Florida Sentinel Bulletin

    Last Sunday, members of the community from all walks of life gathered at the Riverfront Park for the First Annual Bridge The Generational Gap Campaign. The event was sponsored by Project S. A. W. Show Another Way, Inc., and Children With A Vision, Inc. Colonel Alvin B. Drew, Jr., an Astronaut from NASA, was the special guest. The theme for the event was, “It Takes A Village To Raise A Child.” Among those in attendance were NASA Astronaut Col. Alvin B. Drew, Jr., State Representative Betty Reed, Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor, School Board member, Doretha Edgecomb, Col. E. J. Otero, Elder Michelle B. Patty, Pastor Michael Price, Pastor Antonio R. Hawkins, Pastor Charles Perkins, Bishop Robert Register, Ricky Gallon, of Boys & Girls Club of Tampa, Inc., James E. Williams, Project S.A.W. founder Oliver Sutton,  founders Jerome Young, Lesley Young, and Tonya Lewis, founder of Children With A Vision, Inc.

More than 200 family members and guests joined Carolyn J. Banks to celebrate her retirement July 7, 2012. Guests were in attendance from Washington State, Dallas, Chicago and Gary, Indiana. The event was held at the USF-Gibbons Alumni Center on the campus of the University of South Florida. Renee Brown was the Mistress of Ceremonies. Mrs. Banks held several positions over the years at State Farm Insurance Company. She is affiliated with numerous business, professional, social and civic organizations. She is an active member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Banks, seated, is shown with her sisters: Maxine Jackson, Norma Reese, Vivian Reese, Shirley Reese, Janice Reese and Ruby Bunts. (PHOTOGRAPH BY JULIA JACKSON)

The Middleton High School All-Class Reunion was held in Tampa June 15-17, 2012. Part of the celebration included 10 years of the re-birth of Middleton Senior High School. The theme was “Maroon And Gold Runs Deep.” The reunion was held for 3 days and included Get Acquainted evening on Friday; Saturday evening, dinner and dance with Randall ‘C’ as the DJ; and Sunday the picnic was held at Al Lopez Park Hunt Center. Members of the Class of 1968 shown seated are Ms. Aleatha Shaw Filer, Calvin Simmons, Class President, and Ms. Jodie J. Hines. Standing from left to right are: John Robinson, Ms. Carol Brookins, Ms. LaVern Logan, Ms. Yvonne Douglas, Ms. Cynthia Brady, and Ms. Sandra Nelson. Standing on the back row are: “W.C.”, Gloria Andrews, Patricia Cooper, Henry Washington, and Isaiah Jones.

Just recently, Racquel Watson followed in her mother’s footsteps to become the 2012 Miss Alumni for Bethune-Cookman University. Her mother, Betoria Watson held the title in 1998. This year’s convention was held in Daytona Beach.  In addition to Miss B-CU coming from Hillsborough County, the Hillsborough County Chapter of B-CU won the title of “Chapter of the Year” for the outstanding work it does for the university. Members of the chapter who joined Racquel at the convention are Elaine Sledge, Diane Diggs, Jocelyn Vickers, Gina Petty, Birdie Underwood (Racquel’s aunt), Racquel, her mother, Andra Diggs, president of the local chapter, Johnny Douglas, Julia Jackson and Michelle Brundridge. (Photo courtesy of Julia Jackson)

The membership at Peace Progressive Missionary Baptist Church celebrated its pastor’s third anniversary in June. Reverend and Mrs. Albert (First Lady Wilma) Gallmon, Jr. were joined by family and friends. The guest speakers for Anniversary Sunday were: Reverend Eric Gallmon of Agape Church, 7:45 a. m. and at 11 a. m. the Reverend Sylvester Robinson, Pastor of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, Quincy. Among those assisting with the special services were members of his Ministerial Staff. From left to right are: Minister Barbara Harris, Minister Juanita Ford, Minister Diane Jackson, Rev. and Mrs. Gallmon, Jr., Reverend Terry Slayton and Minister Alfred Carswell. (Photograph by Julia Jackson)

The Urban Teaching Academy held a reception Monday to recognize graduating seniors from Blake, Hillsborough and Middleton High Schools. The reception was held at the Hillsborough Education Foundation’s headquarters at the Centro Espanol de West Tampa. Young people in attendance were: Whitney Burke, Victory Fipps, Leonel Garcia-Maestrey, Dontey Jones, Mekka Mason, Adalberto Robles and Caitlin Visnovec, all of Blake High School; Cynthia Curbelo, Ashley Danley, Monique Manlapig, Gelissa Mann, Rossanna Marquez, Kayla Rodriguez and Lakiya Thompson, all from Hillsborough High School; and Latrice Adams, Latifah Brown, Adrienne McLean, Heather Nelli, Justice Tribling and Magalia Vance-Peterson, all of Middleton High School. (Photo by BRUNSON)

A crowd estimated at more than 3,000 welcomed President Barack Obama on Friday, June 22, 2012 at Hillsborough Community College, Dale Mabry Campus. The President greeted an enthusiastic crowd in Tampa who are moving ‘forward’ with him into the November election. His stop in Tampa followed a speech to a group in Orlando. In Tampa, his focus was on economics, while he addressed immigration while in Orlando. See related article on page 15. (PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRUNSON)

Stu Robinson of Clear Channel’s 95.7 The Beat, hosted Stu’s 6th Annual Father Daughter Dance on Father’s Day at T. Pepin Hospitality Centre. This year’s theme for the sold-out event was ‘A Knight With His Princess.’ The guest speakers were James Evans, author and former NFL player, and Alyssa Bedard of ‘I Care About Me.’ NFL Player Michael Clayton led the fathers in the pledge. Stu and his daughter, Tyeisha Hairston, seated, are shown with some volunteers/chaperones at Sunday’s event: Sherita Woodard, Kenya Woodard, Maxine Booker, Candice Salph, Michelle Horne, Iris Williams, Reginia Suggs, Henrissa Berry, April Cobb, Glyn Hagins, Zahira Magwood, Ebony Grimsley and DJ Chase. (PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRUNSON)

Last month, members of the Bay Area Medical Association (BAMA) held their First Annual Awards Banquet and Fundraiser at the Centre Club. The theme for the event was “Salute To The Class of 2012.” Three graduating high school seniors, one college graduate, and one medical school graduate were the recipients of $500 scholarship.  The graduating high school seniors will attend the University of South Florida. The recipients and BAMA members shown in the photograph from left to right are: Dr. Faith Felder, President of Bay Area Medical Association; Dr. Dexter Frederick, Ms. Denisela Thicklin, graduate of Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School; Ms. Shikeria Green, Biomedical Science Major, University of South Florida; Jean-Jacques Mbassi, graduate of Tampa Bay Technical High School, Dr. Emile Commedore, MD, JD, Executive Director of Bay Area Medical Association; Ms. Naa Sika Williams, a graduate of the University of South Florida who will attend Meharry Medical College; and Dr. Tawanna King, graduate of University of South Florida Medical School, who will complete her residency and become a practicing physician. (Photograph by LOMAX McINTYRE).