Valrico
38
March 2023
Volume 20, Issue 3
Ph: 813-657-2418
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CELEBRATING 21 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
NEWSOME AND BLOOMINGDALE CO-HOST SEVENTH ANNUAL INCREDIBULL GAMES
By Jane Owen
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
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Newsome High more students the School and Bloomingopportunity to serve. dale Senior High Bloomingdale PrinciSchool co-hosted the pal Marcos Rodriguez seventh annual Incresaid the partnership diBULL Games on Feballowed the event to ruary 24. The Incredouble the number diBULL Games are a of student volunteers Special Olympics field and club participaday event for middle tion. school and high school Newsome Principal students in Eastern Katie Rocha said she Hillsborough County. is proud the event had ‘Incredible’ hardly a positive impact on begins to describe the Newsome and Bloomingdale high schools young lives. co-hosted the seventh annual IncrediBULL moments of joy and “Our athletes were Games field day on February 24. connection at the Inable to experience crediBULL Games. amazing moments of “Our athletes and their joy and connection as they buddies have said this is competed, played games their favorite day of the and proudly represented year. The IncrediBULL their schools. Our student Games promotes incluvolunteers were given the sion and has built many opportunity to experience lasting friendships over the pure joy of helping anthe years,” said IncrediBother, which is an experiULL Games event coordience that will shape their nator Donna Hart. Bloomingdale Senior High School character as they move From the moment ath- Principal Dr. Marcos Rodriguez and into adulthood,” Rocha Newsome Principal Katie Rocha letes arrive at the games, said. excitement grows. at the annual IncrediBULL games, Both Rocha and Rodrihosted by Newsome this year. Cheerleaders and drumguez appreciate the unity lines from both high schools welcome the brought by the schools co-hosting the event. athletes as they got off their buses. The ath“Seeing all of our sports, clubs and athletes spend the day competing in track and letes collaborate to make this a memorable soccer and enjoying games and activities at event for students on our side of the county the ‘Olympic Village.’ Student volunteers, always puts a smile on my face. Working called buddies, are paired to spend time with Newsome to co-sponsor the games with athletes while they compete and have has created an opportunity for our commufun. nities to work together to support our stuThis year’s event at Newsome was the dents,” Rodriguez said. biggest yet with 475 athletes participatNewsome and Bloomingdale will continue ing from 16 schools and 850 student vol- to host the games, alternating locations on unteers. Hart said the partnership between a yearly basis. For more information about Bloomingdale and Newsome broadened the IncrediBULL Games, contact Hart at the community supporters and gave even donna.hart@hcps.net.
Come experience the thrill on Busch Garden’s newest ride, Serengeti Flyer. The park’s latest attraction, which opened recently, is the world’s tallest and fastest ride of its kind, providing riders with breathtaking views of the park’s expansive 65-acre Serengeti Plain. See Full Story in our Summer Guide Special Section
SPECIAL DAY AS SHAQ BARRETT AND UNITEDHEALTHCARE PARTNER TO BRING JOY TO A KID’S PLACE
By Jonathan Hurst
Tampa Bay BucPlans of Florida. caneers linebacker This joint effort Shaq Barrett recentallowed Barrett ly teamed up with and UnitedHealthUnitedHealthcare in care volunteers to order to provide fosgift 60 pairs of new ter children at A Kid’s shoes to the children Place of Tampa Bay at the January 24 Inc. (AKP) with new event. UnitedHealthathletic shoes, as well care also sponsored as an opportunity to activities and givehave a fun-filled day aways, including with the NFL star. face painting, cari“This isn’t the first cature artists, a photime we’ve worked tobooth, T-shirt art, with A Kid’s Place, rock climbing, drawand I am sure it won’t Shaq Barrett handing out sneakers to kids. string backpacks be our last. They do with small fun items, great work; their missnow cones, food and sion is pure, and just to a DJ, with Barrett onknow that these kids site playing the games have access to these reand having a great sources is amazing. My time with the kids. wife and I just want to “It was truly magical do what we can to help to see how the kids’ make things just a little eyes lit up as they enbetter for the kids, and joyed a moment of norwe are grateful to Unitmalcy. These children edHealthcare have been removed Delivering a message for working from unspeakable situof hope, Shaq Barrett with us on ations. For them to be speaks with the kids at this event,” able to create happy the event. Barrett said. memories as they heal Through from trauma is a true blessing,” said Brad this event, Gregory, CEO of A Kid’s Place of Tampa UnitedHealthcare was delivering the mes- Bay. sage that health care is not just about AKP is committed to doing what it can what happens inside a doctor’s office, as to aid children who were removed from 80 percent of what influences a person’s their home for their safety with a priority health is not connected to medical care. In of keeping siblings together. If you would the spirit of this, the goal of the event was like to help or gain more information, visit to help build the confidence of these kids https://akidsplacetb.org/. A Kid’s Place and get them active. of Tampa Bay is located at 1715 Lithia “For us at UnitedHealthcare, it’s about Pinecrest Rd. in Brandon. making sure basic daily needs are met. It is extremely important for children to be able to play and grow healthy. Shoes that are too tight can hamper walking, running TECO FAMILY BBQ ............................PG 3 and playing and cause problems. More, TRANSPORTATION UPDATE PG 6 having the right pair of shoes can boost ST. PATTY’S DAY PARTY ...............PG 11 confidence and encourage a healthier lifestyle,” explained Michael Lawton, CEO of EYE ON BUSINESS..........................PG 36 UnitedHealthcare Community and State SUMMER CAMP GUIDE ............... SEC 2
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