6.3.21 PLCO by Plant City Observer

Plant City Observer

y Observer

YO UR HOMETOW N. YO UR NEWSPAP ER .

YOUR HOMETOWN. YOUR NEWSPAPER

VOLUME 6, NO. 148

. YO UR NEWS PAP ER TWO BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS LEND. WEIGHT TO REPAIR PROJECTS

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Projects addressing water damage at the Parks Administrative Building and further renovations at Fire Station 2 received funding for repairs by commissioners last week.

City commissioners approved a series of repairs at the Parks Administrative Building last week that will cost the city $57,247. The repairs come after the city in October 2020 contracted Restoration 1 of Tampa Bay to “remediate a water intrusion and mold problem in the portion of the Parks Administrative building formerly occupied by the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL. The Lunz Group, Inc. prepared a scope of work and specifications to address the water intrusion

problem and restore the affected areas of the building’s interior.” Following that decision, on March 30, 2021, the Procurement Division issued Invitation for Bid for the project and received three responses ranging from $33,910 to $79,998. The lowest bid was reviewed and Procurement “determined the bid to be non-responsive and non-responsible as they failed to provide evidence of insurance coverage as specified in the IFB.”

FREE • THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

JOURNEY HAS ARRIVED ON PAGE 1A

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

PUBLIC INVITED TO TWO RIBBON CUTTINGS FOR FINALIZED PROJECTS

Next Thursday will be a busy day for the City of Plant City as it hosts two ribbon cuttings in honor of the finalization of two long-awaited projects.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

If you want to see progress in action set aside the majority of the day next Thursday and hop over to two long-awaited ribbon cuttings hosted by the City of Plant City. At 11 a.m. on June 10 the public is invited to come out to McIntosh Preserve, 775 East Knights Griffin Road, for the ribbon cutting ceremony that pays homage to the completion of the Phase 1 Trails and Observation Tower Project. The trails and tower project covers approximately 50 acres of the 363 acre parcel of land that makes up McIntosh Preserve. There are improved hiking trails totaling 2.2 miles of paths and a 30 foot observation tower on site as well as a new and improved parking area, a trail head, educational signs, benches and trash receptacles. The main trail to the tower is 0.72 miles long and eight feet wide, making it an easy to navigate path for families and those in wheelchairs. The wildlife observation itself looks out over the scenic nature found in the park. The City of Plant City said in order to be ADA compliant they have installed a video viewing interface at the bottom of the tower that will allow those at its base to see the view from the top of the facility. The other trails are five feet wind and wind through wooded areas that include trees like oaks, pine and cypress, according to Parks & Recreation Director Jack Holland. This first phase was a $600,000 project.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

NEWS BRIEFS

Southeastern Grocers, Inc. announces donation program

children in grades K-12, along with higher education tuition assistance for spouses and dependents.

Southeastern Grocers, Inc., the parent company of local Winn-Dixie grocery stores, announced the launch of a six-week community donation program alongside Folds of Honor to benefit the spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. Since 2007, the mission of Folds of Honor has been to provide educational scholarships to those affected and over the past three years the grocer, along with the generosity and support of its customers, has successfully funded more than 815 scholarships. How can you help? Now through the Fourth of July, Plant City Winn-Dixie customers can help support this important cause by simply rounding up their total grocery bill to the nearest dollar or by making a donation of their choice at check out in honor of United States military heroes and their loved ones. Every cent donated to Folds of Honor will help to provide private education tuition and tutoring for

Heart health seminar coming to Plant City Building Strong Families, Inc., in collaboration with MaxLiving Health Center-Carrollwood, will host a Heart Health Seminar on Saturday, June 19, 2021, from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center in Plant City. Speakers at the seminar will include Dr. Suzanne Demers Foley and Dr. Sabrina Sosa, covering a number of heartconscious topics that include: What is Cholesterol; Natural Ways to Reduce Blood Pressure; the Underlying Causes of Heart Disease; and the 5 Essentials Plan for Optimal Heart Health. While there is no cost to attend the seminar, seating is limited and preregistration will be required for all guests by June 11, 2021. For registration information, contact Dr. Pauline Rivers, Founder and President of Building Strong

Families, Inc. at 813-759-0260, by email at pmrivers@aol.com, or visit http://www. buildingstrongfamiliesofflorida.com. The mission of Building Strong Families is to provide practical tools, strategies and resources to educate, equip, empower and strengthen families through conferences, seminars, support groups and printed and electronic publications.

Summer BreakSpot Helps Feed Florida’s Children While School’s Out The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has partnered with schools and organizations to provide free meals to kids and teens from lowincome areas to help ensure that Florida children have access to wholesome meals during summer break. While schools are closed for the summer, The Summer BreakSpot Program proves meals at no cost to children 18 and under. When Florida schools closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried activated the Summer BreakSpot program

early, enabling providers to serve 74 million meals to children from March through August 2020. “One of our top priorities is ensuring that all Florida kids have access to healthy, nutritious meals regardless of family income,” Fried said. “Florida is home to one million children facing food insecurity worsened by the pandemic – and for many, Summer BreakSpot meals are the only meals on which they can rely. I encourage all Florida kids facing hunger while school’s out to find a Summer BreakSpot location near them by phone, text, or online.” Summer BreakSpot sites include open sites and camps in both residential and non-residential areas and open sites are sites where meals are available to all children in the area on a first-come, firstserved basis. You can locate a Summer BreakSpot site using the following resources: • Dial 2-1-1 • Text “FoodFL” to 877-877 • Visit SummerBreakSpot.org

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

ROLL FOR INITIATIVE Plant City is now home to a tabletop gaming studio where the community has the chance to delve into the world of gaming in a safe and inclusive environment.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

A gaming haven has just opened in the heart of downtown Plant City that will soon be making waves as the community signs up to be loyal adventurers. The Side Quest, 110 E. Reynolds St. Suite 200, is open Thursday to Sunday and is changing the way the public views tabletop gaming. Essentially the gaming club acts as a location for friends, families and solo players to come in, sit down and spend an afternoon immersing themselves in a variety of beloved games. It also will feature merchandise for avid gamers to take home with them if they so desire. “The idea of owning a game shop is every player’s golden dream,” Chris Mack, owner, said. “My wife (Jeanette Mack) is not one to sit on an idea. For a while we had always said that opening a place like this would have to be an ‘if we won the lottery fantasy,’ but as time passed we realized we needed to simply make this happen. The name The Side Quest is a nod to the gaming community. These are ‘quests’ you take that stray from the main storyline. In a way this is our side quest as well.” Jeanette and Chris Mack are familiar faces in Plant City. They are the proud owners of Aromatic Harmony, a wellness center on Reynolds Street right across the courtyard from The Side Quest, and have long been a go-to location for holistic approaches to wellness in the community. This new venture in many ways is just an extension of that passion for wellness. Gaming has long been linked to aiding with mental health and stress relief and the duo have decades of experience bringing games to the forefront for people of all ages and walks of life. They, along with two of their three sons (Patrick and Casey, Nikolas is currently serving in the US Navy), run the club for any who wish to escape from reality and immerse themselves in a game.

For many there is a misconception that game nights are something one leaves behind as you reach adulthood. A rapidly growing community of adult players, however, have proven that stereotype wrong. On Kickstarter, a crowdfunding platform that allows donors to bring creative projects to life, campaigns for tabletop games and accessories earned approximately 32 percent more in 2020 than in 2019 — the above stated brought in more than $233 million in 2020, up from $176.3 million in 2019. Dungeons & Dragons saw sales jump more than 33 percent in 2020, which added to a six-year growth streak. Wizards of the Coasts topped over $816 million in revenue in 2020 — a 24 percent increase. The demand for in-person tabletop gaming experiences is increasing at an astronomical rate and many players are willing to commute hours to a gaming studio just to be able to sit down with other players and have a relaxing night. Tampa Bay has a handful of gaming locations for players to gather, but most operate under events, meaning if you want to come and play you pick an event they are hosting and then sign up. The Side Quest has decided to do something very different and its revolutionary concept is already drawing attention from players looking for a more curated experience. At The Side Quest you can pay a dropin rate — by picking up a “booster pack” that acts as a set number of hours in the club — and swing by when the doors are open to play whatever game your heart desires as long as there is an open table. Whether you want to play Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, UNO or even Candy Land you can do so with ease at the gaming club as there are an abundance of games in-house. The real magic at The Side Quest — and the aspect that will more than likely make it a highly sought after destination — comes from the unique membership options available. Serious gamers will want more than just a random afternoon

of fun with their friends. And The Side Quest is offering an abundance of incentives for those who sign up for one of the three tiered member options. The Lone Wolf is the introductory membership that is designed for the player that wants to dive in headfirst to everything The Side Quest has to offer. For $15 a month you get 40 hours in the store per month, six silver credits a month (which is the currency used inhouse), access to the store library, ability to bring a friend at a discounted rate and more. The Adventurers membership is for you and a sidekick. For $25 a month you get to bring whoever you want with you every time you come. You get 32 hours to use in visits per month, receive 15 silver credits per month and get access to the library. The Game Master is the membership every Dungeon Master (DM) or Game Master (GM) has dreamed of. For $45 a month you get 16 hours of visits per month and can bring up to five friends for free. You can add additional friends for a discount. The membership also includes 30 silver credits per month and access to the store library. If you have a membership and find yourself running out of hours you can simply pick up a booster pack. Silver credits are used for unique purchases at the store — DLCs, Booster Packs, drinks, snacks and swag. You can earn more silver credits via the bounty board in the club. This board includes challenges that keep players entertained. For example, you can pick up a bounty by learning a new game or playing in a card tournament or bringing a friend that becomes a member. The bounty board is updated routinely and is a brilliant way to encourage players to try something new. “We want to have a unique space for people who are interested in role playing,” Jeanette Mack, owner, said. “If you want to come in and play a campaign or a one-shot with Dungeons & Dragons you don’t have to worry about bringing your own stuff, you can use what we have here

and we will clean up after your group. If you want to play a board game with your kid after school you can swing by and set up at a table. There’s so many options available and we hope that we can kind of help deepen the love of gaming for some of our members and rekindle it for those who haven’t played in years.” You can reserve a table or, as long as it’s available, you can ask to set aside The Bridge or The Dragon Room for a more private gaming experience for you and your friends. For those who play D&D the benefit of having access to minis, maps, figurines, character sheets and above all else, a plethora of D&D books, is literally game changing. With a membership DMs can come in and use the abundance of books in-house in the library to plan their campaign. They’ll also have access to Chris Mack, who’s experience with in-depth and intricate campaign creation on top of his wealth of knowledge of DMing makes him in many ways the secret highlight of the club. He said that down the road he hopes to offer a Game Master Academy for those who want to improve their skills. The couple have been DMing and playing tabletop games for decades and are eager to share their passion with the rest of the community. Check out The Side Quest on Instagram, Facebook or its website, thesidequest.net, to stay up-to-date on upcoming events and sessions. Some of the planned experiences at the club include minifig painting nights, oneshots, scheduled card game nights and more. You can pick up a membership or drop-in to shop and play by heading to the courtyard on N. Palmer Street right behind Aromatic Harmony on Reynolds Street. The gaming club is open now and you will have the chance to bump into Chris and Jeanette at both Central Florida Comic Con in Lakeland starting on June 12 and the Tampa Bay Comic Con starting July 30.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

COPS CORNER

PLANT CITY

Observer

This week on Cops Corner: Plant City Police investigate a fleeing suspect, thousands of dollars in stolen lawn care equipment

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com

and a lost cell phone.

Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com Sports Editor / Taylor Jenkins tjenkins@plantcityobserver.com

by: Juan Alvarez

Staff Writer / Breanne Williams BWilliams@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designer / Juan Alvarez

MAY 21 FIRST ROUND’S FREE 2200 block of James L. Redman Pkwy Theft: Officers responded to a business following the report of a delayed theft of alcohol that had occurred the previous day.

MAY 23 CRIME IS A FLAT CIRCLE N. Frontage Rd. / Frontage Park Place Warrant arrest: Officers noticed a vehicle circling a hotel parking lot. The vehicle then left the parking lot and headed eastbound where officers observed the driver commit a traffic violation. As the officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the vehicle quickly turned down a deadend dirt driveway and the driver attempted to leave the vehicle when he was met by the pursuing officers. The suspect was placed under arrest before suffering a

medical issue. He was then transported to South Florida Baptist Hospital and ultimately Orient Road Jail after he was released from the medical facility. MISSING TAG W. Baker St. / N. Alexander St. Drug arrest: Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with no tag attached. The suspect was then found to be in possession of an illegal substance, was arrested and was transported to Orient Road Jail without incident. BOLD AND BRASH FOR HARD CASH 1300 block of Crum St. Robbery Strong Arm: Officers made contact with a victim who claimed that she had been struck before having $2,000 stolen from her.

MAY 24

Wal-Mart the previous day. The phone was then taken.

TAKE HOME DEPOT 2000 block of N. Frontage Rd. Burglary: The representative of a lawn care company reported that while their trailer was parked on a car dealership’s property over the weekend, an unknown suspect broke open the door and stole over $6,000 worth of lawn care equipment. HOME RENO-VACANT 1900 block of Johnson Pointe Dr. Residential Burglary: An individual reported that an unknown suspect entered a home that was under construction and stole nearly $2,000 worth of appliances. LOST, BUT NOT FOUND

MAY 25 YOU’LL NEVER CATCH ME, COPPER 700 block of N. Park Rd. Business burglary: The victim reported that sometime since the previous Saturday, an unknown suspect had broken into the building and stolen multiple pieces of copper. GRAND THEFT AUTO: PLANT CITY 2800 block of James L. Redman Pkwy Grand theft auto: Officers responded to a victim that alerted them that her GMC Yukon had been stolen.

Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster LLancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

TO ADVERTISE Call (813) 704-6850

Advertising / Richard Brame richard@plantcityobserver.com Advertising / Karen Berry kberry@plantcityobserver.com

The Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B. If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.

SEND US YOUR NEWS

We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements.

2600 block of James L. Redman Pkwy Theft: The victim reported that she had dropped her phone without realizing it while shopping at

To contact us, send your information via: Email: Sarah Holt, SHolt@ PlantCityObserver.com. Mail: The Plant City Observer, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B, Plant City, FL 33563

OVE R 40 YEARS EXPE RIE NCE R ESIDE NTIAL • COM M E RCIAL • ADDITIONS R E NOVATION S • HISTORIC R E STOR ATION S

FRESHEST MEAT & LOWEST PRICES IN TOWN! VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR THIS WEEK’S SAVINGS

Visit FeltonsMarket.com

This week’s Sudoku answers

PLANT CITY Baker St. olds

Reyn

St.

