On Saturday, September 12^th, family and friends of Ms. Theresa Manuel held an appreciation banquet in her honor. The elaborate event was held at the DoubleTree, By The Hilton, 4500 W. Cypress. The theme of the grand affair was, “An Evening In Shades Of Blue.” Ms. Manuel became the first African American woman from Florida to represent the United States at the Olympics in 1948 in Track & Field. Ms. Manuel, 89, retired from the Hillsborough County School District after 38 years of service as an educator. The Master of Ceremony for the event was Kevin D. Lofton, of the CDC of Tampa, Inc., The Honorable Doretha Edgecomb, Hillsborough County School Board Vice Chairperson, was the Keynote Speaker. Ms. Manuel is shown seated. Among those in attendance at the banquet were on the front row from left to right are : Mrs. Lena Higgs Canty, of Miami, who founded the Harbor Island Family Group, of which Ms. Manuel is a member, Mrs. Chloe Coney, District Director for Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Mrs. Doretha Edgecomb, Susan Valdes, Chairman of the Hillsborough County School District and Mrs. Kim Moore, Middleton High School Principal. Shown on the back row are: Hillsborough County Commissioner Les Miller, Jr., and Jeff Eakins, Superintendent, Hillsborough County School Disrict. (Photography by BRUNSON).