E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
What moms like best.
SEE PAGE 19
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FREE THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018
VOLUME 20, NO. 26
New helmets a hit
Lakewood Ranch High makes safety investment in concussion technology. SEE PAGE 15
YOUR TOWN
Amelia Hanks
Suits mom to a tea
Linda Adzanku and her daughter, Edinam Agudu (above), enjoyed the Mommy and Me Tea Party held May 9 at the Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch. The special event was put together to allow the students to show how much they appreciate their moms. Agudu is a prekindergarten student. Her class is taught by instructors Angela Deaton and Teresa Starling. The students made presents for their moms and sang them songs.
Jay Heater
Sherry Sonntag-Whorl, of Classic Glass Studios, capitalized on Lakewood Ranch’s growing arts scene April 26-28 at the Paragon Fine Art Festival.
MAKE ROOM FOR ART
Fine art and cultural offerings increase as Lakewood Ranch matures. SEE PAGE 3 Courtesy photo
Happy returns
Braden River High senior Rajvi Thakkar received a $500 scholarship from Alycia Brito, a 2010 graduate who returned to her alma mater April 30 to present the award on behalf of the Bower Family Foundation. Thakkar (above with Brito) had to submit an essay, prove her acceptance into an accredited college and have more than 150 documented service hours. The Bower Family Foundation honors a graduating senior who prioritizes civic engagement.
Does 4.0 make the grade? Courtesy photo
Mackenzie Grace took Advanced Placement classes over the years to keep her GPA high enough to be valedictorian at The Out-of-Door Academy.
High school seniors fight to rise above a number once considered perfection. SEE PAGE 8
A+E
Little mouse, big heart. INSIDE