County Line Rd.

CHOICE MEATS • PRODUCE • GROCERIES

WALKER PLAZA 617 N. Maryland Ave., Plant City (813) 752-1548

4 Park Rd.

Felton’s Market

Sam Allen Rd.

Maryland Ave.

289695-1

Mon-Sat 7am - 9pm | Sundays 7am - 8pm At Felton’s we offer a complete line of fresh meat and produce. You’ll ﬁnd only the best quality meats at bargain prices. Whether it be that special occasion dinner, or you are planning a large party, call or stop by today. No matter what your needs, Felton’s is sure to have the ﬁnest, most tender meat and tasty produce anywhere.

Lakeland

813 -966 -1138 MOZARTCONSTRUCTION .COM

O Plant City Observer

is locally owned by Ed Verner, Karen Berry, Nate Kilton and Felix Haynes The Plant City Observer is published by Plant City Media LLC.

This week’s Crossword answers This week’s answers Jumbles:

110 E. Reynolds, Suite 100B Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 704-6850

DECAY EVENT WHOOSH POPLAR Answer: After an exhausting day of frightening people, the legendary horseman was a -- SLEEPY HEAD

Publishers of the

Plant City Observer

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

FIRE STATION 2, PARKS ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING UNDERGO REPAIRS City commissioners approved the amendment of several budgets last week to kickstart repairs on two city facilities.

Courtesy of the City of Plant City.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Staff ended up deciding Specialized Property Services, Inc.’s bid of $57,247 was the lowest priced responsive and responsible vendor and a Notice of Intent to Award was issued on May 14. Last week city commissioners authorized the city manager to execute a contract with the company for the repairs on the Parks Administrative Building. “You know how these things happen, first you find the mold and then you track down where it’s coming from and soon we realized the walls were kind of weeping water,” City Manager Bill McDaniel said. “It’s actually the part of the building the XFL was occupying. This was an issue we had to address so the decision last week was simply to get those repairs going so we can remedy this as quickly as possible.” A budget amendment later that evening reallocated funds for the project by

designating $60,000 for a new Community Investment Tax (CIP) to repair the building. The repairs will include wall/foundation sealant, include the replacement of drywall and baseboards and will be used to paint and replace carpet. When it was realized the facility had water intrusion the city paid $21,037 “to immediately remove mold and clean up the area.” The new Parks Administrative Building CIP will be funded by a transfer from operating line items in the Recreation department of the General Fund. Another budget amendment came after commissioners set aside $40,000 for more renovations at Fire Station 2, including changes to the exterior stucco and painting. This is being transferred from the

operating budget to the ongoing Fire Station 2 renovation project. There was also a budget adjustment to use $35,000 at Fire Station 2 to purchase wardrobe lockers for dorms, reconnect the radio equipment, update sign to match Fire Station 3, update furniture and equipment. An additional $4,500 will be used for Fire Vehicle Preemption System to purchase and install an emergency vehicle preemption box. The funding will be appropriated from the balance available in the CIP Renewal and Replacement Fund. In 2018 the station was approved to get a new roof since it at that point was still under the original roof from 1990. Small

renovations were done over the years, but then in 2019 the budget allocated approximately $400,000 to renovate and upgrade the station. In 2020, commissioners agreed to renovate the 5,100 square feet of living space in the station including its kitchen, bathrooms, offices, dayroom, dorms, fitness area and apparatus bay. Next, two front overhead doors were replaced and new signage was installed. “As you know we have had an ongoing renovation project at Fire Station 2 to redo the entire interior of that building,” McDaniel said. “Now we are moving on to the next steps and addressing the remaining issues that need to be improved.”

KENZIE WHEELER 6

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

RETURNS HOME TO A WARM WELCOME Since finishing second on NBC’s The Voice, Kenzie Wheeler has returned to a proud hometown TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

Kenzie Wheeler loved hunting and fishing and baseball growing up, leading a relatively normal life as a kid from central Florida. But as a seventh-generation Floridian and Dover native, where he grew up is a long way from a nationally-televised stage in Los Angeles where he finished second on the season finale of NBC’s The Voice last week. Although baseball was admittedly his first love, singing has always played a role in his life. In elementary school Wheeler sang at the Performing Arts Center in Tampa as a member of the all-county choir. Then in high school he began to take it a bit more seriously, starting with weekly karaoke showcases at Uncle Mike’s in Plant City before releasing a debut album in 2018 and eventually singing alongside country music superstars like Charlie Daniels, Michael Ray and Craig Campbell. And while trying out for The Voice was something that Wheeler had long considered, there was a significant period where he

simply didn’t feel as though he was ready. But eventually he put aside his inhibitions and submitted an audition tape. “I guess it was just kind of like, you only get one life,” Wheeler said. “You don’t want to look back in 20 or 30 years and say, ‘I wish I would have chased that, I wish that I would have chased that dream.’ At least now you can say, I went and I did that and I did it and I tried it and whether I succeeded at it or I won the show or I didn’t, at least I gave it my all and made everybody proud. My hometown, my friends, my family. That’s kind of the way I look at it.” That audition tape eventually took Wheeler to North Carolina for a tryout, to California for the blind auditions and ultimately culminated in a stellar run through the show’s final episode of the season where he fell just short of claiming victory. “It’s still fun getting to sing live on The Voice stage and for America,” Wheeler said of his experience. “I wasn’t expecting to make it all the way to second place, even to make it to top 5. In my eyes everybody’s a winner that’s on the season, everybody was really good, but to make it to top 5, that’s as far as you can make

it. Whether you win or you don’t, you made it all the way.” And with that second place finish, Wheeler’s hometown has embraced him and his return in a fashion that reflects just how far the once normal kid from Dover made it in the spotlight of America’s stage. “It’s been amazing,” Wheeler said about his return home. “I was in Fred’s the other day when I got home, Fred’s Market, and my mom and my buddy Jason and I went up there to eat and everybody was coming up to me and hugging me and telling me congratulations and wanting pictures and talking to me. It was crazy the amount of support and everything. It’s something that I never thought that I would have and it’s really just been a blessing overall.” Now back home to a warm welcome and the support of his community behind him, Wheeler looks toward the future. “I’ve got some things coming up,” Wheeler said. “One thing I can’t really talk about but you’ll probably know about shortly. And then I’m supposed to be singing at the FFA Convention in Orlando. I guess you could say that people have been reaching out, it’s just

Trae Patton/NBC

that I’m still under contract so it’s hard for me to do stuff right now until I’m no longer under contract.” So while the 22-year-old sensation’s future remains a mystery, Wheeler will forever remember and be grateful for his run on The

Voice and the platform it gave his budding career. “It was a great experience,” Wheeler said. “Something that I’ll always remember for the rest of my life and something that I’ll always be able to tell my kids and grandkids about.”

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

MCINTOSH PARK AND GILCHRIST HEIGHTS DOG PARK READY FOR VISITORS There will be two ribbon cuttings Thursday: one for the completion of Phase 1 at McIntosh Park and one for the renovated dog park.

The bridge at the dog park connects parking to the facility. Courtesy of City of Plant City. STAFF WRITER

It was made possible by a $300,000 Florida Legislative Appropriation grant, which required a matching amount by the City. Design for the project was provided by Dewberry Hydro and construction was handled by Stellar Development, Inc. This is just the first stage of the longterm project at McIntosh Park. The approximately 120 acres of McIntosh Park used for water management on the property will get some upgrades of its own. The city hopes to use McIntosh Park as a method of developing an integrated water management solution for the community. Basically the wetlands will act as stormwater treatment and the goal is to expand the wetland property and improve the hydrology so “the stormwater that is routed offline in the southeastern corner will be treated and reduce 3,000 pounds of nitrogen and 1,500 pounds of phosphorus from the Hillsborough River,” according to the city. Attendees can come out to the ribbon cutting, spend some time in the heavily renovated preserve and still have time to grab a quick lunch before the City of Plant City unveils its next accomplishment.

At 3 p.m. the community is encouraged to come over to the newly named Gilchrist Heights Dog Park, 905 North Knight Street. Originally the dog park was opened in 2014 with a temporary parking area off of North Pennsylvania Avenue. The city then decided it was high time to implement the Gilchrist Heights Dog Park Bridge & Parking Project, which included the installation of a bridge from the parking lot to the park, a lighted paved parking area and other amenities. The bridge over the Eastside Canal from the planned Knight Street parking area and the parking lot improvements were budgeted in 2019. Holland said the “two dog run areas total 16,300 square feet and were enhanced to include water sources with human fountains, bottle fillers and dog watering fountains as well as some obstacles for the dogs to enjoy.” Some of those obstacles include a tunnel, double jump, pause table and a fire hydrant jump. This was a $343,260 project and it was designed by Kimley-Horn Engineering and constructed by Tampa Bay Marine. Both of the projects were completed under budget and the City of Plant City is looking forward to showing off the new and unique assets to the public.

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR DUMPING OIL

COURTESY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

BREANNE WILLIAMS

Images courtesy of HCSO.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Plant City man after he illegally dumped oil which caused thousands of dollars in damages to wetlands in Plant City. HCSO, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), investigated the incident, which occurred over a period of time in April 2021 on the 4000 block of Cooper Road. DEP units tested the substance and verified it to be oil. The large dumping measured approximately 80 feet long and 12 feet wide. Due to the spill, fish, vegetation, and wildlife had all been affected in the immediate area.

Following a thorough investigation, deputies within HCSO’s Environmental Enforcement Unit (EEU) identified and arrested the suspect, Omar Hernandez, 33. It is estimated that the dumping caused more than $10,000 in damages. Based on the size of the dumping, the DEP requested an emergency clean-up and contracted Hull’s Environmental Services in Tampa to rehabilitate the area. Hernandez faces a felony charge of Causing Pollution That Harms Or Injures Human Health Or Welfare. “We all must do our part to take care of our environment for ourselves and the generations to come,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “This suspect acted selfishly, without thinking about how his actions would affect those around him, including innocent animals near the area of this dumping. Let this arrest be a lesson to anyone who thinks they can get away with dumping their waste in areas not meant for it: You will be caught and you will face the legal consequences for those hazardous decisions.” Anyone with information about an agricultural/environmental crime or a loose animal is asked to call (813) 247-8200. You can also stay updated with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office by following @HCSOSheriff on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Used oil can be safely disposed of at most automotive maintenance facilities or auto parts stores. It should be placed in a plastic or metal container and tightly sealed.

ed free

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

INFINITI Q50 SPORT SEDAN IS A SMART PICK! Emergency TILE & GROUT Emergency

Water 24-HR. 24-HR. Water Extractions Extractions 50c per sq.ft. Storm, Storm, Broken Pipes, Broken Pipes, etc. etc. Steam Cleaned

CARPETS

TILE & GROUT

3 Rooms $85

50c per sq.ft.

Steam Cleaned

includes Hallway cleaned free

Water Extraction 24-Hr Service | Carpet Dyeing & Repairs

www.AllSaintscc.com 813-986-1266 813-986-1266 www.AllSaintscc.com 813-986-1266 www.AllSaintscc.com

| Carpet Dyeing & Repairs

ntscc.com

813-986-1266 Courtesy of Nitish S. Rele

NITISH S. RELE

It may not be on a potential shopper’s radar like an Audi, Benz or BMW but this luxury sport car from Infiniti deserves attention. Oodles of it. Carrying over from last year mostly with little change, the Q50 is equipped with a 3.0-liter V-6 twin-turbocharged engine blasting off 400 horsepower @ 6400 rpm and 350 pounds-feet of torque @ 5200 rpm. Available as a rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, the lively midsize sedan is mated to a 7-speed automatic gearbox. An independent double-wishbone front and a multilink rear suspension ensure safety for occupants in adverse road/weather conditions. Credit for the superbly accurate steering goes to a power-assist, rack-and-pinion system. Behind the wheels hide large rotors: front four-piston 14 inches at front and rear two-piston 13.8 inches to inspire confidence in the driver. Lest we forget, you can enjoy the Q50 in standard, eco, snow, sport, sport+ and personal modes. Up front, the double-arch grille and wide hood are surrounded by LED headlights and daytime running lights. Distinct brushed finish exhausts and dual chrome bars deck the rear. If anyone tells you that the Infiniti cabin isn’t on par with its German rivals, point out the gorgeous-appearing Kaachu aluminum trim and maple wood on the instrument panel, center console and door panels.

Q50 RED SPORT (AWD) Tires: P245/40R19 front; 265/35R19 rear Wheelbase: 112.2 inches Length: 189.6 inches Width: 71.8 inches Weight: 3,998 pounds Fuel capacity: 19 gallons City: 20 mpg Highway: 26 mpg Base price: $57,750 Price as tested: $62,355 Web site: www.infiniti.com

The InTouch infotainment system, which comes with dual 8- and 7-inch touch screens atop each other, is convenient to use. Also standard are eight-way power front leather seats, dual auto a/c, magnesium paddle shifters, 60/40 rear seat, overhead sunglass holder, Bose audio with 16 speakers, aluminum pedals and sill plates with ‘Infiniti’ insignia, and power tilt/telescopic steering column and moon roof. But we could have used slightly more space in the 13.5-cubic-foot trunk area. Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes, vehicle dynamic and traction controls, front seatbelts with pretensioners, remote keyless entry, rearview camera, zone body construction, blind spot, lane-departure and forward-collision warnings, rear cross traffic alert, auto brakes with pedestrian detection, hill start assist, energyabsorbing steering column, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights. The Q50 displays energetic handling, superb cornering skills and a strong steering feel. It is one of the cleverest and coolest choices for a potential sport sedan buyer. And a head-turner ride to boot. Nitish S. Rele operates motoringtampabay. com and Khaas Baat, and was an automotive editor/columnist for the Tampa Tribune. Email him at motoringtampabay@ gmail.com.

287682-1

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

287396-1

JOURNEY

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

CELEBRATING MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2021 FROM LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS

Plant City Observer

y Observer

YO UR HOMETOWN. YO UR NEWSPAP ER .

YOUR HOMETOWN. YOUR NEWSPAPER

N. YO UR NEWSPA P ER .

PLANT CITY OBSERVER JOURNEY

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

INSIDE DURANT HIGH SCHOOL

PLANT CITY HIGH SCHOOL

STRAWBERRY CREST

10A

SIMMONS CAREER CENTER

14A

All graduation lists provided by their respective schools.

