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BARRINGTON FFA WINS
DRONE ENTHUSIASTS HAVE A PLACE TO CALL HOME AT COUNTY PARK
By Brad Stager
Flying drones is a hobby that has become popular in recent years and as the pastime takes of more people want to know where they can safely and legally fly their remotely piloted model aircraft.
Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation provides such a place, complete with course obstacles and a shaded area for drone operators to work from.
The drone park is located at the west end of Mango Park & Recreation Center, adjacent to Mango Road.
It encompasses a clear area for drones to fly and includes obstacle-course fixtures and gates to sharpen the skills required to deftly maneuver the remotely controlled aircraft that can reach speeds of up to 90 mph. Drone pilots can operate their aircraft via handheld controls from under a canopy that ofers necessary protection from the sun. Some pilots wear special goggles while flying their drones so they can view video streams of their flights, creating an immersive, first-person view of the action for them.
Adherence to applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations is required and flying in airspace above areas such as the adjacent dog park and other
recreational facilities is prohibited. The drone park is an example of Hillsborough County’s plan to create ‘destination parks’ that serve the Drone enthusiasts now have a place to get airborne in Hillsborough County’s drone park at the Mango Park & varied interests of resiRecreation Center. dents who may find it worth the drive from Apollo Beach to Mango, for example, if it meets their recreational needs. County officials also cited the drone park’s value as making use of land that would not likely be developed for another purpose. Cigar City Multirotor Club is a local organization that promotes drone and model aviation activities in the Tampa Bay area and was involved in designing the park. Jason Mackenzie is Hillsborough County’s park planner and development manager. He says in a video on the county’s YouTube channel that the park is inclusive for all levels of skill in flying drones. “We always want to make sure our parks are a place where people can find equal ground and equal footing so that when you come to the drone park there is something for everyone,” said Mackenzie. The drone park is open from sunrise to sunset at the Mango Park & Recreation Center, located at 11717 Clay Pit Rd. in Sefner.
BARRINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL’S FFA WINS NATIONALS IN INDIANA
By Makenzie Atkins
Barrington Middle School is celebrating as its team of Future Farmers bring back an impressive accomplishment.
The Future Farmers Association (FFA) at Barrington Middle School competed in and placed first at the Conduct of Chapter Meetings at the 95th FFA National Convention. Eight girls from Barrington Middle School traveled all the way to Indianapolis, Indiana to compete against 42 other states.
“I am so incredibly proud of these students. Their work ethic and determination are unsurpassed,” said Greg Lehman, Barrington Middle Schools FFA advisor. “To reach the level that they have achieved requires multiple practices every week plus many hours of study time at home.”
The team came in second place back in 2021 as seventh graders, which gave them the drive to go back and win this year. With multiple practices each week, the team, Ashlyn Demanovich, Alexandra Jirinec, Karoline Kmetz, Jessie Parker, Hallie Peacock, Danielle Ricks, Morgan Walters and Camryn Varnadoe, worked hard to be prepared for the 2022 convention. Competing teams included seventh through ninth grade students, and Barrington’s team had to go up against many of the older students. “It was exhilarating as a parent to watch such talented students from across the coun-
Barrington Middle School’s FFA team, Ashlyn De- try compete in manovich, Alexandra Jirinec, Karoline Kmetz, Jessie this debate areParker, Hallie Peacock, Danielle Ricks, Morgan Walters and Camryn Varnadoe, and their advisor, Greg Lehman, brought home a big win for Barrington Middle na,” said Sherie Jirinec, mother School at the 95th FFA National Convention in Indiaof team memnapolis, Indiana. ber Alexandra. “When we all realized that they had won the National Conduct of Chapter Meetings title, all of our mouths dropped, and the cheers of joy commenced.” Each student was given an item of business that was debated and voted on according to the rules of parliamentary procedure. They were also given privileged, subsidiary and incidental motions that had to be stated and handled correctly. Each student was given 13 minutes and then had to answer the judges’ questions. To learn more about Future Farmers of America, visit www.fa.org. Barrington Middle School, located at 5925 Village Center Dr. in Lithia, can be reached at 813657-7266.
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