Florida Sentinel Bulletin

A Retirement Celebration for Henry J. Ballard, Jr. was held on Monday, May 23, 2011 at the Sam Horton Instructional Service Center. Ballard, the Supplier Diversity Officer for Hillsborough County Public Schools, retired after more than 30 years. Ballard, center, is surrounded by family members from left, Cheryl Riley, Richel Riley, Yvette Ballard Sims, Blake Ballard, Henry Ballard, III, Michael T. Brown, Jr., Monica Ballard Brown, Linika Ballard, Connie Ballard and Lionel Ballard. Young people who also attended were Michael T. Brown, III, Zoe Ballard, Christopher Brown and Maliyah Williams. (PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRUNSON)

Recently members of the community gathered at Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church for its dedication as a historic landmark. The dedication ceremony, which paid tribute to the 118-year-old church, was conducted by the Hillsborough County Historic Advisory Council and took place on May 22nd. Among those in attendance at the dedication ceremony were from left to right: Ms. Shirley Foxx-Knowles, Tampa City Clerk, City Councilman Frank Reddick, Deacon Harold Scott, Reverend Oscar Johnson, Jr., Senior Pastor at Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Senator Arthenia Joyner, and Mayor Bob Buckhorn. Brother Russell Person is shown seated. (Photography by Toby Scott).

Molina Healthcare of Florida recognized 6 unsung heroes from across Florida in the second annual Community Champions Awards ceremony. The event was held last Wednesday evening at the Florida Aquarium. Entertainment was provided by Clayton Cullaton of Unlimited Gospel Expressions.  The winners shown with Molina Healthcare officials are: from left, Damia Kelly, Johnny Hightower, Linda Walker, Molina Healthcare of Florida President, David Pollack, Linda Hawkins, Molina Healthcare Inc.’s Michelle Purrington, Pastor Tom Jones, Molina Healthcare of Florida’s Angela Blaylock and Rosa Kasse. (PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRUNSON)

The City of Tampa Black History Committee, Inc. presented its 2011 Scholarship Awards Ceremony on Monday, May 16, 2011 in the Old City Hall City Council Chambers. The Honorable Mayor Bob Buckhorn brought greetings. The keynote address was delivered by Lt. Colonel Daniel B. Sparks, United States Marine Corps. The Mistress of Ceremonies was Sharon M. West. From left to right are: Debbie Mercer, Janett S. Martin Scholarship Award Recipient Alesia Jackson, a graduating senior at Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School; Lt. Colonel Daniel B. Sparks, speaker; Diandra Latibeaudiere, City of Tampa Black History Committee Presidential Award Recipient and senior at Freedom High School; Kayneeia Weaver, Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church-Harold Scott Award Recipient and senior at C. Leon King High School; Celeste Gibbons-Peoples, who presented the awards and Frank Crum, President, COTBHC. (Photography by BRUNSON)

That’s what these young men are singing after they won the championship game last Thursday at the Salesian Boys and Girls Clubs for 5-8-year-olds. The Salesian Hawks defeated the Brandon Boys and Girls Club by a score of 14-8. Coach Doug Fiedler is shown with the team members as they show off the trophy. Team members are M. Paulk, A. Bradley, K. Browning, J. Sheppard, J. Reddick, A. Esquilin, J. Nichols, P. Oden, D. Washington and C. Allan. (Photography by BRUNSON)

On Tuesday, the East Tampa Community Partnership Group paused during their meeting to honor lifelong East Tampa resident, Mrs. Georgia Owens, on her 93rd birthday. Mrs. Owens was also presented a special observance letter from Senator Kathy Castor, recognizing her as 2011 Citizen Of The year. In the photo (from left to right) are: East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership Chair, Evangeline Best; Aide To Senator Kathy Castor, Chloe Coney; Honoree, Mrs. Georgia Owens, and her daughters, Miriam Owens and Vivian Heyward.

Atavia Blake has become a member of the Mean Green of North Texas University in Denton, Texas. The Jefferson High senior signed a Letter of Intent with the new coach at North Texas, Karen Aston, last Tuesday at Jefferson. Atavia was one of 2 players the coach signed. The other is Sara Stanley, from a community college. Atavia, 5’11” forward, averaged 10.1 points per game her senior year, helping the Dragons to reach the Florida Regional Semifinals in 2011 and the Florida 4A Semifinals in 2010. She was a 2nd team All-Division selection in 2011 and was named Honorable Mention All Tampa Bay by Bright House Sports Network  and the Tampa Tribune. She also played in the UNCF All- Star Game. Atavia, center, is shown with her teammates at Jefferson: Laurie Beaty,  Benee Glanton, Sara Goellner, Shayla Wilson, Brittany Gardener, Hema Gude, Chantrell Frazier, Shayla Upshaw, T’Niajah Williams and Mariah Peterson. (Photography by BRUNSON)

The ladies of the Hillsborough County Chapter of The Charmettes, Inc. sponsored their 30th annual Junior Debutante Coronation on Sunday, April 17, 2o11. The event was held in the Life Center of St. John Progressive M. B. Church. Six contestants vied for the title of “Miss Junior Deb 2011.” Miss Taylor Victoria Young was crowned “Miss Junior Deb 2011.” Her mother wore the same crown in the 1980s. Taylor is the daughter of Victor and Tia Young and granddaughter of John and Joyce Austin. She is a 3rd grade student at Oakstead Elementary School and a member of the Principal’s Honor Roll. Taylor attends Idlewild Baptist Church. She is shown with her parents and her grandmother.

The George Edgecomb Bar Association held its 28th Annual Law Week Banquet on April 25, 2011 at the Downtown Hyatt Regency. The keynote speaker was Tonya Lewis Lee, Attorney-at-Law, wife of Spike Lee. Reverend Dr. Thomas Scott received the Francisco Rodriguez Award and Attorney Delano Stewart was the recipient of the Diversity Award. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of scholarships to high school students. Jane Rose, Esquire, Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office and Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee, presented the scholarships. The 2011 scholarship recipients are: Kelly A. Martin, a senior at Tampa Bay Tech High School; Jasmyn Simmons, (Prepaid Scholarship recipient), a 9th grader at Leto High School; Fatima Kamara, a senior at Freedom High School; Kayvious Campbell, a senior at Plant High School; and Dante A. Pascucci, a senior at Brandon High School. (Photo by Julia Jackson)