Issue #395: Valedictorian’s Strategy Secrets • E-Bike Bank Robbery Shocks Tampa • Recession in Your Sock Drawer? • USF vs. UConn this December

In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse

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WEATHER 

Local News

— Cypress Creek Valedictorian Masters the Art of Academic Strategy

OMG!

— Bank Robbery on Wheels: Tampa Suspect Flees on E-Bike

Of Interest

— Why Your Underwear Drawer Might Predict a Recession

Sports

— Bulls to Host NCAA Champ UConn in December Showdown

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Cypress Creek Valedictorian Masters the Art of Academic Strategy

Ana Herzek, valedictorian of Cypress Creek High School’s Class of 2025, is headed to the University of Florida with a perfect GPA and a passion for chemistry. While many students shy away from challenging courses like AP Chemistry and AP Calculus, Ana embraced them, crediting her teachers and friends for keeping learning enjoyable.

She plans to major in chemistry, drawn to subjects with clear answers and logic, unlike conceptual fields like AP Macroeconomics. Despite starting her senior year ranked third, Ana’s strategy of dual enrollment and summer AP courses helped her clinch the top spot.

Her disciplined approach: music, focus, and no distractions. Ana says the key is “knowing how to game the system” without overworking yourself.

Choosing UF for its prestige and vibrant campus, she’ll join many of her friends this fall, motivated to succeed by a desire to make her family and friends proud.

Read More: tampabeacon.com

Bank Robbery on Wheels: Tampa Suspect Flees
on E-Bike

Tampa police are investigating a Tuesday morning bank robbery at the Synovus Bank on W. Neptune Street. The incident occurred shortly before 9:30 a.m., when a man entered the bank wearing layered clothing, including a dark hoodie, jeans, gloves, and a white bandana with sunglasses covering his face.

According to authorities, the suspect approached a teller and implied he was armed, though no weapon was seen. He demanded cash and then fled the scene on an e-bike, reportedly heading north.

No injuries were reported, and it remains unclear how much money was stolen. Tampa Police have released a call for information, urging anyone with tips to contact TPD at 813-231-6130 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to identify and locate the suspect.

Read More: wtsp.com

Why Your Underwear Drawer Might Predict a Recession

In addition to traditional economic indicators like GDP and the unemployment rate, some economists point to unexpected metrics—like men's underwear sales—to gauge financial health. This quirky signal, dubbed the "Men’s Underwear Index," suggests that during economic downturns, sales of men’s underwear dip as consumers cut back on non-visible essentials. Even former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan reportedly used this as a barometer.

Economist Abby Hall notes that these offbeat metrics reflect behavioral shifts during hardship. The "Baked Beans Index" tracks increased sales of cheap staples, while the "Lipstick Index" shows a rise in purchases of affordable luxuries during recessions.

Though unconventional and imperfect, these indicators offer insight into the emotional and psychological dimensions of economic activity. As economist David McWilliams puts it, understanding the economy means understanding people—irrational, quirky, and deeply human.

Read More: abcactionnews.com

A surprising and often overlooked fact about traditional economic indicators is that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) can actually increase after natural disasters—even when communities suffer immense damage.

This happens because GDP measures economic activity, not societal well-being. After disasters, there is usually a surge in spending on reconstruction, insurance claims, and emergency services, all of which count as positive contributions to GDP.

However, GDP does not subtract the value of what was lost, such as homes, infrastructure, or lives. This creates a misleading picture, where economic output appears to improve despite widespread destruction. Economists refer to this issue as the “broken window fallacy”—the idea that breaking and replacing a window stimulates the economy, while ignoring that the original window had value too.

This reveals a fundamental flaw in GDP: it shows how much is produced, but not how people are actually doing.

Bulls to Host NCAA Champ UConn in December Showdown

The South Florida women’s basketball team will host defending national champion UConn on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the Yuengling Center, continuing one of the nation’s most competitive non-conference schedules. The game will mark the 35th all-time meeting between the programs and the first in Tampa since 2020.

Led by Coach Jose Fernandez, the Bulls are stacking up against elite competition. This season's home schedule already includes matchups against No. 7 Duke (Nov. 20) and No. 2 South Carolina (Dec. 18)—both 2025 NCAA Finalists who faced off in the championship game at Tampa’s Amalie Arena.

UConn, with 12 national titles, defeated South Carolina to claim the 2025 crown and ended their season 37-3. Meanwhile, South Florida wrapped up 2024-25 with a 23-11 record, a conference title, and their 10th NCAA Tournament appearance.

Tip-off time and TV details will be announced soon.

Read More: gousfbulls.com

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Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links

The Arts
- 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

- The Krate, WC
- The Shops at Wiregrass, WC
- visitflorida.com

For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids

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