All posts by Elise Cruz

Current Gazette

Bloomingdale HS PTSA Hosts “Create with Kindness” Digital Safety Event

Bloomingdale Senior High School will host a community-focused digital safety event on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
 
Organized by the Bloomingdale High School PTSA, the “Create with Kindness” program aims to bring students, families, and educators together to have real conversations about life online.
 
The event is part of the National PTA’s PTA Connected initiative, a collaboration with TikTok that focuses on improving digital literacy, safety, and well-being for students. Through open discussions and shared experiences, attendees will explore how technology shapes communication, behavior, and relationships in today’s world.
 
Families who attend can expect interactive conversations about online experiences, along with practical tools to help set healthy digital boundaries and promote safer online habits. Students will also play an active role by sharing their own perspectives, giving parents and caregivers insight into what navigating the digital world actually looks like for teens today.
 
The event is open to PTSA members, school leaders, staff, students, and families, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in supporting students both inside and outside the classroom. Food and beverages will be provided by the PTSA.
Current Gazette

Lights, Laughter, Legacy: Bloomingdale High crowns prom king and queen at memorable night of celebration

Students from Bloomingdale Senior High School gather for an unforgettable prom night filled with music, dancing and celebration, ending in the crowning of seniors Yezlyn Decastro and Curtis Lang as prom queen and king.

The evening brought together classmates for a night many described as more than just a dance. For Decastro, the experience carried a deeper meaning.

“It was the music, the lights, and dancing endlessly with the people who mean everything to me,” Decastro said. “It was laughter, joy, and living in a moment that felt like it would never end. And being chosen as prom queen made it even more special, not because of the title, but because it came from the people around me. That kind of love is something I’ll never forget.”

Lang echoed the excitement of the night, noting how the energy grew after the announcement.

“Prom was exciting and more fun than I expected, but it got even better when Yezlyn and I won king and queen,” Lang said. “I know she was happy about it, but I think that’s what really set the party off later because after that it was like one of the best movie scenes ever.”

Faculty members also reflected on what the winners represented to the student body. Chef Jordan Hoffner said the pair’s popularity reflects their character and authenticity.

“I think both of them winning together speaks to their character as friends and as individuals,” Hoffner said. “They are loved across the board—athletics, academics, socially. It proves not fitting into stereotypes is the move for success because people are drawn to that individuality. That is what Curtis and Yezlyn are.”

As the night came to a close, students left with lasting memories of a celebration defined not only by tradition but also by connection, school spirit, and the shared experience of a milestone event.

Archived Gazettes

BNA Briefs

Event Updates

With the new year in full swing, we’re looking to update how we get the word out about our increased visibility in the neighborhood. Check out the Events tab on the left hand side of the navigation to see our full roster of events, and come back often as we update regularly!

Service Hours for Students

If you’re looking for a little help within your organization and want to offer service hours, make sure to reach out to Mindy Edgeman at Bloomingdale High School. She can help navigate you through the process so our students get the hours they need for Florida Bright Futures, and you get the most assistance from our Bloomingdale students.

Make Your Voice Heard

It’s no secret there’s a lot of changes going on in our next of the woods. Stay abreast of what’s happening through our monthly meetings, where we invite those in the community to hear proposed intiatives from guest speakers, find out new events, and talk to our BNA board. We’re here to serve, and would love to have you with us on this journey!

Road Closures? Know Before You Go

Keep tabs on which roads are open and closed as the county begins construction on the new water pipeline. You can find closure dates and more information at https://southhillsboroughpipeline.com/

Archived Gazettes

BNA News

March 7 / Tastes & Treasures with our friendly Bunny Visit! / Campo Family YMCA / 11 am – 3 pm

March 24 / BNA Monthly Meeting / 7 p.m. / Bloomingdale Regional Library

April 1 / BNA Scholarships Applications DUE / Online at Bloomingdale.Life

April 25 / Tastes & Treasures / Campo Family YMCA / 11 am -3 pm

Archived Gazettes

Bloomingdale Artists Honored with Submissions at Gasparilla Arts Festival

by Elise Cruz Aragon
 
Two Bloomingdale Senior High School art students are gaining recognition at one of the nation’s premier outdoor juried art events.
 
Sophomore Nina Aristondo, 16, and senior Camila Alvarino, 18, were selected to represent their school at the Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, which annually showcases more than 250 artists and draws tens of thousands of visitors to Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in downtown Tampa. The festival features a wide range of media including painting, printmaking, sculpture and mixed media and offers juried awards to outstanding participants.
 
“Both of these girls have been strong students at BSHS, truly putting in the extra effort to create unique and show-worthy compositions,” said Pamela Reeves, Bloomingdale’s art teacher. “Nina is in her first year of art and has been a leader in entries and awards this year. She has a unique ‘traditional’ style. Camila is finishing her fourth year of art at BSHS and has always went above and beyond. Her ability to see and use color is my favorite part of her style. She also makes pieces with so much personal meaning. I am honored to be their teacher and look forward to see their growth here and away at college!”
 
Aristondo’s piece, chosen to be displayed at Gasparilla Festival of Arts.
 