PLANT CITY

Observer TO ADVERTISE

Visit www.PlantCityObserver.com The Plant City Observer E-Newspaper is an exact replica of the Printed edition to view on your Desktop, Tablet or Mobile Devices

Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com Sports Editor / Taylor Jenkins tjenkins@plantcityobserver.com Staff Writer / Breanne Williams BWilliams@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designer / Juan Alvarez

Call (813) 704-6850

Advertising / Karen Berry kberry@plantcityobserver.com

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com

Advertising / Richard Brame richard@plantcityobserver.com

Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster LLancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

SEND US YOUR NEWS

We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements. To contact us, send your information via: Email: Sarah Holt, SHolt@PlantCityObserver. com. Mail: The Plant City Observer, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B, Plant City, FL 33563

Facebook: Plant City Observer Instagram: @plcobserver Twitter: @PlantObserver

PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER JOURNEY

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

PLANT CITY OBSERVER JOURNEY

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

DURANT HIGH SCHOOL

Florelia Abarca-Isidro Andrew James Abell Alexander Jakob Ables Amanda Gabriele Aborn Jaden Miguel Acevedo Abigail Faith Adams Emma Bernice Adcock Marco Antonio Aguilar Bautista Adrian Alberto Aguirre Thomas Michael Allen Trystan James Allison Hubert Arnold Almand, V Camila Valentina Alvarado Mujica Maleena Jade Alvarez Mario Alvarez Alexandrea Nichole AnesRodriguez Anabel Angeles Luis Omar Antonio Jose Abigail Santos Aragon Colin Anthony Arduini Ramiro Arellano, Jr Llesena Arias Veronica Arias Gonzalez Caleb James Asher Jeremiah Tyshun Augustin Gabriel Daniel Augustine Anna Catherine Babbit Ethan Cole Baird Andrew Charles Baker Stefan Basara-Bukarica Ewan Heath Schultz Bast Jordan Kay Bates Alex Gustavo Bautista Leobany Bautista Gomez Jache’ Maiaysha Bell Carla Valentina Beltran Camacaro Izabella Brandi Benas Amala Benny Janai Ivelisse Bermudez Jared Alexander Bermudez Joshua Alexander Bermudez Joscelyn Bird Jeremy Joseph Bishop Andrea Valentina Blanco Camarco Pamela Jean Blevins Tyler Jeffrey Bokor Ewan Michael Borland Nathan James Brennan Morgan Mackenzie Brill Damaris Nicole Broadnax McKenzie Lea Bross-Gifford Dezrae Elizabeth Brown Jacob Thomas Brown James Joseph Brown Aaron Mark Bruce Garrett Isaac Brumbeloe Amber Danielle Budary-Corbin Hannah Grace Burbridge Tyrell Cameron Burch Daicha Cabrouet Katie Leeann Calaway Eusebio Camargo Stefano Ivan Camillo Wilfredo Campos-Rivera, Jr Nancy Cancin-Morales Alexander Lucien Canney Joshua Thomas Cannon Manuel Cantellano, Jr Janelly Marie Cantu Joel Martin Cantu Suehaylie Minerva Carbajal Aidan Michael Aurelius Carbonell Anthony Sebastian Cardoza Leonard Arturo Cardoza Michaela Rose Carmichael Brandon Timothy Carney Kelly Grace Carney

Doralicia Yarieliz Carranza Kaya Joy Cauwels Mayte Cervantes John Paul Cervoni Rodriguez Kallins Johan Cervoni Rodriguez Mikaela Ann Chambers Hailie Skye Chamorro Brianna Jeanelle Charles Brandon Lee Childers Jaden Wayne Christensen Gregory Hayden Clark Frederick Cohen, III Justin Paul Cokes Collin Avery Cole Devin Patrick Colligan Ricardo Colon Luna Celeste Contreras Nicholas Ryan Cordero Conner Vicente Coronado Kathryn Beth Coronado Valeria Cortes - Valedictorian Hannah Faith Cox Jared Scott Cross Madison Danielle Croxall Damian Ray Cruz Jose Armando Cruz Orlando Cruz-Jose Anelise Kanauber Da Costa Lisiane Kanauber Da Costa Jalynn Fay Dale Allison Elizabeth Daniel Gabrielle Annaleese Daniels Daniel Donald Dasilva Taylor Marie Davenport Mariano Davila, II Corey Antwan Davis, Jr Javontae Jamar Davis Selwyn Lee Davis, II Sharia Davis Robert Manuel De La Cruz, Jr Alfonso De Santiago Deonna Angel Dean Alyssa Inez Huanchun Deboard Rajief Devon Deenah Sebastian Denver Deeson Arielle Alexis DeJesus Natalie Renae Delafuente Alexander Delgado Makayla Lee Der Gian Marco Diez Santos Alessandra Marie Dinova Emma Beth Dixon Makenna Selene Dixson Jayvanniah Mikayla Dolcine Hunter Ryan Dross Kendall Alexandra Drummond Connor James Dunaway Colton James Dunn Elizabeth Shirlene Marie Eakins Simeon Israel Echavarria Paige Casey Edson Chyllah Grace-Marie Ellington Dominic Alexander Elliott Rae’Lynn Alize Elliott Cindy Espinoza Esteban Espinoza-Ramirez, Jr Cynthia Espinoza-Rosales Ishmael Joevany Espitia Mikayla Kiana Esteban Stephanie Alana Estrada Austin Estrella David Elliott Fackson Joshua Alan Faircloth Vanessa Lee Faro Ashley Loma-Marie Farr Chloe Rae Fehrenbacher David Michael Ferrell Jackson Blake Fisher Alexander James Fisk

Haley Flora Fletcher Fernando Frezada Abigail Leanna Frietsch Brooklynn Jenae Fritzler Seth Alexander Gaffney Rylee Kaylyn Gallagher Ronald Ray Galletti Lonel Gappy, Jr Andre Garcia Daniel Garcia Sanchez Reese Alexander Garcia Enrique Garcia Xaxni Emmely Garcia-Torres John Carlos Garza, Jr Nicolette Ann Gay Victoria Michelle Gay Mazzie Nicole Genereux Brielle Rose Gibbons Jacob Douglas Gibson Trinton James Gibson Jenna Marie Gicker Cassidy Daylynn Gifford Tyler Zachary Gilbertson Alex Ray Godfrey Daniela Janeth Gomez Castro Gabriella Gonzalez Kamilah Gonzalez Ninette Gonzalez Natalia Gonzalez Mercado Megan Elaine Goodrick Jaden Sid Goodwin Anastasia Altagrace Mireille Gracia Alyssa Hope Grall Elijah Antonio Grant Kei’erah Monet Greene Andrew Dakota Gresham Austin Colton Gresham Karla Janett Guerrero Lauren Elizabeth Guess James Tiger Gunter Oscar Guzman-Saenz Zachary Nathaniel Hamilton Trenyce Ramiyah Hammond Elizabeth Kaeli Hand Donivan Lee Harris Grace Katherine Harris Svetlana Joy Hartmann Marina Lynn Hawkins William Kenneth Haxton, Jr De’Vaughn Junior Thomas Hayes Karleah-Lyn Jean Marie Herman Sean Josef Hermann Alma Belinda Hernandez Isaura Hernandez Luz Maria Hernandez Lopez Salvador Hernandez-Hernandez Xavier Aleksander Hernandez Jose Hernandez Hernandez Elizabeth Benita Hernandez Sanchez Karen Hernandez-Licona Fernando Hernandez-Reyes Jack Ryan Nicholas Herrera Rachel Lynn Hesse Ashtin Kinsey Hine Madison Rae Hodge Tracy Lynn Hodge Spencer Reno Horn Dean Joseph Hotz Carter Phillip Howell Chance Darwin Jackson Likha Jacob Jeremy Dillon Jacobs Lionel Jahuey Adamari Jaimez Jarvis Dante James Andre Torrez James-Williams Taylor Nicole Jarrett

Sebastien Tobby Jean-Leon Anna Jimenes Cueto Aubrey Julia Jimenez Destiny Shanya John Jordan Nathaniel-Davis Johns Dakota Skye Jones Joshua Todd Jordan Angelica Altagracia Jorge Fidel Jose Ventura Vincente Carlos Kapusta Brooklyn Grace Kash Ashlyn Mackenzie Keene Morgan Daniella Keller De’Shi De’Kel Kelly Mikaila Cheyanne Kelly Robert Van Kidder Hayden John Kimmel Kelci Lynn King McKenna Paige Kirby Aashton Va’Shawn Kirkland Hayleigh Lauren Kittel Hannah Rose Kittrell Madeline Grace Kittrell Peter Knight, III Aislinn Brielle Labarbera Kyle Dewayne Lafleur Jade Elizabeth Laluzerne Dylan Scott Lane Michael Tyler Lane Laylia Ionaah Lankford Aubrey Renee’ Laplaca Dale Steven Laplaca Alejandro Lara, III Andrea Lara Megan Trinity Laurion Alexandria Taylor Lawless Wyatt Cole Lawson Jordyn Rochelle Leathers Valeria Sofia Lebron-Reveron Gabrielle Harley Jo Lee Kalisha Alexis Lee Karlie Marie Lefor Angelo Emile Ocampo Leiser Dylan Wayne Thomas Lemley Matthew Levi Lentz William Campbell Letner Luke John Ligori James Christian Little Christopher Ryan Livernois, Jr Jordan Marie Locklear Brooklyn Elizabeth Long Bryan Lopez Jennifer Lopez Michael Andrew Lopez Rodolfo Lopez Lopez Julie Mysha Louis Charles David Lower Gilbert Andres Luciano Perez Sean Dominic Lugo Tori Alyssa Lumley Erik Macedonio Ethan William Machristie Mallorie Paige Maddron Bianka Danielle Makeroff Makayla Marie Makeroff Michael Mabagos Mangosing Faisal Ayman Mansour Garrett Lincoln Maraman Curtis Andrew Marra, Jr Jonathan Miguel Marte Brooke Nicole Martin Gavin Alexander Martin Jessime Kadence Martin Katelyn Elizabeth Martin Skylar Marie Martin Adolfo Martinez Carlos Alejandro Jose Martinez Bonilla Amilmarie Martinez Daniel Martinez

Gabriela Martinez Guillermo Martinez Israel Martinez Sierra Anabel Martinez Maria Isabel Martinez Mezquital Akash Mathew Dalton Aaron Maxwell Haeley Naomi Maxwell Robert James Mays Jordan Alexandra McClellan Sierra Kelly McConnell Breanne Marie McCubbin Makeirionna Ty’Reseia McDuffy Audriana Marie Medina Jonattan Mejia Rosario Brennan Paul Melancon Alan Eron Mendes Madeline Kendal Mercer Nora Juliana Mezquite Kara Arlene Miceli Jude Christian MilliganSpieldenner Mary Ann Milton Savannah Michelle Mitchell Madison Marie Mobley Yusuf Moizuddin Josue Mojica Joselyne Marie Montero Valeria Nicolle Montoya Diana Milagros Mora Cordova Jenna Nicole Morris Brooklen Paydge Mosley Ajia Lee Mullins Christopher Benjamin Murdock Robert David Murdock Brynne Alyssa Murphy Brendan Hunter Murray Mark Anthony Negron Cole David Nelson Katelyn Marie Newman Laura Ruth Newman Dana Rae Nichols Christian Jared NogueydaMartinez Marbelia Nolasco Simon Patrick Nuckle Jayleen Elena Nunez Hailey Taylor Oles Jonathan Dionicio Olivares Stephanie Olmos Trinity Skye Olson Jorge Leonel Palacios Rodriguez Jahniyah Kaleemah Zariah Parker Madison Haylie Parker Haydon Michael Patrick Saul Patron-Vigo Deisy Yaneth Paz Salazar Jennifer Pecina Nadelynn Pecina Cooper Calvan Peirce Nevaeh Maleck Pena Bryan Perez Isaiah Joseph Perez Jacelie Marie Perez Rose Muriel Nicole Perez Bryan Lopez Kaylee June Perkins Hannah Mae Perry Shivani Madhu Persad Salutatorian Brandon George Petersen Alexandra-Daniela Petre-Radue Anthony Joseph Picchione Sean David Pikulski Dylan Jerzain Pineda-Diosdado Daniel James Polson Madison Leann Pope Isaiah Jacob Porche Wendy Margaret Proeschel

PLANT CITY OBSERVER JOURNEY

PlantCityObserver.com

DURANT HIGH SCHOOL

William Andrew Proeschel Jeremiah Lane Puerto Ashanti Yvonne Munez Quiambao Josean Yariel Quinones Javier Alexis Quintana, Jr Laura Valentina Quintero Jackie Linda Ramirez Yesenia Ramirez Lisette Ramirez-Coronado Nancy Ramirez-Coronado James Donovan Ramos Nathalia Ecined Ramos Stephanie Elizabeth Ramos Toni Gabriel Ramos Kaitlyn Michelle Ramsey Kourtney Elizabeth Ramsey Luke Christopher Rawlins Elijah Paul Reed Jacob Atticus Reed Alexandra Jayden Reese Alvaro Antonio Reguera Valdez Perla Renteria-Leon Yvette Resendiz-Duarte Steven Anthony Reyes Muniz Thomas Harley Rice, III Mccayla Marie Richard Colin James Richardson Nathaniel Nicoy Richardson Tommeke Antonio Richardson Corynn Elaine Richie David Jeremiah Rivera, Jr Justin Rivera Scarlet Loraine Robbins Jordyn Brielle Robinson Yesmin Guadalupe Rocendo Carissa Michelle Rodriguez Dayana Rodriguez Jonah Bryant Rodriguez Mya Angela Rodriguez Esteban Rodriguez-Gonzalez Michael Salvatore Romeo Ruben Romero, Jr Pedro Romero-Hernandez Molly Anne Rooney Antonio Rosa

