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They Do The Math - And The Science, Too

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By BARBARA ROUTEN, Tribune correspondent

Published: June 20, 2007

Updated: 06/18/2007 06:11 pm

BRANDON - The Brandon branch of the American Association of University Women presented 34 Girls Can! Awards on May 20 at the 14th annual Recognition Tea.

'For the 14th consecutive year, the branch has recognized two eighth-grade girls from each Brandon area middle school and two 12th-grade girls from each Brandon area senior high school,' said spokeswoman Barbara Reed.

Of each pair, one has the highest grade-point average in math, the other in science. Each winner received a $100 U.S. savings bond, raising the total donated by the branch to more than $40,000 since the inception of the program.

Excellence in Math awards, which were presented in Maudlin Hall at the First Presbyterian Church of Brandon, went to these high school seniors: Karri Becker of Riverview High School, daughter of Karl and Sharon Becker of Riverview; Kaitlin Fish-Stuhl of Brandon High School, daughter of Charles and Mary Fish-Stuhl of Brandon; Kate Guillet of Armwood High School, daughter of Suzanne and Paul Guillet of Seffner; Skylar LaRussa of Durant High School, daughter of Matthew and Dianna LaRussa of Valrico; Kathleen McGee of King High School International Baccalaureate Program, daughter of Kevin and Nancy McGee of Lithia; Nancy Melnyk of Bloomingdale High School, daughter of Ray and Sally Melnyk of Valrico; Rebecca Smith of Plant City High School, daughter of Steve and Peggy Smith of Plant City; and Kristi Wray of Newsome High School, daughter of Jim and Bridget Wray of Lithia.

The following 12th-grade girls received Excellence in Science awards: Alexandria Alspach of Brandon High School, daughter of Terrence Alspach and Maria Pech-Lopez of Brandon; Elizabeth Hernandez of Newsome High School, daughter of Daniel and Debra Hernandez of Riverview; Amy Iarrobino of King High School International Baccalaureate Program, daughter of Rocco and Pei-Juin Iarrobino of Valrico; Ruby Iley of Armwood High School, daughter of Theresa Iley of Thonotosassa; Chelsae Johansen of Bloomingdale High School, daughter of Gregory and Dianne Johansen of Valrico; Kimberly Rogert of Riverview High School, daughter of John and Catherine Rogert of Riverview; Cindy Saldierna of Plant City High School, daughter of Ignacio and Sonia Saldierna of Plant City; and Saima Siddiqi of Durant High School, daughter of Osman and Tara Siddiqi of Plant City.

Recipients of the eighth-grade girls' Excellence in Math awards were: Lia Nicole Barrett of Randall Middle School, daughter of Richard and Diana Barrett of Brandon; Kayleen Boatwright of Rodgers Middle School, daughter of Robert and Kelley Boatwright of Riverview; Tieumy Giao of Horace Mann Middle School, daughter of Minh Giao and Thanh Tong of Riverview; Nicole Grinnell of Mulrennan Middle School, daughter of Albert and Tanya Grinnell of Valrico; Rachel Lacy of Gordon Burnett Middle School, daughter of Keith and Valerie Lacy of Valrico; Raven Leverett of Turkey Creek Middle School, daughter of Edward and Sheli Leverett of Dover; Taylor McDade of Burns Middle School, daughter of Mark and Maria McDade of Valrico; Raquel Resendiz of Jennings Middle School, daughter of Rudolfo and Sylvia Resendiz of Tampa; and Katelyn Suggs of McLane Middle School, daughter of Daryl and Catina Stewart of Seffner.

Excellence in Science awards were presented to these eighth-grade girls: Amy Bearison of Mulrennan Middle School, daughter of Fred and Kim Bearison of Valrico; Hannah Carter of Randall Middle School, daughter of Frank and Megan Carter of Valrico; Chelsea Coulter of Jennings Middle School, daughter of Ronald and Melissa Coulter of Seffner; Cristina Gonzalez of McLane Middle School, daughter of Olga Gonzalez of Brandon; Zein Kattih of Horace Mann Middle School, daughter of Mazen Kattih and Lina Barmada of Seffner; Kathryn Kerr of Rodgers Middle School, daughter of Terry Kerr and Victoria Anderson of Riverview; Casey Lardner of Burns Middle School, daughter of Richard and Carol Lardner of Valrico; and Erin VanLandingham of Gordon Burnett Middle School, daughter of Jason and Laura VanLandingham of Seffner.

Membership in the association is open to women with an associate's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

The Give a Grad a Gift program provides a complimentary year's membership to new female graduates with one of the aforementioned degrees.

For information, call Chris Sauciunac at (813) 426-3367 or Marie Gay at (813) 319-4235.

Monsignor Celebrates 50 Years of Priesthood

SUN CITY CENTER - The 50th anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood of Monsignor Diego Conesa, former pastor of Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 702 Valley Forge Blvd., will be celebrated Sunday.

Conesa will begin the day by saying Mass at 10 a.m. at Prince of Peace. Celebrating the service with him will be Bishop Robert Lynch of the Diocese of St. Petersburg and the retired Bishop John Snyder of the Diocese of St. Augustine.

After Mass there will be a reception in the great hall of the Monsignor Diego Conesa Parish Center.

Because attendance is expected to be high, this will be a ticketed event. To check ticket availability, call the parish office, (813) 634-2328.

Conesa was appointed pastor of Prince of Peace in 1984. Under his shepherding, the parish grew and the church building had to be enlarged. Also while he was pastor, a mission, Our Lady of Guadalupe, was established in Wimauma.

The mission, supervised by the Rev. Demetrio Lorden, currently serves hundreds. Prince of Peace supports it with monetary and food donations monthly.

Conesa retired in August 1998. He now assists at St. Anne Roman Catholic Church in Ruskin.

Sweet Adelines Chorus Names New Leaders

SUN CITY CENTER - South Shore Sound, a Sweet Adelines International chorus, installed officers for the 2007-08 year on May 28 at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 1239 W. Del Webb Rd.

The new officers are Claudine Jenkins, team leader; Kathy Patterson, treasurer; Cocky Hallner, special events chairwoman; Terry Cox, membership; Jodie Allison, assistant director; Audrey Vogel, public relations; Ellen Stein, music team leader; and Sue Bensman, secretary.

Rehearsals take place at 6:30 p.m. Mondays at St. Andrew's.

'If singing and entertaining are fun for you, why not try us?' Cox said.

For information, call Cox at (813) 786-9418.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, e-mail neighbors@tampabay .rr.com or call (813) 657-4531.

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