Florida Sentinel Bulletin

The touring production of The Color Purple did more than entertain Bay area residents during its recent stop at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa.  It also helped make a difference in the lives of children.  Proceeds of some of the ticket sales for the January 8th evening performance will benefit the Jack and Jill of America, Foundation, Inc.  The Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.  Programs funded by the Foundation include improving academic test scores, raising reading and mathematical skills, and instilling moral and social responsibility in America’s youth.  The organization’s National President, Tara Joseph-Labrie, traveled to Tampa for The Color Purple performance, as well as other high ranking leadership within the organization.  Among those in attendance were, left to right, Jack and Jill National President, Tara Joseph-Labrie; Greater Tampa Chapter President, Tangela Dupree; Southeastern Regional Director, Joli Cooper-Nelson, and Regional Member-At-Large, Sharon Bourges-Jones. (Photo courtesy of Ishmon Johnson)

The Hillsborough County Public Schools Office of Supplier Diversity and the Hillsborough County Branch of the NAACP hosted its “End Of Year Celebration On December 17, 2010 at Pepin’s Hospitality Centre. The lunch/networking event was held 11 a. m. – 1:30 p. m., with a program that began at noon. Special invited guests were the Tampa Bay Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Celebrities in attendance were: from left, School Board Member Susan Valdes, Hillsborough County Branch NAACP President, Carolyn Collins; Hillsborough County School Board Chairman, Doretha Edgecomb; Kathy Valdes, School District Chief Facilities Officer; School Board Members Jack Lamb and Carol Kurdell; Hillsborough County Superintendent of Schools MaryEllen Elia; and Henry Ballard, Director, Hillsborough County Public Schools Office of Supplier Diversity. (Photo by BRUNSON Photography)

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On Wednesday, December 22^nd, members of the Mount Sinai African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Young People’s Department (YPD) held their Annual Christmas program. Reverend Lillian Zakay is the senior pastor. Mrs. Latrice Scott was the author of the program that included praise and worship, praise dancing, skits, and other forms of expression in the retelling of the Christmas story. Among those taking part in the presentation, shown in this photograph were from left to right: Akacia Nelson, Ladia Reason, Ashley Nelson, Kia Small, Ayawna Dorsey, and Asia Nelson. (Photograph by Toby Scott).

The Top Teens Of America Induction Ceremony was recently held at the Ivy Academy. The youth organization in under the leadership of Top Ladies of Distinction. Dawnette Frazer-Woods is president of Top Ladies and Gary Graves-Barnes is president of Top Teens. Young people recently inducted are: Nicholas Green, Jessie Pollard, Natasha Orford and Nakya Ellison. Each was presented a plaque. (Photo by Julia Jackson)

A group of 40 4th and 5th graders from Sheehy Elementary were treated to a field trip and lunch by the Services To Youth (STY) facet of the Tampa Chapter of The Links, Inc. The club at Sheehy is called the Royal Jewels. The Jewels are mentored monthly by the Links. The December activity was a visit to the UT Museum’s Christmas Victorian Stroll. The Jewels were also treated to a buffet lunch, and a tour of the campus by two UT students.  The chaperones for the field trip were: Links Kay Jefferson, Sonjia Little, Demoris Rhodes, Ozepher Wilds, Ellie Gilder, Margarette Spears, STY chair, and Evelyn Bethune, UT Museum board member.

For the first time in the history of the school, the Jefferson Dragon Football Team is now a state champion, after winning the 4A Championship over Miami Norland 44-34 last Saturday in Orlando. (Photo By Toby Scott)

City of Tampa employees gathered Thursday, December 16, 2010 at Ragan Park Auditorium to distribute Holiday Food Baskets. The baskets contained items for a traditional holiday meal, grocery store gift card to purchase perishable items and new toys for the children. Employees helping with the distribution were: JoAnn Blount, Viola Pryor, who has been the coordinator for 25 years; Joyce Stevens, Althea Baker and Felix Rosario. (PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRUNSON)

The Middleton Color Guard was one of the participants in the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership Tree Lighting Celebration. The event was held on Friday, December 10, 2010, at the Cyrus Greene Community Center. From left to right, Cadets Donnell Pierces, Kaylen Nollie, Arthur Chester, Hosiel Ponce and Gamar Rosado-Sanchez. Their instructors are Chief Charles Yerkes and Major Mike Mistretta, Jr., USAF (Ret.), Senior Aerospace Science Instructor.  (Photography by BRUNSON)

When the Great American Teach-In was held last month, Riverhills Elementary School Principal, Betty Baldwin hosted her first Career Day as Principal. There were 129 presentations with a variety of career options. One of the special guests was Delta Airlines Pilot, Ernest Taylor, center. He is shown with Principal Baldwin and Eva Tyler, Guidance Counselor. (Photo by Lomax McIntyre)