Post Your Comments for 2013 Graduates

It's an annual tradition for family members and friends to give heartfelt shout-outs to graduates before, during and after commencement exercises. Add your posts to this year's chorus of voices saying, "Good job, graduate. Life await

Graduation Season Kicks Off Today (May 3)

Congratulate your graduates, the 2013 graduation season begins today, May 3, with commencement exercises at Hillsborough Community College and the University of South Florida. Hillsborough public schools follow suit later this month and next.

Durant Girls Softball Upset by Palm Harbor's Lady Hurricanes

Palm Harbor University High's Lady Hurricanes beat the defending state champion Durant High Cougars 1-0 in Tuesday evening's regional semi-finals.

Deadline Friday to Apply for School Choice

Students have until May 3 to apply for school choice, a magnet school or career and technical education program.

Brandon Wrestlers Named InterMat High School All-Americans

Two Brandon wrestlers add to their list of accomplishments.

Who Is Angela Slater? Why Should Brandon Take Note?

Angela Slater was recognized at the April 2013 Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce meeting, at the membership luncheon sponsored by the Riverview High School Athletic Booster Club. Her achievement took root in Brandon.

Gone Too Soon, Megan Carpenter Remembered

The Plant City community paid tribute to cancer victim Megan Carpenter at the 2013 Plant City Relay For Life. Carpenter was a student at Plant City High School when cancer struck.

Here's a Fun Earth Day Project for the Kids

These "Earth Day Zombies" were created by the students at the Brandon, Riverview and SouthShore Montessori Schools.

Cancer Fighters 'Pause and Reflect' at HCC Relay For Life Booth

Team members from Hillsborough Community College again crafted an impressive booth at the Brandon Relay For Life. As always, the display featured messages of hope and prevention and pleas for support.

Volunteers Talk About Why They Relay For Life

The 2013 Brandon Relay For Life was held April 5-6 at Brandon High School.

King Student Receives 2013 Patricia B. Odiorne Scholarship

The scholarship named posthumously for Patricia B. Odiorne, an early supporter of the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association, was given this year to a King High School Student and Brandon resident.

Video: Principal Practices What He Preaches

Riverview High School Principal Robert "Bob" Heilmann talks about the "culture of giving" as he celebrates with students and staff their national School Blood Drive Award.

Cancer Fighters Gearing Up for 2013 Brandon Relay For Life

The 2013 Brandon Relay For Life kicks off 6 p.m. April 12 at Brandon High School. Donations for the six Relays in Eastern Hillsborough County top $300,000.

Brandon Kiwanians Ready for Charity Poker Run

The April 6 "Kickstands for Kids" fundraiser at Uncle Mike's Smokehouse Grill aims to benefit Kiwanis youth programs in local schools and the Joshua House. The Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon event is not just for motorcycle riders.

2013-14 Hillsborough County School Calendar Released

What's the first day of school? What days do students get off for winter and spring breaks and holidays? Key dates for the 2013-14 school year for the School District of Hillsborough County have been released.

Lawsuit Dismissed Over Disabled Student's Death

Isabella Herrera, 7, who suffered from a neuromuscular disorder, died when she stopped breathing on the way to Sessums Elementary School.

Brandon Resident to Attend Medical School on Army's Dime

The first-general college graduate will attend medical school at the University of South Florida.

Girl Scouts Get Inside Look at Firefighting

Girl Scouts recently visited the Providence Road Fire Station.

Jeremy Rosado Set To Release Single Online, CD at Nativity

It's been an eventful year since Jeremy Rosado was voted off "American Idol" as a Top 13 finisher. He's set to release his first single, "Don't Be Afraid," on iTunes and Amazon and then his CD, at the Nativity Catholic

Jeremy Rosado To Perform, Judge at Riverview Idol Finals Tonight

The Riverview Idol contest at Riverview High School returns for a final round tonight, March 19, with a live band and Valrico's 2012 "American Idol" Top 13 finisher Jeremy Rosado set to perform and judge.

