Florida Sentinel Bulletin

WWII VETERAN RECEIVES HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AT GRADUATION

Beginning last month, thousands of Hillsborough County seniors were presented their high school diplomas. The graduation ceremonies were held at the Florida State Fairgrounds. One of the graduates who participated in the Hillsborough High School Graduation Ceremony was Mr. Joe Perricone, a member of the Hillsborough High School Class of 1943. Mr. Perricone was drafted into military service in the middle of his senior year and never walked across the stage to receive his diploma. On Saturday, May 25, 2019, Mr. Perricone, 95, received his high school diploma. Shown in the photograph at the historic occasion were from left to right: his grandson, Judge Thomas Palermo, Hillsborough County School Superintendent Jeff Eakins, Dr. Stacy Hahn, School Board member, Mr. Perricone, WWII Veteran and Hillsborough High School graduate, Ms. Dolores Perricone, daughter of the honoree, School Board Chairperson Tamara Shamburger, and Ms. Cindy Stuart, School Board member. (PHOTOGRAPHY BY FREDERICK HARRIS).

350 STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM HOWARD W. BLAKE HIGH SCHOOL

           More than 14,000 high school students graduated from schools in the Hillsborough County Public School System over the past 2 weeks. The graduation exercise for Howard W. Blake High School was held on Saturday, May 25, 2019. The school presented graduation diplomas to 350 students. Among those proud graduates were: Christian Brown, Courtney Brown, Ulysses Brown, Areyah Browne, Marcus Bryant and Nigel Browne. Jesse Salter is the Principal of the school and Jeff Eakins is Superintendent of Schools. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

RIBBON CUT ON NEW C. BLYTHE ANDREWS, JR. PUBLIC LIBRARY

         The family of Mr. C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. was joined by City and County officials on last Sunday, May 26, 2019, for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony during the Dedication of the new C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library. Among those who participated in the ceremony were: in front, Mayor Jane Castor, Commissioners Sandy Murman, Pat Kemp, Ken Hagan, and Les Miller; Kay Andrews, Sentinel Publisher; Gloria A. Andrews, widow of C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. and C. Blythe Andrews, III, and his wife, Sylvia. Behind them are: daughter, Gayle Andrews, Mr. and Mrs. Claude (Margarita) Adams, their daughter, Ana; Janie Adams, daughters, Dr. Nancy Collins and Dr. Susan Blanchette; Lauren Thornton-Fernando, Dominique Blanchette, Max Collins, Gabrielle Blanchette, Allison Clebert, Michelle Foster, C. Blythe Andrews, IV, Miles Collins, William Andrews, Sharon Andrews Gray and Stanley Gray, Hermione Andrews and Ayla Andrews. Branch Librarian Ms. Raishra Bailey,and Andrew Breidenbaugh,Director of Library Services for Hillsborough County, are on the right. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

SCHOLARSHIP GALA COMMITTEE OVERSEES SUCCESSFUL EVENT

         The Middleton Alumni Association held its Miss Middleton King And Queen Scholarship Ball last month. The Ball theme was “Bridging The Gap: A Royal Legacy.” The event featured several of the former students who served as royalty at the school, including the 2019 honorees. Middletonians who were a part of the planning committee to oversee a successful event included: from left, Fred Hearns, Luvator Nelson, Alumni Association President; Phan Boston, Event Chairperson; Carol Jarrett, Patricia Cooper, Yvonne Douglas, and Woodrow Simmons. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

ALLEN TEMPLE A M. E. CHURCH HONORS LOCAL CUSTODIANS

                     Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church invited and recognized custodians in the Hillsborough County School System. The recognition was done during the 11 a. m. worship service on Sunday, May 19, 2019. Pastor Glenn Dames spoke from Mark 5, Verses 17-20, “I Came From the Tombs.”  Those in attendance were: Hillsborough County Commissioner Les Miller, Henry “Shake” Washington, retired Area Superintendent, Trustee of the church, and coordinator of the program; Carisa Spires, Principal of Kenley Elementary; Rev. Glenn Dames, Pastor; David Jones, of Kenly Elementary; Nathanial Jackson, Orange Grove Middle, Delano Stewart, Steward Emeritus of the church; Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera (D-7); and Tampa City Councilman Orlando Gudes (D-5). (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre)

SPRING TIME TAMPA BLACK BUSINESS BUS TOUR

Three bus loads of passengers traveled with Candy Lowe throughout the city for the Spring Time Black Business Bus Tour on Saturday, April 27, 2019. After the tour, there were vendors and live entertainment at Tampa Park Plaza for those on the tour. Among those who joined Ms. Lowe, founder of the Black Business Bus Tour, were: front row, Connie Melton, Delores Grayson, former City Councilman, Harry Cohen; Candy Lowe, Mona Judge, Travia Anderson, and Rhonda Jackson. On the back row are: Ann Acosta, Dee Wilkins, Sherri Watkins, Rose Pyles, Beth Eriksen Shoup, Tia Jenkins, Connie Burton and Twanda Bradley. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

PHLEBOTOMY CLASS HAS GRADUATION CEREMONY 

The Phlebotomy Class at Erwin West Technical College held its graduation last month at A. P. Leto High School. The ceremony included graduates from January to April 2019. The class consisted of 14 graduates. Graduates shown with school administrators are: Mirabu Carr, Clara Diaz, Qiana Francis, Phyllis Gilliam, Jacqueline Gomez, Rosa Jaimes, Cristina Leon, Jagan Manukonda, Frank Noda, Miriam Perez, Patrice Russell, Sarah Stokes, Andrea Zamora and Johanna Aracena. Neil Risher is the Principal, Leto Adult School, Susan Miguel-Torena, Erwin West Administrator and Dr. Tatyana Harris, who did the pinning. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT YEA! AWARDS TO STUDENTS

Recently, the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners recognized several students for their accomplishments. The YEA! (Youth Excellence and Achievement) Awards were presented in the categories of Leadership, Volunteer or Community Service and Success Despite Difficult Odds. The Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women selected the winners from more than 40 nominees. The recipients, shown from left to right are: Gavriela Daniels, Trinity Academy, Leadership: Vance Tomasi, Farnell Middle School, Volunteer or Community Service;  Naomi Weller, Progress Village Middle Magnet School of Arts, Success Despite Difficult Odds; Christopher Rodriguez, Plant High School, Leadership; Blaque Jarvis, Middleton High School, Success Despite Difficult Odds; and Grace Ramos, Plant High School, Volunteer or Community Service. The Commissioners shown on the second row from left to right are Kimberly Overman, Pat Kemp, Les Miller, Jr., Stacy White, Mariella Smith, and Sandra Murman.

NEWLY-ELECTED MAYOR JOINS TEENS AT SAFE & SOUND SUMMIT

                        Newly-Elected Mayor Jane Castor, joined a group of youth, elected officials and other citizens on Saturday, May 4, 2019 for Safe & Sound Hillsborough, Safe Summit ’19 Violence Prevention Conference. The event was held in partnership with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. The all-day event was held at George S. Middleton High School and included a town hall meeting with several policy makers participating, a teen summit, and much more. Members of Men of Vision shown with Mayor Castor, center, are: Anthony Walker – Spoto High School, Howard Brookins – Hillsborough High School, Isaiah Hopkins – Middleton High School, Jonathan Dorsey – Tampa Bay Tech High School, Karrtington Hickman – Spoto High School, Mayor Castor, Tyshawn Hatch, Avirel Harris, Uriel Cajuste, and Joshua McDonald – Middleton High School. (Photograph by Ricky Roberts)