January 2016 - Admiral Farragut Academy

Team up to reshape the Office of the Commandant

January 31, 2016/in School Blog /by Jessica Van Curen

Wallingford and Worthy Team up to Reshape The Office of the Commandant

Office of the Commandant “The leader can never close the gap between himself and the group. If he does, he is no longer what he must be. He must walk a tightrope between the consent he must win and the control he must exert.”

— Vince Lombardi, the legendary Green Bay Packers coach who led the Packers to two Super Bowl trophies and is widely recognized as one of the greatest coaches – and teachers – of all time.

When reading a quote about leadership from Vince Lombardi, it is easy to understand why Admiral Farragut Academy’s Commandant, Todd Wallingford, lists the Packers as one of his favorite sports teams.

Two scuba students earn sidemount certification

January 30, 2016/in The Farragut Experience /by Jessica Van Curen

Scuba sidemount

Max Kostyashkin ’17, a 5-day boarder from Miami Beach, and Josh Biggins ’17, a 7-day boarder from Palm Beach Gardens, completed their sidemount certifications at Blue Grotto this past weekend. Scuba student Patrick Hales ’17, a 7-day boarder from the United Kingdom who is currently working on his Intro to Cave certification, also joined them on the dive for fun.

Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby discusses how his education at Farragut paved the way for leadership in the Navy

January 29, 2016/in Alumni /by Jessica Van Curen

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy has a motto, “Acta non Verba,” which is Latin for “Deeds, not Words.” At the 2014 commencement, Vice Admiral Michelle J. Howard, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Plans and Strategy, gave the commencement address and emphasized how this motto has played a pivotal role in the way the Academy has trained “leaders for careers at sea while instilling the values that allow them to become outstanding leaders in the maritime industry, the best boarding school in US, and their communities education at Farragut.”

Lego Robotics team going to championship tournament

January 28, 2016/in The Farragut Experience /by Jessica Van Curen

Congratulations to our Lower School Lego Robotics BlueJacket Gamers led by Mrs. LoRusso! They qualified to move on to the Championship Tournament on February 13th in Plant City. We are so proud of them!

Location: Trinkle Center
Hillsborough Community College – Plant City
1206 North Park Road, Plant City, FL 33563
8am – 5pm

Since they won, there will be additional practices this week. View the schedule.

Learn more about After School Activities

Five students participate in science conference dedicated to saving the planet

January 28, 2016/in The Farragut Experience /by Jessica Van Curen

For science teacher Sari Deitche, learning occurs just as much outside the classroom as it does in her elaborate setting, which includes a science lab, touch tanks and an aquarium. For that reason, five students from her 8th Grade Marine Science and Biology classes were able to attend and participate in the 18th Annual Regional Ocean Conference for Students (ROCS) held at the Florida Aquarium last week. Read more

Joe Eletto ‘64 receives Citizen of the Year award

January 28, 2016/in Alumni, The Farragut Experience /by Jessica Van Curen

Jill Andrew congratulates Joe Eletto, who succeeded her as Citizen of the Year at the Greater Riverview Chamber’s 2015 annual dinner and awards celebration recently held at The Regent in Riverview. The event was emceed by Jim Smeaton, background right. LINDA CHION KENNEY

On Tuesday, January 26, Eletto, who graduated with honors from Farragut and served in both the Army and the Navy, was awarded with the 2015 Citizen of the Year award from the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce for his work in the community that encompasses Riverview, Brandon, Apollo Beach and Ruskin.

Poker Run fundraiser for athletics a huge success

January 27, 2016/in The Farragut Experience /by Jessica Van Curen

Taryn Seeley, Mary Rice, Jill Bender, and Joey Sokolowski

On Saturday, January 23rd, sixty parents and friends of Farragut gathered in downtown St. Petersburg for a Poker Run to raise funds for the Admiral’s Athletics Club. The idea for the event was conceptualized by parent Joellen Sokolowski who organized it, along with parent Mary Rice.

We are proud to announce that this event earned $5,468 to be used towards athletics! More than that, everyone who attended had so much fun they are asking when the next one is scheduled. Thank you to all who attended and made this event a success! Read more

Scuba student achieves cavern certification and begins Intro to Cave

January 26, 2016/in The Farragut Experience /by Jessica Van Curen

For Jack, a 19-year-old boarding student from Houston, his journey into the miraculousness has included a two-year stint as a student in the Scuba program at Farragut, expertly taught and run by Mr. Scott Davenport. Having completed the introductory courses throughout his first year at Farragut, Jack used the beginning of this academic calendar to obtain the necessary certifications to move into the high-risk, high-reward world of cavern and cave diving — which occurred over the winter break in Ginnie Springs and Peacock Springs, just north of Gainesville, Florida.

School spelling bee winners

January 22, 2016/in The Farragut Experience /by Jessica Van Curen

Congratulations to 8th grader Bianca DeSilva, the winner of the Admiral Farragut Academy spelling bee.

Kyndal Olander ‘17 claims first place in VFW competition, moves on to state contest

January 21, 2016/in The Farragut Experience /by Jessica Van Curen

Farragut cadet Kyndal Olander was deep in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains on a drive with her mom and dad to visit relatives over the holiday break when her cell phone suddenly rang. It was odd considering the service was scant, at best. Read more