Hillsborough Educator Winners To Be Named March 28

The winners for the Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator, Teacher of the Year and Support Employee of the Year will be announced.

2013 Riverview Idol: Top 10 Contestants Advance

The Riverview Idol contest at Riverview High School returns for a second round Tuesday, March 5. See who advanced to the Top 10 round of competition.

Authors' Museum Returns to Bell Shoals Baptist Academy on March 1

The Authors' Museum at Bell Shoals Baptist Academy in Brandon returns for a third year as a celebration for the written word and as a showcase for student talent. The community at large is invited to attend.

'American Idol' Contestant Jeremy Rosado To Judge, Perform at Riverview Idol

Riverview High's Riverview Idol begins tonight, Feb. 26, with three nights of competition scheduled before a crown is earned. At the final round in March, Jeremy Rosado of Valrico, a 2012 Top 13 "American Idol" finisher, will both perform

Florida Lags Behind on Offering School Breakfast to Low-Income Children

The Food Research and Action Center in Washington, D.C., reports that only 47 out of 100 low-income children in Florida receive breakfast at school.

Blog Spotlight: Children Invited to Join Tampa Liberty School During Spring Break

The Tampa Liberty School will be held March 11-15 at Bell Shoals Baptist Church.

Brandon Wrestlers Immortalized at Beef 'O' Brady's on Kings Avenue

Up the road from Brandon High School, the original Beef 'O' Brady's restaurant on Kings Avenue pays tribute to the school's storied wrestling team and its individual state champions.

Local Senior Shows Thespians Care With Special Blake Performance

Emily Di Monaco, a senior at the performing arts magnet school program at Blake High School, is behind the D9 Cares! effort to support the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids initiative. The show features the talents of local high school thespian troupes.

Durant High Thespians to Present 'Grease'

The high school will stage the musical Feb. 14-16.

Changes Coming to Bright Futures Scholarships?

Greater Brandon area families who are counting on this state program to help fund college dreams might find the rules of the game changing soon.

2012-13 Reflections Contest Winners Recognized for Creative Talent

The full list of students recognized in this year's Reflections contest run by the Hillsborough County Council PTA/PTSA notes more than 30 students from Eastern Hillsborough County schools.

King High Student, Brandon Resident Wins Leaders 4 Life Fellowship

Ben Carpenter will receive a $10,000 scholarship for each of the four years he attends college.

HCC Scores High on Mid-Year Accreditation Review

Hillsborough Community College reports "the strongest possible outcome" on its fifth-year interim review from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Teacher Honored for Helping Youngsters Manage Money

Stacey P. Hirn, a fourth-grade teacher at FishHawk Elementary School, is a finalist for the Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year award.

'No-Zone' Driving: Teens Taught to 'Share the Road' Safely With Big Trucks

Florida Highway Patrol troopers, aided by professional truck drivers, visited Hillsborough County public high schools to demonstrate to teen drivers how best to share the road safely with big-truck drivers. Durant High School participated.

This Week's Brandon School Lunch Menu

To make life easier for Brandon parents, we publish the latest school menus for you each week.

Teacher of the Year Finalist Reacts to ‘Surprise Patrol' Announcement

A Patch slice-of-life video captures the moment a local high school teacher learns she is one of seven finalists for the Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year award.

2013 'Excellence in Education' Awards: 17 Finalists Surprised at Local Schools

"Surprise patrols" visited Hillsborough public schools this month to announce the finalists for the Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year, Instructional Support Employee of the Year and Teacher of the Year.

Brandon Wrestlers Take Ippolito Tournament Crown

Brandon wrestlers hosted and won the 29th annual Tony Ippoltio Memorial Tournament at Brandon High School this weekend, under hear coach Russ Cozart.

Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator Finalist Named at Progress Village Middle Magnet

The principal of Progress Village Middle Magnet School joined the "surprise patrol" at his school Jan. 18 to announce that his school's Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year had been selected as a 2013 finalist for the countywide co