News Briefs 03.05.26 | Plant City Observer

Dreams Come True at the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Summer Youth Fire Academy

Many teenagers have imagined working as a first responder, fighting fires, saving lives, and being recognized as a community hero. And parents have dreamed of seeing their son or daughter in uniform, working in a noble profession.

Those dreams can come true through the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Foundation 2026 Alan D. Anderson Summer Youth Fire Academy, where students learn all about the role of being a firefighter.

Hillsborough County students ages 14 to 18 have until March 27 to apply for the two-week summer program.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue instructors will teach students hands-on lessons and detail the multiple roles that firefighters have in their jobs.

The program curriculum includes fire ground operations, use of firefighting bunker gear, aerial ladder climbs, search and rescue, forcible entry, rappelling and knots, water safety, CPR and first aid, and the history of the fire service. 

Applicants must be high school students or graduating seniors between the ages of 14 and 18. A panel will review applications and make final selections based on class size.

The 2026 academy is Monday, June 8, to Friday, June 19. A mandatory orientation will be held on Saturday, May 23.

The academy is a free program, courtesy of the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Foundation. Lunch, snacks, water, and sports drinks are provided each day, in addition to uniform shirts, pants, boots, a belt, and a hat. Transportation is not provided.

Applicants must submit their applications by 5:00 p.m. on March 27. Along with the application, students must submit a personal essay and include two letters of recommendation. Only virtual applications are accepted.

Learn more and apply virtually by visiting HCFL.gov.SYFA.

East Hillsborough Art Guild Fine Art Show Exhibit Winners 2026

Best in Show Adult:

L-12 Tifane Worsley

Best in Show Youth:

S-4 Alani Jackson

Strawberry Theme:

L-3 Anna Shermerhorn

ADULT DIVISIONS

Division A – Professional Oils

1st – A-15 Katie Michelle

2nd – A-11 Alan Metzger

3rd – A-2 Heather Jo Esposito

4th – A-5 Estrella Olivas

Division B – Professional Acrylics

1st – B-24 Sue Downes Allen

2nd – B-10 Paul DuJat

3rd – B-18 Sheryl Phelps

4th – B-9 Danny Lewis

Division C – Professional Watercolor

1st – C-8 Meletha Everett

2nd – C-1 Deborah Biasetti

3rd – C-6 Sandra Lallemand

4th – C-5 Roxanne Tobaison

Division D – Prof. Graphics/Pastels

1st – D-10 Sheryl Unwin

2nd – D-9 Mary Worsley

3rd – D-7 Dave Letterfly

4th – D-2 Douglas Steinbarger

Division E – Prof. Mixed Media

1st – E-2 Beth Smedley

2nd – E-5 Sherry Ross

3rd – E-3 Hetal Kanani

Division H – Amateur Oils

1st – H-1 Barbara Tudek

2nd – H-7 Joyce Owens

3rd – H-4 John Paul Jones

4th – H-2 Lisa Herget

Division I – Amateur Acrylics

1st – I-5 Sondra Pryor

2nd – I-22 Marie Schadt

3rd – I-21 Yurley Jaimes

4th – I-12 Carolyn McBride

Division J – Amateur Watercolors

1st – J-8 Carla Dennard

2nd – J-9 Mari Spainhoward

3rd – J-4 Lisa Echols

4th – J-10 Diane Smeed

Division K – Amateur Graphic/Pastels

1st – K-12 Martha Cannon

2nd – K-5 Janet Goldman

3rd – K-1 Susan K. Smith

4th – K-13 Alana Brown

Division L -Mixed Media

1st – L-9 Janet Elaine Kirby

2nd – L-10 Michael Crumley

3rd – L-11 Katelin Crumley

4th – L-7 Regina Belli

Division M – Adult Miniature Art

1st – M-12 Evonne Miller

2nd – M-1 Melody Townsend

3rd – M-8 Wayne Chunat

4th – M-3 Chris Klein

YOUTH DIVISIONS

Division R – Youth ages 16-17

1st 0 R-10 Roberto De La Rosa

2nd – R-2 Breanna

Division R – Youth ages 16-17

1st – R-10 Roberto De La Rosa

2nd – R-2 Breanna Maynor

3rd – R-3 Arianna Cortez Orando

4th – R-1 Avery Marchetti

Division S– Youth ages 14-15

1st – S-21 Subbang Jha

2nd – S-1 Reed Walker

3rd – S-22 Ellis Wolfe

4th – S-6 Sarah Feldmeyer

Division T – Youth ages 12-13

1st – T-3 Sai Ria Sridhay

2nd – T-14 Ishanni Sabniveesu

3rd – T-4 Nishant Navuluri

4th – T-9 Atiksh Mishra

Division U – Youth ages 10-11

1st – U-4 Katelyn Ballard

2nd – U-17 Melissa Petty

3rd – U-13 Urvi Kalmady

4th – U-15 Surya Venumula

Division V – Youth ages 8-9

1st – V-20 Sriyanvi Sabniveesu

2nd – V-13 Maanvi Samala

3rd – V-11 Pranav Ganesh

4th – V-7 Jiya Tadalaru

Division W – Youth ages 6-7

1st – W-4 Cody Chen

2nd – W-3 Pradhyumna Collur

3rd – W-7 Aanya Nandur

4th – W-2 Meher BhallSponsored Award

Sponsored Award “Business Leader’s Choice”

• Tony Lee/State Farm: L-10 Winner:

Michael Crumley

• Jarrett Scott Ford: L-12 Winner:

Tifane Worsley

• Arts Council of Plant City: I-17

Winner: Melinda Tew-Cantrell

• Unity in the Community: I-19 Winner:

Melinda Tew-Cantrell

• Plant City Entertainment: I-13 Winner:

Carolyn McBride

• Osprey Observer: C-6 Winner:

Sandra Lallaman

• O’Brien’s Irish Pub: A-5 Winner:

Estrella Olivas

• On-Point IT Solutions: I-30 Winner:

Jennifer Milone

• On-Point Co-Work Space: V-16 Winner:

Maanvi Samala