The Publisher’s Notes

Celebrating 20 years

of Tampa Bay METRO. We are getting ready to start a brand new year and certainly believe that 2021 will be better for us all. We’ve reached a milestone with this issue beginning our 20th year of publishing Tampa Bay METRO. If our office walls could talk, there are many things that we have started, stopped, changed and adapted to over these years. One thing that has remained constant is our desire to publish a quality publication that showcases the people, businesses and places that make Tampa Bay a great place to live, work and play. We are grateful for the long time support of our advertisers and loyalty of our readers. We would not be here if it wasn’t for you!

In this issue, we have METRO’s Annual Private School Survey that highlights 44 schools and is a great community resource for parents looking to provide a private school education for their children. In the feature story Academics In A Pandemic, we discover the adjustments and changes made to allow for in-school learning at several private schools across Tampa Bay.

We also catch up with Actress, Singer, DJ Lauren Mayhew, a Berkeley Prep grad, that has returned home to Tampa from NYC during the pandemic. She graced our cover 15 years ago in 2005, and we had a chance to connect and see her recent successes.

The wedding and event industry has been particularly challenged during the pandemic, but we can see some light at the end of the tunnel as weddings and events are slowly starting to happen. We have the special section, METRO Weddings + Events, where we showcase the creativity and beauty of love. Some travel has started to happen as some countries will allow us to fly. Consider a destination wedding, or vow renewal, at the Haven Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Remember to follow us on Instagram and Facebook @tampabaymetro and watch www.tampabaymetro.com for stories on Super Bowl LV.

We hope you relax, recharge and spend some time with family and friends, and enjoy the holiday season.

Enjoy,

Publisher / Editor-in-Chief Stephen Parag II

Publisher / Managing Editor Ronda M. Parag

Executive Art Director Chad Vorbrich

Contributing Writers Mary Lou Janson

Contributing Photographers Victoria Angela Rabecca Cruz Justin DeMutiis Kristin Fizur Hey It’s The Lopezes Kara Larchenfeld Elisha Orin Photography Limelight Photography The Photography Concierge Dafne Spencer

Publishers of: Tampa Bay METRO™ Orlando METRO™ METRO Weddings + Events™ METRO Health + Wellness™ METRO Home + Design™

Stephen Parag II Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief

@tampabaymetro #tampabaymetro

Tampa Bay METRO Magazine (ISSN 1536-4909) is published bi-monthly by Metro Life Media, Inc. at 3404 S. Omar Ave., Tampa, Florida 33629 (813) 835-7700 Fax (813) 835-7700 • Copyright 2021 Metro Life Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of, or use without written permission of the publisher, of editorial, pictorial or design content in any manner is prohibited in the United States. Tampa Bay METRO Magazine™ , METROHome™ , METROGuide™, METRO’s Best™ , METRO Home Buyers Guide™ , METROBiz™, METROStyle™, METROStop™, METROLife™, METROFamily™, Suncoast Life™, Tampa Bay METRO Charity Register™ are trademarks of Metro Life Media, Inc. • Subscriptions: In the Continental U.S. one year $14.95 Canada and U.S. Possessions, $30. Overseas, $36. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Tampa Bay Metro, 3404 S. Omar Ave., Tampa, Florida 33629 • Advertisements in this publication do not constitute an offer for sale in states where prohibited or restricted by law.