15th annual program celebrates academic growth, STEM success and community partnerships.
Families, educators and community partners gathered on Wednesday, July 23, to celebrate the accomplishments of dozens of local students during the Lots of Hugs Learning Center Summer Reading Camp Award Ceremony and Luncheon. The annual event recognized the hard work, perseverance and academic growth of children who spent their summer strengthening their reading, math, writing and STEM skills while building confidence and preparing for the upcoming school year.
The celebration highlighted not only outstanding academic achievements but also the importance of investing in young people through education, mentorship and community support.
For the past 15 years, the Lots of Hugs Summer Reading Camp has helped students combat the “summer slide” by providing engaging educational opportunities during the school break. Organizers shared that the program has become an important resource for local families, helping children maintain and improve their academic skills before returning to the classroom each fall.
Throughout the ceremony, speakers reflected on the impact the program has had on hundreds of students over the years. They noted that many participants are also student-athletes, balancing academics with extracurricular activities while continuing to strive for excellence. Camp leaders emphasized that the positive relationships children build with teachers and mentors leave a lasting impression long after the program ends.
Students participated in a wide variety of educational activities throughout the summer. Reading groups focused on improving literacy through vocabulary building, grammar lessons and commonly misspelled words. In mathematics, students were introduced to algebra and pre-algebra concepts to help prepare them for middle school coursework.
The camp’s STEM program encouraged creativity through daily hands-on experiments and engineering challenges. Students explored science concepts by creating slime, designing gadgets and participating in interactive activities that made learning both exciting and memorable.
Financial literacy was another important component of the camp. Representatives from MidFlorida Credit Union visited with students to teach practical money management skills using ledgers and banking exercises. Camp leaders explained that students learned about responsibility by seeing firsthand the consequences of poor financial decisions in a safe, educational environment.
One of the ceremony’s highlights was the presentation of student awards recognizing exceptional effort and achievement throughout the summer.
Among those recognized for excellence in STEM were Jahloni Connaday and Christian Brown, who demonstrated enthusiasm, creativity and problem-solving skills during the camp’s science and engineering activities.
The camp also celebrated students who showed remarkable growth in literacy. Tamarrion Hunter, Siniyya Curry and Lori Yanna Shaw received Most Improved Reader awards after making significant progress in their reading abilities over the course of the program. Their achievements served as a reminder that dedication and consistent practice can lead to meaningful academic growth.
Additional awards honored students for outstanding attendance and other achievements, recognizing the commitment and determination each child displayed throughout the summer. Organizers also took time to recognize the program’s groundskeeper for helping create a welcoming environment where students could learn and thrive each day.
Several speakers highlighted the program’s broader impact on the community. Camp staff praised educator Ms. Moody for her dedication to preparing students for the transition into middle school and helping ensure they are equipped for future academic success.
The audience also learned that Hillsborough County currently ranks seventh among Florida’s 67 counties in educational performance, underscoring the importance of community programs that continue supporting students beyond the traditional school year.
As awards were presented, families applauded proudly while students smiled as they accepted certificates recognizing weeks of hard work. The luncheon that followed gave parents, volunteers, educators and community leaders an opportunity to celebrate together while reflecting on another successful summer.
The event would not have been possible without the support of numerous community organizations and local businesses that helped provide resources, meals and educational opportunities for participating students.
This year’s Summer Reading Camp was made possible through partnerships with the Kiwanis Club, Unity in the Community, MidFlorida Credit Union, Grace Anne AME Church, Feeding Tampa Bay, Hope Lutheran Church, Mo’s Pizza, Zellous LLC and the Plant City United Food Bank. Their continued investment demonstrates the power of community collaboration in helping local children succeed.
As the ceremony concluded, one message remained clear: academic success is built through encouragement, opportunity and a community willing to invest in its youngest members. The Lots of Hugs Summer Reading Camp continues to provide all three, giving students the tools they need not only to become stronger readers but also more confident learners.
With another successful summer in the books, organizers are already looking ahead to continuing their mission of inspiring students, supporting families and creating brighter futures, one child, one book and one lesson at a time.