Ruben Jesus Rosario-Rivera Phoenix Skyy Ross Peter Christopher Rowlette Liam Sebastian Salb Yessenia Denis Salinas Christian Jesus Blas Sanchez Maria Del-Carmen Sanchez Albin Santhosh Linda Marie Santiago Jaden Jessie Sanz Alana Nicole Satterfield Jarrod Roy Saunders Joshua William Saunders Diego Jaime Reyes Sauri Jared David Saylor David Carlson Schiller Caleb Arthur Schneider Luke Anthony Scolaro Olivia Grace Scott Caleb Zachary Semler Mckenzie Grace Semler Samuel Austin Sewell Hagan Allen Garrett Sharp Avery Greyson Shaw Scott Emerson Shimkus Cameron Jacob Simmons Hailey Jade Simmons Maya Solea Sisarran Raven Tano Skousen Carl Dalton Smith Emily Marie Smith Logan James Smith Nevaeha Brooke Smith Cooper Hale Sollars Tyler Niklas Sonnenberg Alexa Jovanna Soto Dallas Cole Spell Sierra Nicole Spicher Tanner Patrick Spieldenner Jamal Jeremiah Spike Zachary Alan Staiger Marissa Elizabeth Steiner Savannah Suzanne Still Brian Lavon Christopher Stockton, Jr

Alexis Karyne Stone Joel Everett Strike Autumn Lanae Angelis Stuart Kirkland Jacob Stutler Avery Laverne Surrency Alexis Michele Swantek Kayla Amelia Swantek Carissa Ann Tague Javier Alejandro Taveras Messina Tyjiri Mikal Taylor Madison Faith Terjung Amber Paige Thomas Haylee Faith Thomas Haylee Riley Thomas Kendall Rayne Thomas Noah Sean Thomas James Austin Thompson Mckenna Alexandra Thompson James Michael Tibbits Samuel Elias Toledo Orellano Dolores TorresFlores Cameron Arik Trautman Aydali Cynthia Trejo Timothy James Trenker Rayna Skylar Trice Rylee Summer Trice Olivia Corinne Trlak Sailor Bay Ullrich Stetson Wayne Ulrich Haley Rachelle Updike Emma Rose Urbanski Victor Emanuel Valadez Cameron Jacob

Valdez Trevor Anthony Valent Vincent Lawrence Van Brunt Eduardo Vasquez Aryannah Kaya Vazquez Mirnaesmeralda Ventura Christian Alec Veyon Madelyn Dawn Vigil Darian Joshua Hernandez Villanueva Nicolas Villasenor, Jr Irvin Mauro Villegas-Nolasco Jahyla Dominique Vincent Riley Tucker Vowels Cade Richard Walden Matthew Thomas Walsh Isabella Nicole Weaver Angelina Marie Welsh

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

Jaylen Elisha Wharton Taylor Foster Whitcomb Kobe Marzette White Kyle Matthew Wilkerson Devyn Elijah Lee Williams James Alexander Williams Jordan Charles Williams KaReyana Rodnisha Williams Lyric Mone Williams Rodnasha Ka’Vona Williams Tamia Rachelle Williams Casey Ann Willis Rylee Paige Hancock Willis Mahealani Love’ Wilson Alexander Jackson Woods Lenny Alan Woods Rylee Drew Woody Zachary Douglas Woody Anyah Sanay Worth Corbin Thomas Wyatt Jimmy Xiong Kila Yan Logan Harol Yelvington Mackenzie Marie Zapata Austin Cole Zipprich

PLANT CITY OBSERVER JOURNEY

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

DURANT HIGH SCHOOL

Where are you going to college and what will your major be? I will be attending the University of South Florida with a major in Biomedical Sciences. What about college are you most excited for? Having more freedom with my schedule, and finally taking courses in topics that I am interested in.

VALEDICTORIAN: VALERIA CORTES

When did you realize you were going to be in the top two of your class? How did you react? I realized that I would be first in my class during my second semester of junior year. At that point, I was ahead by a considerable amount and I knew that I had a heavy course load ahead of me, so I was “safe”. What advice would you give students who want be their school’s next valedictorian

Where are you going to college and what will your major be? I am going to college at the University of South Florida to major in Biomedical Sciences. What about college are you most excited for? I am most excited to learn about topics that are of more interest to me at the moment. Also, I am excited to experience a new type of school atmosphere with my friends! When did you first realize you were going to be in the top two of your class? How did you react? When I first got my summary sheet freshman year, I saw that I was tied for second with a few other students in my graduating class. Seeing that I was starting out so high in the rank but tied with so many other students,

or salutatorian? If you want to be top of your class, start early. You can begin taking dual enrollment courses the summer before freshman year, and taking these courses will better prepare you for any AP courses you might want to take. What’s something you wish you knew about high school ahead of time? Do not overwork yourself. There is a need to try your best, but know your limit and don’t sacrifice your mental health over a test, grade, or even rank in your class. What is your favorite high school memory? The entirety of my sophomore year chemistry class. I met two of my closest friends in that class, had a wonderful teacher, and just made a lot of my best memories in there.

I was always going back and forth in my head about ending up in the top 2 senior year. Even as the years progressed and I worked more towards staying at the top, I was constantly moving within the top 5 which made me doubt myself a lot. However, I realized that I needed to push myself more to actually reach my goal, so I took more classes than I would have initially. When I went to school the day that summary sheets were updated after the first semester of senior year was over, I was beyond excited about what I had seen on the paper in my hands. I felt so relieved to see that I was able to reach a goal of mine that I had for such a long time. Additionally, I was with our Valedictorian when I found out my final rank, so it was just a really joyful moment for both of us!

How are you going to spend this summer? Taking a break! This will be my first summer without school in about seven years. What’s the best thing one of your teachers taught you while in high school? My physics teacher once told me not to do things because they’re easy or because I want to accomplish something, but rather, do them because of the experience and simply because I want to. How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your high school experience? I had to stay at home for my final year of high school, and missed my final homecoming and senior prom. It sounds silly, but those were some events I was looking forward to the most previous to the pandemic. See full interview online at plantcityobserver. com.

What advice would you give students who want to be their school’s next valedictorian or salutatorian? If I were to advise students who want to follow in the same footsteps, I would say to start taking extra classes as soon as you can. I started dual enrollment courses the summer after sophomore year was over and I found it a little difficult to manage during the school year with my other core classes. I believe that having the ability to spread out your dual enrollment courses over the four years of high school will reduce the amount of stress you will face. Personally, my last two years of high school were really stressful as I had to cram in enough classes to push me up in the rank while dealing with things such as the SAT, ACT, and college applications. See full interview online at plantcityobserver. com.

SALUTATORIAN:

SHIVANI PERSAD

PLANT CITY OBSERVER JOURNEY

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

PLANT CITY HIGH SCHOOL

Ankit Chandrakant Patel VAL Om Nimesh Patel SAL Uriel Abarca-Vargas Michael James Aguirre Cora Bree Akers Fabian Albarran Kharon Maleek Albert Oliver Alejo Ahmad Ali Kenny Almaraz-Gomez David Alonzo Miguel Angel Alvarez Gisselle Evelyn Alvarado Kylee Marie Anders Josiah Niko Anderson Maurice Lamar Anderson Jr. Mekenzie Renee Anderson Cynthia Lizette Anzaldua Angelina Monae Aponte Jesse Robert Ard Janette Abilene Arellano Isaac Arevalo Audrey Madysen Armeni Rachel Morgan Arnold Oscar Arreola Avila Joesep Arroyo Rosario Karen Arteaga Esteysi Gianella Asmat Santos Christian Myles Atkins Janienid Aviles Martinez Matthew Joseph Ayuso Alex Xander Badillo Alyssa Nicole Baker Bethany Lane Ballard Rebecca Marie Ballard Alexander Barrera Sylvia Renee Barron Richard Bautista Rylee Austin Baxter Zuekell Naveon Bellamy Blake Austin Bennett Hailey Hunter Bennett Montrael Keiyaun Bennett Shane Andrew Bennett Amber Selina Bergman Alondra Bernal-Palma Lane Adam Best Christian Yamil Bisono Florian Aaliyah Makaila Blocker Desiree Emani Bolivar Bryson Andrew Boncz Joshua Dylan Bonkowski Stephanie Nekole Bowers Jacob Christopher Braglin Delaney Rhea Bridges Zeruiah Yonei Britt Jack Austin Brosky Jermaa’Ge KeShawn Brown Kalise Nicolette Brown Nevaeh Faye Brown Nia Bessie Brown Trevon Deonte Brown CurDaja Reneé Bryant Jayson Lee Buckingham II Johnny Oscar Burroughs Daniel Bustamante Riley Faith Buttorff Alexander Barry Couchman Cabral Jakob Thomas Canfield Mary Amelia Cannon Cesar Adolfo Cantellano-Villanueva Virginia Cantellano-Aguilera Tristan Xavier Carden Ashlyn Corin Cardona Anthony Jose Carmona Brienna Alicia Carnicello Trinity Kathleen Carswell Brooke Lynn Case Eduardo Castizo Jennifer Aileen Cedillo Joyce Maria Jane Chambers Jose Luis Charles Trevion Termaine Chase Cristian Alonso Chavez Monica Celine Chavez

Edguar Lizandro Cifuentes Gabriella Cintron Shaniah Faith Cofield Maureen Ann Colborn Brendon Deon Coleman Mallory Camryn Collert Jorden Kris-Tana Collins Lacie Lynn Collins Amanda Marie Colon Herica Cristal Colon Castillo Patrick Mark Connelly Jr. Angel Contreras Velazquez Charles Cole Cooper Xophye Coronel-Rodriguez Lorena Raquel Correa Alejandro Cortes Daniela Cortez Jacqueline Aide Cortez-Gonzalez Brent William Coton Haley Nicole Courtney Dylan Bryan Couture Kaelin Nicole Cox Colleen Michelle Crabtree Miranda Brooke Creech Gabriela Crispin-Espinoza Juliette Rose Crispin Ashanti Zatoria Cruse Christopher Allan Cruz Jair Cruz Geraldine Cuesta Lazaro Hailey Marie Culpepper Logan Marie Cutting Kali Nicole Daniels Aiden Michael Davis Austin James Davis Jesiha Arie Davis Ezereke Marque Dawson Jr. Tyree Ahmad Day Veronica Leilani De La Cruz Lauren Elizabeth Delp Isabella Presley Demos Natalie Marie Demos Alejandro Omar Diaz Jr. Erick Antonio Diaz Mendez Lizbeth Diaz Jairo Alejandro Diaz-Guizar Dyllon Michael Dilts Kelnelshia Dorothena Dixon Samuel James Dixon Caleb Ethan Donn Colten Joel Drawdy Heileigh Elizabeth Drawdy Alicia Duarte Rey Duarte Veronica Duarte-Olvera Hayley Michelle Duckson Daisy Ann Duke Tyra Aliya Duncan Ashley Elyse Dunn Damian Edwin Dvorak Reagan Loyd Ealy Josli Echeverria Peyton Marie Edison Mackenzie Nicole Edwards Rosa Maria Elena Edwards John Michael Elias Rivera Andrew Noah Ellis Layla Christine Elliott Japheth Kristian Ellsworth Melissa Espinal Orya Skye Evers Heaven Leigh Farkas Nicholas Davis Felice Jacob Felix Amelia Yonairis Felix-Cruz Briana Mari Fernandez Chloe Ann Fisher Stevan Lezander Flores Brian Sarkis Fredette Austin Michael Fulghum Rachel Faith Fuller Phillip Wayne Futch Spencer Joseph Gaffney Michael Galvan-Moreno Josue Aaron Garcia

Yadira Ruby Garcia Lopez Jordy Garcia-Escandon Sadiq O’Marion Garrett Markeria Myesha Gattie Michael Robert Gaudet Corie Marie Gibbs Cade Aubrey Gifford Cherish Me’Chelle Glenn Larmaryea Cardida Glover Joshua Dwayne Gomer Kaitlyn Marie Gomez Alex Gonzalez Bryan Joel Gonzalez Danielle Michelle Gonzalez Eduardo Jose Gonzalez Esmeralda Gonzalez Jonathan Isaac Gonzalez Victor Jose Gonzalez Erika Andreina Gonzalez Rivas Jaquize Deon Gordon River Iris Gougeon Zacaria Ti’Ana Graddy Emily Joyce Grady Emani Aeryal Grant Blake Austin Gray James Michael Gray Sade’ Janyle Green Lizette Gregorio Evelyn Gutierrez Charles James Guy Yoshua Guzman Kaylee Ann Hahn Andrew Anthony Hames David Parker Hancock-Eitenior Logan Grant Harris Haley Hope Harrod Dakota James Hayes Bobby Kenneth Jav’ea Henderson Angelica Mabel Hernandez Betzaida Raquel Hernandez Elizabeth Victoria Hernandez Evelyn Hernandez Perla Karina Hernandez Maria Del Cielo HernandezGallegos Christian Hernandez-Lopez Ivan Oscar Herrera Jordan Montana Hicks Mattilynn Daniell Hill Abbie McKenzie Hillery Gracie Ellen Hinton Danielle Marie Hitson Trenay Trevaneka Hodge Kyle Andrew Holland Kaitlyn Ruth Holloway Elexus Michelle Honors Morgan Taylor Horne Braxten Roberts Houston Gavin Rodney Houston Noah James Huffman Jaime Ibarra Marcus Ike Ijezie Jahyra Anae Jackson Kiah Reean Jackson Za’Yandri Korshayln Jackson Curissa Monet James Giselle Jimenez Jaime Christopher Jimenez-Arenas Kelein Lamar Johnson Jr Zachary James Johnson Damarian Lavell Joiner Arthur Fay Jones Brisalys Delein Juarez Helen Yurimar Juarez-Perez Hunter Austin Judd Jordan William Kelly Courtney Alissa Killick Dylan David Kinard Nicolas Benjamin Kirchner Kylie Alize Klein Carlie Joann Knight Jackson Foster Knotts Julie Anna Kuyal Jonas Hector Larrabee Jaiden Edward Lawson

