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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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Hercules Park renovations may include BMX track By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
Over the past several months, the City of Zephyrhills has pondered ways to spruce up the Hercules Park property at the corner of County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard, next to Zephyrhills High and Woodland Elementary schools. Following meetings with consulting firm Kimley-Horn, public works, and the parks and recreation advisory board, city officials may have an answer for the languished 12-acre site — a BMX (bicycle motocross) track where mountain bike enthusiasts traverse winding trails and thrilling jumps, in a safe and comfortable setting. Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency Director Gail Hamilton detailed how the BMX track See HERCULES, page 9A
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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.
Government stimulus check inspires kindness, generosity By Joey Johnston Special to The Laker/Lutz News
When Wesley Chapel’s Carmen Quiles’ family received a stimulus check from the federal government, her initial reaction was — who can’t use some extra cash during a pandemic? But then, she thought, there are others who need the money more. She turned that generous impulse into action, packing up “Bags of Love” for the homeless — and distributing them in hot spots throughout North Tampa. She packs sausages, cookies, crackers, peanut butter cups, sanitizers, socks, blankets, Band-Aids, ointments and more into her bags. Quiles’ husband, Hector, a retired Navy Captain and former nurse manager of specialty clinics at the James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital, had no idea what his wife had in mind when he noticed various supplies being stocked in their garage. When she outlined a plan to help the needy with their excess funds, he was delighted and supportive. “You see the happiness and excitement in people’s eyes and that’s a feeling that’s very satisfying,’’ he said.“We’re not looking for publicity or kudos, but if it could inspire others to help or do something similar, it’s worth shining a light on this. “You can always find people in need. Sometimes, I will be driving and see someone. I wish I had brought a bag in the car to
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Carmen Quiles stands near some of the ‘Bags of Love’ containing food and other items that she and her husband distribute to the homeless.
give them. I need to start doing that,” he said. Quiles said her idea has been greeted enthusiastically — sometimes with disbelief. “The first time I was out, a policeman stopped me and asked,‘What are you doing here?’” Quiles said. “I think he was concerned about safety and my husband was, too. So he comes with me. “You see white people, Black people, Hispanic people.You see males and females, sometimes couples.You never know the circumstance or what has happened. But when you give something and it might be
the only thing they eat that day, it’s an overwhelming feeling.’’ Quiles said she returned to an area where she had distributed her gift bags and she noticed a group of people were gathered around, sharing the food. “That gave me a little tear,’’ she said. Quiles and her husband, originally from Puerto Rico, were on active military duty for 30 years. They lived in places such as Orlando, Jacksonville, Virginia Beach and Northern Virginia during the Navy stint. Quiles did volunteer work at most of those stops and that opened her eyes. “I was a nurse before, and I worked at free clinics and soup kitchens,’’ Quiles said. “You would see the same faces. There is great need. “Sometimes, we tend to judge people. You don’t know their situations. Sometimes, people wind up on the streets because things happen. They might lose their jobs. It’s tough out there, especially these days.A lot of people were getting by with two jobs. Now they might not even have one. So they wind up in a situation they never expected.’’ Quiles said she has been conscious of these unfortunate situations. She feels fortunate to offer some help. “This makes me happy,’’ Quiles said. “There’s a lot of help that’s needed. It gives me joy if I can help to make a difference. “I see a smile from them, even though sometimes they might not have teeth.’’ See GENEROSITY, page 9A