | All Day - Storytime with Ms. Wendy: Birth to age 5 4/21 | All Day - Storytime with Ms. Laura: Birth to age 5 4/28 | All Day - Storytime, Birth to age 5: Celebrate Libraries!

CHILDREN

4/3 | All Day - Full STEAM Ahead! - Piggy Banks!

4/3 | 2:00 PM - Planet Lego 4/3 | 2:00 PM - Virtual Craft at Home: K-5 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28 | 4:30 PM - Mobile Makerspace at Crews Lake Park: Gardening 4/17 | All Day - Full STEAM Ahead! - Earth Day!

TWEENS

4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27 | 10:00 AM - Best of Craft Tuesdays: Playlist 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28 | 4:30 PM - Mobile Makerspace at Crews Lake Park: Gardening 4/10 | 2:00 PM - Virtual Craft at Home: Tween

TEENS

4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27 | 10:00 AM - Best of Craft Tuesdays: Playlist 4/17 | 2:00 PM - Virtual Craft at Home: Tween

4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29 | 8:30 AM - English for Speakers of Other Languages 4/1 | 10:30 AM - Leap into Libby-Live!

4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23 | 10:00 AM - English Conversation Class 4/2, 4/16, 4/30 | 10:00 AM - Flavorful Friday 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27 | 10:00 AM - Best of Craft Tuesdays: Playlist 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27 | 12:30 PM - Virtual Yarn for More 4/6 | 6:00 PM - Online Book Club 4/6 | 6:30 PM - Hypnosis: Inner Spring Cleaning 4/7 | 2:00 PM - BeJeweled, Adult Jewelry Crafting 4/9, 4/23 | 10:00 AM - Virtual First Chapter 4/9 | 3:00 PM - Happy Hour Online Social 4/13 | 5:00 PM - Zoom Reads Mystery Book Club: The Widows of Malabar Hill 4/14 | 2:00 PM - Craft Social 4/14, 4/28 | 2:00 PM - English Conversation Class 4/14, 4/28 | 3:00 PM - English for Speakers of Other Languages 4/14 | 6:00 PM - Virtual Tai Chi 4/15 | 6:00 PM - Virtual Yoga for Stress Relief 4/20 | 2:00 PM - Virtual Backyard Gardening With Jo Ann 4/21 | 2:00 PM - Tiara Club Online Project 4/24 | 10:00 AM - Friends of the Regency Park Library Outdoor Book Sale 4/24 | 2:00 PM - Craft at Home: Adult 4/27 | 5:00 PM - Zoom Reads 4th Tuesday Book Club: The Queen’s Gambit 4/27 | 6:00 PM - Virtual Chair Yoga

For more information on how to access and register for these virtual events, visit pascolibraries.org or call 813-788-6375.

Events brought to you by: New River Library 34043 State Road 54 Wesley Chapel

813-788-6375

pascolibraries.org Follow us on social media: Facebook: New River Public Library Instagram: pascolibraries Twitter: @PascoLibraries

Check out our website for more exciting news! Get involved, even from home!

LEARN (Cont.)

WORK ORLANDO

Build A Strong Economy, Together May 6th | 5:00PM | AdventHealth Center Ice

Pasco EDC and Experience Florida’s Sports Coast have teamed ing organizations charged with driving the success of Pasco’s gies of corporate businesses, entrepreneurs, hoteliers, attraction which makes up our local economy is what positions us with a

up for a special event! As the two marketeconomy, this event will blend the synerpartners, and restauranteurs. The diversity strong economic foundation for the future.

Event Programming: 5:00-6:00pm Social Hour & Figure Skating Showcase - Enjoy cocktails while networking with other attendees in the Busch Gardens Arena with a live figure skating showcase by AdventHealth Center Ice professional skaters.

6:15-7:30pm Team Up! How We’re Building a Strong Economy, Together - Tourism and Economic Development Presentations: Experience Florida’s Sports Coast Update by Tourism Director, Adam Thomas. Pasco EDC Update by CEO Bill Cronin - Recognition & Award Celebration: Honoring those who have made a lasting impression on Pasco County’s diverse economy 7:30- 8:30pm Special Guest Mike Rayburn Presents “What If” - In his award-winning keynote, “What If...?” Mike uses amazing guitar skills and hilarious comedy to teach the three tools that took him from playing for seven people in a bar in Virginia to Carnegie Hall.

In-person attendance is limited, reserve your ticket NOW! In-Person Registration: $75 per person Virtual Registration: $20 (Join us from the comfort of your own space via an online platform. Virtual registrants will receive the live stream link a few days prior to event via email.)

PLAY ORLANDO

April 17th, 2021 5-8pm 5060 River Glen Blvd.

Wesley Chapel, FL 33545

LASER LIGHTS BOUNCE HOUSES FOOD TRUCKS Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is conveniently located 3.5 miles East of I-75 on SR 54. 33613 SR 54, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543

For more information on this and other events visit AvalonParkWest.com or call 813-783-1515.