Charlie Millan Lecornu Chloe Lorraine Lenker Jennifer Leon Lidia Stephanie Leon Chase Alexander Leonard Emanuel Leyva Barrett Hall Lindsey Tavaras Dontae Littles Jr. Damon Sharrod Livingston Jr. Eric Sterling Long William Seth Long Yuriana Leticia Lopez Faviel Karina Cristal Lozada Velazquez Francisco Lozoya Alana Manisce Lucas Amanda Victoria Lugo Tehya Michele Lujan Madison Leigh Luke Angel Madrigal Collin William Magann Ariel Alexis Mandujano Luis Herrera Mandujano Jose Julian Maradiaga-Hernandez Jesse Yahir Marin Turijan Alexa Gisselle Martinez Jasmine Martinez Jose Manuel Martinez Elijah Alexander Mateus Ana Matias Juan Jaydon Neil Mattio Kelli Shea McAvoy Emma-Grace Bayleigh McConnell James Calvin McEwen III William Rice McLeod Jr. Melany Marlene Medina Luis Medina-Aviles Alexis Melendez Derek Luis Mendez Carlos Ignacio Mendoza Kimberly Lizeth Mendoza Lisbeth Mendoza Litzy Anahi Mendoza Luis Miguel Mesa Cortes Karim Benmehrez Mhamdi Toddreon Ja’Shawne Miller Isaiah Minjares Karina Miranda Javoni Amir Mitchell Jaydei Monique Moates Yoselin Modesto-Palma Devona Estella Molinero-Flouro Emily Ann Monte Angel Ivan Montellano-Lopez Yulissa Montoya Jerrell Jay Moore Jennifer Michelle Morales Johnalisse Damaris Morales Jonathan Aroldo Morales-Perez Rocio Morales-Renteria Bartholomew Lebronce Akeem Morris Jr. Julie Ann Musselwhite-Irizarry Hope Mutheu Lizbeth Nava Jordan Judy-Su Nelson Sterling Nichole Nelson Justina Ngo Nguyen Matthew Isaac Nimens Stephanie Nolasco Joseph Jaden Noriega Jesus Alberto Nuci Esmeralda Guadalupe Nuñez Xavier Josue Ocasio Maria Jenesis Olalde Aliyah Marie Oliva-Longoria Emily Olivares Amber Lynn Oliver Crystal Marie Ortega Jacob Matthew Ortega Marlene Ortega Abigail Breanne Ortiz Laney Michelle Padgett Jose Alejandro Palala Kretoryen Lenard Palmer Kayla Marie Palomares

Adam Jeffrie Panzer Benjamin Arthur Paquet Omar Patino Macy Leeann Paulk Aldo Pelagio-Ibanez Kendra Grace Pellicer Adrian Pena Yanira Peralez Alexamarie Perez German Perez Hector Perez Jr. Jimmie Lee Pettis III Tiffany Ann Pettys Katie Elise Phillips Cayden Shane Pippen Canaan David Pittinger Amanda Belen Polanco Eduardo Ponce Austin Jarrett Porter Hugo Posada Daniel Jose Posadas Thaddeus Mortez Powell Jr. Tyanna Amira Powell Zaniya Bravery Jahira Pucovsky Lizbeth Quiroz Samuel Quiroz Hannah Grace Raburn Xavier Bernard Ragins Ivan Daniel Ramirez Ricardo Ramirez Jose Armando Ramos Santiago Sandra Ramos-Reyes Isabella Renee Rawls Aldair Rayo-Nolasco Jose Guadalupe RebollosoHernandez Emily Grace Reed Maria Fernanda Restrepo Lopez Anabel Reyes Adriana Idelisse Reyes Medina Alondra Michelle Reyes Medina Juan Humberto Reyes-Cisneros Jr Aramoni Jahwan Rhone Alivia Noelle Rivera Leslie Rivera Yazmaely Rivera Navarro Rileigh Ann Robert Ryan Phillip Robinson Ti’Lexius Ashanteal Robinson Angelica Constancia Rodriguez Eric Currey Rodriguez Jeremiah Nathaniel Rodriguez Johnny Rodriguez Jose Rodriguez Jr. Steven Minor Rodriguez Victor Antonio Rodriguez Selina Rodriguez-Sanchez Ashtyn Nicole Rogers Nicholas Carlos Roithmeier Darwyn Rojas Brendan Davis Rollyson Giancarlos Rosales Jonathan Noe Rosales Zuleyma Janett Rosales Anthony Rosario Molina Mirian Azeneth Rucoba Suarez Anthony Ruiz David Alejandro Ruiz Gabriella Ruiz Roby Elizabeth Simmons Runkles Kristen Jade Taitano Ryan Sergio Misael Salazar Samuel Salazar-Cornelio Lizbeth Lee Saldierna Mohammad Osama Salem Roberto Duque Salgado Fabiola Salmeron-Rosales Kerri Marie Salmon Michael Vincenzo Salvato Kobi Cameron Sanchez Jose David Sandoval Rodolfo Sandoval Jr. Zelinnette Santos Logan Andrew Saunders Shanna Marie Saylor

PLANT CITY OBSERVER JOURNEY

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

PLANT CITY HIGH SCHOOL

Trista Carolynn Saylor Kyndall Rae Sellers Rylee Alexia Shaffer Kitty Leigh Shelton Brea Lane Simmons Keyshawn Elijah Simmons Carson James Simpson Madison Paige Slay Austin Daniel Smith Caitlyn Marie Smith Dayton Alan Smith Hunter Davis Smith Keziah Arlisa Smith Leslie Ann Smith Logan Jacob Smith Ryan Christopher Smith Taylor Ruth Smith Teri Elizabeth Smith Trenton Robert Smith Emily Nicole Soto Jack Scot Sparkman Jillian Rose Sparkman Chloe Elizabeth Spencer Zachary David Spivey Cade Michael Stead Naomi Grace Stevens Nicholas Palmer Strickler Autumn Marie Suiter Jacob Dean Sutherland Shaye-Leigh Paige Tasch Makayla Jade Taylor Eric Yahve Tello Cooper Reece Tharrington Evan Dean Tindall Brianna Torres Diego Alejandro Torres-Garcia Dulce Aline Torres-Martin Esmeralda Alondra Torres Melissa Torres Ethyn Mathew Touchton Dawson Michael Traffanstedt Lysha Trejo Zachary Dale Trisch Corbin Jules Trottier Leeann Marie Trout Raegan Hailey Tucker

Michael Rayshawn Turner Jr. Lauryn Elizabeth Tyler Dominic Andre Uson Bryana Valdez Bonnie Caroline Vance Mason Brennan Vanderboegh Brionna Paige Vantilburg Jennifer Vasquez-Mendez Gustavo Vazquez-Cortez Jr. Nelson Vega Briseida Velasquez Ciarelis Mariel Velez Gonzalez Abel Villanueva Jr. Alisha Villegas Jimena Villicana-Andrade Nicholas Todd Vitelli Daryl Chi-Ling Vue Gunnar Paul Lucian Wagner Gabrielle Redemption Elizabeth Waite Brandon Alex Wajert Andrew Robert Walden Caleb Daniel Walker Za’Marion Ny Quan Walker Griffin Lee West Isaiah Termain West Lauryn Margaret White Isaiah John Wilcox Samuel Philip Wilcox Benjamin Kenneth Williams Corniyah Jalae Williams Darryon Jamal Williams Demario British Williams Dustin T Williams II Gracie Kay Williams Kaleb Bernard Williams Tianna Akierra Williams Jaheim Keshawn Wilson Aryana Danijela Wright Erica Deonna Wright Jose Edward Yanez Jorden Paige Young Marrissa Isabel Zamarripa Marlene Zapata Julian Alex Zazulia Kyler Robert Ziegler

PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER JOURNEY

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

PLANT CITY HIGH SCHOOL

Where are you going to college and what will your major be? I’m going to be attending the University of South Florida (go Bulls!) and majoring and Biomedical Sciences. What about college are you most excited for? The freedom and the individualism. I am excited to be able to make my own schedule and not have to adhere to one that is so set in stone like it is now. I think it will give me more time to explore things that truly interest me.

VALEDICTORIAN: ANKIT CHANDRAKANT PATEL

When did you realize you were going to be in the top two of your class? How did you react? I knew for sure during my senior breakfast when official ranks and GPAs were announced. I worked really hard during the last couple years, so I was sure I was going to be

Where are you going to college and what will your major be? I will be attending University of South Florida starting this Fall and my major will be Biomedical Engineering. What about college are you most excited for? I think I’m most excited about taking courses that will actually be applicable in real life. When did you first realize you were going to be in the top two of your class? How did you react? My suspicions were confirmed on the day of senior breakfast when I was told that I was part of the Honor Circle as well as attaining the title of Salutatorian. Being recognized in front my graduating class, I felt an unbelievable amount of exhilaration.

in the top two. However, I was most excited about my GPA which is now my school’s record. What advice would you give students who want be their school’s next valedictorian or salutatorian? I would just tell students that it’s a competition of time commitment. You don’t have to be a genius by any stretch of the imagination. The formula is pretty simple, just take as many dual enrollment, AP/IB and honors courses as you can. What’s something you wish you knew about high school ahead of time? That this was the last time where you truly get to be a kid. What is your favorite high school memory? I’m not sure if I can point to one memory in

What advice would you give students who want to be their school’s next valedictorian or salutatorian? I truly believe that anyone can achieve top of their class but this is based on two key factors, motivation and effort. Without motivation, you have no reason and without effort, you won’t achieve your goal. A simple but applicable analogy is swimming away from a shark. Motivation is not to get bit, whereas the effort is swimming away as fast as possible. What’s something you wish you knew about high school ahead of time? I wish I knew not to worry and panic about the smallest things in freshman year. The stressing was so unnecessary because as time went on, I realized that there was no need for any stressing or worrying as it was

BEST OF LUCK to the

CLASS OF 2021 Felton’s Market CHOICE MEATS • PRODUCE • GROCERIES

The One Stop Shop for All Parties, Events and Reunions!

FELTON’S MARKET (Walker Plaza)

617 N. Maryland Ave. | Plant City

813.752.1548

Open Mon - Sat 7am - 9pm and Sun 7am - 8pm

Check our websit e for weekly specia ls. feltons market .com

particular but I enjoyed all the fields trips. I’ve gotten to go to a lot of competitions, conferences, and theme parks, and it’s always been a blast. What’s the best thing one of your teachers taught you while in high school? It’s actually something that my Physics teacher, Mr. Perez, told me on our last day in class this year. He told the seniors to not treat our diplomas like they are simply pieces of paper. They represent all of our hard work in high school and the starting point for our future success. It’s honestly the most grounding and humbling thing I’ve learned from a teacher. Things that we learn in the classroom may be forgotten, but it’s those kinds of things I’ll remember forever. See full interview online at plantcityobserver. com.

simply a waste of time and energy. I could be learning something new or solidifying my foundations about a subject instead of crying over a simple homework assignment. I wish the present me could travel back in time and tell my past self to simply relax and move forward with one step instead of giant leaps. What’s the best thing one of your teachers has taught you while in high school? One of my teachers told me nothing is ever certain so question everything. Questions lead to answers which lead to more questions which leads to knowledge... and more questions. See full interview online at plantcityobserver. com.

SALUTATORIAN: OM NIMESH PATEL

10A

PLANT CITY OBSERVER JOURNEY

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

STRAWBERRY

CREST Reuben A. Abraham Casey Douglas Ackett Dominick Acosta Serenity Cillandra Adams Alexis Aguilar-Romero Omar Mahdi Al-Issa Anahi Alanis Miranda Lizeth Alanis Daniel Albritton Gabriella Aleman Monet-Jazel Anog Ambrocio Keely Cole Anderson Alberto Aparicio-Paz Sarai Lisbeth Arevalo Lizbeth Arriaga Berenise Nayeli Arrona Samantha Lois AshburnTestasecca Julian Aaron Ashmore Alina Atiq Mariah Lynn Austin Kevin Ashok Avaiya Robert Teddy Ballard Francesca Sofia Balzer Lauren Victoria Bambach Nicholas Eduardo Bambach Dua Batool Bangash Caroline Abigail Barba Allison Mary Lee Barfield Robert Bradford Barnes Ashley Barrios-Ramos Patrick Lane Barron Kiely Marie Bartels Kiya Izabella Baumgarten Jerry Bautista Miguel Angel Bautista Alex Bautista-Lopez Jenifer Bautista-Lopez Daniela Bautista-Morales Owen E. Baylor Manuel Ulises Bayona-Mendoza Cale Patrick Bazley Pooja M. Bhavsar Luis Anghel Biais-Lazaro Gwenna Alexis Bledsoe Alexa Bolando Cristian Joshua Bolt Danielle Jane Bondoc Giovanni Exzavien Bonilla Brayan Bouchant Quirino Bryan Wade Boully Jackson Joseph Bradford Forrest Brass Luke Paul Broding Brendan Connor Brown Abel Bueno Tanya Marie Burney Jaime Luis Caballero Daisy Cabrera Tara Linn Campos Maria Guadalupe Cansin-Rosales Terry Carswell III Michael N. Castillo Russell Wayne Caton Taylor Nicole Cella Mikenna Brynn Cerone Meeah Marie Chavez Vivyem Karyne Chavez Aguilar Christine Chen Xin Yu Chen Mia Abby Cheong Cedric Christian Blaise Cherestal Cristopher Alejandro Cisneros Amani Lateas Clark Mary Katherine Clark William Eugene Coats Alexis Nicole Cobb Kaylee Nicole Coleman Manuel Valentin Contreras-Lopez David Allen Coryell Marcus Romeo Cosme Jake Maclam Craig

Belen Cruz Rigoberto Cruz Valerie Nicole Cruz Victoria Maria Cruz Alexa Cuesta Mahlet Woldemariam Dagnew Saketh Prabhakar Damera Anneke Joelle Wer Davidson Bethany Faith Davis Madison Mae Davis Nia Simone Davis Sabrina Florence de Rosa Jaden Alexander DeBien Matthew Paul Deltano Madison Makenzie Deshong Alexis Lee Devan Neelam Devani Francis Connor Dias Jairus Neil L. Diaz Julian R. Diaz Cailey Jean Dixon Amelia Lee Donnell Alexa Brooke Donohoe Mason Alexander Dunbar Ethan Andrew Durand Gregory Duss Ian Robert Scott Eberly Hannah Nicole Edington Jordan Craig Edwards Chase B. Erickson Domingo Espinoza Andres Espinoza-Rosas Ivan Esquivel Jesse Gorham Evans Lizbeth Fabian-Palma Kristen Taylor Fairchild Colby Joseph Fanning Liam Ray Ferguson Sebastian Romeo Fernandes Delaney Diane Ferrell Biruk Mark Fliegelman Kayla Brook Flippo Jose Flores Katie Tamara Flores Lizbel Flores Sergio Manolo Flores Jose Ricardo Flores-Bravo Isamara Flores-Hernandez Adrienne Nicole Flott Rian Nicole Foote Jaxon Ryan Fowler Esperanza Fuentes Nathan Daniel Gaffney Kent William Gain Jr. Alicia Danielle Garcia Armando Garcia Diego Garcia William Garcia-Silva Wyatt Lynn Garrett Savanna May Glover Cheyenne Irene Gomez Mary Efigenia Gomez Adriana Gomez-Hernandez Ana Sofia Gonzalez Angel Gabriel Gonzalez Citlali Gonzalez Ezequiel Gonzalez Jacqueline Marie Gonzalez Kevin Alexis Gonzalez Michael Gonzalez-Diaz Marisa Christine Gorra Mateusz Robert Gorski Briana Rae Gradillas Briana Nicole Green Sydney Greeno Alyssa Nicole Grimes Jose Guzman Arely Guzman-Romero Jason Thomas Hancovsky Jr. Alexandra Reneé Harrell Christian Alexander Hartman Khalil Hayavi

