The LAKER
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LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
EAST PASCO EDITION
MARCH 30, 2016
Cafeteria lady basks in the limelight By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
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When Suellen Smith began stocking formal attire in a closet in the Zephyrhills High School cafeteria, she was hoping the effort would help create a little magic for some young men and women. The cafeteria manager knew that most of the school’s students come from families that struggle financially, and she wanted to do her part to help. So, in addition to the hundreds of meals it serves up each day, the cafeteria is also known as being a place where students needing to dress for a special occasion can do a little ‘shopping’ for free. What began quietly, around five years ago, has helped hundreds of students make special memories. And, while it started with the idea of helping give students a time to remember,
COURTESY OF SUELLEN SMITH
Suellen Smith is getting ready to attend a reception honoring her and four other School Nutrition Heroes from across the country during an event in Washington D.C.
Smith’s compassion has resulted in the cafeteria manager having a few shining moments of her own. The honors began flowing in last year when Smith received the Community Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Florida School Nutrition Association and the “Best Behind the Scenes” award from Pasco County Schools. She was recognized on a bigger stage recently, when she traveled to Washington D.C., where she was honored by the School Nutrition Foundation as one of five School Nutrition Heroes in the country. A video telling the story of Smith’s fancy clothes closet and the other ways she helps students was played during the Feb. 29 national event. It was replayed on March 15, when the Pasco County School Board lavished praise See LIMELIGHT, page 11A
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By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
John Picciano has fond memories of his years at Saint Leo University, and a deep appreciation for the influence that the Benedictine Sisters of Florida had on his life. That’s what motivated the CEO of Ogelthorpe Inc., to donate $1 million to the Benedictine Sisters’ The Future is Now Campaign. “The sisters, at that time, were very instrumental in bringing out my potential as a student,” Picciano said.“They emphasized Christian values. “They made me feel at home, and also were very good to help develop my self-esteem,” said Picciano, who went on to become a priest in the Diocese of Orlando, before stepping away from that vocation into a corporate role. The Future is Now Campaign seeks to raise $1,650,000 to build an additional wing onto Holy Name Monastery, off State Road 52, across from Saint Leo University, near Dade City. The additional wing was always part of
COURTESY OF THE BENEDICTINE SISTERS OF FLORIDA
John Picciano expresses his gratitude for the influence the Benedictine Sisters of Florida have had on his life through a $1 million donation to the sisters’ fundraising efforts. He is shown here, presenting an oversized copy of the check to Sister Roberta Bailey.
the plan, but just not this soon. “We knew the new facility would garner renewed interest in our community over a period of five or six years, but did not imagine it would happen so quickly,” Prioress Sister Roberta Bailey, said in a news release. Requests have been flowing into the monastery from large groups wanting more than just a day retreat, Bailey explained. There also are women who are interested in discerning a vocation. Those needs require more space, Bailey said.
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FILE PHOTO
When Holy Name Monastery opened its doors in 2014, plans had already been drawn to expand the building at a future date. But, the need for larger quarters came sooner than expected.
Besides donating $1 million, Picciano is chairing the fundraising campaign. A graduate of the class of 1969 at Saint Leo University, Picciano is the CEO of an inpatient multihospital system dedicated to substance abuse care and counselling. “I’m in the health care business. I work with drug addiction and psychiatric hospitals. We manage those facilities, and as a result of many things, we’re able to give back,” Picciano said. Last year, he gave $1 million to Saint Leo University. Ogelthorpe, which has its corporate headquarters in downtown Tampa, has hospitals in Ohio,Texas, Louisiana and Florida. Picciano’s contribution, combined with proceeds from a fundraiser and gifts from other donors, has brought the total raised to date to $1,334,896. Efforts continue to raise the remaining $315,104. The additional space at the monastery is needed, said Picciano, noting he believes Pope Francis is inspiring more people to consider a religious life. In addition to providing space for women who are considering vocations, the wing will provide more room for retreats, he added. “I think the rooms will be well-used for their mission.The Benedictines are to work and pray, that’s what they do,” Picciano said. For more information, visit BenedictineSistersOfFl.org.
Special events eligible for tourism grants By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Every year, thousands of tourists flock to festivals in Pasco County, spending money and getting to know the county’s best features. They dine on kumquats, browse through arts and crafts booths, immerse themselves in Native American culture, listen to old-time music, and learn about the environment. But, putting on those special events takes cash. Each year the Pasco County Office of Tourism Development and the Tourist Development Council award $80,000 in grants to organizations staging special events. For fiscal year 2016-17, applications for the grants will be accepted through April 13. Staff members at tourism development will review the application packets and make recommendations to the council members.All applicants will then make presentations to the council on May 18. “We look for unique events that can really draw people to the event,” said Pasco Tourism Manager Ed Caum, in a press re-
FILE PHOTO
Thousands flocked to Dade City to enjoy the activities and displays at the 2016 Kumquat Festival. Events hoping to secure support through Pasco County’s tourism grants have until April 13 to apply.
lease.“We also recognize that event success doesn’t happen overnight, so we look for the potential growth as well.” Grants can be spent on promotions, marketing, paid advertising and media buys. The Kumquat Festival, the Suncoast Arts
Fest, Rattlesnake Festival and Chasco Fiesta are among past recipients. The Pasco Eco Fest, which staged its first event in 2015, also got some seed money for See GRANTS, page 11A