Tag Archives: Featured

Current Gazette

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
Current Gazette

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.
Current Gazette

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.”