Donte Theodore Hayes Abigail Hayward Carson William Haywood Heather Marie Heinze Luke Tristan Hemmeke Alexis Leigh Hernandez Emiliano Everardo HernandezGuevera Gerardo Enrique HernandezMaya Haziel Duvviel HernandezResendiz Hayle Rae Herrington Gavin Derek Calhoun Hessler Benjamin S. Hill Dallen A.P. Hill Annabelle Joy Hilt Laci Skye Hines Jillian Hollifield Reno A. Holt Marquell De'Quan Hudson Miriam E. Huff Kevin T. Ibarra Edgar Ibarra-Garcia Dallas Rochelle Iozzio Addison Joseph Jenkins Claire Elise Jennings Adrianna Ilene Johnson Chancey Delane Johnson Jacob Lewis Johnson Jonathan Tamunotonye Johnson Joseph Owakomate Johnson Katryn Ruby Johnson Shaelyn Marie Jones Mckenna Sage Jordan Jacqueline Juarez Joel J. Kallarackal Juliana Mae Karlson Caleb Edward Keiser Bailee Raiee Kidwell Adeline Anne Kilton Kellie Annie Marie Kirkland Cayden James Knipp Kay Mia Krieger Lily Allyn Kurek Angelyna M. Ladd Ashley Anne Lang Daniel John Lastres Maryam Madihah Latif Cynthia Michelle León Nasir I. Lewis Isaac Michael Linares Alexander Andrew Lipson Emily Raye Little Emma Rose Lombardi Desiree Summer Long Colton Alexander Longacre Ismael Lopez Yahir Roberto Lopez Gerardo Lopez-Lopez Erika Lovelace Weili Lu Landen Christopher Luckey Mariela Guadalupe Lugo Pavel Lugo Sandra Paola Lugo Echeverria Jose Luis Lumbreras-Maldonado Ismael Luna-Cruz Araselie Mauriela Luna-Ibarra Hayley Brianne Lynch Brianna Rose Madden Tyler Malagon Sashank Dharan Mannava Alvin Martin Elizabeth June Martin Joel Estevan Martinez Leticia Martinez Ryan Paul Lobrin Martinez Sebastian Martinez Armando Martinez-Hernandez Casandra Martinez-Vazquez Elen Mathew

Emmanual Mathew Kimberly A. Maximo Taylor J. Maynard Jeremiah Tyler McAnulty Callie Lauren McCool William Thomas McKone Jack Boris McNally Dhruti Rao Mechineni Angel Virginia Medina Elias Melendez Jesus Delfino Mendez Yuriria A. Mendez Burciaga Luis A. Mercado Jayda Renee Messick Franklin Miguel Brooklyn K. Miley-Cook Anthony James Mingo Mia Monet Mitchell Ankush Mitra Delaney Jane Mobley Grace Lindsay Moffett James Dalton Monroe Eulalia Montejo Juana Montejo Quintin Ananias Moore Giselle Mora Jordan Morales Brenda Morales-Lopez Desire Michele Moran Dominik Moreno Caroline Elizabeth Motte Ariel Mridha Kenya Alondra Muniz-Arrona Alexander Diego Mussenden Haneen Nacer Mustafa Stephen Mason Narramore Joseph Boby Nellicken David Nieves Hannah Rose Nixon Zawadi Wangui Njogu Tristen Nicole Norrington Alejandra Nunez De Villavicencio Abraham Ocegueda Connor Joseph O'Dell Lauren Ann O'Donnell Alyanna Oquendo Lily Oquendo Daniel Orellana-Cantoran Ruben Ortega Jr. Gricelda Ortiz Luz Maria Ortiz Daniel A. Osorio David Bryan Padilla Echevarria Alexia L. Paige Fabricio Palma-Vazquez Angel Uri Pinote Panisa Akshat Pant Hailey Jayde Papademetriou Jickson Thomas Parett Sa Mya Paris Thomas Josph Parker Jada Parks Srikar Parsi Bhoomi Alpesh Patel Ethan Paresh Patel Kayla Elyse Patel Natalie A. Patton Jaylynn Esmeralda Paz Alexander Paz Salazar Lisbeht Jennifer Paz-Martinez Jaylynn Christine Peak Kohl Riley Pellum Nya Unique Penon Rebecca E. Pereira Estevan Daniel Perez Israel Roberto Perez II Madison Marie Perez Lucelia Herminda Perez Escalante Oshely Karina Perez Perez Estefani Gisell Perez-Hernandez Krystal Perez-Moreno

Danjen Tristan Pergament Alina M. Perry Jack Ryan Petrik Brian Pfeiffer Gopika Gopakumar Pillai Rafael Alexander Pineda Odalis Plaza John Calvin Pritchard III Jordan Allen Putnam Valerie M. Quintero Braden James Raburn Noah D. Raju Angelina Rose Ramirez Angelica Ramirez-Bautista Maria G. Ramirez-Flores Delia Ramirez-Morales Jonathan Ramos-Lopez Selina Ramos Pablo Mei Lee Ramsey Veerali D. Rana Axay Nilesh Raval Sydney Grace Ray Kevin Rendon Paul Dylan Rice Cally Leonard Richardson Daniel Donald Richmond Princess Rios Adam Tyler Rivas Ayrton M. Rodriguez Karla Andrea Rodriguez Lesly Rodriguez Marco A. Rodriguez Miriam Del Carmen RodriguezCamacho Michael Rodriguez-Paz Rucsell Rodriguez-Perez Wyatt Lee Rogers Alexandra Romero Ana Myra Rosales Gabriel Rosales Abdiel Eduardo Rosario Jazelynn F. Rucoba Angela Ruiz Francisco Ruiz Lily Terese Sacchi Shawn Salgado Harry Salomon Isabell Salvador Nicholas Anthony Salvo Franchelyz Marie Sanabria Angel Sanchez Britney G. Sanchez Noah Ruben Sanchez Yesenia Sanchez-Lopez Yessica Sanchez-Lopez Kevin Sandoval Marc Anthony Santiago Amin Hassan Sarhaddi Shyanne Nicole Sawyer Paige Eleana Schelb Bryce Alan Schuman Celestine Mary Sebastian Alexandra Grace Seelig Angel E. Serratos-Mariscal Aayush Parag Shah Hetvi Shah Alen Shaju James Forest Sheffield Julianna Lorraine Shores Dulce Magali Silva Jose Angel Silva Shania Simon Wesley Simon Gabriella Nicole Sleem Isabella Marie Smith Jawanza D. Smith Joshua David Smith Spencer Aaron Smith Irene Guadalupe Solis Amaya Marie Sondgerath Alexis Sotelo-Leyva Lizbeth Rosalynn Soto

PLANT CITY OBSERVER JOURNEY

PlantCityObserver.com

STRAWBERRY

CREST

Corbin Jesse Stephens DonnaRae Morgan Stitzel Olivia Marie Stoughton Vikram Sumikanna Cole Nicholas Swartman Anna Araceli Taguja Stephanie Taguja-Bartolo Vanessa Tamez Gabriel Aidan Taylor Morgan Grace Taylor Tyler Thaden Destiny A. Thomas Isaiah Harley Thompson Jordyn Alexia Thompson Iyana Janae Thornton Jennifer Noel Tirschfield Javier A. Torres-Gomez Vivian Dorothy Trejo Hanna Trotto Cynthia Le Truong Maurice Tucker Jr. Nyla Turpin Matthew Avery Upton Shakira Isabel Valdivia Lourdes Naomi Valencia-Vargas Victoria Rosalba Vallejo Viviana Isabella Vallejo Abigail Vaquero Marisol Vaquero-Aldama Mekhia Raelee Vargas Edgar Vazquez-Palma Ariana Vega Victoriah Luv Vega Alex Uriel Ventura

Kali Elizabeth Vician David Villasenor Jesse Lee Waldrop Madison Lynn Waldrop Trinity Reanna Walker Zachary T. Ward Taylor E. Warf Brianna Shyan Watson Sydney Renae Watson Gabrielle Alexis Watt Savannah Anne Weekes Riley Jade Weiland Elizabeth Ann West Blake Christopher Wilcox Kayla Lorene Williams Karissa Ann Wilson Kourtney Lynn Wilson Tyson Wayne Wilson Breanna Christine Witt Drake Vinson Wolfe Connor Gregory Woods Skiler Jewel Woods William Chang Vang Xiong Alyssa Olivia Yager Korey Landen Yambura Sagnik Yarlagadda Charles Thomas L. Youvan Deweena Zacharias Blake Michael Zajac Davcely Julianna Zamora Jesus Manuel Zamora-Delgado Brian D. Zapata-Fuentes Jonathan R. Zapata-Fuentes Cristian Zavala

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

11A

12 A

PLANT CITY OBSERVER JOURNEY

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

STRAWBERRY CREST HIGH IB VALEDICTORIAN:

SAGNIK YARLAGADDA Are you going to college? If so, where are you going and what will your major be? I will be attending Vanderbilt University and pursuing a pre-med track. What about college are you most excited for? I am excited to meet new people from across the country and the world, have new experiences, utilize the amazing opportunities, and of course, explore the city of Nashville. When did you first realize you were going to be in the top two of your class? How did you react? It wasn’t really my focus, but I first learned that I was in the top 10 senior year before the IB pinning ceremony SCHS holds for the IB Juniors. Later during the top 10 breakfast, I was announced as the Valedictorian, and it was nice to be rewarded with the honor. What advice would you give students who want to follow in your footsteps and be their school’s next valedictorian or salutatorian? At the end of the day, I think that it’s not about what title you received, but rather what you learned from the process and what you achieved along the way. So, I would tell aspiring valedictorians to just take the courses you’re interested in, even if they’re challenging, and make sure you learn from everything you do. What’s something you wish you knew about high school ahead of time? The sheer number of opportunities available if you search for them. Looking back, there are a lot of courses I’d still like to take, clubs I’d like to join, and people I’d like to get to know more. What is your favorite high school memory? Winning at HOSA International and numerous FBLA National Leadership Conferences while getting to meet so many other people from around the globe who shared my passions were unforgettable experiences. How are you going to spend this summer? Relaxing, reading, and getting ready for college!

What’s the best thing one of your teachers taught you while in high school? I have had so many amazing teachers who have all taught me so much, so its difficult to choose just one thing. The most important thing you can ever do is to be kind; Always remember to appreciate the present moment; No plan ever survives first contact with reality; Never settle in life as you make choices; and many more. How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your high school experience? Many of the activities I had planned to do over the summer were canceled. I have also been e-learning this year, so I’ve missed spending my last year with my classmates, friends, and teachers at school. Some of our usual senior events such as Prom were impacted or canceled, but overall we managed to persevere and succeed this year despite the challenges. What extracurricular activities were you involved in during high school? In School: President of Mu Alpha Theta Math Club and Honor Society Founder and President of Reading Club Co-President of Future Health Professionals (HOSA) Historian of Speech and Debate Vice President of Science Competitors Club Served on Executive Board in 10th grade and as VP of Community Service for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) in 11th grade Part of Chamber Orchestra, United Relief, ASSIST, and Interact Service Clubs Honor Societies: National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society Outside of School: Research Internship in Integrated Mathematical Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center Founded Nonprofit Organization Hopepedia Organized prep classes and tutoring First Degree Black Belt in Karate High School Master Musician for Violin 240 Community Service Hours See full interview online at plantcityobserver.com.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER JOURNEY

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

STRAWBERRY CREST HIGH SCHOOL VALEDICTORIAN: DUA BANGASH

Where are you going to college and what will your major be? I’ll be attending the University of South Florida and I don’t know what major as of now. I change my mind about my degree every two weeks but hopefully I’ll figure it out during the summer. What about college are you most excited for? I’m excited about the clubs and meeting new people that match my energy. When did you first realize you were going to be in the top two of your class? How did you react? I didn’t know for a fact until my senior year but I had an idea since junior year when I transferred to Strawberry Crest High School. Since I came from Plant City High School, everyone there was extremely competitive so I had a decently high GPA and when I transferred, I was already number three. I just continued what I always did which ended up bringing me to valedictorian status. I thought it was cool but I didn’t want put pressure on myself in case I didn’t succeed so I wouldn’t be disappointed because that has happened in the past. What advice would you give students who want to be their school’s next valedictorian or salutatorian? I know this sounds bad but I didn’t really try. Being valedictorian was never a goal of mine. I just took a bunch of classes to save money and time. But I would say to take advantage of dual enrollment classes and AP courses. Not only do they boost your GPA but they also help you save money and time. You could end up saving two years of college and getting your AA degree while in high school. What’s something you wish you knew about high school ahead of time? Not to stress too much. It’s OK if you don’t get straight A’s or if you’re not in the class you wanted, you can still end up where you want to. Focus less on grades and more on networking because those truly matter. What is your favorite high school memory? My favorite high school memories would be the ones in class where you talk to those students for only 50 minutes. Those are situational friends and they’re the best because when you’re with them you only have fun. You don’t stress about drama

or homework. They make that class enjoyable and you look forward to being there every day. How are you going to spend this summer? Hopefully I end up going to Germany to relax for a bit and then when I come back, I have to decide what major and career path I want to go down. What’s the best thing one of your teachers taught you while in high school? Truthfully there hasn’t been anything. There were teachers I had, that I loved and wanted to go to their class everyday, but it was more of a fun thing than them teaching me anything. But I do remember my fifth grade teacher always telling us to never work for someone else. She once said, if you’re going to work at Walmart at least be the manager. After becoming valedictorian that came back to me. I think that lesson has stayed with me the most out of everything. How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your high school experience? It affected my ability to make friends. Transferring to a Strawberry Crest High School, I was already reluctant to make friends because I did not like that switch since everyone already had their friend groups. When Covid hit, in the beginning I really liked it because I hated going to school but then it made it worse since I didn’t see anyone. Senior year, I went to school so it was better but again due to Covid there wasn’t really any senior class activities that gave me the chance to get to know anyone. What extracurricular activities were you involved in during high school? I was more involved at Plant City High School but I also did FBLA at Strawberry Crest and continued Leo club. Outside of high school I volunteered weekly at the Hispanic Service Council. Over there I tutored children and played activities with them. I also would randomly sign up for community service activities. What do you hope to do in life after college? After college I hope to get a job in whatever I majored in. I might also go to law school, I don’t know we’ll see. But most importantly, be happy in my career path and travel the world while helping people.