Coming together to create a healthy community

An East Orlando Health Alliance

ORLANDO

”

I’m thankful for more life to live.

— Greg

”

Stroke Survivor

Surviving an emergency is no accident.

To Greg, road trips mean freedom. But after suffering a stroke at age 43, his whole life changed. He realized how every second counts, especially when it comes to an emergency. AdventHealth’s ER experts responded fast – and today, Greg is back on the road again.

When the unexpected occurs, know where to go for expert emergency care near you. Because in an emergency, there’s no time to waste… and no room for doubt.

TheERExperts.com

LIVE WELL (Cont.)

3 Quick and Easy Stay-At-Home Meals for Seniors

When preparing someone a meal, it is important to be mindful of their diet and nutritional needs and limitations; this is especially true for someone with allergies and senior citizens, in particular. Therefore, it is incredibly important to know quick and easy meals that you or your senior loved one can prepare at home to ensure that they get the proper nutrition that they need. Here are three quick and easy stay-at-home meals for seniors.

Breakfast: Egg Muffins As the most important meal of the day, breakfast is a great opportunity for you to get your senior’s day off to a good start with protein from eggs and vitamins from vegetables. That’s what makes these breakfast egg muffins great.

For this recipe, you will need 12 large eggs, ¼ cup of milk, 1 cup of spinach, ¾ cup of diced tomato, and ¾ cup of diced onion. After gathering the ingredients, all you have to do is follow these simple steps:

oz. of diced mushrooms, 2 cups of your favorite vegetable broth, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 10 oz. of spaghetti, 3 cups of spinach, and ¼ cup of parmesan.

Once you have your ingredients, follow these steps: These breakfast muffins can also be frozen and heated up in the microwave at a later date.

Lunch: Chicken Spinach Flatbread If the senior in your life loves pizza, this flatbread is a great and healthy alternative.

For this recipe, 1. Preheat the oven which is perfect to 350°F. for lunch, you will 2. Grease or line a need to gather tomuffin pan. gether 1 flatbread, 3. Whisk together 1 grilled chicken the eggs, milk, and breast chopped into any seasonings you small pieces, ¼ cup may want to add in a of sautéed and diced large bowl. red pepper, ¼ cup 4. Add in the vegeof sautéed and diced tables and stir it all mushrooms, ¼ cup together. of diced tomato, 1 5. Fill the muffin tin cup of spinach, and with the mixture.

1 cup of mozzarella 6. Cook the muffins cheese. Then, follow for 20 minutes. these steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. 2. Top your flatbread with your chicken and your vegetables.

3. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top of all of your toppings.

4. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes.

Everyone, including your special senior, is sure to enjoy these wonderfully fresh flatbread flavors.

Dinner: Vegetarian Spaghetti This tasty, vegetarian meal is incredibly convenient to make because it only requires one pot.

For this recipe, you will need olive oil, ½ cup of diced yellow onion, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 8

1. Set your heat to medium.

2. Heat up your olive oil in your pot.

3. Sauté your onions and mushrooms until tender.

4. Increase your heat to high.

5. Add your tomatoes and broth, bringing it to a boil.

6. Add your spaghetti.

7. Once the spaghetti has wilted to fit into the pot, cover it and reduce the heat to medium for about 5 minutes.

8. Add your spinach and cook it until it has wilted.

9. Serve your spaghetti with parmesan as desired.

Not only is this meal easy to make, but it is perfect for dinnertime.

LIVE WELL (Cont.)

Wellness with Jen: Spring Clean Your World

As much as it drives me crazy, my house is not tidy right now.

Clean, yes. Tidy and organized, no.

I feel like the day that my extremely active and attached Momma’s boy was born was the day that the beautiful organization that I crave became a thing of the past. I cannot stand a disorganized home, but I have learned to accept that for now my time gets dedicated to other things. The de-cluttering of life will happen in time.

Although the clutter of toys, school papers, Frozen everything, baby equipment, and a new home office has taken over, the house is clean. When it comes to cleaning products, it can be hard to know what is safe, especially if there are human babies and/or fur babies in the house. Consumers have become more aware of the harmful ingredients that are being put into household products, and with this realization, the companies that make these products have learned how to advertise in order to attract those of us who are looking for products that will not harm our family.

Everywhere you go, you will see products on store shelves that say “natural” “green” “organic” “free & clear”... all of the things that suggest a healthy product. There are a few things to know about these products and how they are labeled. I think the most shocking to me was what I learned about the organic products. Products that are labeled “organic” can contain up to 5-10% of ingredients that are not organic and potentially not even healthy. Something else that is baffling and frustrating to me is that “natural fragrances” and “fragrances” in the list of ingredients basically just means that there is a combination of potentially harmful ingredients hidden under that simple label of “fragrances”. You might be shocked to discover how many ingredients contain “fragrances” and “natural fragrances”, aka a ton of ingredients that the company doesn’t want you to know about.

