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Seminole High principal earns regional honor

By LORRIE LYKINS
Published October 11, 2006

SEMINOLE - Seminole High School principal Rick Misenti was recently named outstanding high school principal of the year by the Florida Association of School Administrators and the Florida Department of Education. He took top honors in the district and the region for outstanding leadership in 2006.

Misenti, a 1976 graduate of Eckerd College, has been at the helm of Seminole High School since 2001 and employed by Pinellas County schools for 31 years.

"It's hard to believe. I feel old all of the sudden saying that," Misenti said last week.

In the six years that he has been at Seminole, things have changed greatly. Issues like the FCAT and school choice have presented challenges, he said.

"When I started, we had three school buses bringing students in every day. Now we have 21. We have students from the neighborhood and students from as far north as Tarpon Springs and from south St. Petersburg."

The enrollment at Seminole High School is 2,292.

Misenti said that although the recognition is gratifying, it really isn't about him.

"It's about the outstanding teachers and student body we have here. That may sound like fluff, but I mean it. It truly is an outstanding community."

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Oldies music will rock Seminole City Park's band shell Friday evening as Harmonix and the Diamonds take the stage at 6 p.m.

The city's 10th annual Music in the Park series will wind down six weeks of free outdoor concerts next week with a performance by country music group Wiley Fox.

Rain delayed the September kickoff of the fall series one week, extending the series to Oct. 20. The final two concerts will be held from 7-9 p.m. at Seminole City Park, 7464 Ridge Road.

Concertgoers should bring lawn chairs or blankets. Food and beverages will be on sale in the park; no alcohol or glass containers are permitted. Information: 727 391-8345.

* * *

The Seminole Garden Apartments Community Club will host a debate between Seminole Mayor Dottie Reeder and Janet Long, candidates for state representative for District 51, at 10 a.m. Oct. 18 at the Seminole Garden Apartments, 8275 113th St. The debate will be open to the public.

* * *

Seminole Recreation is starting a beginner's archery class for children ages 8-12 from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Fridays. Children must have a Seminole recreation card to participate. The fee is $5 per child per class. The archery class will meet on the soccer field of the Holland G. Mangum Recreation Complex, 9100 113th St. N. Information: Dan McKeag at (727) 391-8345.

* * *

Seniors are invited to attend an Oktoberfest luncheon 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Seminole Recreation Center, 9100 113th St. N. Items on the menu include roast pork with sauerkraut, hot potato salad, dessert, iced tea and coffee. Dick Jacoby will play the organ and sing songs from the 1930s and 1940s. No recreation card is required to attend the luncheon. The cost is $7; registration closes Friday. A screening of the movie Mrs. Doubtfire will follow lunch at 1:15 p.m.

Also, a luncheon cruise is planned for Oct. 26 aboard the 65-foot triple decker Show Queen Riverboat. The lunch buffet cruise starts at 11:30 a.m. and will cost $36. A Seminole recreation card is required to participate. Information: Dan McKeag at (727) 391-8345.

News for the Seminole Neighborhood Notebook may be e-mailed to sptimeslistings@yahoo.com or mailed to Lorrie Lykins, Seminole Neighborhood Notebook, P.O. Box 4954, Seminole, FL 33775.

[Last modified October 11, 2006, 07:07:46]