13A

14 A

PLANT CITY OBSERVER JOURNEY

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

SIMMONS CAREER CENTER

Jacinto Abarca Filiberto Aguilar, Jr. Carlos Aldana Clyde Arriaga Jorge Avelino Autumn Bailey Car’reyana Baker Katrina Berry Derek Birriel-Rivera Derrick Blue, II Jonathan Campos-Roman Michael Carlson Jon Castillo Jessica Cervantes Thomas Cikra Jaden Clarke Kevin Claudio Bradley Clay Juan Cruz-Guzman A’Zarjona Davis

Hannah Davis Chris DeJesus Antonio Demetrio-Avelino Jessica Dempsey Alexis Diaz-Ortiz Arri Dodge Kenneth Eaton Fatima Elias Naydelin Espinal-Castro Madalena Espinoza Lexi Espinoza-Garcia Ashanti Floyd Luis Garcia-Aguilar Jacob George Ashley Glover Javier Gomez-Escobar Alyanah Gonzalez Eric Gonzalez Ismael Gonzalez Victor Gonzalez, Jr.

Quanijah Gordon Ashlyn Hampton Benito Hernandez-Lopez Nicholas Hickman Trevor Hines Ivan Izaguirre Judith Jacobo Josimar Jimenez Caleb Jones Ricky Kaeterle Jesse Kinman Cody Lane Destiny Law Jennifer Lopez-Boxtha Johan Lopez-Hernandez Trenton Lower Andres Martinez Francisco Martinez Dameon McDonald Rafael Melendez, Jr.

Leandro Molina Chanel Mollinedo Lizbeth Monzon Naydelin Morgado-Lopez Baldemar Nava, Jr. Jesus Nieves Tirado Damien Noriega Lissandra Oquendo Carlos Otero Edwin Pagan Valentin Cesar Ramirez Kaylise Range Carlos Reynoso, Jr. Marina Riquiz Angelis Rivera Alexzanderia Rodriguez Dalyannie Rodriguez William Roman Allan Roman-Campos Jennifer Salgado

Antony Sanchez Victor Santos Joshua Schoch David Sexton Stryder Shelton Joel Soto Jaidyn Stewart John Straka Devan Tate Cwincey Taylor Jesus Torres Carlos Trevino, Jr. Mizael Valdez-Chavarria Jalen Warren Noah Wilburn Alexis Zuniga

PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER JOURNEY

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

15A

16 A

PLANT CITY OBSERVER JOURNEY

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

CUTEST CRITTER

Do you want Plant City to see how cute your favorite pets are? Send your pictures to Staff Writer Breanne Williams at bwilliams@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.

BEAU: This 10 month old short leg Beagle Beauregard, aka “Beau,” is enjoying a sunny day by the pool in Emerald Forest in Walden Lake.

STATE FARM® AGENT

813.752.7202

1702 S. Alexander, Plant City, FL 33563

288231-1

Tony Lee CLU, CHFC

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

JUNE 3, 2021

SPORTS Biographical Column PLANT CITY’S KARATE STUDENTS SET EYES ON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS “There is nothing Chris Welbon’s competitive karate students must now pivot from a successful permanent except Florida tournament as they prepare for AAU National Championships in July change.” In many ways I know very little about change. As a life-long resident of the Tampa Bay area, and one of the very few who come from two parents that are also Tampa natives, I’ve never undergone the experience of something like moving across the country. I’ve never even known what it’s like to move across the city or to move across the state. I went to elementary and middle school in Temple Terrace, where I grew up and where I still live to this day. When I was young I played baseball at the Pony fields on U.S. 301 and continued playing baseball throughout my time at King High School. After high school I attended the University of South Florida, following in the footsteps of my father and my uncle where I earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications with a focus in news editorials, or “journalism” for short because the full description always felt so wordy. At USF I began my career as a staff writer for Bulls Daily under Scout Media, now a subsidiary of CBS. In my time with Bulls Daily I gained experience covering football, baseball and even hockey for a major Division I program. I later widened my scope as a multimedia journalist with play-by-play and color commentary experience for USF football and baseball through the student government-run Bulls Radio. Halfway through my senior year I took an opportunity to work with Pewter Report in Tampa as an intern. I would eventually work my way from intern to beat writer and spend five wonderful years living out a dream of covering my hometown football team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Five wonderful years that ultimately culminated in covering the Bucs’ second Super Bowl victory in franchise history. I was able to grow both as a person and writer with Pewter Report and I’m endlessly thankful for the experiences and time spent as a member of their staff. But alas, there is nothing permanent except for change. Sports have shaped my life and it’s similarly shaped my career as I start my journey at the Observer. I like to golf when I can find time to get on the course and I play in an adult softball league with some of my best childhood friends once a week, but you can almost certainly catch me cheering on the Rays, Lightning, Bucs or my beloved USF Bulls whenever they’re on. So as I have accepted an offer to become the newest staff writer, sports writer and member of the Plant City Observer’s team, I do so with excitement. An excitement for change, an excitement to explore and to meet the wonderfully unique community that is Plant City and an excitement to tell your stories.

Charlie Huber, Nathan Gould and Jenna Yacinich show off their skills at Chris Welbon Karate Clubs. Photo by: Taylor Jenkins.

TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

Chris Welbon began his karate training over 30 years ago at just eight-years-old. And as he grew within the sport, he’s helped young athletes grow in a similar fashion as the head instructor within his own dojo for the past 23 years. Of the hundreds of students that study and train karate at Welbon’s dojo in Plant City, just 26 of them are members of his competitive tournament team. During tournament season — a sixmonth span that includes five major tournaments between January and July each year — perhaps no time requires more focus and intensity than right now as that competitive team turns their eyes toward AAU National Championships in July. While training continues throughout the year, a stronger emphasis is placed on each student’s strength, conditioning and technique as major tournaments creeps loser. “(We want to) just to kind of push ourselves over and above what your mind thinks that you’re going to be able to do,” Welbon said about preparing for major tournaments. “Our job as trainers is to get these students to work through the

toughest struggles they can, that way when they get into competition it seems easy.” The 22 members of Welbon’s competitive group that will head to nationals in Greenville, South Carolina do so on the heels of success in their most recent Florida tournament, earning 15 gold medals, 15 silver medals and 6 bronze medals as a group. But success in the eyes of Welbon is about far more than just the awards and medals that glimmer as they swing from the necks of his students when their competitions come to an end. “I don’t really care so much about whether they’re winning gold, silver or bronze,” Welbon said. “I just want them to go out and be successful. I want them to go out and love karate. I want them to have fun, I want them to enjoy it. If they go out there and they get last place and they had a great time and they gave it their all, I’m happy. It’s the students that go out there and win gold and they have a bad attitude, those are the ones that we want to help.” Welbon wants students to build character and grow as individuals in the same way that they build technique and grow as competitors. And as a focal point of that growth, he leans on and instructs through his faith.

“Our dojo is build on God, it’s always been built on that,” Welbon said. “It’s always been built on faith-based surroundings, it’s what we have. We talk about God in our trainings, we have a Bible verse that we recite at the end of each training class and I think that’s what makes us different, there aren’t a lot of other martial arts schools that do that. That’s a good thing and overall I think just the character-building skills that we try to instill in all of the students (sets us apart). It’s not just about the kicking and punching. You build the inside of the person, the strength of their character, the martial arts will become good.” So as his team locks in on the pinnacle of their tournament season in July, Weldon prepares each student to train and live through that singular verse that they recite after each class, 2 Timothy 1:7. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Taylor Jenkins is the Sports Writer at the Plant City Observer. Email: tjenkins@ plantcityobserver.com.

KEEPING UP WITH THE KIDS Local athletes continue to excel at college level TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

Several former baseball players from Strawberry Crest, Durant and Plant City High School kicked off their collegiate conference tournaments last week. Most notably No. 23 Florida State as the Seminoles feature two Plant City natives in pitchers Parker Messick and Jonah Scolaro. Messick graduated from Plant City High School in 2019, Scolaro from Durant in 2017. In Florida State’s first game of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament

last Wednesday, a 12-1 loss at the hands of Duke, Scolaro entered as the Seminole’s seventh pitcher of the contest and threw a perfect seventh inning with two strikeouts. On Friday, Messick took the mound against an in-state rival in the Miami Hurricanes despite the conference championship being out of reach. The Seminoles jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and never looked back, ultimately winning 6-3. Messick finished his outing with seven strikeouts and allowed just two runs, five hits and a

Photo courtesy of Florida State University.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

FSU, USF ADVANCE TO CWS

Former Plant City standouts shine bright in conference tournaments TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

single walk. Miami tried to battle back in the bottom of the ninth, pushing a run across to cut the Florida State lead to just three and loading the bases. But Scolaro entered out of the bullpen, got the gameending strikeout and converted the oneout save, his first of the season. In the American Athletic Conference tournament, Durant graduate Jake Sullivan and the USF Bulls got their first ever 2-0 start to conference tournament play as members of the AAC with a 7-2 win over Wichita State and 5-0 win over Tulane. Sullivan went 1-5 against Wichita State and 1-4 with an RBI against Tulane. On Saturday the Bulls matched up with Tulane two more times in the doubleelimination tournament, dropping the first game 16-6 before bouncing back in the evening game with a 7-1 win to advance to the conference championship on Sunday. Sullivan went 1-3 with a walk and 1-5 with an RBI in the two contests. On the other side of the AAC’s bracket, former Plant City High School pitcher Billy McKay and the UCF Knights paved their own path to the conference semifinals with a 14-10 win over Cincinnati and a massive 17-1 win over Memphis. McKay totaled 1.1 innings pitched with two strikeouts, three walks and no hits or runs allowed against Cincinnati. On Saturday the Knights advanced in similar fashion to USF, falling early in a 5-2 game against Eastern Carolina before clinching a championship appearance with a 2-1 victory in the evening. This left rivals USF and UCF in a winner-take-all championship game on Sunday that featured the two Plant City natives.

USF jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and added four more runs in the second, one coming by way of Sullivan’s lone RBI on the day. UCF wouldn’t go quietly, however, manufacturing a rally of their own late but ultimately fell to the Bulls by a final score of 8-7. Sullivan went 2-5 and drove in one run while McKay entered in the second and threw 2.1 innings for UCF totaling two strikeouts with just two hits, two walks and one run allowed. The conference championship victory was USF baseball’s first as members of the AAC, and their first conference championship since 1995. The automatic bid clinched USF’s 14th College World Series appearance as they will head to the Gainesville Regional alongside the University of Florida, the University of Miami and the University of South Alabama. FSU on the other hand will be heading to their 43rd consecutive CWS by way of the Oxford, Mississippi Regional, set to face Ole Miss, Southern Miss and Southeast Missouri State. And in the Atlantic Sun Conference, another set of former Plant City rivals met again in a best-of-three play-in series between the Stetson Hatters and North Florida Ospreys for a spot in the conference semi-finals. Cade Shissler, a former pitcher at Plant City High School, did not participate for Stetson as the Hatters fell to North Florida in two games. From the other dugout, former Strawberry Crest infielder Alex Kachler had two hits in four at bats in the first game of the series, notching a double and one RBI in North Florida’s 5-4 victory. And despite a convincing 9-2 elimination win for the Ospreys in Game 2, Kachler was held hitless.

Kachler then came up big in the conference semi-finals against Kennesaw State, finishing the game 2-3 with two RBI, one walk and one run scored. But as the weekend continued, North Florida would go on to lose their next two games to Jackson-

FROM PAGE 10

ville and Liberty en route to elimination, falling just one game shy of the conference championship.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

PlantCityObserver.com

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR AROUND TOWN

289704-1

Last week the Plant City Observer ran an article titled,

“Community turns out in force to support Kenzie Wheeler,” which highlighted the strong support the Dover native received as he competed in the finale of The Voice. Many shared their praise of Wheeler and discussed their thoughts on the competition. “Yep he should have won too!!!!!” - Sherri Cox “Was hoping he would have won.” - Bonnie Magana “Loved his singing. He will be recording soon I bet.” - Louise Thow “He should have won!” - Dorothy Miller “Great community support for Kenzie Wheeler.” - Susan Gray Shirley

“He should of won” - Patty Ambrowsky Kenzie Wheeler hopped on Facebook after the event to thank everyone for this incredible journey. His post received more than 7,000 comments including many from the local community. Wheeler has long said his hometown supporters have helped carry him through his musical journey and that love was reflected back at him during and following the event.

Wheeler wrote: “First of all I just want to say that I am so thankful that I was chosen as a contestant for Season 20 of the voice. Making it to the top 5 was something that I never thought would happen. I just want to say thank you to Kelly Clarkson for believing in me throughout this season. Also I want to say thank you to my family, friends, and America for voting me into the finale! I will never be able to thank you all enough for doing that! I hope you all enjoyed watching me on The Voice and stay tuned for what’s gonna happen next!🤠 ”

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Glenn H. Kinchen

Jim “Pop Pop” Dean Carter, 77, of Plant City, Florida, born August 26, 1943 in Bessemer, Alabama, entered into eternal rest May 24, 2021. Expressions of condolence at www. HopewellFuneral.com.

