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Question Popped On St. Stephen's Morning Show

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By BARBARA ROUTEN

Tribune correspondent

Published: March 25, 2009

RIVERVIEW - Charles Siffermann of Seminole, former computer teacher at St. Stephen Catholic School, surprised Jennisica Rodriguez, assistant principal and early childhood coordinator at St. Stephen, by proposing to her in front of the entire school during the March 6 broadcast of the school's morning video program.

Siffermann, a single father who currently serves as assistant to the principal at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in Seminole, met Rodriguez when she was the kindergarten teacher of his 8-year-old daughter, Grace. The couple began dating two years ago.

He thought their second anniversary was the perfect time, and the location of their first meeting the perfect place, to kneel and ask her to marry him.

She expected a proposal but was surprised by the way he did it. She said, "Yes."

"The kids in my class and I thought it was interesting because she's our AP!" said Marissa Hale, a sixth-grade student in Caryl Nolan's class and the daughter of David and Anne Hale of Riverview.

"It had a nice feeling to it because they are getting married, and that's pretty cool. Some of the kids in my class laughed because Ms. Rodriguez was laughing and smiling gigantically," Marissa said.

Siffermann is the son of Jim and Charlotte Siffermann of Arizona. Rodriguez is the daughter of Hector and Gladys Rodriguez of Valrico.

Science Team Number One

PLANT CITY - The Durant High School Science Competition Team 1 came in first among the 18 teams competing at the Miami regional competition of the U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl Feb. 21 at the Florida International University Engineering Center. Members of the team are Craig Bearison, Angel Chavez, Cameron Kim, James Van Cleve and Josh Wannebo.

The team's No. 1 spot will advance them to the national competition April 30 through May 5 in Washington, D.C.

The regional, double-elimination competition followed a quiz-bowl format. "The team members were asked multiple-choice or short-answer questions on science topics, such as biology, physics and mathematics," said Kim. "After three rounds, Durant Team 2 made up of Logan Butler, Daniel Massey, Madeline Verbeek and Angela Manci was eliminated from the competition, as Durant team 1 continued on."

Round four was tense. "Durant was forced into a five-question tiebreaker situation with the team from Palmetto High School," Kim said. "By one question, the team won the tiebreaker and continued in the winner's bracket."

Durant's team reached the finals, where once more they fought against Palmetto High School.

"Because Durant was undefeated," Kim said, "the team had two chances to win in the final round. Durant lost the first finals round but then came out on top in the second finals round to be the Miami regional winners!"

Teachers Jens Diaz, Jeremy Lynch and Dan McFarland sponsor the teams.

Riverview Chamber Elects Members

New board members were recently added to the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce:

Jill Andrew of Superior Residences of Brandon, president elect; Billie Gordon of Sun Trust Bank, past president; Sherri Walker of Crane Tech, treasurer; Tanya Doran, chamber executive director; Ryan Esto of Pioneer Tire and Auto; Edward Booth of Huth and Booth - the Portrait Gallery; Jeanne Bush of Serenity Meadows Memorial Park, Funeral Home and Crematory; Annette Bilyeu of The Brandon News & Tribune; Joe Eletto of Pure 4U, Inc.; Donna Fore of PF Auto Glass; Jim Johnson of Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC; Carol Todd of Valrico State Bank; Bert Wallin of K and B Travel; Honorary Mayor of Riverview Aaron Fredricks of East Coast Pizza; Earl Lennard and Diana Niles.

Sign Up Now For Summer Camp

BRANDON - Applications are being accepted now through March for Hillsborough County's 2009 Summer Fun Camp for children ages 6 and up at 43 locations in Hillsborough County.

Camps in the Brandon area will be at the Bloomingdale, Brandon, Evans, Mango, Providence West, Riverview and Valrico recreation centers. Camps will be in session from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 8 through Aug. 14.

Early registration ends Friday for kids already participating in the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department's after-school program. Parents of other children may sign them up for a lottery between 6 and 8 p.m. Monday or Tuesday at the center they want their child to attend.

Tuition for the 10-week program is $300 and may be paid by check or money order. Discounts are available based on the family's income, number of people in the household and the number of siblings in the program. The first page of the 2008 1040 federal income tax form must be provided to be considered for a discount.

For details, call (813) 635-3500 or the recreation center you want your child to attend. Visit www.hillsborough county.org/parks/ for available locations.

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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