Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 5-23-17

Local
Student Chosen As ‘Social Work Student Of The Year’
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Saturday, May 20th, 18 students participated in their graduation ceremonies. They have earned their degrees at Saint Leo University’s Tampa Education Center.
One of those students was chosen as the “Social Work Stu- dent of the Year,” by the Na- tional Association of Social Worker’s Tampa Chapter. The honoree is Ms. Dorthea “Sharmaine” Burr, of Tampa. Ms. Burr earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work. Her instructor was Ms. Debra Thrower, Undergraduate Instructor at the Tampa Education Center, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd.
This marks the first time a student at Saint Leo University
MS. DORTHEA “SHARMAINE” BURR ... “Social Work Student
Of The Year”
has been chosen for this presti- gious award. Ms. Burr partic- ipated in her graduation ceremony. She and 13 class- mates are the first cohort of BSW students to complete the
program in Tampa.
A Tampa native, Ms. Burr
is the daughter of Ms. Mary Walker and the late Johnny Williams. She graduated from Tampa Bay Technical High School.
After graduation, she con- tinued her education at Hills- borough Community College, where she earned her A. S. De- gree. When St. Leo University launched their program in Tampa in 2015, Ms. Burr en- rolled.
She is currently employed at ECHO of Brandon as the Di- rector of Social Services. She decided to continue to gain ex- perience in her chosen field while continuing her education.
Now that she has completed this phase of the education process, Ms. Burr, 40, plans to earn her MSW degree at
MS. DEBRA E. THROWER, MSW Social Work Professor, St. Leo University
Saint Leo University. Her pro- jected graduation for that de- gree is the Summer of 2018.
Ms. Burr’s future plans in- clude the launching of Serenity Outreach & CDC Inc., and
Sharmaine Burr Enterprise LLC, later this year. She also plans to work in the commu- nity.
She is a member of Miracle Temple Institution, Church Of God In Christ, and enjoys spending time with her family, dancing, volunteering, shop- ping, and laughter.
The other graduated from the Tampa Education Center who earned their degrees are: Fidelina Alvarez, Cather- ine Bavetta, Chelsea Broy, John Coufal, Dora Fitz- patrick, Lameka Knigh- ton, Deon Mack, Jennifer Mangra, Matthew Mc- Goldrick, Taushia Oliver, Gina Quartararo, Varsha Rawana, Sharon Shaw, Robin Taylor, Shamara Bowen, Joseph Weaver, and Hyacinth Wenger.
Charter Schools Hold Joint Graduation Ceremony
On May 12th, three Hillsbor- ough County Charter Schools held a joint Commencement Ceremony. The event was held at the Tampa Convention Cen- ter in downtown Tampa.
Students who graduated represented Seminole Heights, Town & Country, and West University Charter High Schools in the presence of more than 1,300 guests. April Griffin, a member of the Hillsborough County School Board, delivered the Keynote Address.
The students are unique in that they come from diverse backgrounds and circum- stances that challenged their ability to be successful. Despite such challenges as early par- enthood, foster care, poverty, and recent immigrant status, they successfully achieved their goal of receiving their high school diplomas.
Each school partners with the Hillsborough County School Board to assist students who can benefit from their unique and beneficial pro- gram.
Three of the graduates
Derek Maldonado, Van- ishka Montanez and Chelsea Quinones, were awarded scholarships to Hills- borough Community College (HCC). The scholarships were sponsored jointly by the school’s Board of Directors, HCC, and Accelerated Learning Solutions.
Education officials on hand for the graduation ceremony included; Board of Directors Chairman James Simmons; HCC Vice President, Dr. Ken Ray, and school Principals Robert Schodt, (Seminole Heights), Jeffrey Mitchell, (West University), and Por- shia Jones (Town & Coun- try).
April Griffin delivered the Keynote Address at the gradu- ation ceremony.
Shown in this photograph from left to right are: Dr. Ken Ray, Vice President of HCC; graduate Vinishka Montanez, James Simmons, Chairman of the Board of Directors; and Jeffrey Mitchell, Principal of West University Charter School.
Shown from left to right: Dr. Ken Ray, Vice President of HCC; graduate Derek Maldonado, James Simmons, Chairman of the Board of Direc- tors; and Robert Schodt, Principal of Seminole Heights Charter School.
GRADUATE SAM THOMAS
Shown from left to right: Dr. Ken Ray, Vice President of HCC; graduate Chelsea Quinones, James Simmons, Chairman of the Board of Directors; and Porshia Jones, Prin- cipal of Town & Country Charter School.
Amron Brooks is shown with family members.
Eugene Thomas and guest at his graduation cer- emony.
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2017