Archive for News & Updates

TGH Investing in Our Future Healthcare Leaders—Right Here in Citrus County

Posted on September 9th, 2025 by

TGH Investing in Our Future Healthcare Leaders—Right Here in Citrus County

An exciting time for future healthcare professionals in Citrus County. Tampa General Hospital North formally announced its support for the Academy of Health Careers at Crystal River High School, along with Health Science Academies in Hernando County. This multi-year partnership brings more than $600,000 in funding, equipment, and professional resources to our local students, opening doors to real-world healthcare experiences right here at home.

The Academy of Health Careers at CRHS is a special place. With hands-on labs, a full dental office, chemistry and biology labs, and soon a radiology suite, our students already have incredible opportunities to explore health careers. Now, thanks to TGH North, they will also benefit from scholarships, clinical experiences, mentoring from medical professionals, and even professional attire for school and interviews. It’s the kind of support that truly prepares students for success after graduation.

Dr. Scott Hebert, Superintendent of Citrus County Schools, shared his enthusiasm:

“This is not just an investment in our Academy of Health Careers students but in the next generation of health care professionals needed in Citrus County. Citrus County has the third-oldest population of residents in the state, making the need for qualified health care professionals essential.”
He also expressed deep appreciation to TGH’s CEO John Couris, Citrus County School Board Member Thomas Kennedy, and the Citrus County Education Foundation’s Executive Director Shaunda Burdette for helping bring this vision to life.

Jennifer Siem, Senior Director of Strategic Growth and Governmental Affairs at TGH North, emphasized the broader vision:

“This initiative is about more than funding — it’s about creating real pathways for students to explore and pursue careers in health care. By connecting students with professionals and state-of-the-art resources, we’re building a workforce that reflects the needs and values of our community.”

This partnership is personal for Citrus County. As a member of the School Board, I’ve seen firsthand how students thrive when they have the right guidance and resources. Career and Technical Education programs like the Academy of Health Careers give our students the confidence and experience to step into healthcare roles that will impact lives in our own neighborhoods.

It’s inspiring to see a local hospital so committed to nurturing our next generation of healthcare leaders. I can’t wait to see the students of CRHS flourish in the years ahead.

Read the full press release from Tampa General Hospital for more details: TGH Press Release

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Celebrating a Hero Among Us: Captain Thomas “Tim” Holme’s 84th Birthday

Posted on September 8th, 2025 by

Celebrating a Hero Among Us: Captain Thomas “Tim” Holme’s 84th Birthday

Today, September 8, 2025, marks the 84th birthday of a man whose leadership, dedication, and character have profoundly shaped Citrus County, Captain Thomas “Tim” Holme, US Navy (Ret.). For many in our community, Captain Holme is not only a leader but also a hero, a mentor, and a lifelong teacher of values that stretch far beyond classrooms and swimming pools.

In life, we are fortunate if we encounter real heroes, individuals whose lives inspire us to strive for more, to live with integrity, and to believe in possibilities greater than ourselves. In Citrus County, my family and I count ourselves blessed to have had such a hero in our lives. To us, and to countless others, he will always be known simply as “Captain.”

Captain Holme’s story begins far from Citrus County. After graduating from Yale University in 1963 with a degree in Political Science, he entered the Navy through the Naval ROTC program. Later, he earned a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Maryland. His naval career spanned more than two decades and included both sea and shore assignments that reflected his expertise in submarines, intelligence, and strategic planning.

Captain Holme qualified as a submariner, served as commander of USS Waterford (ARD-5), and later held senior positions aboard USS Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16) and USS Holland (AS-32). He became Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Special Security, and Special Operations with the Submarine Force, US Atlantic Fleet. His career reached a remarkable chapter when he served as the U.S. Naval Attaché in Moscow during the height of the Cold War. In 1986, in an act of political reciprocity, the Soviet government declared him persona non grata and expelled him and his family. For his service in national intelligence, Captain Holme received the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement from the Director of the CIA. His decorations also include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy Commendation Medal with two gold stars, among others.

Yet despite this distinguished military career, what makes Captain Holme most extraordinary is what he chose to do after the Navy. Retirement did not mean slowing down. Instead, it meant investing in the lives of young people here in Citrus County. He became the Senior Naval Science Instructor for the NJROTC program at Crystal River High School, instilling in cadets the values of honor, integrity, and discipline. Later, he taught Political Science at CRHS until 2007. But it was another endeavor, one that began almost by accident, that would create a legacy spanning generations: coaching swimming.