I see many posts in Mommy groups on social media asking about safe laundry detergent, household cleaners, and other products, and many of the comments say something like, “It doesn’t matter what I use because my kids don’t have sensitive skin.” Unfortunately, these days it’s not just about whether or not there is someone with sensitive skin or allergies in the house. Inside air has been shown to be 5 to 7 times more toxic than outside air, and because of this stay-at-home moms have been shown to be at a higher risk of dying from cancer by 54%. These statistics are mind boggling. Our homes have become toxic because of harmful chemicals in household cleaners, detergents, air fresheners, soaps, etc. It is more important than ever to know what products you are using in your home. Every product that you use, whether using it to clean the bathroom, mop your floors, do your laundry, wipe down the baby’s high chair, or “freshen” a room, releases fragrances into the air that you breathe. It is your job to know whether or not those fragrances are healthy or harmful.

You have some options: • Purchase products from a company that you know and trust. Know the source of the ingredients. Know their mission. Know their promise.

• Make your own cleaning products using ingredients that you know and trust.

• Freshen the air of your home with pure and therapeutic essential oils rather than synthetic air fresheners and toxic candles.

I choose to do a combination of these options. Yes, I’m a busy Mom. Yes, I work full-time and run a wellness business. Yes, it does takes a few minutes to mix up a DIY product. Yes, it took a bit of research to find a company that you trust to provide you with healthy products. Yes, it took some trial and error to find what works for our family. But realistically, isn’t your family’s wellness and saving yourself $$ worth a few minutes of your time??!

What works for us won’t always work for others. Wellness takes trial and error. Wellness takes finding what works for you. Wellness isn’t a one size fits all type of deal. But once you find your path to wellness, you’ll be grateful for your journey.

Follow me on social media and then shoot me a message to be added into April’s Spring Cleaning drawing for a little household cleaning bundle. Happy Spring, everyone!

Jen Cosby jcdiamondwellness@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/yljennifercosby https://www.facebook.com/groups/oilshowyouthewayed/ https://www.instagram.com/jen_cosby/

COMMUNITY CORNER ORLANDO

valon pplauds

Nathanael Northey If you know a student or nonprofit deserving of recognition, please email your nominee suggestion to kcarmack@lakerlutznews.com.

PROFILED NOMINEES RECEIVE A $50 GIFT CARD FROM A LOCAL BUSINESS.

CONGRATULATIONS to Nathanael Northey, a senior at Cypress Creek High School, for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Northey has been involved in student government since his freshman year and served as secretary before being elected senior class president, which he describes as an incredible opportunity.

“Whether it’s fundraising at a local restaurant, or selling new senior shirts, it’s a great feeling knowing that the ideas you come up with not only benefit the student government, but the school, too,” says Northey.

Being senior class president has been a fun challenge for Northey, and one that has improved his public speaking and communication skills.

“When I learned I got the position, I was ready to get the wheels spinning, thinking of new ways to get students involved with the COVID-19 pandemic present,” said Northey. “I never thought being class president could be so much fun!”

Northey is also chairperson for the School Advisory Council committee, secretary for the National English Honor Society, and plays on his school’s varsity men’s basketball team.

“Cypress Creek has been a great school to go to, and I’m so glad that I get to be part of its first full four-year graduating class,” said Northey. “This milestone in the school’s history will always be remembered, and I am so glad to be part of it.”

Northey has had several mentors at his school, including English teacher Cassie Adley, who knew Northey as a great kid, but didn’t realize what a good student he was until he took her AP Language and Composition class.

“He is exactly what you want from a student. Nathanael is a student who strives to be the best. He is not shut down by constructive criticism; he truly thrives off of it,” says Adley.

Northey is grateful for Adley’s guidance.

“She has helped me improve my writing to a level I never thought possible,” says Northey. “I don’t know what I’m going to do next year not having Mrs. Adley as a teacher, but one thing I do know is that she has prepared me to face whatever comes my way.”

Northey also recognizes his basketball coaches for teaching him the importance of teamwork, as well as Principal HetzlerNettles, Mr. Uchaez, Mrs. Larimore and Ms. Vaccaro for their unwavering support.

Northey plans to attend the University of Central Florida and major in Physical Therapy. With his passion for science and love of sports, Northey thinks this will be the perfect field of study for him.

Hetzler-Nettles says Northey exemplifies Cypress Creek’s H.O.W.L. student mission: Have a growth mindset, Own your education, Work as a community and Lead responsibly.

“Nathanael is a student who is going to change the trajectory of this world – I can’t wait to see how he does it,” she says.

WESLEY CHAPEL

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33613 state road 54. • wesley chapel • (813) 783-1515