Dunedin Highlanders Perform at Disney 'Coronation' of Princess Merida

The Dunedin High School Scottish Highlander Band took the show on the road for performances at Disney.

The Dunedin High School Scottish Highlander Band gave a performance last weekend fit for a princess. The Highlanders performed at Disney World for the "coronation" of Princess Merida, and then performed again at Epcot. (See YouTube videos.) For those not in the know, the character Merida officially became Disney’s 11th princess in a royal coronation, Disney style, that took place in the Magic Kingdom theme park on Saturday, May 11, 2013. The performance by Dunedin High's Scottish Highlander Band was appreciated by Disney visitors as well as boosters at home who saw the YouTube video, posted to Facebook. Susan Crews Kirkhart wrote on Facebook: "Thank you so much for posting this! I am a DHS band alum and it was great to see them perform!" …

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Congratulations to Dunedin High's Top Two Students!

The senior girls have been named valedictorian and salutatorian for the class of 2013. Scholars and super-involved in school activities, the teens are role models in the community.

One girl is Senior Class President. The other is a dancer and thespian. Both of these high-achieving students not only maintain top grade-point averages, they also are engaged in the school community. Here's a look at Dunedin High School valedictorian and salutatorian for 2013, based on a report from TBNWeekly.com. They are: Arleena Rupnaraine and Aubrey Wetzelberg, respectively. Valedictorian Arleena Rupnaraine Arleena moved from her home country of Guyana to Florida when she was 10 years old. Although the move intimidated Arleena, she was able to overcome her fears, make friends and excel at school. Those early lessons in resourcefulness and perseverance have served her well. At Dunedin High School, Arleena has been on the cross country …

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Dave Pauley

2:23 pm on Thursday, May 9, 2013

Congratulations to both of you on a job well done. Your hard work is paying off. Good luck in all your future endeavors.   more ›

Good Neighbors

Dunedin Cadet's Volunteerism Instrumental in Zack Shannon Fund

Navy Jr ROTC cadet Dakota Guthrie was publicly praised for logging 300 hours of volunteer hours and his efforts lifting a memorial Spc. Zack Shannon Scholarship fund off the ground.

A whopping 300 volunteer hours in four years. It's more community service than anyone in Dakota Guthrie's 125-member Navy Jr ROTC unit at Dunedin High. City officials publicly lauded Guthrie's dedication to service, his heavy lifiting behind the launch of a scholarship fund honoring Dunedin fallen soldier Zack Shannon and his completion of Florida American Legion Boys State, a rigorous week-long leadership course in local and state government, on May 2. Guthrie's recent volunteer efforts helped catapult the Spc. Zack Shannon Scholarship Fund in the community. Shannon, 21, a 2010 Dunedin NJROTC grad, died March 11 when his helicopter went down during a night vision operation in Afghanistan. "I like to believe that everybody has that same …

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Former Gator Stacey Simmons Tackles New Opponent: Diabetes

The ex-University of Florida and Dunedin High football star operates a training facility in Largo, where he’s helping diabetics realize they’re just as athletic as anyone else.

Stacey Simmons is the type of person who, as soon as you meet him, you feel like you’ve known him all your life.  A gregarious man with an infectious laugh and relentlessly upbeat personality, the former football and track star at Dunedin High School and the University of Florida who played one season in the NFL has a way of making people feel at ease while still being able to get the best out of them. Simmons’ post-gridiron career has him working with men, women and kids in a way that helps them get in shape by using the power of positivity and hard work, both through his job as a teacher and track coach at Pinellas Park High and at his training center, Stacey Simmons Sports Training.  Surprisingly, many of Simmons’ clients have a lot in …

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Dunedin Bike Route Could Boost Tourism, Stakeholder Says

Bicycle enthusiasts and businesses vested in the city's proposed northern route project, which seeks to connect Pinellas Trail to popular Dunedin destinations, gave their support April 9.

