Our Club’s Grants at Work
- lhfrank0
- 13 minutes ago
- 3 min read
District Recognition Honors DHS ARC Academy
Our Rotary Club’s grants continue to make a meaningful impact—not only by supporting our community in need, but also by strengthening educational excellence right here at home.
One shining example is our long-standing support of the Dunedin High School Architecture, Robotics, and Construction Academy (ARC Academy). Since I, Larry Franklin, joined the Rotary Club in 2019, our club has proudly supported the DHS Robotics program through multiple grants. In addition to my role as a Rotarian, I serve as President of the Board of Directors for the DHS ARC Academy, giving me a firsthand view of the transformational impact of this support.
Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom
Our Rotary grants have helped fund equipment, travel for competitions, and required team attire. Some may wonder why clothing is included in a robotics grant. When students advance from local competitions to the state and national levels, they must adhere to a formal dress code. Our financial assistance ensures that all students—regardless of financial circumstance—can participate and compete, removing barriers that might otherwise prevent them from advancing.
Academies of Distinction with Honors
On February 10, 2026, the Pinellas County School Board awarded the Academies of Distinction Certification with Honors to the Architecture, Robotics, and Construction (ARC) Academy at Dunedin High School. This recognition places the ARC Academy among the highest‑performing career academies in Pinellas County Schools.
The Academies of Distinction designation is reserved for exemplary career academy programs that not only meet all state requirements but also exceed expectations under nationally recognized criteria. These criteria include operational excellence, strong business engagement, and outstanding student outcomes. The Distinguished Honors status signifies performance that exceeds the verified exemplary standard.
Leadership and Instructional Excellence
This achievement is a direct result of strong instructional leadership and dedicated faculty, including:
Principal James Kiblinger
Assistant Principal Christopher Settle
Lead Educators:
Laura Badraum – Architecture
Dr. Judith Deeley – Robotics
Brandon Szymanski – Construction
Their commitment to academic rigor, industry relevance, and student achievement has positioned the ARC Academy as a model career academy program within Pinellas County Schools.
Building Strong Industry Partnerships
Under the leadership of Principal Kiblinger and Assistant Principal Settle, the ARC Academy Board was formally established in September 2023 to strengthen governance, expand industry engagement, and meet the requirements necessary to achieve Academies of Distinction status.
The Board includes dedicated education and industry partners who support students through:
Mentorship
Curriculum guidance
Equipment and supply assistance
On-site and off-site training opportunities
Construction site tours and industry visits
These partnerships significantly enhance students’ real-world learning experiences and career readiness.
Executive Leadership and Workforce Development
The ARC Academy Board’s executive leadership, directors, and members—representing Pinellas County Schools, St. Petersburg College, the University of South Florida, and local businesses—play a vital role in strengthening workforce development and preparing students for postsecondary education and careers in architecture, robotics, and construction. The Academy further acknowledges the valued contributions of its Board leadership, including Board President Larry Franklin, Vice President of Architecture Ginia Zanni, Vice President of Construction Jim Donze, and the many industry partners whose continued support ensures the ARC Academy’s ongoing success.