In 1992, Captain began leading competitive swimming in Citrus County. By 1995, he had founded the Sun Coast Swim Team (SCST), which today stands as the oldest and arguably the most successful USA Swimming program in our county’s history. For more than three decades, SCST has been home to over 900 swimmers. Under Captain’s leadership, the program not only developed athletes but molded young men and women into leaders. Over 28 of his swimmers have gone on to compete collegiately at NCAA Division I, II, and III schools as well as NAIA programs, including Florida State University, Gardner Webb University, Florida Atlantic University, U.S. Naval Academy, Ohio Wesleyan University, Virginia Military Institute, Norwich University, Indian River State College, Florida Southern, Berry College, University of the Cumberlands, Daytona State, Emmanuel College, Florida Tech, Barry University, and many others. Two swimmers went on to serve our nation as Navy SEALs.

But Captain never measured success solely in medals or championships. His deeper mission was to teach honesty, fair play, sportsmanship, hard work, and dedication to family, community, and country. These are the qualities he lived himself, and they are the values he passed on to those fortunate enough to be coached or taught by him.

The results speak for themselves. Crystal River High School’s swim and dive team, which Captain founded, has collected 26 FHSAA District Championships and more than 18 Conference Championships. More importantly, former students and athletes continue to share how his influence shaped their lives, whether in the military, business, education, or family life.

In 2020, the Sun Coast Swim Team Board of Directors honored Captain Holme by making him a “Life Coach Emeritus” and a “Life Board Member.” Their statement was simple and true: no single person has contributed more to competitive swimming in Citrus County than Captain Holme.

Today, Captain may no longer be deckside at the Bicentennial Pool, stopwatch in hand, but his impact remains visible in every swimmer who carries forward his lessons. His leadership and generosity of spirit continue to ripple outward, reaching far beyond the lanes of a pool.

To my own children, and to many others, he will always be “Captain.” One friend once said, “We all should be blessed enough to have a Captain Holme in our lives.” I could not agree more.

On his 84th birthday, we celebrate not only the milestones of a remarkable life but also the countless ways Captain Holme has given back to Citrus County. From defending our nation in the Cold War to shaping young leaders in classrooms and pools, his story is one of service, sacrifice, and inspiration.

So today, we say with deep gratitude: Happy Birthday, Captain Holme. Bravo Zulu on a life lived with honor, and thank you for being a hero to so many.

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A Buettner is Back Teaching TOK at Lecanto High School IB

Posted on September 3rd, 2025 by

A Buettner is Back Teaching TOK at Lecanto High School IB

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Lecanto High School is opening the 2025–2026 school year with a powerful full circle moment: once again, a Buettner is teaching Theory of Knowledge (TOK).

TOK is the cornerstone of the IB program. It pushes students beyond memorization into deeper questions: How do we know what we know? In their junior year, students explore how perception, reason, emotion, and language shape understanding, and how knowledge functions across disciplines such as science, history, math, and the arts. Through real-world examples and thoughtful reflection, they sharpen their ability to analyze knowledge itself, preparing for senior-year assessments. At its core, TOK fosters critical thinking, interdisciplinary connections, and a more reflective way of seeing the world.

This year, Lecanto’s juniors begin their TOK journey with either Ms. Celeste Rausch or Ms. Anna Buettner, an LHS IB graduate (Class of 2019) and the daughter of long-time Citrus educators Tracy and Darrick Buettner. Together, Rausch and Buettner will continue guiding the TOK Class of 2027 through their senior year.

Ms. Buettner brings an impressive background to the classroom. A graduate of the University of Florida, she teaches foreign language at Lecanto, spent a year living in Berlin, and recently completed the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain. Fluent in four languages, she has studied international relations and brings a global perspective that enriches both her teaching and her students’ TOK experience. With her academic expertise, international outlook, and IB roots, she is uniquely equipped to mentor students as they begin questioning and shaping their understanding of knowledge.

Lecanto’s TOK tradition runs deep. When the school first launched the IB program in 2010, its founding coordinator, Mr. Darrick Buettner, also became the first TOK teacher. For a decade, he built the program with vision and dedication, earning recognition as the “founding father” of Lecanto IB before moving into a district leadership role in 2020.

This makes the return of Ms. Buettner especially meaningful. Once a student in her father’s TOK class, she now carries forward his legacy while adding her own voice, perspective, and global insight.

Reflecting on the opportunity, Ms. Buettner shared, “I am very honored to be in this role and following my parents’ amazing lead. I am very lucky to work in such an amazing district.”

In today’s world, shaped by artificial intelligence, constant information flow, and global interconnection, critical thinking has never been more vital. TOK equips students to question, analyze, and make sense of complexity. Having another Buettner guiding this journey provides Lecanto’s IB program with both continuity and fresh perspective.

