Page 18 - 6-24-16 Friday's Edition

Local
AKAs Celebrate The Graduation Season
Graduation season is the time to celebrate the accomplishments of students as they enter a new phase of their personal and academic lives. Over the past month, Gamma Theta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated joined the cele- bration by recognizing those gradu- ating from their various youth programs.
The ASCENDsm program (Achieve- ment, Self-Awareness, Communica- tion, Engagement, Networking and Developmental Skills) is signature youth program of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. designed to motivate, encourage and assist high school stu- dents in reaching their maximum po- tential in the journey to college or vocational employment.
Graduating students who have been quite active in the program are Miss Betia Washington and Mr. Artice Holland.
The Precious Pearls is a mentoring program with the goal of creating an environment of learning that en- riches the lives of young ladies in high school through programs fo- cused on educational, cultural, phil- anthropic and social principles while stimulating spiritual growth and a vital understanding of basic econom- ics. The program has produced 15 graduates this year, all of whom will attend college in the fall.
Gamma Theta Omega celebrated the end of graduation season by awarding scholarships to deserving students. During the Scholarship Re- ception held on June 12, 2016 at the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Christian Life Center, more than $25,000 was awarded to 2016 graduates and the 2016 Miss Teenage Tampa Contestants.
Precious Pearls: front row, Jasmine Jackson, Angel Fennell, Danielle Long, and Cristen Thomas. Back row: Tyra Striker, Dauriel Reid, Daja Brown, Briseanna Joyner, Kelsey Hawkins, Phyllisity Walters, Naomi Armstrong, Betia Washington, and Clarissa Thornton.
Foundation Scholars: Sendy Joseph, Carine Kam- bou, Alyshia Baker, Ginger Richard.
Heritage Scholars: front row, Phyllisity Walters, Sydney Benjamin, Morgan Craig, Briseana Joyner, Ajani Bell, and Alana Nelson. Back row: Alec Estrill, Cameron Padgett, Ka- roni Provine, and Artice Holland.
MTAT Contestants Scholarship Recipients: Tatiyana Gard- ner, Anestasia Dye, Beautyful Copeland, Tori Brown, Brianna Blake, Cheyene Bruner, and Zoya Whitehead.
GTO president, Ms. Deborah Barnes, ASCEND students, Betia Washington, Ar- tice Holland, and ASCEND chairman, Chiquita Henderson.
All graduates with leadership of Gamma Theta Omega and Miss Teen Age Tampa.
Thank You, Lord, for the precious gift of this child. Be- cause Your word says that every good gift comes from You, I know that You have given him (her) to me to care for and raise. Help me to do that. Show me places where I continue to hang on to him (her) and enable me to re- lease him (her) to Your pro- tection, guidance, and counsel. Help me not to live in fear of possible dangers but in the joy and peace of knowing that You are in con- trol. I’m grateful that I don’t have to rely on the world’s unreliable and ever-chang- ing methods of child rearing but that I can have clear di- rections from Your Word and wisdom as I pray to You for answers. I rely on You for everything and this day I trust my child to You and re- lease him (her) into Your hands.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to
those who MATTHEW 7:11
ask Him!
PAGE 6-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016