Riverview/Apollo Beach
7
December 2022
Volume 20, Issue 12
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
LIBRARY CELEBRATES 4 YEAR OLD WHO READS MORE THAN 2,000 BOOKS
DANCING FOR A DIFFERENCE OWNER WINS MISS RIVERVIEW, GOES ON TO COMPETE FOR MISS FLORIDA
By Brad Stager
On a mission to present at the Valripair her investment co FishHawk Chamin the arts with her ber’s Midday Power love for her commuHour sessions on nity, Sara Battaglia, Wednesday, Defounder and owncember 14 and 21 er of Dancing for from 11 a.m.-12 a Difference, is no Noon. Receiving stranger to the idea further support of making a differfrom the surroundence and helping ing community, she fulfill the dreams of has also secured others. Achieving sponsorship from one of her own goals local businesses on October 18, BattSatin & Lace Bridal With strong ties to her community, Sara Battaglia’s aglia was awarded Boutique and Flowthe title of Miss Riv- evening gown for the Miss Florida pageant is sponsored er Me Tampa Décor by Satin & Lace Bridal Boutique and Flower Me Tampa erview, an honor she and Rentals for her Décor and Rentals. earned without prior evening gown. pageant experience. Continuing her work “I saw it as a fun oplocally and setting her portunity and a good sights on all that is to way to give back to my come, Battaglia recommunity more than I mains optimistic that already do,” said Batther efforts encourage aglia. “I will be availothers to follow their able to the community dreams and explore to volunteer and help Sara Battaglia is both the founder and director new interests. of Dancing for a Difference in Brandon. wherever needed.” “Hopefully, it will inWith a history of spire young girls and helping her students prepare for their own boys that they will be able to do whatever pageants, Battaglia began her journey by fill- they set their minds to,” said Battaglia. “And ing out an online form with information about even though you don’t necessarily have exher education as well as accomplishments to perience in something, there’s always a first the Girlbossing Inc. Florida USA Organization. time for everything, and you should try it if Battaglia received her sash shortly after her that’s what you want to do.” acceptance of the Miss Riverview USA title. To learn more about Battaglia’s mission at The core responsibility of holding this po- Dancing for a Difference, visit https://dancsition is to maintain an active presence in ing4adifference.com/, call 813-601-3009 or the area, a duty that allows Battaglia to be- email dance4donations@gmail.com. Dancing come involved in opportunities such as help- for a Difference is located at 1076 E. Brandon ing #HashtagLunchbag feed the homeless in Blvd., Ste. 109 in Brandon. downtown Tampa. Battaglia has since also More info about her participation in the volunteered with Small but Mighty Heroes, Miss Riverview and Miss Florida pageants an organization that works with children and can be found on her Instagram page at www. families dealing with childhood cancer, and instagram.com/mypointeofview. the Great American Teach-In at DeSoto Elementary School, a program Dancing for a Difference has participated in for the past four years. BARRINGTON FFA WINS ............... PG 3 While devoting her time to these projects, Battaglia has also worked towards finaliz- OUR LADY’S PANTRY ....................... PG 4 ing preparations for the weekend of May EYE ON BUSINESS ................PGS 25-26 12 through May 14, 2023, when the Miss ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ........PG 37 Florida pageant officially begins. To acquire HOLIDAY EVENTS ............................PG 41 more practice in public speaking, she will be
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For all the highto read that day,” tech gadgetry Corinne said, and that people use to she added that this learn and stay inis not the first time formed, 4-year-old Lian has completed Liandromeda Sterthe thousand book nemann has emprogram and that braced the printed her participation word to a degree continues. that doubles a naThe 1,000 Books tional reading goal Foundation is a nonfor pre-kindergartprofit public charieners. ty that works with The 1,000 Books like-minded partBefore Kinderners to promote garten national literacy through reading campaign various programs Liandromeda Sternemann displays her certifoperates through and reading chalicate of completion in the 1,000 Books Before participating lolenges. Its website cal libraries to en- Kindergarten initiative at SouthShore Regional provides tips on enLibrary in Ruskin. courage literacy couraging reading in young children, at an early age. It from infants to also breaks down toddlers. Lian has what might seem read more than to be a formidable 2,000 books as a goal to what can participant in the program’s current cam- be achieved by reading one book a day. paign. While there are developmental rea- Such a book-a-day approach means the sons to encourage reading by kids, Lian thousand book goal can be reached within said her purpose is more straightforward three years. and routine. Andrew Breidenbaugh, director of li“I love books. I read every day,” she said, brary services for Hillsborough County, adding that spending time with books has said it is worth the effort to pick up a been beneficial and joyful. “They are fun book. stories. I learn about stuff.” “When children spend time with books, Reading to and with children is an im- this exposes them to the text and images portant piece of the thousand books that will become the backbone of lifelong program and Lian appreciates mother learning. It also promotes reading and Corinne’s involvement when reading fa- builds quality family time,” Breidenbaugh vorites like Pete the Cat and Hello World! said. “Mom makes funny noises,” Lian said. You can find out more about Tampa-HillAccording to Corinne, encouraging sborough County Public Library’s 1,000 reading can start with having books with- Books Before Kindergarten program by in easy reach of a child’s curious mind. visiting the Hillsborough County Public “We have books everywhere; living Library Cooperative’s website at https:// room table, dining room, and two book- hcplc.bibliocommons.com/ and the 1,000 shelves in Lian’s room, not to mention the Books Foundation’s website at https:// kitchen table and wherever else we decide 1000booksbeforekindergarten.org/.
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By Madeline Gardner
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