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Feature
Tampa Chapter Of The Links, Inc. Young Mentoring Group To See ‘The Lion King’
Russell Brown of ‘The Lion King’ is shown with Patricia McCants, Principal of Sheehy Elementary School, Links Margarette Spears, and Evelyn Bethune.
The Tampa Chapter of the Links, Incorporated has planned a field trip for its young mentoring group, The Royal Jewels of P. L. Sheehy, M. D. Elementary School. The group of 5th graders will be going to the David A. Straz Center For The Performing Arts on Wednesday, February 10th for the 7:30 p. m. showing of ‘The Lion King.’
There were a few glitches along the way that almost cost the girls the trip, but committed ladies of the or- ganization made sure that didn’t happen.
Kay Andrews, Presi- dent of the Tampa Chapter of the Links, Inc., wanted the girls to experience the theatre event. However, she didn’t want to tax her or- ganization to purchase tick- ets for each of the girls. In general conversation with Link Juel Smith, Ms. Andrews talked about the stage production and how she’d love for the girls to see it. Link Smith brought up the idea in the organiza- tion’s next meeting and more than 30 of the mem- bers were willing to pay for tickets for the girls to at- tend.
Because of the relation- ship Link Smith has with Judy Lisi, President/CEO at the Straz Center, she was able to approach her about the 28 young ladies attend- ing the performance. Ms. Lisi could not offer free tickets, but assured Link Smith that she would do what she could to expose the children to the produc-
tion. At the regular price, tickets would have cost the organization nearly $3,000.
The trip was set for Sun- day, February 7th. Then, the group wasn’t able to get the necessary transportation needed to transport the group. The decision was made to table the field trip.
Last Thursday, January 28, 2016, one of the cast members of ‘The Lion King,’ Russell Brown, who performs as a bass in the singing ensemble and is an understudy to Mufasa, visited Sheehy Elementary School, Patricia Mc- Cants, Principal. Sheehy was the only school chosen for the cast member to visit. At the Principal’s invita- tion, Links Sylvia An- drews, Evelyn Bethune and Margarette Spears were there for Brown’s presentation.
The students were spell- bound by his visit. The Royal Jewels were even more overwhelmed as they were able to interact with him and take photos with him.
In conversation, the Links learned that Brown’s mother is a Link in Augusta, GA, and he is a Heir-O-Link. As the con- versation continued, Brown learned that the girls wouldn’t be able to at- tend a performance be- cause of the transportation glitch. He immediately of- fered that he and his cast mates would take care of that. The Royal Jewels of the Tampa Chapter of the
Links, Inc. will be going to the Straz on Wednesday, Feb. 10th. Ms. Lisi was able to get the group discounted
tickets.
To prepare for their trip,
the Royal Jewels will stay after school to do home-
work, take a short nap, eat
Members of the Royal Jewels at Sheehy Elementary School with Russell Brown, center.
a light dinner and dressed for the show.
get
(Photos by BRUNSON)
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