Florida Sentinel Bulletin

NATIONAL SIGNING DAY HELD AT MIDDLETON HIGH SCHOOL

Recently, faculty, staff and students at Middleton High School were excited to participate in National Signing Day. The event was held at the school in the Auditorium. Several students took advantage of the opportunity to sign with the colleges or universities of their choice. In addition to out-of-town schools, local facilities from Hillsborough Community College, including Dr. Ken Atwater, President, were present. Shown in this photograph from left to right: Dr. Brian Rodriguez, Manager of the College Reach-Out Program (CROP); Dr. Keith Berry, Hillsborough Community College Dean of Academic Affairs, Ybor Campus; Ms. Maribel Garrett, Dean, Student Services, Hillsborough Community College; Dr. Kim Moore, Principal of Middleton High School, and Dr. Shawn Robinson, President of Hillsborough Community College, Ybor Campus. (Photograph by JAMES JOHNSON).

MEETING ON SCHOOL BOUNDARY CHANGES HELD AT VAN BUREN 

Two parent/community meetings on proposed boundary changes were held last month for the North Tampa and New Tampa areas. The meetings were in the format of an open house, where parents talked with district staff. Staff members from Choice, Transportation and the affected schools were in attendance. The first meeting was on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, in the Van Buren Middle School cafeteria. Parents of students currently assigned to MOSI Partnership School, Forest Hills, Mort, Pizzo, Shaw and Witter Elementary Schools and Van Buren and Greco Middle Schools were invited to attend. Also, students currently assigned to the Hunter’s Green Elementary and Clark Elementary Schools boundaries living in the North Tampa area were invited to attend. Among those in attendance at the meeting were:  Valerie Newton, Lipi Reid, Allison Edgecomb, Cynthia M. Forward and Shellie Blackwood-Green. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

STUDENTS AT LEGACY PREPARATORY ACADEMY VISIT THE CAPITOL 

Students from Legacy Preparatory Academy went on a Grand VIP Tour to Tallahassee last week. While there, they visited the Capitol, Florida State University and Florida A&M University. During the Capitol visit, the 18 students and teachers were recognized and announced during the Legislative session. Scholars and teachers shown with State Representative Shawn Harrison (D-63) are: B. Morales, E. Zuniga-Matute, J. Cruz-Melendez, A. Jones, W. Darisma, J. Sykes-Griffin, C. Cajuste, A. Price, S. Waitress, A. Menefield, J. Rodrigues, Y. Cortes, J. Anderson, L. Pierre-Louis, S. Darns, and L. Norales. Chaperones included: Y. Capers, Principal; J. Parker-Brown, J. Jackson, R. McNeal, G. Dickens and E. Gales. (Photograph by Julia Jackson)

RETIRED COMMISSIONER PRESENTED COVETED AWARD

On Wednesday, April 5^th, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners recognized Rubin Padgett, Sr., for his decades of dedication to the people of Hillsborough County. Mr. Padgett was chosen as the recipient of the Ellisworth G. Simmons Good Government Award. The presentation took place at 9 a.m., in the County Center, Second Floor Boardroom, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. Among those on hand to witness the coveted honor shown in this photograph from left to right: Commissioner Les Miller, Jr., Glenn Padgett, nephew of the recipient; Cynthia Few, Rubin Padgett, Jr., son of the recipient; Nolan Padgett, son of the recipient; the honoree, Mr. Rubin Padgett, Sr., Commissioner Stacy White; and Linda and James Albert Padgett, daughter-in-law and son of the recipient. Shown on the back row are: Commissioners Pat Kemp, Al Higginbotham, Sandy Murman, Victor Crist, and Ken Hagan. (Photography courtesy of Hillsborough County Government).

HEAD START MALE INVOLVEMENT WORKSHOP AT RIVERVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

A recent Hillsborough County Public Schools Head Start Male Involvement Workshop was held at Riverview Elementary School on Thursday, March 23, 2017. The workshop was a continuation of many workshops being held throughout the county, which consist of lectures and experiences of being a better parent and role model. Several parents came out to take advantage of the information being shared. Workshop presenters were: Terry Bradley (program manager), Dan Parravano, Thomas Coverson, Donald Dowridge and Michael Thomas, Sr. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

VOLUNTEERS ASSIST WITH MEN’S HEALTH FORUM

The Men’s Health Forum, sponsored by Moffitt Cancer Center, was held on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at the Marshall Center on the campus of the University of South Florida. Although it’s a Men’s Health Forum, the assistance of several women volunteers is welcomed for the operation to run smoothly. The final count was 395 men who participated: African American/Black – 138 (34.9%); White – 67 (17.0%); Hispanic – 145 (36.7%); Asian – 15 (3.8%); and other – 7 (1.8%). The ladies who assisted with the men getting signed in were: seated, Sandra Phipps and Antonia Barber. Standing: Iika Poole, Linda Paige, Ave’ Morgan, Keke Green, Sherrail Brown and Jenny Morales. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

CITY OF TAMPA WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

The City of Tampa held its Women’s History Month Celebration on March 21st at the Tampa Convention Center. The theme was “Honoring Trailblazing Women In Labor And Business. The Special Award was the MacDill Air Force Base Women’s Appreciation Award, presented to Civilian Nicole M. Tompkins and 1st Lt. Col. Amy B. Bartee, Chaplain. Jeanette LaRussa Fenton introduced Regina McBride-Smith, recipient of the 2017 Josephine Howard Stafford Memorial Award. The award was presented by City of Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. Seated from left to right: Heather Erickson, Diedrea Anthony, honoree Regina McBride-Smith, Sonya Street and Hope Kiriisa. Standing, Alvin Holder, John Grimsley, John Allen and Marlin Hall. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

MT. OLIVE AME CHURCH RECOGNIZES CITIZENS DURING BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM

Mt. Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1902 W. LaSalle St., held its Black History Month Program on February 26, 2017. One of the featured events during the service was Donald Dowridge, Jr.’s portrayal of Frederick Douglass. The highlight of the service was the recognition of Community Trailblazers. Presiding Elder, James O. Williams and Reverend Gregory V. Gay, Sr., Pastor, standing in the rear are shown with the honorees: Jeffery Rhodes, Fannie Stone, City Councilman Frank Reddick, Attorney Delano Stewart, Retired Judge Perry Little, Judge Barbara Twine-Thomas, Chloe Coney, and Harriett Carter-Manning. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)