Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 7-10-18

Local
Teenager Dies After Fireworks Explode
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
A teenager was fatally in- jured after fireworks ex- ploded in his hand. The accident took place last Thursday night.
Officers with the Tampa Police Department re- sponded to the 4200 block in reference to an injury shortly before 10 p.m. When the of- ficers arrived, they learned that 16-year-old Joseph Matthew King had been injured while holding a mor- tar rocket in his left hand. The rocket detonated unex- pectedly causing significant injury to his hand and left side of his chest. Good Samaritans were attempting to provide assistance to King when police arrived.
Tampa Fire Rescue re- sponded and transported King to Tampa General Hospital in critical condi- tion. He died early Friday as a result of his injuries.
A Tampa native, King was the youngest of 3 and the only son of Ms. Mary Keys.
Ms. Keys said, “I miss my son. This situation is un- fortunate, but even though this tragedy happened, his life was not in vain. He was a different kind of dude. I have never seen anyone like him. Everyone loved him and he was a good child.
“I just want people to re-
JOSEPH M. KING 2/13/2002 --- 7/6/2018
alize that they need to be careful and aware. This was supposed to be a happy time. Parents, family, friends, everyone should take better care of themselves, read the directions, and just be care- ful.”
King was a student at Middleton High School and would have been a junior in
the fall. His mother said he was an artist, a musician, and enjoyed working with technology. He was also ac- tive at his church, First Bap- tist Church of College Hill.
Ms. Keys said King was staying with a friend because she had to work the 4th of July. They had talked about their upcoming family re- union that took place last weekend.
Ms. Keys has estab- lished a gofundme page to help with his funeral ex- penses. Anyone wishing to make a contribution can visit: https://www.go- fundme.com/joseph- matthew-king-memorial-fun d.
A funeral for Joseph Matthew King will be held on Saturday. Harmon Fu- neral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.
IB Students Continue To Dominate Scores
Hillsborough County Pub- lic Schools High School Inter- national Baccalaureate (IB) students rank higher than their peers nationwide and around the world, as seen by recently released IB diploma rates.
The district’s four IB Diploma Programmes con- tinued to achieve at an exem- plary level and displayed the intense level of commitment necessary for success.
Jeff Eakins, Superin- tendent of the Hillsborough County Public Schools Dis- trict said, “The level of suc- cess we see right here in our district as compared with the nation and the globe is noth- ing short of amazing and is a testament to the strength of the programs we have across our district.
“These students are better able to cope with demanding workloads, manage their time and meet expectations placed on them. All of those traits will be necessary in college and in the work force.”
The schools’ level of suc- cess has become an impres- sive trend. Seniors in the IB Diploma Programmes in Hillsborough County have ranged from 92% to 100% over the last five years.
Here is the breakdown by school: Hillsborough High School maintained an achievement level in the mid- 90’s yet again with a diploma rate of 94%;
King High School raised its diploma rate to 93%, up a point over last year;
Robinson High School in- creased its diploma rate by 2 points, reaching 97%; and
Strawberry Crest High School also heightened its diploma rate by 2 points, moving from a 96% level last year to 98% this year.
JEFF EAKINS Superintendent of the
Hillsborough County Public Schools District
According to the Interna- tional Baccalaureate Organi- zation, last year the U. S. IB diploma rate was 66.69% and the global IB diploma rate was 78.40%.
These national and global numbers are currently being tabulated and updated for this year. However, the suc- cess of HCPS IB Diploma Programmes as compared to other programmes nationally and globally continues to be impressive.
To receive an IB diploma, a student must pass oral and written exams at the end of their senior year, pass courses, and maintain a high Grade Point Average throughout their 4-year IB career.
They must also serve their community and write an ex- tended length college-level essay. Students must accom- plish all of the above while also living the life of a high school student, with school clubs, sports, jobs, friend- ships and other activities.
This commitment to the program is rewarded greatly, as attaining the IB diploma garners the attention of col- lege admission directors at prestigious universities around the country.
Correction
Incorrect Address
The address listed in an article on Friday on a National Youth Conven- tion coming to Tampa, gave an incorrect ad- dress of the Sanctuary Of Tampa Bay Church. The correct address of the church is 7416 E. Deleuil Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33610. Elder Vic- tor Moore is the Senior Pastor.
The free concert Wednesday evening, 7 p. m., featuring Gospel artist Kierra Sheard will be held at Mt. Calvary Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 4902 N. 40th St., Tampa,33610.
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