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Anticipation builds at new school

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR

cpastor@tampatrib.com

Published: July 8, 2009

LUTZ - Vocal music teacher JoLinda Crump hates to wish her summer vacation away, but she is already thinking about the upcoming school year.

Crump is moving from Freedom to Steinbrenner High, one of two new high schools opening in Hillsborough County in August. She will start Steinbrenner's choral program and has big plans for a pop music group that performs with a band as well as a more traditional concert choir and women's chorus.

Twenty-two students are signed up, and Crump is busy recruiting more and scheduling auditions. She is excited for everything to come together.

"I can't help it," Crump said. "As much as I love summer, I can't wait to start."

Steinbrenner's staff and parents are readying for the Lutz school's opening, laying the groundwork for the academics and activities that will shape students' years there. About 1,700 students are expected to enroll in the inaugural year.

The school will offer several specialty programs, such as veterinary assisting, culinary, fashion marketing and - appropriately for its Yankee owner namesake - a sports, recreation and entertainment marketing academy.

A dozen college-level Advanced Placement courses have been scheduled. More AP classes and electives will begin in the 2010-11 school year as well, including Junior ROTC, pending approval.

The school Web site, Steinbrenner.mysdhc.org, keeps a countdown of days left until students arrive Aug. 25. The faculty returns Aug. 17.

Work on the building is on schedule, and it should be ready for occupancy July 30, said project coordinator John Williams. Crews need to complete finishing work, such as paint and flooring, and landscaping, he said.

As construction winds down, preparations for the students gear up.

The Parent-Teacher Student Association held an organizational meeting last month. Student government elections won't take place until after classes begin, but the yearbook adviser is accepting applications for writing, photography, design and sales.

Football workouts for the first season, a combination of varsity and junior varsity, started July 6. The girl's volleyball team, meanwhile, has scheduled a golf tournament for Aug. 15 at Heritage Harbor Golf and Country Club to raise money for nets, uniforms and balls.

Opportunities also are unfolding for students interested in music and performance. Lindsay Warfield is recruiting for drama club through Facebook and e-mail, and plans to produce two musicals, "Seussical" and "Grease," during the Steinbrenner debut season.

Band director Nicole Conte also set up a Web site and Facebook page for marching band, which has helped her communicate with interested students during the summer. About 100 have signed up for band this year.

The turnout and interest pleased her, but the difficult part has been predicting the level of experience students will bring. Conte comes from Leto High School, and most of the Steinbrenner students are transferring from Sickles and Gaither. She said she has been talking to them online about the types of pieces they have performed and their solo experience to get a better idea of what to expect when band camp begins next month.

Conte said Steinbrenner also will have an orchestra, concert band, jazz ensemble, indoor drum line and color guard.

"We're going to have a fantastic time," she said. "We're going to have so many opportunities for our kids."

Like marching band, Steinbrenner's chorus is an elective and is open to anyone, Crump said. She will be auditioning students for Entourage, the pop performance group, but knows she has some experienced students no matter who shows up for auditions. She has signed up seven singers, about half the group, who had performed in Sickles, Gaither and Freedom show choirs.

The group will perform at the school and in the community, singing everything from jazz and standards to pop, rock and current radio hits, backed by a live band.

Crump led a similar show choir at Freedom and also started the choral program there, which gives her more confidence in what to expect at Steinbrenner. She watched participation at Freedom go from 28 students to the third-largest choral program in the school district.

"It was just awesome," she said. "When you take a program from zero, you feel like you know every student. You know every detail about everything. It really is nice. I just know that Steinbrenner is going to be a fabulous school. There is already a wealth of talent."

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (727) 451-2343.

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