Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 2-5-16 (2)

Local
New Pilot Project Offers Kids Free Rides On HARTline
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
On Wednesday, the Board of County Commissioners re- vealed a new pilot project, “Wheels For STAY-cations” that will offer middle and high school students a free ride to school.
HART, Hillsborough County Public Schools, and Hillsborough County are invit- ing middle and high school stu- dents to hop aboard HART buses this spring with a project that will offer free rides, and expand transportation options for young residents.
Commissioner Kevin Beckner, who brought the idea to his colleagues for sup- port, said he initiated discus- sions a year ago as a HART board member.
“Part of my idea is to trans- form the community into a more transit community, and he best place to start that is with the youth. It would also have a tremendous impact on
HARTline Bus
our growing traffic issues. “The pilot project will run from March 1st to the end of the school year. Then, we will eval- uate the program before imple-
menting it permanently.” Comm. Beckner said the cost is covered under HART’s existing budget and the County has kicked in $10,000 for the
pilot project.
KEVIN BECKNER County Commissioner
Young Men At Young Magnet School Bring The Realities Of ‘Being A Teen’ To The Stage
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
Young Middle Magnet School is well-known through- out the region as a science and technology learning hub for young minds. But since last fall, a group of young men have been learning playwriting, stage di- recting, and set production in addition to the periodic chart of the elements.
It’s a special all-male drama class that’s a partnership be- tween Young and the Patel Con- servatory at the Straz Center for Performing Arts.
The all-male drama class was formed to balance out some of the school’s activities that are only for young women, said Straz publicist Leslie Ferrell.
The Conservatory has as- signed an instructor to work with the students to help them develop a play. The instructor is provided to the class free of charge, Ms. Ferrell said.
In the class – which meets each Thursday – students sharpen their acting skills along with learning about the ins and outs of play production. Every- thing in the class – from writing the play, to designing the set, to picking the music – is student- led.
The play, “Big Kids, Bigger Problems” is a series of three vi- gnettes where students act out solutions to tough problems such as bullying and peer pres- sure.
Themes of the play include sports, poverty, and violence.
The students will perform the play before the entire stu- dent body later this month.
Patel drama instructor Matt Belopavlovich acts as a guide,
coaching the students and offer- ing words of encouragement.
The play is a form of Forum Theater, a type of fine art where the students are acting out issues and matters that they are expe- riencing personally, he said.
Almost all of the students have no experience with being in a play. But that hasn’t stopped them from fully involving them- selves in every aspect of the cre- ative process, Mr. Belopavlovich said.
“They’re starting to take ownership of what they’re doing,” he said. “There are mo- ments when everyone shines.”
There have been other changes too.
Before taking the class, many of the students knew, but did not socialize with each other.
Now, new friendships are being developed thanks to the class, Mr. Belopavlovich said.
“They come together and do the work,” he said.
Drama techniques aren’t the only lessons taught in the class; the students are also picking up life skills, Mr. Belopavlovich said.
“I’m learning that if a kid is in trouble, you can help a kid out,” said Armani Reed, a 13- year-old eighth grader. “There’s
better ways than fighting.” Fellow eighth grader Jer- maine Goodman, 13, said he’s excited to entertain his class- mates while also teaching them the pitfalls that come with fol-
lowing a bad crowd.
“I like showing kids that you
can make different choices,” he said.
The Young Drama Class students with their instructor working on their upcoming production.
Young men in the Drama class at Young Middle Magnet School during a recent rehearsal.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-A