Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 11-23-18

Features
Board Vice Chair Shares Her View On School Renaming
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
For nearly two years, res- idents have voiced their con- cerns about changing the name of a local elementary school. Last year, a fire de- stroyed the school before the task could be accomplished.
On Thursday during a special meeting, to discuss renaming Robert E. Lee Ele- mentary School upon the completion of its construc- tion, board members re- viewed more than 100 name submissions. They decided to name the school, Tampa Heights Elementary School, after the area in which it is lo- cated.
Ms. Tamara Sham- burger, Vice Chairperson of the Hillsborough County School Board said, “Although it's long overdue, I'm happy that the name has finally been changed. For the last 75 years this name has disre- spected not only the Tampa Heights community, but Tampa as a whole. It feels good to win against hate. This and many other schools around the nation were named after Robert E. Lee
MS. TAMARA SHAMBURGER ... Vice Chairperson, Hillsborough County School Board
during an era of White resist- ance to equality; including as a protest against Brown v. Board of Education and the Civil Rights Movement. It was also during a time when Confederate monument con- struction peaked throughout the county.
“I'm honored that the name now reflects the great- ness of the community not only because of the diversity of Tampa Heights, but also as the southern part of Tampa Heights is gentrified and is rebranded as "The Heights," it's important that we pre- serve the name and richness of the community estab-
lished in 1880.
“This is an exciting time.
The school and the commu- nity will collaborate with our construction and design teams on developing the new mascot, school colors, and school theme. We've be given an opportunity to create pos- itive history. The school is ex- pected to reopen I'm told, within the next 12 - 18 months.”
Its History
This marks the third name change of the school that is 112 years old. The school came into existence in 1906 and was known as Michigan Avenue Grammar School. In 1943, it was relo- cated to 305 E. Columbus Drive, and its name was changed at that time. It was the first brick school building in Hillsborough County.
It was renovated in 1989, and won a local historic preservation award. It also became the first magnet school in the county.
In 2005, it was renamed Robert E. Lee Elementary School of Technology and World Studies, in honor of the Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
Former State Rep. Sworn Into Florida Bar
Members of the Narain Family shown with the Honorable Judge Barbara Twine-Thomas are: Mrs. Monica Narain, Ed Narain, Esq., and their daughters, Elaina and Zahara Narain. (Photography by Lomax McIntyre)
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Friday, November 16th, former State Repre- sentative Ed Narain was sworn into the Florida Bar as a practicing attorney. The ceremony was conducted by the Honorable Judge Bar- bara Twine-Thomas.
Attorney Narain
learned that he had passed the bar in September. When Attorney Narain moved to Tampa several years ago, he enrolled at the University of South Florida. His goal was to become an attorney.
Attorney Narain con- tinued his education at St. Leo’s University, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. He also earned his Master of Business Ad- ministration as well. The next step was to enroll at Stetson University, where his Juris Doctorate Degree was earned.
Then, he interrupted his education to pursue other in- terests, such as participating in the election process. He was successful in becoming a State Legislator. However, he didn’t win the election to be- come a State Senator two years later.
However, Attorney Narain never gave up and took the examination to be- coming a licensed, practicing
attorney.
Attorney Narain said,
“This day was a tremendous honor for me and my family. To be sworn in by an out- standing jurist as Judge Barbara Twine-Thomas and to have Hillsborough County’s first African Ameri- can female attorney and state Senator Arthenia Joyner provide remarks --- created a memory that will live forever in the minds of my children.
“God has blessed us greatly. Looking back, the road to this day was not smooth. It was filled with doubt, frustration, disap- pointment, and tears. But the path to our goals always seems hard when taken in all at once. However, no matter the path, don’t ever stop the pursuit of what you believe in. He will see you through.
“Thanks to everyone in the community that has sup- ported us reaching this mile- stone. We appreciate and love you more than you know,” Attorney Narain said.
The momentous occasion was attended by his parents, Pastor Aubron and Evan- gelist Yvonne Narain, his mother-in-law, Mrs. Debra Weatherly, among others.
In 2016, Narain was a candidate in the State Senate race. Senator Dar- ryl Rouson won the seat by 77 votes.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2018 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A