Glenn H. Kinchen, 89, of Plant City, Florida, born September 24, 1931 in Willow Oak, entered into eternal rest May 26, 2021. Expressions of condolence at www. HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Juan Antonio Vasquez, Jr. Juan Antonio Vasquez, Jr., 31, of Plant City, Florida, born October 12, 1989 in Tampa, entered into eternal rest on May 25, 2021. Expressions of condolence at Hopewellfuneral. com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Eddie F. Bundrick Eddie F. Bundrick, 71, of Plant City, Florida, born May 18, 1950 in Florala, Alabama, entered into eternal rest May 26, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Vera Mae Smith Vera Mae Smith, 93, of Plant City, Florida, born November 24, 1927 in Nashville, Georgia, entered into eternal rest May 31, 2021. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

tosassa, Brian Mayo (Susan) Jimmy Hett William (Bill) of Plant City, and Dennis Mayo (Carol) of Plant City; Jimmy Hett, 80, of Bran- Keen grandchildren, Heather, Lau- don, FL passed away on May William (Bill) Keen ren, Jake, Luke, Ashton, Levi, 31, 2021. went home to Jesus Dustin, Jenna, Patrick, and The family will receive on May 25, 2021, at Danielle; sister, Nancy Lewis; friends Thursday, June 3, the age of 81. William sisters-in-law, Joan Ouellette, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. to was born on June 18, Joyce Ouellette, and Vickie 8:00 p.m. at Haught Funeral 1939, in Cincinnati, Ouellette; brother-in-law, Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Ohio, then moved with Dave Hermenson; and many Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., his family to Plant City nieces, nephews, family and Plant City,W EFL 33563. as a small child.to helping families create a we’re dedicated ’ RE P RO U D TO S EFuneral RV E our community unique and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. friends. services will be held Friday Fond memories and celebrates the life it represents. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, A funeral service will June 4, 2021 at> 100% 11:00 a.m. at expressions ofTransferability sympaService Guarantee > National Plan > Bereavement Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® be held on Friday, June 4, Haught Funeral Home. thy may be shared at www. at 3:00 P.M. at Hopewell Online condolences may WellsMemorial.com for the R Funeral Home, 6005 South be left for the family at supportingKeen Proudly the Plantfamily. City Strawberry Festival. County Road 39, Plant City, www.haught.care. where the family will receive friends beginning at 2:00 P.M. Graveside committal at WELLSMEMORIAL.COM Hopewell Memorial Gardens. Wells MeMorial & event Center For those unable to attend, PlanT CiTy Hannelore the service will be live813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com streamed at facebook.com/ Donnella Marie Joyner HopewellFuneral. Hannelore Joyner, age 81, In lieu of flowers, memorial Ridenour of Plant City, Florida passed contributions may be made Donnella Marie Ridenour, away on Wednesday, May to Season’s Hospice at www. age 80, of Plant City, Florida 26, 2021. Hannelore was seasonshospice.org/dona- passed away on Friday, May born March 21, 1940. we’re dedicated to helping families create a W E ’ RE P RO U D TO S E RV E our community tion s-and-giving and/or St. 21, 2021. Donnella Fondunique memories and ex-that truly was born and meaningful memorial with personal, compassionate care since 1896. celebrates the life it represents. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, Jude’s Children’s Hospital at pressions of sympathy may February 15, 1941. we’re dedicated> to helping families create a W E ’ R E P R O U D TO S E RV E our community 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. https://www.stjude.org/give. be shared www.WellsMeFondunique memories and exTravel Assistance > Theat Compassion Helpline® > Bereavement celebrates the life it represents. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, html. pressions of sympathy may morial.com for the Joyner > 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability R Expressions>of condolence family. be shared www.WellsMeBereavement Travel Assistance > TheatCompassion Helpline® Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival. at www.HopewellFuneral. morial.com for the Ridenour R com. family. Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

Taking care of each other is what

community

is all about.

OBITUARIES

Jim ‘Pop Pop’ Dean Carter

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Meribeth Johnson Sizemore Meribeth Johnson Sizemore, 93, of Plant City, Florida, born January 30, 1928, in Plant City, entered into eternal rest May 27, 2021. Expressions of condolence at www. HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Sharon M. Woolsey

Sharon M. Woolsey, 75, of Plant City, Florida, born in Hartville, Ohio on April 24, 1946, entered into eternal rest May 28, 2021. Expressions of condolence at www. HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Nola Ouellette Mayo Nola Ouellette Mayo, 82, of Plant City, Florida, formerly of Warrensburg, New York, born November 11, 1938 in Caribou, Maine, entered into eternal rest May 29, 2021. She was a member of St. Clement Catholic Church, loved her family dearly, and enjoyed helping others, traveling, taking pictures, and spending time with her grandchildren. She is preceded in death by husband, Reginald Mayo. She is survived by children, Andrea Mayo Crawford of Plant City, Chad Mayo (Shannon) of Thono-

Taking care of each other is what

community

M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

10/27/15 10:42 AM

is all about.

community

is all about.

WELLSMEMORIAL.COM HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Wells MeMorial & event Center WELLSMEMORIAL.COM PlanT CiTy

Wells MeMorial & event Center PlanT CiTy M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

10/27/15 10:42 AM

813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES

YOUR COMMUNITY FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY. FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971 HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com

10/27/15 10:42 AM

OBITUARIES

community

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

Aliffi isPatricia all about.

Patricia Aliffi, age 82, of Seffner, Florida passed away on we’re dedicated to helping families create a R E PRO U D TO S ERV E our community Wednesday, 26, 2021. PatriuniqueMay and meaningful memorial that truly personal, compassionate care since 1896. celebrates the life it represents. our Dignity Memorial professionals, cia was born December 20, 1938. > 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability Fond memories and Helpline® expres> The Compassion > Bereavement Travel Assistance sions of sympathy may be shared R at www.WellsMemorial.com for Proudly supporting Plantfamily. City Strawberry Festival. thethe Aliffi ®

Taking care of each other is what WELLSMEMORIAL.COM

community Ray Gene Moody

YOUR CALENDAR

Taking care of each PLANT other what 14 CITYis OBSERVER

Wells MeMorial & event Center

is all about.

BEST BET FRIDAY, JUNE 18 SAVE A HORSE, ROCK THE COWBOYS

Be part of a fun night out with the Soul Circus Cowboys benefiting RVR Horse Rescue. Enjoy music, food, drinks, meet some of the adoptable horses and participate in a 50/50 raffle and silent auction. General Admission for those age 16 and older includes: parking, a tour of RVR, BBQ dinner, live music from the Soul Circus Cowboys and (2) beverage tickets. General Admission for those age 15 and younger includes: live music, food, a tour of RVR and (1) beverage ticket. Table reservations with up to eight chairs are available for purchase separately. Tickets can be purchased on EventBrite.com and are limited.

PlanT CiTy

813-752-1111 Ray WellsMemorial.com Gene Moody, 82, of

Plant City, passed away on May 26, 2021 Ruskin, Ray towas born we’re dedicated helping familiesin create a R O U D TO S E RVin E our community Florida. unique and meaningful memorial that truly sonal, compassionate care since 1896. Arkansas onit June 24, 1938. celebrates the life represents. Dignity MemorialJonesboro, professionals, Funeral services held 12 p.m. > 100% Service Guarantee > Nationalwill Planbe Transferability > Bereavement Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® on Friday, June 4, 2021 at Cork United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at R www.wellsmemorial. ProudlyShiloh supportingCemetery. the Plant City Strawberry Festival. com

s_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

Taking care of each other is what

community WELLSMEMORIAL.COM

is all Eleanor about. Davis Susan

Wells MeMorial & event Center PlanT CiTy

Susan Eleanor Davis, age 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com

73, of Plant we’re dedicated to helping createMay a our community City, Florida passed away onfamilies Friday, unique and meaningful memorial that truly sonal, compassionate care since 1896. 2021. Susan wastheborn November 3, celebrates life it represents. Dignity Memorial28, professionals, > 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability 1947. > Bereavement Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® Fond memories and expressions of sympathyR may be shared at www.WellsProudlyMemorial.com supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival.family. for the Davis

P R O U D TO S E RV E

Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

10/27/15 10:42 AM

Taking care of each other is what

community WELLSMEMORIAL.COM is all about.

Robert Gunn Parker

Wells MeMorial & event Center PlanT CiTy

Robert Gunn Parker, age 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com

93, of Plant

we’re dedicated to helping create a our community City, Florida passed away onfamilies Saturday, unique and meaningful memorial that truly sonal, compassionate care since 1896. Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1 10/27/15 10:42 AM the life it represents. Dignity MemorialMay professionals, 29, 2021.celebrates Robert was born October

P R O U D TO S E RV E ®

> 100% Service Guarantee 28, 1927. > National Plan Transferability > Bereavement Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline®

Fond memories and expressions of R sympathy may be shared at www.WellsProudlyMemorial.com supporting the Plant Cityfor Strawberry Festival. family. the Parker

PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS

7:30 to 9 a.m. Join the Plant City Toastmasters for breakfast, laughs, and fun; there’s no better way to start your Thursday mornings. Bring a chair and a mask. The Toastmasters also offer Zoom meetings for those who can’t make it in person. Visit the Facebook page, facebook.com/PlantCityToastmasters/, for meeting locations and information.

BATON TWIRLING CLASSES

Plant City Recreation presents Baton Twirling Classes at the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St. Classes are held every Thursday. Beginner classes are from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Intermediate classes are from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Your first class will be free. If you have any questions or would like more information, contact Barbara Patrick at 813-626-4554.

FRIDAY, JUNE 4 ESSEWNTIALS: CAT-ATONIC

Learn to make a simple play-

WELLSMEMORIAL.COM Wells MeMorial & event Center

Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1

THURSDAY, JUNE 3

10/27/15 10:42 AM

PlanT CiTy

813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com 10/27/15 10:42 AM

thing for your feline friend. Class offered at Bruton Memorial Library.

SATURDAY, JUNE 5 YOGA IN THE PARK

10 to 11 a.m. at 100 N. Collins St. The event is free, open to the public, and all skill levels are welcome. Yoga will be instructed by Plant City Yoga. Please remember to bring your yoga mat, towel and water bottle. Limited yoga mats will be available during the event. All participants must register in advance, limited spaces are available each month.

BLUEGRASS JAM

6:30 at 8:30 p.m. This is an open invitation for local Bluegrass musicians and fans to come to the Krazy Kup loft, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd., and jam, clap hands, stomp feet and enjoy. They have their Bluegrass Jam the first Saturday of every month.

PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Strawberry Square Dance Center, 4401 Promenade Blvd. Plant City Social Dance will have dances

every Saturday night in the month of June at the Strawberry Square Dance Center. From 6 to 6:30 p.m., there will be ballroom music for ballroom dancers. The regular dance goes from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The cost to dance is $7 per person and attendance is no longer limited. Visit djkenmiller.com to look at sample playlists and get more information.

TUESDAY, JUNE 8 TEENS TEACH TECH FOR 21ST-CENTURY SENIORS

4 to 5 p.m. Who knows the latest technology better than teenagers? All seniors looking to learn how to navigate the Internet and keep up with an ever-changing digital world can learn from the best every Tuesday afternoon at the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 Dort St. Call 813-659-4256 for more information.

FAMILY SUMMER READING: TAILS AND TALES: ‘SAVANNAH SAFARI’ Bruton Memorial library will offer take-home summer activity kits for families to enjoy together. This week’s theme will

be “Savannah Safari” and will include puzzles, literacy activities, crafts and more. Kits will be available while supplies last.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9 FREE ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY VETERANS

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Federal, state and local opportunities are constantly changing. If you’ve served any time in the military, retired or non-retention, and would like to review your benefits, please take advantage of free assistance at the Bing House Museum, 205 Allen St., every Wednesday. Walk-ins welcomed or call 813-704-5800 to set a specific time. Masks are required and temperatures will be taken at the door.

THURSDAY, JUNE 10 BIG HANDS, LITTLE HANDS: AIR-DRY CLAY ANIMAL MAGNETS A pair of big hands (adult) and a pair of little hands (child age 4+) will create Air-Dry Clay Animal Magnets. Bruton Memorial Library will provide take-home kits for this craft while supplies last.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

Send your photo submissions to staff writer Taylor Jenkins at @PlantCityObserver.com or hashtag #iloveplantcity on Instagram for @igersplantcity to feature.

FORECAST THURSDAY, JUNE 3 High: 89 Low: 71 Chance of rain: 81%

FRIDAY, JUNE 4 High: 88 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 65%

SUNRISE/SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, June 3

6:31a

8:21p

Friday, June 4

6:31a

8:21p

Saturday, June 5

6:31a

8:22p

Sunday, June 6

6:31a

8:22p

Monday, June 7

6:31a

8:23p

Tuesday, June 8

6:31a

8:23p

Wednesday, June 9

6:31a

8:24p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, JUNE 4 High: 88 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 42%

SUNDAY, JUNE 5 High: 89 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 42%

MONDAY, JUNE 6 Jeannie Mitchell saw these ducks and their ducklings catching some rays at Walden Lake East.

ONLINE

High: 90 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 37%

Across 1 Jazzes (up) 5 “Let’s open a window” 10 Musical riff 14 Louver part 15 Whistle blower 16 Retailer whose logo colors are the same as on its founder’s national flag 17 The con entered the bank under an __, ... 20 Sly critic 21 Became frothy 22 Fertility clinic supply 24 Prefix with content 25 Not agin 26 Amazon snake 27 ... told the banker a __, ...

31 Catching a break 32 Iditarod runner 33 “High School Musical” extra 34 Crouched behind a boulder 35 This and that, say 39 Jack of “The Great Dictator” 42 Colorado’s “Steel City” 44 ... opened an account with a __, ... 48 One in a tchr.’s key 49 Canadian whisky 50 Old call letters? 51 “The Hollow Men” poet’s monogram 52 Giggle

54 It merged with CBS in 2019 56 ... and cashed a check with a __ 60 JFK part: Abbr. 61 Languid 62 Pic to click 63 Koppel and others 64 “Long time __!” 65 Like racehorses Down 1 TV ad promoting water conservation, e.g. 2 Golfer Ernie from South Africa 3 Good enough 4 Bowl over

5 Swell treatment? 6 Classic Ford 7 Word with net or ball 8 Anxious med. condition 9 American agents, familiarly 10 CV, briefly 11 With hands on hips 12 Night streaker 13 Bright spot in the workweek 18 Copycat 19 Language of Oslo, in Oslo 22 Make the most __ 23 Barn topper 25 Clash of clans 28 Sentence that should be two or more sentences 29 Crook 30 Laid-back sort 34 New employee 36 Over the top 37 Societal woes 38 What a hat may symbolize 40 Trapped, after “up” 41 Entered 42 Salsa option 43 New York college town 44 Tantrum 45 Pre-shoot-out score, perhaps 46 Cyberhandle 47 Political fugitive 53 Driver’s lic. stats 54 Competes 55 Blues singer Redding 57 __-cone 58 Hundred Acre Wood denizen 59 Apt answer for this puzzle location

June 10 New

June 24 Full

June 17 First

July 1 Last

RAINFALL LAST WEEK:

MONTH TO DATE:

0.95 in.

0.00 in.

YEAR TO DATE:

JUNE AVERAGE:

07.36 in.

8.62 in.

TOMATOES Shipping point: Central Florida $9.95-$11.95

Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

WEATHER

I LOVE PLANT CITY

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

PlantCityObserver.com