SUMMER OF SONG AND DANCE RETURNS WITH MUSIC SHOWCASE

By Jonathan Hurst

By Libby Hopkins

adult women, club girls explore their own and societal attitudes and values as they build skills for eating right, staying physically fit, getting good health care and developing positive relationships with peers and adults.

On December 9, 2022, the Passport to Manhood/SMART Girls programs were celebrated at the club.

“The young men served the young ladies and female parents dessert after their dinner hour,” Smith said.

“Prior to the event, the young men were apprehensive of doing such an event. I was able to convince the young men on how to be polite and courteous to women in general through numerous classroom discussions and practice. One young man told me that he thought that this was a great idea because he has witnessed a few of his friends mistreat their girlfriends.”

The young ladies and parents were served cheesecake and Bundt cakes.

“The ladies were personally greeted and escorted in the decorated classroom for dessert,” Smith said. “Tyree Braxton, a sophomore at Spoto High School, was our narrator and speaker.

Visit https://bgcriverview.com/. The club is located at 6809 Krycul Ave. in Riverview.

For a summer of song and dance look no further than the Music Showcase from the Florida Academy of Performing Arts. Here, the campers will be immersed in the world of performing with a variety of options to get involved. Whether your child wants to just test the waters or is a full-fledged theater enthusiast, there are plenty of options.

For those who are a little unsure, there are full and half-day options for the weeklong camp Music and More, where students will interact with multiple avenues of performing, such as acting, singing, dancing and more. Students will also be exposed to instruments to see if anything clicks for them, as well as general art. Drop-o f time for Music and More opens at 8 a.m., and the latest pickup time is at 6 p.m.

For those with a bit more of a commitment to performing arts, there is the Musical Theater Camp, which is a bit more intensive when it comes to the theater aspect. This camp runs for two weeks and involves the students learn - ing about how to put on a production and all the elements that go into that. These students will work on skills such as acting, singing and various theater techniques and practices. This camp concludes with a performance of a play featuring the campers.

Musical Theater Camp runs from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

“There is something for all ages and abilities,” said academy director Danielle Sanchez.

The Music and More camp runs weekly from Tuesday, May 30 through Friday, August 4, and Musical Theater camp has the same time frame but on a two-week schedule. There is a one-time $30 registration fee with the cost of the Music and More at $230 a week and $275 for the Musical Theater Camp. There are scholarships and discounts for siblings available as well.

For further details, visit www.faopa. org or call 813-490-2787. Music Showcase is located at 402 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon.

CIMINO ELEMENTARY’S COACH DANIEL MACKO AWARDED TECO COACH OF THE BAY

During the Tampa Bay Lightning home game versus the Boston Bruins on January 26, Cimino Elementary School’s coach Daniel Macko was recognized as the 2022 Tampa Bay Lightning Coach of the Bay presented by TECO.

Macko has been teaching physical education at Cimino Elementary for 14 years. He is passionate about creating enjoyable activities that instill confidence.

“What makes coaching special to me is the relationship I get to create with students for six years. Most teachers only have a child for one year. So, it’s awesome I get to see these kids grow up and develop the physical skills to be become better and confident in sports and in themselves,” Macko said.

Macko introduces sports and skills that will help students live a positive heathy lifestyle. Cimino Principal Joann Grifths said Macko inspires everyone he is around.

“Coach Macko is our hero. He represents all that is possible and positive. He exudes a can-do attitude that is uplifting and contagious. Danny demonstrates the character traits we all strive to achieve. He is our Coach of the Bay each and every day,” Griffiths said.

With a focus on making sports fun for students, Macko hopes his students will be

SUN ’N FUN AEROSPACE EXPO 2023 COMING IN MARCH

By Jane Owen

inspired to stay active throughout their lives. He loves making a diference in his students’ lives.

“My favorite part of coaching is creating activities that they remember for a lifetime. I still have students that come back that are adults now and tell me how much they loved this activity or that activity. It always brings a smile to my face,” Macko said.

Macko was named Cimino Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2012 and graduated from the University of South Florida in 2009. The TECO Coach of the Bay designation has been awarded since 2019.

Macko received recognition during the game, a personalized Lightning jersey and $1,000 to give to the charity of his choice; he chose the Down Syndrome Association of Tampa Bay (on Facebook @21StrongForever).

“I chose the Down Syndrome Association of Tampa Bay because we have a student at our school who has touched the hearts of our family,” Macko said. Cimino Elementary is located at 4329 Culbreath Rd. Valrico. Visit www.hillsboroughschools.org/cimino.

Save the date for one of one of the largest and most successful aviation events in the world, the 2023 SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo, as it prepares to celebrate its 49th anniversary. The March 28 - April 2 event in Lakeland is the first major air show of the year. SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, has also announced that E3 Aviation Association is the new title sponsor. The partnership allows for the more than 200,000 aviation enthusiasts from around the world to enjoy what has become known as Aviation’s Season Opener or Spring Break for Pilots.

Taking of for its 49th year, SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo showcases of hundreds of aircraft on display including Vintage, Homebuilt, Aerobatic, Warbird, Jet, and Light Sport.

One of the highlights of the five-day expo is the Blue Angels, the high-flying and awe-inspiring flight demonstration squadron of the U.S. Navy.

Additional special airshow acts include U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightening II Demonstration Team, the U.S. Marine Corp F-35B Lightening II Demonstration Team, and Doug Rozendaal flying Mr. Mulligan, the Howard DGA-6 pioneer racing plane.

SUN ‘n FUN also features more than 500 exhibitors, hands-on workshops teaching building and maintenance skills, and educational forums from pilots and maintainers about safety, new products, and other timely topics.

“E3 Aviation Association is the perfect partner to join SUN ‘n FUN this year. It’s an amazing brand fit in every way with the experiential event we’ve created,” said Gene Conrad, President and CEO for SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo. “At the core of it all is our shared passion for aviati-on. We have so many fun and interesting surprises waiting for our visitors this year.“

Tickets for SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo are available online at flysnf.org.

From its humble beginnings in 1974, SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit that mar-kets and supports dozens of yearround events, including the Aerospace Expo. Proceeds from these events are the primary source of funding for The Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), which has emerged as a nationally recognized leader in STEM-related and aerospace education through its various learning centers, outreach programs, scholarships, and summer camps aimed at engaging, educating and accelerating the next generation of aerospace professionals. Learn more at flysnf.org.