DR. JANE GOODALL MEETS WITH BEVIS STUDENT WHO WROTE LETTER

from Osprey Observer Bloomingdale/FishHawk May 2023

THREE BLOOMINGDALE LACROSSE CAPTAINS CELEBRATE ADMITTANCE TO MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMIES

Everyone dreams of meeting their hero at one time or another, whether they are from a favorite comic book or are a professional in their respective ﬁeld. For 10-year-old Vivian Knutzen, all it took was passion and a handwritten letter to meet hers.

Knutzen’s fascination with Dr. Jane Goodall began when her mother, Dawn Holland, gave her a book on the primatologist and her life’s work. Soon after, Knutzen read nearly all the books at her local library about Dr. Goodall, even checking out and perusing publications above her reading level. Inspired by Dr. Goodall’s work, Knutzen, too, has dreams of working with chimpanzees in Africa.

Upon discovering that Dr. Goodall frequently visits her childhood home in England, Knutzen proposed she write a letter to her hero on how much she admired her work and asking for ways she also could further help the environment and animals around the world. Sending the letter on its way in mid-January, Knutzen and Holland did not hear from Dr. Goodall’s team until almost two months later.

Receiving a call from Knutzen’s school, Bevis Elementary, one afternoon, Holland was shocked to hear that the publicist for Dr. Goodall was looking for her daughter.

Explaining that Dr. Goodall had thoroughly enjoyed Knutzen’s letter and was going to be in Tampa the following week, the publicist extended an invitation for Knutzen to meet her idol in person. Waiting until her daughter arrived home from school that afternoon, Holland surprised Knutzen with the news.

By Madeline Gardner

“The chances that she would be coming to Tampa and that this would all happen, and we would actually have a chance to meet her, it was like it was meant to be. It was crazy,” said Holland.

On March 29, Knutzen and Holland arrived at the Tampa Theatre at 5:15 p.m. before the ‘Growing a Compassionate & Sustainable Future for All: An Evening with Dr. Goodall’ private lecture they had been invited to. Escorted to the green room, they were introduced to Dr. Goodall herself, who welcomed Knutzen in with a hug.

Conversation topics ranged from discussing Knutzen’s dog to Dr. Goodall’s experiences with chimpanzees in the wild. Upon giving Dr. Goodall a handmade bracelet, the primatologist signed both the ﬁrst book Knutzen had ever read about her hero as well as Knutzen’s shirt, even drawing a chimpanzee on it.

At 7 p.m., Knutzen and Holland sat near the stage and watched Dr. Goodall’s lecture, which began with a discussion of her curiosity for animals and segued to how anyone can have an impact on the environment and raising awareness. Receiving a personal letter from Dr. Goodall the day just prior to meeting her, Knutzen stated she plans to continue writing to her in the future, especially after this inspiring experience.

“I think it just feels like she can make anyone love animals,” said Knutzen. “

She just has this special thing where she can make you want to help the environment.”

COMMUNITY & SPECIAL GUESTS COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE CIMINO ELEMENTARY’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Cimino Elementary School commemorated its 20th anniversary on April 6 with a rededication ceremony. Cimino, located at 4329 Culbreath Rd. in Valrico, opened in 2002 with Sandra Frost as principal, and it is named after Richard Daniel Cimino. Current Cimino principal Joanne Grifﬁths described him as a civic leader and true advocate for children, education and service. Rosalind (Roz) Creager and Matt Creager, daughter and grandson of Richard, attended the celebration. Roz shared memories of her dad and a poem that inspired him.

“If (my) dad were here with us today, with a big teasing smile, he would say, ‘This is my school, and these are my kids,’” Roz said.

The celebration began with a surprise performance by the Bloomingdale Senior High School Drumline. It included a presentation of colors by Cimino students; performances by the Cimino choir; a message from school board member Patti Rendon; a message from Cimino’s teacher of the year, Kara Mara (read by third grader Olivia Campo); sharing of Richard’s legacy (read by ﬁfth grader Colin Kurto); reﬂections of a former student (Madison Skonie); a recognition of years of service for Cimino faculty and staf; and special recognition to Debbie Coleman on her upcoming retirement.

“My grandfather loved his family and

By Jane Owen

friends and was an active volunteer in the community. He would have been tickled to see all the students at the rededication. He loved kids. He loved to hunt, ﬁsh and cook. He had a booming voice, loved to joke and tell stories. Poppy, as I called him, would have said he didn’t deserve to have a school named after him. Then he would have grinned, winked and said, ‘But I’ll take it proudly.’ And we don’t have the words to express how proud he would have been,” Matt said.

In attendance at the celebration were former Principal Cindy Dowdy (2012-17), former Principal Debby Talley (2006-12), school board member Patti Rendon, Region 4 Superintendent Jaime Gerding and many teachers and staf from the inaugural year of the school. After the ceremony, these special guests were invited to a reception in the media center.