Brandon/Winthrop
April 2024 Volume 19, Issue 4
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CELEBRATING 22 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
LEADERSHIP BRANDON CELEBRATES 40 YEARS BLOOM GIRLS CLUB AT BRANDON HIGH OF BUILDING COMMUNITY INFLUENCERS ENCOURAGES LEADERSHIP, MENTORSHIP By Libby Hopkins
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The Leadership begin on September Brandon Program 6, 2024,” said Aaron. has worked to “We also have two identify and deremarkable leadvelop civic-minders: Suzy Gay with ed leaders in our SouthState Bank as community with our class chair and insight and access Sunni Moreno with of community opAfter Glow Aestheterations through ics & Wellness as eight months of class co-chair.” Leadership DeGay, vice president velopment Days, and commercial rewhich include a lationship manager series of activities, of SouthState Bank, seminars, tours is thrilled to be the and interactive The Leadership Brandon Program has worked current chair for the presentations that to identify and develop civic-minded leaders 2025 class. nurture business re- throughout our community with insight and “I am honored to access on community operations. lationships, improve serve as the chair for community awareness and strengthen the class of 2025 and am excited to see the leadership abilities. program refreshed,” Gay said. “I believe in “Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the effectiveness of this program and how our flagship Leadership Brandon Pro- it inspires positive change and elevates gram is an incredible milestone, one that the Brandon community. My hopes for the makes me extremely proud to be leading 2025 Leadership Class of Brandon are to the Brandon Chamber to witness the pro- cultivate a dynamic group of individuals gram’s evolution over four decades shap- who are passionate about driving positive ing leaders, fostering growth and making change within our community.” an impact on our community,” said the Leadership Brandon is open to emerging Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce’s leaders from diverse professional backexecutive vice president, Amber Aar- grounds, including entrepreneurs, execuon. “I’m also grateful for our Leadership tives’ mid-level managers and community Alumni members, business representa- advocates. Applications are available now. tives, nonprofits and agencies that have “As we mark this significant anniversacontinued to support the program. Be- ry, I’m filled with excitement for the future ing part of this journey for 20 years as of Leadership Brandon,” Aaron said. “We a chamber professional and seeing indi- stand on a foundation built on excellence, viduals transform through the program’s empowering leaders, driving change and ripple effect on both their personal and making a difference in our community. My professional levels is rewarding.” hopes are that this class embrace makAfter the pandemic, the class size has ing lifelong connections and use the tools been significantly smaller and some of the they’ve learned to give back and serve their key visit sites were unavailable for tours. community.” “This year, we have an amazing planning If you’d like to learn more about Leadteam of Leadership Brandon Alumni from ership Brandon or be a part of the 2025 several different class years working to class, you can visit the chamber’s webrecruit new applicants and plan the best site at www.brandonchamber.com or call experiences for the 2025 Class that will 813-689-1221.
AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
By Madeline Gardner
From counselling club.org/events/ to a friendly smile, bloom-gala. Sasha Fowler recAdmission to ognizes that not the BLOOM Gala only are the needs includes appetizof every high school ers, a full dinner, student different, and entertainbut also it often ment. The event is only takes a willing set to include sevhand to begin makeral female guest ing a difference in The BLOOM Girls Club offers a series of field trips to speakers, one of their lives. In fact, its members throughout the year, the most recent of which is a 2022-23 which was to Bonnet Springs Park. she believes that graduate of Branthe key to boosting don High School GPAs and improving and former member classroom attendance of BLOOM; currentis linked to providing ly a student at the a safe and supportive University of North space for students. Florida, she will be While Fowler had discussing her own begun teaching at success story during Brandon High School the event. in 2017, she foundOne senior will ed BLOOM Girls Club also be awarded Inc. at the school with a scholarship during the 2020-21 school at this event. Submitted apyear. BLOOM Girls Club is a plications were evaluated nonprofit dedicated to proby Fowler and a panel that viding female students with included one teacher, one community service opportustudent success coach and nities, leadership conferences one administrator to seand career-planning sessions, lect a senior club member. both to recognize and prepare these girls Additionally, other awards recognizing for the next stage of their lives. While the community service hours and high GPAs club began with six students, this year will be presented to members during the the club has 67 girls on its roster. ceremony. “Now, BLOOM Girls Club is at a place Thrilled at all that the BLOOM Girls where we’re doing summer leadership re- Club has accomplished during the last treats. We are doing three to four field four school years, Fowler remains thanktrips a year,” said Fowler. “… We also do ful of the role she continues to play in her monthly sisterhood events, so it’s an op- students’ lives. portunity for every girl to really embrace For more information, please visit our diversity, our backgrounds, our differ- www.bloomgirlsclub.org. ent paths that we’re on and come together and just have a good time.” To ensure these opportunities remain accessible to its members, the BLOOM BRANDON POSTMASTER .. .............PG 3 Girls Club is hosting its first annual MOTORING TAMPA BAY..................PG 5 BLOOM Gala on Sunday, May 19, from LEAGUE OF FINE ARTS...................PG 6 5-9 p.m. The event will be held at the Winthrop Barn Theatre located at 11349 SUMMER CAMP.....................SECTION 2 Bloomingdale Ave. in Riverview. Tickets EYE ON BUSINESS..........................PG 34 are available online at www.bloomgirls-
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Special Edition Section 2 It’s that time of year… Have you thought about your calenSee Our Summer Camp dar and how you will keep your children busy and engaged Guide On Pages during the summer months? Trying to narrow down options that appeal to your children’s interests can be a challenge. See Section 2 for a lisitng of local camps in our area!
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