Page 15 - Florida Sentinel 9-11-15 Edition

Local
Organization Nominated For ‘Be More’ Awards
ROSS ANDERSON
... Founder of Men of Vision
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Recently, the Men of Vi- sion service organization was nominated for the WEDU “Be More” Awards. Those inter- ested in participating in the voting process can do so on- line beginning on November 3, 2015.
Ross Anderson, founder of the organization, and Tran- sition District Resource Spe- cialist, was surprised by the nomination. But, he was even more surprised by the individ- ual who nominated.
The nomination came from Devante J. Robinson, an inaugural member of Men of Vision. Robinson submit-
DEVANTE ROBINSON ... Founding member of Men Of Vision
ted a 500-word essay explain- ing why he nominated the or- ganization.
In the essay, he wrote, “I never understood the impor- tance of fellowship and self- less service until I began my first year of college in 2011. Now, as a Law Enforcement Academy Cadet, I’m applying the very skills obtained over 9 years ago.
“Men of Vision is the epit- ome of leadership. Focusing on young men in at-risk neighborhoods, its sole cre- ation is to highlight the young men who are deemed “inept” but through perseverance transcends all stereotypes and recognizes the ones who are and have transcended them,”
In May, the Hillsborough County School District recognized Men Of Vision during their board meet- ing. Shown in this photograph from left to right on the front row are: Henry Tillman, Jr., Jaymon Jones, Antonio Hendricks, Timothy Myers, James Carter, Calvin McClarin, Marquavis Hamilton, Pierre Alsint, Sheridan Thompson, Eric Vincent, Nathaniel McClarien, Shacoy Millian, Daniel Smithen, Tymoie Cole- man, and Kerion White. Shown on the back row left to right: Jeff Eaikens, Hillsborough County School District Interim Superintendent; and Hillsborough County School Board members: Sally Harris, Melissa Snively, Susan Valdez, Doretha Edgecomb, Cindy Stuart, and April Griffin.
he wrote.
Robinson went on to de-
scribe how the organization has helped other young men to obtain their education, graduate from high school, and continue their education at institutions of higher learn- ing.
He also wrote about the organization’s 97% graduation rate and that its members tend to maintain a 3.0 grade point average.
Robinson said, “I am nominating this non-profit or- ganization because as an
African American male, whom was raised in an at-risk neigh- borhood, and transcended all stereotypes, I serve as a testi- mony for its service to the community.”
Of the nomination, An- derson said, “This is what we all hope for as educators and children of God. I'm so proud of this young man words can't express them. For him to nominate Men of Vision is priceless!”
A Tampa native, Ander- son graduated from the Uni- versity of South Florida with a
Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He also earned a Marketing de- gree from Columbia Southern University.
Anderson became a member of the Hillsborough County School District in 2006. In November of that year, he launched the Men of Vision Program on the cam- pus of Sligh Middle Magnet School.
The program now operates on the campuses of an ele- mentary school and several middle and high schools.
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