- NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse
- Posts
- Issue #609: Twin Sisters Make Tampa School History, New Orleans Faces a Watery Future & Guac & Roll Opens in Wesley Chapel
Issue #609: Twin Sisters Make Tampa School History, New Orleans Faces a Watery Future & Guac & Roll Opens in Wesley Chapel
5/27/2026
Ted Grellner
27 May
In partnership with
GOOD MORNING
Dr Ted
USAF Retired
SUBSCRIBE (& Access Past Issues):
Share with your friends here —> https://www.NTWCLP.com
NOTE to New Subscribers:
— If Gmail cuts off your newsletter, click “Read Online” in UR corner
— Despite minimizing sources that require a 3rd party subscription to read, we’ll use stories from these sources that are very informative: ($) businessinsider.com, tampabay.com
In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar
Please post events of interest to our NT|WC Live Events Calendar; its easy to do.
Local News
— Tampa Twin Sisters Make School History as Valedictorian and Salutatorian
OMG
— Experts Say New Orleans Must Prepare for a Watery Future
Food
— Fresh Food, Outdoor Seating and Music: Guac & Roll Heads to Wesley Chapel
Sports
— USF Sprinter Jaleel Croal Blazes Into NCAA History
Turn Predictions Into Profit—Get $10 Free
Watching sports just got a lot more interesting...
On Kalshi, you can take a position on real outcomes — who wins, season milestones, major matchups. If you know sports, you already have an edge.
Buy "Yes" or "No" shares on what you think will happen, and earn returns if you're right.
No house. No bookie. Just the market.
You're trading peer-to-peer against other users, with fully transparent pricing. Cash out anytime. You don't have to wait for the final whistle.
Trade responsibly.
Tampa Twin Sisters Make School History as Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Twin sisters Adriana and Alyssa Lyons have made history at Tampa’s Academy of the Holy Names by graduating as valedictorian and salutatorian of the Class of 2026 — the first time siblings have earned the school’s top academic honors in its 144-year history.
Adriana, the class valedictorian, credited much of her success to growing alongside her twin sister. Alyssa echoed the sentiment, saying the two continually motivated each other to aim higher and stay confident throughout their academic journey.
School officials praised the sisters not only for their academic excellence, but also for their dedication to service. Together, they completed more than 1,000 hours of community service, including mission work in Guatemala.
The twins also received approximately $287,000 in scholarships and merit awards before choosing to attend the University of Florida Honors Program, where both plan to study chemistry.
Administrators called the sisters outstanding examples of leadership, compassion and academic achievement.
Experts Say New Orleans Must Prepare
for a Watery Future
A new scientific analysis warns that New Orleans could eventually become surrounded by Gulf waters, with researchers urging leaders to begin planning long-term relocation strategies before future flooding creates a humanitarian crisis.
The report, published in Nature Sustainability, says coastal Louisiana has already crossed a “point of no return” because of rising sea levels, disappearing wetlands and stronger hurricanes. Scientists estimate the region could face 10 to 23 feet of sea level rise, threatening communities across southern Louisiana.
Researchers say Louisiana has already lost about 2,000 square miles of wetlands since the 1930s, weakening natural storm protection around New Orleans. The city’s shrinking tax base, rising insurance costs and repeated storm damage could make future recovery increasingly difficult.
While experts acknowledge relocation would be emotionally and culturally devastating for many residents, they argue early planning could help avoid a chaotic future retreat.
Fresh Food, Outdoor Seating and Music: Guac & Roll Heads to Wesley Chapel
A new Cuban-Mexican dining destination is preparing to open in Wesley Chapel as Guac & Roll expands its popular food truck concept into a larger outdoor gathering spot.
Owners Keilin Fernandez and Hector Ramirez are finishing work on the location at 29602 Wesley Chapel Boulevard, with plans to open by mid-June. The couple says the concept is inspired by the food, music and community traditions Fernandez grew up with in Cuba.
The menu will feature tacos, quesadillas, burritos, rice bowls, sandwiches, coffee, smoothies and fresh natural juices. Fernandez emphasized that the restaurant will focus on fresh ingredients and made-to-order meals, avoiding frozen food whenever possible.
The outdoor setup is expected to include about 40 seats, complete with umbrellas, plants and a stage for live music performances.
The owners hope Guac & Roll becomes more than just a place to eat — they want it to serve as a welcoming neighborhood gathering spot for the Wesley Chapel community.
USF Sprinter Jaleel Croal Blazes Into NCAA History
University of South Florida sprinter Jaleel Croal has placed himself among the fastest collegiate runners in history after recording a wind-aided 9.75-second 100-meter dash at the American Conference Outdoor Championships.
The mark briefly stood as the fastest all-conditions NCAA time of the season and now ranks tied for the third-fastest wind-aided 100-meter performance in NCAA history.
Croal, a senior from the British Virgin Islands, has become one of the most decorated athletes in USF track history with 10 American Conference individual titles. He now enters the NCAA East First Rounds in Kentucky as a serious national championship contender in the sport’s premier sprint event.
USF head coach Erik Jenkins praised Croal’s steady growth and leadership, calling him a special athlete with a bright future ahead.
Croal, who also competed at the World Athletics Championships last summer, said confidence and mental preparation have helped fuel his rise.
“I believe in myself,” Croal said. “But I’m not done yet.”
Tampa Bay’s Best Live Music | Things to Do in Tampa Bay this W/E | TB Weekend Entertainment Guide |
|---|---|---|
May 22-28 | May 22 - 24 | May |
Source: cltampa.com | Source: wusf.org | Source: wmnf.org |
Top Events | |
|
Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links
The Arts
- The Exhibiting Society of Artists (new)
- USF College of the Arts
- USF Steinway Piano Concert Series
Theater
- NTPAC - New Tampa Performing Arts Center
- New Tampa Players
- USF School of Theatre & Dance
- Wesley Chapel Theater Group
- Carrollwood Players Theatre
Misc
- Carrollwood Center Events
- Craft Festivals (new)
- Fall (Farmer’s) Market Guide for Tampa Bay (new)
- The Krate, WC
- The Shops at Wiregrass, WC
- visitflorida.com
For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids
Reader Comments
“I always enjoy reading your updates. Thanks so much!”
“My favorite morning coffee companion!”
“As always! Appreciate the positivity!! Best morning read.”
“I always enjoy these issues. Thanks so much!”
“Best local newsletter!”
“Love seeing all the community events in one place. The calendar is getting crowded. ”“Always has good info and to the point.”
“Read this in the am. I like the new restaurants feature so I know when things will open. ”
“Keep up on the great information.”
“Good local coverage. Great job.”
“News is concise and no nonsense. I always appreciate it!”
“Good mix and balance of interesting, newsworthy and entertaining content.”
“Happy to read something other than politics. Great job.”
“This is my daily morning read. Great info. ”
“Love the attention grabbing topics that encompass what’s going on now as well as future implications. Great job. ”
“I get Information here that I might otherwise miss.”
“I love this newsletter, the type of information without the useless fillers.”
Any suggestions are always welcomed - Thanks
What Did You Think of This Issue? |
—> Comments are welcomed after voting