Aristondo entered her first competitions this year and has already picked up multiple honors, including first place at the Brandon League of Fine Arts competition, a silver medal in the Scholastic Art Awards and second place at the Greater Brandon Service League show. She sees art as less subjective and more direct, she says — an approach that has served her well in juried competitions.
 
Alvarino, who has been making art since childhood and has completed four years of art classes at Bloomingdale, has competed and placed in numerous shows. She will attend the University of South Florida next year, where she plans to study biomedical sciences. For Alvarino, art “says what I can’t say,” she says, channeling meaning into her pieces through color and personal expression.
 
The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts provides a platform for both emerging and established artists to present their work, engage with a large public audience and compete for significant awards
Archived Gazettes

Yard of the Month

Home of the Baileys

Congratulations to our winner, Brenda and Bretty Bailey of 2112 Isle of Palms Dr! Don’t forget to nominate your neighbors and their beautiful yards for the chance at an ACE Hardware Gift Card, a free month from the Campo Family YMCA, and recognition in The Bloomingdale Gazette. 

Archived Gazettes

Work on the Pipeline Begins at Alafia Blvd

From Tampa Bay Water:
 
On Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, crews will begin mobilizing at 4142 Alafia Blvd. to begin preliminary construction activities for the tunnel under the Alafia River.
 

Crews will be on site through the end of February excavating an area and installing a form to prepare for concrete shoring. In mid-March, heavy equipment will be delivered to the site to install the ring of concrete shoring and excavate a tunnel shaft. Once the shoring and shaft are complete, a microtunnel boring machine will install a segment of the South Hillsborough Pipeline under the river from a shaft on the south side of the river to the shaft on the north side.

Crews will typically work from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Residents can expect to see and hear construction equipment and materials being delivered to the area, including large cranes, excavators, control trailers and pipe materials. No long-term road closures are planned, but there may be brief traffic interruptions as equipment and materials are delivered.

The tunnel under the Alafia River is expected to be completed by late summer 2026.

For more information on South Hillsborough Pipeline, visit SouthHillsboroughPipeline.com.

Archived Gazettes

Bogue Named Director of Athletics for Hillsborough County Public Schools

Bloomingdale Senior High School Assistant Principal of Athletics Sara Bogue is officially appointed as the next Director of Athletics for Hillsborough County Public Schools..
 
The announcement marks a significant step for Bogue, whose leadership has shaped Bloomingdale’s athletic success in recent years.
“She applied on her own, but I endorsed it,” said Marcos Rodriguez, principal of Bloomingdale Senior High School. “Bogue has always had a passion for athletic administration. When helping her decide whether she wanted to pursue a principalship or working at the district athletic office, it was evident where her heart was.”
 
During her tenure at Bloomingdale, the school earned Athletic Program of the Year honors and saw a substantial increase in academic awards among student-athletes. Rodriguez credited Bogue’s steady leadership and organizational strengths for that growth.
 
“Bogue will bring stability and efficiency to this role,” Rodriguez said. “She is great at streamlining processes to make them more efficient and more user-friendly. She has the ability to build relationships quickly, and that skill set will put HCPS athletics on the map for years to come.”
Rodriguez described the announcement as “bittersweet,” noting the impact Bogue has had on the campus community.
 
“Mrs. Bogue, thank you for the tremendous impact you have made at Bloomingdale Senior High School,” he said. “I know I speak for our entire faculty when I say that this announcement is bittersweet. While we will deeply miss your leadership at BSHS, we are confident that you will continue to make a significant impact at the district level.”
 
Bogue has long served as a mentor to athletic administrators across the district. When the district-level opportunity arose, Rodriguez said she recognized it as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead others in what she loves.”
 
Her departure leaves what Rodriguez described as “big shoes to fill,” both in the athletic department and throughout the school community.
While Bloomingdale prepares for a leadership transition, district athletics gains an experienced administrator known for efficiency, collaboration and a clear commitment to student-athlete success.
Archived Gazettes

Bloomingdale Welcomes Hillsborough Native as New APA

By Elise Cruz Aragon

Bloomingdale Senior High School has welcomed Richard Peacock as its new assistant principal of athletics.

Peacock brings more than two decades of experience in Hillsborough County Public Schools, including time as a science teacher at Plant High School and leadership roles at King, Newsome, Sumner and Lennard high schools. Most recently, he served as an administrator at Bloomingdale.

A Hillsborough County native and graduate of Chamberlain High School, Peacock earned both his undergraduate degree in biology and his graduate degree in educational leadership from the University of South Florida. He and his wife have three children.

Peacock said one of his primary goals is to create opportunities for students to get involved in school activities.

“Students are more academically successful when they are involved in their school and have a strong system of peer and adult supports,” Peacock said. “I believe in treating people right and collectively working together to accomplish goals.”

During his career, Peacock has been recognized with multiple honors, including being named the district’s Assistant Principal for Administration of the Month twice. He also helped lead teams to a district championship in flag football and supported a football program that reached the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade. Earlier in his career, he received the PTSA “Superman” award for his impact on students.

As he steps into his new role, Peacock said he is excited to join the Bloomingdale community.

“I look forward to meeting all the students and staff members that continue to make Bloomingdale High School great,” he said. “Bloomingdale Senior High School truly is an amazing place to be.”