North Pinellas Hometown

. St. Cecelia students pay it forward: Each year the second-grade students at St. Cecelia Interparochial Catholic School participate in several Pay it Forward projects. In January, students helped an organization called Food for the Poor and its We Pledge 100 campaign. Students were so inspired by the words of Colossia Butts, the organization's school outreach representative, they painted bowls to auction off at the Discovery Night. Students sold 47 bowls and raised $1,030. The donations will go directly to help Food for the Poor meet its goals of building a clean water well, building homes and a school, planting trees and providing food for the people of Ti Limbe, Haiti.

, Safety Harbor Kiwanis names January students of the month: The Safety Harbor Kiwanis recognizes special students of the month at Safety Harbor Middle School with Sea Hawk Awards. This was the second of three presentations of the school year. Sixth-grade student Jazmin Ibarra-Jahuey was selected by her teacher, Rita Carter, and seventh-grade student Brandon Strelcheck was chosen by his teacher, Susan Miller. Both students were honored for their achievements and good citizenship.

Dunedin High student wins Scottish heritage essay contest: Dunedin High School senior Michaela Polman took top honors along with a $1,000 scholarship at the Scottish American Society's annual Burns Supper at Dunedin's historic Scottish Hall. Polman read her winning essay on the Contribution by Burns to our Scottish Heritage to 120 members and guests. The contest, hosted by the Scottish American organization, presented runners-up awards to seniors Tristan Freyer and Olivia Welsh. Celebrating the birth of Robert Burns in 1759, the annual Burns Supper showcases a traditional Parade of the Haggis along with a bagpiper followed by attendants bearing the Haggis, refreshments and sword.