Bloomingdale/FishHawk
22
March 2021
Volume 20, Issue 3
Ph: 657-2418
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CELEBRATING 19 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
NEWSOME GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM COMPETES IN NFL SUPER BOWL EXPERIENCE SHOWCASE
By Nick Nahas
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
NATIONAL FINALISTS IN NASA’S ARTEMIS APP DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE By Samantha Trezevant
After weeks of hard work and dedication, a group of local students and teachers known as Team Pardus has developed an application to map the surface of the moon. The team from Bell Creek Academy (BCA) is one out of 10 groups to make it to the finals, and the only group from Florida. NASA encourages young students to be the next generation of explorers. One way it does this is through their App Development Challenge, according to NASA. com. Team Pardus consists of nine high school students and two teachers. The students, Jon Santmyer, Peter Cross, Amanda Schultz, Estaban Acebedo, Alejandro Acebedo, Giovanni Borras, Malakai Overstreet, Kristina O’Connor and Ryan Leung, were assisted by teachers Melissa DiCenzo and Samuel Zucker. The team participated in the coding challenge on September 20, 2020 and completed it less than two months later. Their mission was to create an app to be used to explore the south pole of the moon. These developments will help NASA put its first woman on the moon. The team was recognised in a ceremony with Melissa Snively from the Hillsborough County School Board; Addison Davis, superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools; Commissioner Corcoran; Michael Strader, president of Charter School Associates; and more. Peter Cross, a senior at BCA, demonstrated the app and recited a speech about his own obstacles and the team’s challenges as well. He talked about how
much time this project took, the effort and commitment of Team Pardus and the unexpected experience that he gained from this project. He said, “I learned that it takes time, effort and commitment to create a project so earth-shattering.” Another team lead, Amanda Schultz, gave a heartfelt speech about how proud she is of herself, her team, and the school. She gives credit to her supporters for allowing her to explore herself. “Personally, this experience continues to guide me to work hard for my future career path of space exploration and discovery,” said Schultz. Bell Creek Academy is located at 13221 Boyette Rd. in Riverview and can be reached at 793-6075.
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growing female sports. Currently, only six states have girls flag football programs at the high school level, including Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and New York. “I will remember the excitement our team had being a part of such a big The Newsome flag football team was one of four chosen to compete in the event and day, as NFL Super Bowl Experience exhibition. it was National The upstart Newsome High School girls Girls and Women in Sports Day,” said seflag football program was one of four nior captain Kate Ugo. “I will also rememteams chosen by the Tampa Bay Bucca- ber the moment I was standing with my neers Foundation to participate in an ex- teammates and a young girl asked to take hibition showcase at the NFL Super Bowl a picture with us. Inspiring her was the Experience in Julian B. Lane Park on the highlight of the evening.” week of Super Bowl LV. Newsome High School, Robinson High “Playing in the NFL fan experience was School, Alonso High School and Lennard an absolute thrill,” said junior quarter- High School’s flag football programs all back Devyn Silvestri. “This event was a participated in the event. The Wolves fantastic way to showcase not only our took on the Robinson Knights, which Newsome flag program, but also show won its fourth straight flag football title NFL football fans what girls flag football last season and its fifth in six years. The is really about. This once-in-a-lifetime op- Wolves came up a little short against the portunity is something I will always trea- Knights, but they will always remember sure, and I’m so grateful we were able to the opportunity to compete in front of an participate and play in front of the Tampa electric crowd. community.” “The atmosphere was amazing,” said The Wolves received $100,000 worth Newsome Head Coach Justin Shive. of new equipment from Nike and the NFL “There were a lot of people that came to as a part of the $5 million grant that will watch, people that have probably never go towards girls flag football programs watched flag football before, and the girls throughout the country. Nike equipped put on a show.” them with new uniforms, cleats, sports The Wolves are especially hungry for bras, compression shorts and headbands. their first district title since 2011, and a According to Nike, one million more boys run at a state title, because their last seaplay high school sports than girls do. This son was canceled due to COVID-19. campaign hopes to make girls flag foot“We are especially thankful to Nike for ball a varsity sport and spread it through- sponsoring us with new gear for the upout the country, as it is one of the fastest coming season,” said Ugo.
BELL CREEK ACADEMY STUDENTS
04/01/2021
Former FishHawk residents, the Boucek family have packed up their family of 5 and the family dog to take an adventure as a full-time catamaran family. They are currently in the Bahamas and are homeschooling the kids and learning to live life to the fullest. See the full story on Page 13 and follow their adventures at #theboucrew.