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MARCH 10, 2021
Local singer next American Idol?
By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
Dade City teenager Alanis Sophia has come a long way from belting out tunes in local libraries and graduation ceremonies. In fact, she’s headed to Hollywood as a contestant on ABC’s hit television show, “American Idol.” The 19-year-old college student and Pasco eSchool graduate’s first audition was aired on the Feb. 28 season premiere of the
nationally televised music competition show. Performing a rendition of “Anyone,” by Demi Lovato, Sophia wowed the distinguished group of celebrity judges — Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie — securing a golden ticket to advance to the next round of the popular competition series watched by millions. Perry, one of the world’s best-selling pop singers, characterized Sophia’s performance this way: “She’s the best we’ve seen today.”
Richie complimented “the purity” of Sophia’s voice and personality during the aired segment, adding the young singer has “huge potential.” The teen vividly recalls how it felt to perform in front of the trio — who are among the most successful and recognizable personalities in the music entertainment industry today. She described the once-in-a-lifetime exSee IDOL, page 9A
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Alanis Sophia wowed the distinguished group of ‘American Idol’ celebrity judges — Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie — during her singing performance. The Dade City native is a graduate of Pasco eSchool, the county’s virtual instruction program. She is now studying media communications at Full Sail University. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sophia moved with her family to Wesley Chapel and then to Dade City.
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Ten-year-old Corbin Stringer, of Tampa, sports his special ‘Olympics’ sunglasses during the Special Olympics Showcase in Lutz. MORE ON PAGE 1B.
Dade City native Alanis Sophia is featured throughout this season of ABC’s ‘American Idol.’ The 19-year-old is no stranger to the big stage. In 2013, she finished runner-up on the Spanishlanguage version of ‘The Voice Kids.’ She also signed a country music record deal in 2017, becoming the first Latinx artist to do so. She also has appeared in commercials for Sea World, Walt Disney and Visit Florida.
Dade City’s Alanis Sophia was featured in a Feb. 28 episode of ABC’s ‘American Idol.’ The 19-year-old’s rendition of ‘Anyone’ by Demi Lovato earned her a golden ticket to the next round in Hollywood, airing March 21.
New businesses beginning to pop up, along U.S. 41 By Kathy Steele Special to The Laker/Lutz News
The signs sprouting along U.S. 41 — which is also known as Land O’ Lakes Boulevard — are an indication that new development is beginning to take root, on the main artery through Land O’ Lakes and Lutz. New restaurants, a car wash and gas stations are coming. A new coffeehouse and meat shop have opened. A medical center and other developments, are planned, too. None of this is on the same grand scale of the Tampa Premium Outlets or the Cypress Creek Town Center along State Road 56, but something is happening along Land O’ Lakes Boulevard that hasn’t happened in years. New businesses are taking a chance on a long overlooked, heavily traveled highway. “This is great,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, whose district includes Land O’ Lakes.“As they have begun filling up along State Road 54/56, you’re seeing more happening along U.S. 41.” Much of the new activity on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard extends from Bell Lake Road north toward State Road 52 and a nearly $50 million highway project that passes through Gowers Corner at U.S. 41. For sale signs are plentiful, sites have been cleared and construction is underway — conveying a sense that new commercial projects are on the way, or could be coming soon. A new Circle K gas station and convenience store is in the works at 7767 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., according to county records.
KATHY STEELE
Aroma Joe’s is a new coffeehouse open in a small plaza by the Preserve at Lake Wilderness, off Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.
The project is being built by Frontier Building, according to a news release from that company, and the Circle K is expected to open in July. Redstone Commercial is marketing more open land next to the Circle K. Zaxby’s and Vortex carwash are planned for a location at U.S. 41 and Wilderness Lake Boulevard, according to posted signs and county records. A 7-Eleven is anticipated at Bell Lake Road, along with another 7-Eleven at 9077 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., near the Tierra Del Sol subdivision, county records show. Ps & Qs will be fluffing and styling pets from a new doggie day and boarding facility
planned for 7495 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., near the community of Connerton. Heights Meat Market, a longtime presence in the Tampa neighborhood of Seminole Heights, is operating at a small plaza at 5132 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. It opened in early 2020. Aroma Joe’s coffeehouse is serving java, breakfast and sandwiches in a shop by the Preserve at Lake Wilderness. A new restaurant is expected to open at 4422 Land O’ Lakes Blvd, the site previously occupied briefly by Mosquito Bar & Grill and before that by Rapscallions, a popular meetSee BUSINESSES, page 9A