Bloomingdale/FishHawk
37
June 2023
Volume 22, Issue 6
2
Ph: 813-657-2418
CELEBRATING 21 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S SOCCER CAMPO FAMILY YMCA OFFERS SWIM LESSONS TO STUDENTS FROM THE IS COMING TO TAMPA BAY Staf Report
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
By Lily Belcher The Campo edy avoided. So, Family YMCA I see it as we’re has partnered saving lives with 15 students here,” said Safrom Pinecrest hab. Elementary This is SaSchool’s Head hab’s first year Start program working as an to offer two instructor at the weeks of swim Y, but she has lessons to the been working preschool-aged with local recswimmers. Swim instructor Paige Sahab offered two weeks of free reation centers Through fundand pools for 15 swim lessons to 15 Pinecrest Elementary students. ing by Hillsboryears. ough County, “I love that Pinecrest Elewe’re doing this mentary was with the Head able to transport Start kids,” said the students to Sahab. “I think the Campo Y that it’s woneach morning derful, and I just from Monday felt like people through Thursneeded to know day at the beginthat we are doning of May. ing this.” “They might Swim instructor Paige Sahab works with each swimThe funding not be able to from Hillsbormer on different skills to help them learn to swim. come to swim lessons another way. So, I ough County allowed 10 Tampa YMCAs want to make the most of it because it’s to host lessons across the spring and fall not just that [the lessons] are free, but it’s semesters. In the fall, the Campo Y hopes that the school district is getting them to host three or four more Head Start here because transportation is a big bar- programs from local schools. rier,” said swim instructor Paige Sahab. The Head Start program is a free pub“The fact that the district gets them here lic-school program that offers specialized is a big benefit of the program.” education to kids from ages 3 to 5 years The students were broken into three old in low-income families. Teachers groups of five students based on their work with a small number of kids to maxswimming experience and skill level. Sa- imize their development before beginning hab took each group into the pool for a grade school. half hour to work with the students inFor more information on the Y and its dividually. swimming and summer programs, visit “We talk about water safety: always tampaymca.org. asking permission before you go in the water, never swimming without a grownup, and things like that,” explained Sahab. The younger kids work on basics, like PATTY FRY AWARD ..........................PG 3 floating and kicking in the water, and older, more experienced kids are working on MOTORING TAMPA BAY ................PG 5 2023 VALEDICTORIANS............. PG 14 swimming short distances. “I just feel like every kid that we can EYE ON BUSINESS................PGS 25-26 get swimming is another potential trag-
IN THIS ISSUE:
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT..........PG 35
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A new profescause USL Susional women’s per League will soccer team is play from fall set to kick off through spring, in Tampa Bay in players will be August 2024. As able to balance part of the USL their commitSuper League, ments to their the new Tampa club and their Bay franchise country. will compete at “When I the highest level stepped onto of women’s prothe court in Photo Courtesy of SuperLeague Tampa Bay. fessional soccer. high school as a The new Super League Tampa Bay ownership The team will group, from left to right: David Laxer, Darryl Shaw female athlete, bring top-tier there weren’t a and Jeff Fox. women’s pro lot of role modsports to the els out there region for the for me to look first time, joinup to,” said ing 10 to 12 Tampa Mayor clubs in the Jane Castor, a league’s initial star basketball market. and volleyball “This is about player at Chaminspiring, enerberlain High gizing and unitSchool and the ing our Tampa Bay community. We’re University of Tampa. “Today, women’s ready to build a team that not only wins sports are exploding in popularity, and on the field but also makes a positive our new team will put Tampa Bay at the difference off the field. To us, success forefront.” comes when you become part of the The club’s name, colors and crest will fabric of your community,” said Darryl be decided in the future with involveShaw, who joined his childhood friends, ment from members of the public across David Laxer, co-owner of Bern’s Steak the Tampa Bay area. An advisory board House, and Jeff Fox, former chief infor- of community voices and soccer lovers mation officer of BluePearl Pet Hospital, has been created to offer guidance on as the owners of the new team. connecting with the community and deUSL Super League will be the high- livering a positive impact. est level of professional women’s sports The team will start playing in August to ever field a team with Tampa Bay 2024 in a temporary home until a peron its jerseys. Once it is sanctioned by manent, soccer-specific stadium can be U.S. Soccer as a Division I league, it will built. With that stadium, the team inrank on par with other top professional tends to create a year-round venue that sports leagues and feature players who will be used for a wide range of activirepresent their countries in international ties, including opportunities with youth competitions such as the FIFA Women’s Continued on Page 6 World Cup and the Olympic Games. Be-
HEAD START PROGRAM
Summer is here! Reading improves your child’s focus, literacy, knowledge and sleep. During the summer, reading is more relaxing because your child can choose books that interest them. There are summer reading programs available to keep your child motivated, enthusiastic and rewarded. Check out our article on page 17 to learn more about reading programs available to you this summer.
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6/30/23
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6/30/23