Hometown

By Times Staff Writer
Published September 23, 2007

High Fives

Karen Wilcox of Springstead High School has received national recognition for outstanding performance in education from Renaissance Learning in Wisconsin.

Wilcox was awarded "Reading Model Classroom" honors by the company. Recertification indicates that Wilcox's efforts to adopt Renaissance's best classroom practices have resulted in measurable improvements in student performance.

To receive recertification, an educator must demonstrate that students are maintaining high-quality practice for a minimum of 12 weeks. In addition, educators must be actively working with individual students to meet Renaissance-recommended standards and be helping each student work at the level that promotes the most growth.

In addition to national recognition, Wilcox will receive a certificate in recognition of class-wide achievement, more opportunities for professional development and other benefits to share with the class and school.

Renaissance Learning Inc. is a leading provider of computerized assessment and progress monitoring tools for prekindergarten through grade 12.

Clubs and Organizations

The Humane Society of the Nature Coast has been awarded a grant from the PETCO Foundation for the benefit of homeless pets at the Humane Society care center.

The grant will be used for the microchipping of all pets at the Humane Society as part of its intake and examination process. The PETCO Foundation supports the 24PetWatch microchipping program, in which chips are detectable by universal scanners.

The PETCO Foundation is making the protection possible for adoptable pets at the Humane Society of the Nature Coast at no cost to the shelter, enabling the shelter's funds to be used for other pet care expenses. For information about the program, contact Joanne Schoch, executive director of the Humane Society of the Nature Coast, at 796-2711.

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The Kiwanis Club of Spring Hill invited member James Aten to speak at the weekly luncheon meeting July 24 at the Lake House in Spring Hill.

The topic of Aten's talk was "IRA Rollovers." Aten is the vice president for investments at Raymond James & Associates, 4345 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. His presentation focused on IRA charitable rollovers, covered under the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

The talk was followed by questions and answers. Aten can be reached at 597-8625. For Kiwanis Club of Spring Hill information, call Beverly Reso at 683-7668.

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The Hernando County Commission recognized Alex Ruoff on Aug. 14 for his accomplishments on and off the basketball court.

Ruoff made his mark at Central High School: academically by graduating with a 3.7 grade-point average; and athletically by being named the St. Petersburg Times All Citrus/Hernando Player of the Year, by winning the Adidas 3-Point Shootout event at the Florida Senior Showcase All-Star Weekend in Orlando, and by being ranked one of the top 50 Florida senior basketball players.

Ruoff accepted a full scholarship to West Virginia University, and as a freshman appeared in 21 basketball games helping the Mountaineers to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

During his sophomore year, Ruoff was named part of the 2006-07 ESPN Academic All-District II Men's Basketball team for maintaining a 3.85 grade-point average while starting every game. He led his team to win the 2007 Mastercard National Invitational Tournament in Madison Square Garden in New York City.

In addition, Ruoff was recruited and represented the United States in the Athletes in Action International Jones Cup Tournament in Taiwan. The commissioners stated that they wished to memorialize his name and commemorate his efforts for posterity.

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The Hernando County Commission honored coach Walter Cermak on Aug. 14 with a resolution.

Having coached 21 years at Hernando High School, Cermak inspired student athletes to excel with discipline, devotion and love. He coached the Lady Leopards basketball team beginning in 1981 with a 12-13 season, the only losing one he would have for the next 18 years.

Cermak concluded his coaching career with 15 20-win seasons, 12 conference titles, seven district championships, five regional final appearances and two regional crowns.

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[Last modified September 22, 2007, 21:08:11]