Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 3-13-18

Local
Tampa Chapter Of The Links, Incorporated 12th Annual Read-In At Sheehy Elementary
The African American Read-In (AARI), established in 1989 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of the Teachers of English (CTE), is built on the premise: that a school and community reading event can be an effective way to promote diversity in children’s litera- ture, encourage young people to read, and shine a spotlight on African Ameri- can authors.
Each February, the Tampa Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, along with over a million readers of all ethnicities and countries gather to read and celebrate literacy and Black American Literature.
On February 23, 2018, community volunteers from the Bay Area presented the literary works of Black authors to the students of Sheehy Elementary School. The readers represented a broad range of careers and formed connections that may have the potential to build future re- lationships with the school and The Links’ program.
Members of the chapter greeted guests at check-in stations and provided them with details of what grade and classroom they had been assigned. After checking in, readers were directed to a display of books where Links Sisters helped them make grade appropriate se- lections.
A light breakfast was served followed by a brief program. At 9 a. m., readers were escorted to classrooms by student hosts. The students waited and returned guests to the Media Center, where they completed a short evaluation of the event and received a gift of appreciation.
More than 80 books were donated by supporters of the Links or purchased by the Services to Youth Facet. One re- peated donor, Mike Jennings of Jen- nings Financial Services donated 22 beautiful works of art and words.
After the Read-In all books were do- nated to the school. (Photographs by Frederick Harris)
Tampa Fire Rescue Chief Tom For- ward and Ernest Hooper.
Tampa Links, front row: Hosetta Coleman, STY Chair, Ozepher Wilds, Read-In Chair, and V. P., Membership, Sonjia Little; President, Atty. Renee Lee, and Read-In Co-Chair, Joselynne Forde.
Back row: Links, Patricia Parker, Joyce Daniels, Margaret Spears, Dr. Juel Smith, Barbara Jackson, Phyllis Lee, Joan Dawson, Gloria Williams, Ruby Brown, Willa Peterson, Evelyn Bethune, Verneka Rhodes, Demoris Rhodes and Pricilla Howard.
Shown here are: Links, Dr. Juel Smith, Joselynne Forde, Dr. Paul Sheehy, Jr., Links President and Vice President, Renee Lee and Sonjia Little.
Bruce Curry, Frank Lee, Albert Coleman and Cecil Howard read to the students.
Travis Brooks, Larry Faris, Mark Harewood, Paul Curry and Ralph Smith were among the readers.
Other readers were: Cynthia and Pete Zinober, Min- erva Spanner-Morrow, and Ross Anderson.
Retired educator, Henry ‘Shake’ Washington, who was one of the readers.
Judge Perry A. Little (Retired), James Ransom, Gerald Peterson and I. V. Spears, Jr.
PAGE 10 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2018