Bob Nohren sees a bicycle trail for north Dunedin as a huge boon for local businesses.  Nohren, owner of Energy Conservatory Bike Shop, a bicycle rental and retail store on the outskirts of downtown Main Street, said people should see it as a tourism draw. His customers, who are largely tourists, always seem to ask him where they can bike ride, he said to a group of about 35 other bicycle enthusiasts and stakeholders gathered to see city staff's proposed "Northern Route Project" at Dunedin Community Center on April 9.  The proposed first phase of the bike route — a mix of on- and off-road paths along Michigan Boulevard that cut through Highlander Park and the Pinehurst Highlands and Suemar subdivisions — seeks to better connect bicyclists …

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Dunedin Plans Pinellas Trail 'Spurs' for North Side

A tentative city plan seeks to create spurs off the Pinellas Trail aimed at connecting Dunedin High and the community and Fine Art centers. Staff seeks feedback on its first phase Tuesday.

Walking or biking safely from the Pinellas Trail to Dunedin High seems unlikely now. But city staff is unveiling the first phase of a plan Tuesday night that seeks to create that connection for residents. The staff's proposed "Northern Route Project" is meant to better link the Pinellas Trail to the Dunedin Community Center, the Dunedin Fine Art Center and Dunedin High School. The city is inviting residents and stakeholders to its unveiling April 9 to get feedback that can help staffers improve the working plan before seeking city commission approval. The plan tentatively involves: It is the first phase of the city's larger vision for creating "spurs" off the Pinellas Trail that connect bicyclists and pedestrians to attractions throughout …

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Tom G

10:23 am on Sunday, April 7, 2013

Have tried riding a bike along those sidewalks? If they want to use the existing walk fine but they need to change them so a bicyclist can actually ride them. Especially along pinehurst the road/sidewalk is so jarring that you risk your spine and other valuable parts anytime you cross a street. It is so bad you really can ride a bike on them. There are also several sharpe turns on them that make …   more ›

Dunedin Honors Two-Time State Champion, District Wrestlers

Clarence Arrington, Dunedin's first two-time state wrestling champion, was honored, along with three teammates for their athletic and academic achievements.

Clarence Arrington is the first two-time state champion in Dunedin wrestling history. And he holds a 3.62 GPA. Arrington, a Dunedin High senior, was honored by city commissioners, along with three of his other district champion teammates, for their athletic and academic achievements on March 21. "I tell you what's impressive about these young men," said Mayor Dave Eggers, "they seem to be champions in the school room too."  Last year, Arrington and Kyle Goodnow became the second and third state champion, respectively, in Dunedin wrestling history by capturing their weight classes. Dunedin High's first state champion wrestler earned his title in 1975. Eggers also recognized the following Falcons wrestlers: "Our kids are earning those kind …

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Good Neighbors

Letter to the Editor: Zack Shannon Escort Reveals Young Observer's Wisdom

Dunedin resident Ann Hansen: "Then I asked him this question. 'Nick,' I said, 'why are you here today? I am curious because you are so young.' "

Hi Katie, I have just come in from Pinehurst Road where the street was lined with such an outpouring of love for Dunedin's fallen soldier Zack Shannon. I have posted but a few snaps I took along with many other people I am sure. I am just writing you to let you know how impressed I was with a very young man I met while I stood along Pinehurst Road. He caught my attention because he was young and walking alone up Pinehurst Road. No friends hanging on him and he seemed very quiet. He held a small flag in his hand and every once in a while he would look behind him to be sure he wasn't in the way of traffic and perhaps checking he wasn't missing out on anything. I watched him as he walked and wondered how many other youngsters his age on …

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Dunedin Baseball Tournament Continues

Dunedin will be taking on Pasco Tuesday night while East Lake High will play Countryside.

Tuesday night, the 2013 Dunedin Spring baseball tournament continues as Dunedin High will take on Pasco High and East Lake will square off against Countryside.  Tournament games begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Englebert Complex in Dunedin when Clearwater Central Catholic takes on Fivay High School.  East Lake will play Countryside at 8 p.m. while Dunedin plays Pasco also at 8 p.m. Tuesday.  Monday, East Lake High defeated Pinellas Park 15-3. According to the East Lake Eagles Baseball website the team won in five innings and, "the team rolled, totaling 15 runs on 16 hits, 14 RBI’s, five walks and five stolen bases."  Dunedin defeated Brooksville Monday while Clearwater Central Catholic cruised past Tarpon Springs 14-1.  To view the bracket, …

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