High school athletic teams named FHSAA academic champions<\/p>\n
TAMPA \u2013 Three Hillsborough high school athletic teams have been named Winter 2026 Academic Team Champions by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA).<\/p>\n
The FHSAA annually recognizes teams across the state with the highest cumulative grade point averages in their respective classifications, highlighting student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s HCPS honorees include:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Newsome High School Boys Soccer, which led Class 7A with a 3.66 cumulative team GPA<\/p>\n
\u2022 Plant High School Girls Soccer, earning the top spot in Class 6A with an impressive 3.827 cumulative team GPA<\/p>\n
\u2022 Plant High School Competitive Cheer, which topped Class 2A with a 3.847 cumulative team GPA<\/p>\n
\u201cThese recognitions reflect the hard work, discipline, and commitment of our student-athletes and the dedicated coaches and educators who support them every day,\u201d said Superintendent Van Ayres. \u201cBalancing rigorous academic expectations with the demand of athletics requires discipline, time management, and perseverance – skills that prepare our students not only for championships, but for life beyond high school.\u201d<\/p>\n
Veteran in need receives refurbished vehicle<\/p>\n
TAMPA \u2013 A Tampa veteran has received a \u201clife-changing\u201d gift of a car, thanks to the generosity of two area companies and a special program.<\/p>\n
Roosevelt McCullough, a U.S. Army veteran, received a refurbished 2019 Nissan Rouge on March 19 in a presentation at Caliber Collision in Tampa. The donation was made possible by the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides\u00ae program, vehicle donor GEICO and repair partner Caliber Collision.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis vehicle will be life-changing for me, I\u2019ll be able to do things I haven\u2019t done in a long time,\u201d said McCullough. \u201cI can still do things independent of my family. I can help my family instead of being the one that can\u2019t do things, now I\u2019ll be the one that can do anything. I thank Caliber, GEICO, and NABC Recycled Rides\u00ae from the bottom of my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n
His current vehicle has over 200,000 miles on it, smokes, leaks oil, and has electrical problems, making it unsafe and unreliable. Roosevelt often must borrow a vehicle or rely on friends to travel from Tampa to Orlando for medical appointments.<\/p>\n
GEICO, a Level One partner of the NABC, has donated more than 1,000 vehicles to people and organizations through NABC Recycled Rides\u00ae, making it the largest car donor partner of NABC Recycled Rides\u00ae.<\/p>\n
Caliber Collision, also a Level One partner, has donated more than 600 vehicles to military service members, veterans and other individuals in need of reliable transportation over the last 12 years.<\/p>\n
Since the inception of the NABC Recycled Rides\u00ae program in 2007, more than 3,750 vehicles valued at some $67 million have been donated.<\/p>\n
Planning council to help businesses prep for hurricanes<\/p>\n
The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council will hold several training sessions in coming weeks to help small businesses prepare for this year\u2019s hurricane season.<\/p>\n
The sessions will combine a realistic Category 5 hurricane video simulation with interactive tabletop training exercises.<\/p>\n
The TBRPC will host the sessions, known as \u201cProject Phoenix,\u201d from April 20 to May 1 in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, and Pinellas counties.<\/p>\n
Project Phoenix features a video simulation of a Category 5 hurricane making landfall in Tampa Bay, illustrating the storm\u2019s formation, impact, and devastating aftermath. The experience is paired with facilitated tabletop exercises that guide small business owners and emergency managers through real-world decision-making at every stage of disaster recovery, from immediate response to long-term rebuilding.<\/p>\n
The training is structured around four key recovery phases:<\/p>\n
\u2022 One day later: Immediate impacts and damage assessment<\/p>\n
\u2022 One week later: Short-term recovery operations<\/p>\n
\u2022 One to six months later: Long-term recovery planning<\/p>\n
\u2022 One year later: Full recovery and resilience building<\/p>\n
The program also integrates lessons learned from real business owners impacted by past hurricanes, including Helene and Milton, providing practical insights that can be applied before disaster strikes.<\/p>\n
The full-day tabletop training exercises will be held in each county for small businesses and local government staff:<\/p>\n
\u2022 April 20: Hillsborough County Children’s Board, 1002 E. Palm Ave., Tampa.<\/p>\n
\u2022 April 22: Pinellas EOC, 10750 Ulmerton Road, Largo<\/p>\n
\u2022 April 24: Manatee EOC, 2101 47th Terrace E., Bradenton<\/p>\n
\u2022 April 27: Pasco Sheriff’s Office, 10370 Charles Bo Harrison Way, Land O’Lakes<\/p>\n
\u2022 April 29 : Citrus EOC, 3549 Saunders Way, Lecanto<\/p>\n
\u2022 May 1: Hernando EOC, 18900 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville<\/p>\n