Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 4-19-16 Edition

Features
Organization To Present ‘Tampa Star Showcase’ Talent Show
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Saturday, April 23rd, members of the community will have an opportunity to observe some of Tampa’s tal- ented residents. The event, entitled “Tampa’s Star Showcase,” will take place at 7 p.m., at the Centro As- turiano de Tampa, 1913 N. Nebraska Avenue.
The event is being spon- sored by Operation Hope, a not-for-profit organization founded by Franklin Hills, Jr.
The family-oriented show will feature talent in the cat- egories of vocalists Cynthia Bailey, Caitlin Mobley, Kimberly LaShawn Ful- ton, Suave Love, Brittani’ A. Williams, Diania Ortiz, and Drake Austin. The show will also feature rapper Moonie Louve, the band Constant, dancers, Dynamic Duo, musician Chris Cava, and comedian Sharon Nolan.
The gifted performers will be competing for cash prizes and other promotional
FRANKLIN HILLS, JR. Producer of ‘Tampa Star Showcase” Talent Show
prizes. The first place winner will receive $1,000; the sec- ond place winner will receive $500, and the third place winner will receive $200.
“We are hoping people will come out, support the showcase, and vote for their favorite artist, as the audi- ence participates in the judg- ing. This event can only be successful as we make it. As the producer, it is my sincere hope that Tampa comes out and supports Operation Hope’s Tampa’s Star Show- case.”
He has also written a trib-
ute song to the late Michael Jackson that will be fea- tured in the showcase. “Pending the success of the Inaugural Showcase, each year, it will pay tribute to a particular musical artist,” he said.
A Tampa native, Hills at- tended the University of South Florida where he re- ceived several degrees.
His experience also in- cludes behind the scenes work in the industry, and served as one of the advisors to Daryl Underwood, of Underwood Records.
He currently serves as a real estate investor and busi- nessman.
As the founder of Opera- tion Hope of Tampa Bay, Hills said this fundraiser will allow the organization to mentor underserved youth throughout the Tampa Bay Area and help support its year-round ‘Feed Those in Need Initiative.’
For additional informa- tion about the show or Oper- ation Hope of Tampa Bay, call (813) 693-1772; or visit the website at www.TampaS- tarShowcase.com.
School Board Approves Superintendent’s Reorganization Plan
JEFF EAKINS Hillsborough County School District Superintendent
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
MS. DORETHA EDGECOMB School Board Member
needed because of the growth of the Spanish-speaking com- munity in Hillsborough County.
Board member Doretha Edgecomb voiced concerns about the position being spe- cialized.
Ms. Edgecomb said, “My concern is that the position should be more inclusive. What if a new set of immi- grants come into the county, will the plan change in the next 5 years, or will they create a po- sition for Ethiopian or Syrian students?
“I am not anti-Hispanic, but there are students in Hills- borough County right now who meet the same criteria. I just want to make sure that the support is there so that all of our students are successful.”
Under Superintendent Eakins’ plan, eleven of the employees in his cabinet will be required to re-apply for their jobs and compete on a na- tional level.
Superintendent Eakins
said he expects to have the ma- jority of the positions filled and operating by July 1st.
On Tuesday, members of Hillsborough County School Board approved a plan to reorganize the upper level of the Superintendent’s Cabinet. This is the second time the Su- perintendent has made
changes in less than a year.
Superintendent Jeff Eakins told Board members that the proposed changes were “not about people, this is about looking first at what do our kids need, what do our schools need.”
His plan calls for the elimi- nation of two cabinet positions. Additionally, other positions will be eliminated, added, merged, or reclassified.
He further said the 8 Dis- trict Superintendents will have more control over their area, more responsibility, and more interaction with the commu- nity.
One position being created is that of Assistant Deputy Manager of Hispanic Out- reach. Superintendent Eakins said the position is
the
National PAL Mentoring Day
National PAL (Police Ath- letic League) Day will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016, 10 a. m. – 2 p. m. at Tigertown Field in Lakeland. This is a free community event.
FYI
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