Hillsborough schools named tops for military families
TAMPA – Some 13 schools in Hillsborough County have been named tops in the state for their efforts to support students of military families.
The Florida Department Education designated the schools as Purple Star Schools of Distinction for the 2025 to 2028 school years. The Purple Star program honors schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families during school transitions and throughout their K–12 experience
The designation lasts three school years and recognizes campuses that provide targeted supports for military families and students—such as clear enrollment and records transfer processes, a designated military point of contact, and accessible information about school- and community-based resources.
The schools receiving the Purple Star designation are:
• Anderson Elementary School
• Ballast Point Elementary School
• Boyette Springs Elementary School
• Collins PreK-8 School
• Dawson Elementary School
• Lanier Elementary School
• Lennard High School
• Nelson Elementary School
• Newsome High School
• Orange Grove Middle Magnet School
• Stowers Elementary School
• • Tinker K-8 School
• York PreK-8 Innovation Academy
Boots, roots raise $8K for non-profit
TAMPA – The Cowboy Boots & Community Roots Helping Hands Happy Hour, hosted by the Centre Club in Tampa, recently raised $8,151 for Better Together.
The western-themed event on Oct. 9 consisted of cocktails, games, prize drawings and community. The evening was sponsored by Reliaquest Bowl.
Better Together works to prevent the need for foster care by supporting families in crisis, such as homelessness or a medical emergency. Better Together volunteer host families provide a safe, loving home for the children short term, while staff and mentors help the parents to find work, housing and other needs.
In addition to community job fairs, the program offers job seekers coaching, guidance, support and encouragement through local church partners. For more information, visit BetterTogetherUS.org.
USF cybersecurity program expands access
TAMPA – A University of South Florida certificate program designed to help address the critical shortage of trained cybersecurity professionals is expanding. The courses are being offered to an additional 400 military veterans, first responders and public-sector professionals for free, while other individuals can access the program for a fee.
Backed by an initial $2 million federal investment secured by U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, the InfoSec Governance, Risk and Compliance Analyst program has already provided intensive cybersecurity training to 250 employees statewide.
The six-week online certificate program equips participants with advanced skills in cybersecurity risk management, regulatory compliance and incident prevention.
Priority registration is provided to military veterans, first responders and public-sector professionals. It is open to the public for a fee. Application information can be found at https://tinyurl.com/3rm6h2fy. The deadline is Dec. 19.
According to Lightcast, there are more than 7,000 information security analyst job openings in Florida.
Arts network to premiere ‘Inside the Scam’ series
TAMPA – The Tampa Bay Arts & Education Network (TBAE) is airing a new, six-part original series, “Inside the Scam.” The show is a direct response to the growing number of scams targeting residents, particularly the senior population, in Hillsborough County.
The series is a collaborative effort made possible by funding from Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa, and produced in partnership with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
“Inside the Scam” is designed to protect the community by shedding light on the tactics used by scammers. Each episode is a low-stress, informative look into a different type of scam, equipping viewers with the knowledge they need to spot red flags and avoid becoming a victim. The show is hosted by Kim Droege, from the popular TBAE show Connecting with Kim, and features the expert insights of Hillsborough County Master Deputy Jeff Merry.
The series can be viewed on demand at watch.tbae.net or on cable via Spectrum Channel 636 and Verizon/Frontier Channel 34.
SPC, Wells Fargo aid entrepreneurs through Grow Your Business
St. Petersburg College (SPC), supported by a Wells Fargo Foundation grant, has successfully concluded its Grow Your Business 8-week program, designed to provide entrepreneurs with the tools, strategies and confidence to scale their businesses and achieve measurable growth.
The program combined business fundamentals with hands-on training in financial planning, market research, AI applications and digital marketing. Participants engaged with a diverse range of experts — including business leaders, legal and tax professionals and SPC faculty — who provided practical, real-world guidance.
Participants gained an average of eight to 17 new clients and achieved revenue growth ranging from 20 to 40%, with some businesses experiencing peak increases of up to 86%, SPC said in a press release.
Businesses also streamlined scheduling, financial management and staff processes with new tools and strategies, and entrepreneurs mastered digital marketing, AI applications and business planning, while also strengthening confidence, clarity and communication skills.
Graduates expanded their teams, secured external funding, opened new markets — including Orlando, New York City and online — and built the foundation for future scaling.
With a $500 stipend, participants applied lessons directly to their businesses, funding social media campaigns, website upgrades, premium packaging and employee incentives.
For more information about upcoming entrepreneurial programs at SPC, visit https://tinyurl.com/4a43rny4
Duffels of Dignity gets record donations
Hillsborough County’s Duffels of Dignity program is marking three years of providing hope, comfort, and dignity to local children in the foster care system. The anniversary also marked a record-breaking month for donations.
Launched in October 2022, Duffels of Dignity began as a simple idea: to replace the trash bags that many children in foster care use to carry their belongings with duffel bags filled with essential hygiene items and personal care products. Since launching, Duffels of Dignity has collected 5,587 duffel bags and suitcases and helped thousands of children in foster care and those experiencing trauma.
Donors and volunteers to the program during the past year included:
• During the 2025 International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Conference in Tampa, Duffels of Dignity was selected as the official service project.
• Thanks to a generous donation from Tampa Electric (TECO), volunteers were able to fill more than 300 duffels with personal hygiene items for local foster youth.
• The Sewing Group at Arise Church in Brandon created and donated 25 handmade quilts that will be distributed to children entering foster care.
• Local nonprofit Madi’s Movement picked up and distributed duffels to young adults ages 16-25 aging out of the foster care system.
What started as a county initiative led by Children’s Services has evolved into a collaborative effort between public agencies, faith-based organizations, and residents. Community members and organizations interested in supporting Duffels of Dignity can learn more at HCFL.gov/DuffelsOfDignity. Donations of new or gently used duffel bags and personal care items are always welcome.