The Buettner family’s ongoing commitment to education reflects a proud Citrus County tradition, where generations of educator families dedicate themselves to teaching and serving students. Their story not only continues this legacy but also highlights the deeper calling of the profession, which carries the promise to prepare students to think critically, form meaningful connections, and face the future with confidence, insight, and understanding.

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A Great Start to the High School Swim Season

Posted on August 27th, 2025 by

A Great Start to the High School Swim Season

Last night was a fantastic evening at the Citrus Memorial Health Foundation YMCA Pool, where I had the privilege of serving as the scoring official for the first high school dual meet of the season. The Crystal River Pirates (ladies and gentlemen) faced off against the Hernando High School Leopards in an exciting opener.

It’s always special to be part of a team of local volunteer swim leaders who dedicate their time to supporting the sport of swimming. The passion, energy, and commitment on deck remind us why we do it—and why it matters for these young athletes.

One of the night’s highlights was the remarkable performance from 2024 State Qualifier Morgan Gibson (Senior), who set a new CRHS school record in the 50 Freestyle with a time of 25.20, breaking the previous record set in 2019. Achievements like this so early in the season are a great sign of a successful year ahead for the team.

We’ll be back at it this Thursday, helping Citrus High School as they also face off against the Hernando Leopards.

A huge thank you goes out to the Sun Coast Swim Team volunteer leaders— Nikki Rieck, Lori Lenoir, and Mike Laycock—for their time, dedication, and leadership in helping provide these opportunities for our student-athletes. Your commitment makes all the difference.

Here’s to a strong season ahead!

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LHS Grad Soars with Falcon 9: Catherine Schlabach’s Space Force Success

Posted on August 20th, 2025 by

LHS Grad Soars with Falcon 9: Catherine Schlabach’s Space Force Success

We are so proud to share this story! Lecanto High School graduate and now U.S. Space Force First Lieutenant Catherine Schlabach is playing a crucial role in helping a Falcon 9 rocket lift off this week. It’s not every day we get to celebrate one of our own being part of such a high-profile and historic mission in aerospace.

As a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Space Force, Catherine is applying her engineering expertise, leadership skills, and calm under pressure to support the successful launch of one of the world’s most advanced rockets. This is no small feat. It takes years of preparation, countless hours of technical training, and an unwavering commitment to excellence to earn a place on such a mission. And Catherine has done just that.

Big thanks to Casmira Harrison at the Citrus County Chronicle for telling this story and shining a light on Catherine’s incredible journey. You can read the full article here: LHS grad to help Falcon 9 rocket get off the ground this week

What makes this story especially meaningful for us is that Catherine’s roots are right here in Citrus County. A proud graduate of the International Baccalaureate program at Lecanto High School, she has taken what she learned in our classrooms and used it as a foundation for success on a national and global stage. From her time in IB to now managing technical and operational details for a Space Force rocket launch, Catherine’s path is a powerful example of what’s possible when education, determination, and opportunity meet.

Her success is not only a testament to her own dedication but also to the educators, mentors, and family members who supported her along the way. In the Chronicle article, Catherine credits “a Citrus County education and a supportive family” for helping her get to where she is today. That’s something we can all take pride in.

We are incredibly proud of you, First Lieutenant Schlabach! Your work doesn’t just propel rockets—it lifts the dreams and ambitions of young people in our community and shows them that the sky is not the limit, it’s just the beginning.

Let’s keep cheering Catherine on and celebrating the amazing things our Citrus County graduates are accomplishing every day.

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Visiting Floral City Elementary: Exciting Progress on Safety and Expansion

Posted on August 18th, 2025 by

Visiting Floral City Elementary: Exciting Progress on Safety and Expansion

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Floral City Elementary to see the progress on the new entrance, part of the school’s overall expansion and safety improvements designed to better serve our FCE Bullfrogs, staff, and families.

Principal Kahler enthusiastically showed me around, and it was amazing to see the changes since I last visited over the summer when FCE was in the midst of many construction projects. From the new secured entrance and welcoming lobby to the redesigned offices, guidance suite, and state-of-the-art health station, these enhancements are truly transformative. They will make a real difference for students, families, and staff alike.

I also toured the new classroom wing, where teachers have recently moved in and students have started learning. The classrooms are exceptional—bright, modern, and thoughtfully designed to provide an outstanding learning environment that complements the rest of the historic FCE campus.

Looking ahead, Principal Kahler shared that FCE plans to host a community open house, giving families and community members the opportunity to see the school’s classrooms and improvements firsthand.

A heartfelt thank you to Principal Kahler, Assistant Principal Furniss, the FCE facility and custodial team, and the district facility and construction team led by Eric Stokes. These improvements are more than bricks and mortar—they directly impact student learning and success, helping to build a stronger, better community for everyone.

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