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Local
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Friday, September 29th, members of the local Shuffle- board Team held their monthly competition. The tournament marked the 8th consecutive month the tournament took place.
Each month, Steve Scott, Director and Trainer of the team, sponsors the shuffleboard tournaments. The first and sec- ond place winners each win a gift card.
The first place winners for this championship are Quincy Jefferson and Estelle Canty. These ladies represent Ragan Park Community Center.
The second place winners for this championship are Von- nie Scott and Earlene Cohen, who represent the Fair Oaks Community Center.
The teams use temporary or portable shuffleboards to play during the month. Scott con- tinues to hope that someone or some organization will donate a permanent shuffleboard for
8th Portable Shuffleboard Tournament Held
Tampa Bay Tech Alumni Donates $1,000 To School’s Football Team
“Titan Nation Rise Up!” (L-R) Vincent Jackson, Don Lee, TBT Principal Micheal Ippolito, Rick Kinsey, TBT Assistant Principal Marisa Carmody, Marlise Tolbert-Jones, Hillsbor- ough County School Board Member Tammy Shamburger, Renee Brown, Theresa Lowe-Doby.
Seniors participating in the Shuffleboard Tournament this month seated from left to right: Steve Scott, Director and Trainer, Kather- ine Palmer, Assistant Trainer, Tommy Miller, Quincy Jefferson, Es- telle Acree, Vonnie Scott, and Earlene Cohen. Shown standing from left to right: Ruby Epps, Brenda Lindsay and Naomi Canty.
East Tampa residents.
Anyone interested in learn-
ing to play shuffleboard can come to Ragan Park Commu- nity Center, 1200 E. Lake Av- enue. Scott teaches the game to senior citizens on Mondays and Fridays from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. He also teaches the game at Cyrus Greene Community Cen- ter on Thursday, from 1 p.m.
until 2:30 p.m.
Scott said he also trains
seniors at Williams Park and Fair Oaks Community Centers. All of these facilities have portable shuffleboards as well.
Anyone wishing to learn more about shuffleboard matches or other senior activi- ties at Ragan Park can call (813) 242-5316.
On Wednesday, August 30th, members of the “Titan Nation Alumni” of Tampa Bay Techni- cal High School presented a check for $1,000.00 to the school’s football team.
The Titan Nation has do- nated over $3,000 to the Tampa Bay Technical Athletic Depart- ment for the past three years. According to Don Lee, “We are honored to give back to our alma mater. We understand the im- portance of making a difference in young teens’ lives.
“We themed this year as the year to give back, and what a way to start the year off,” Lee continued.
Alumnus Rick Kinsey ini- tiated a 2017 campaign in June that was very successful. They exceeded their goal and raised over $2,000. The $1,000.00 do-
nation represented the active role in coming together as class- mates.
The “Titan Nation” has pledged to give back every year to Tampa Bay Technical High School. They will also present a check for $1,017 to the boys’ bas- ketball team when the season starts. Last year, Alumna Jackie Harper spearheaded the support by working the con- cession’s stand during the foot- ball game. The group has donated over 100 volunteer hours to support the football team.
Additionally, throughout the year, the group hosts the Tampa Bay All-White Party, and “World Famous Fish Fry” fundraisers for the elderly and bowling events with King and Hillsbor- ough High School Alumni.
Tampa Nurse Volunteers To Help Hurricane Victims
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Volunteering one’s time to help others is often observed in our society. However, that spe- cial quality becomes unrivaled when an individual drops every- thing, travels hundreds of miles, and gives of himself.
And this is the story of Toriquic Dunkley who trav- eled to Houston, Texas to help a group of nurses. The nurses were unable to leave the hospital to care for their own families. How- ever, when Dunkley and 159 other nurses arrived, the nurses were able to leave and tend to their respective families.
Dunkley said, “Those nurses were trapped at the hos- pital because of the water. They couldn’t get to their homes, couldn’t get to their families.
“By us coming over there it let them go home. They went home and we took over their roles so they could get rest or handle their business until they returned.”
Dunkley, 27, stayed in Houston for two weeks volun- teering.
A 2009 graduate of Tampa Bay Technical High School, Dunkley earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Florida A & M University. He is cur- rently working toward earning
Toriquic Dunkley stands in front of a Houston hospital, vol- unteering his time to help vic- tims of Hurricane Harvey.
his Master’s degree. But, he has- n’t forgotten about his home- town. One weekend each month, Dunkley volunteers at Tampa General Hospital.
“When I was in high school, I saw what nurses did and how the world needs nurses. I’m a person that has his spirit fed when I can help someone in need. Being a nurse, I know I’m here for a reason. I’m being uti- lized and making a difference in people’s lives,” he said.
He said once the group of nurses arrived at their assigned hospitals, they were treated like staff. Dunkley said he had just one day off and worked 12- and 13-hour shifts. And although he took the time away from his classes, he still had assignments to do. So following his shifts, he
would go to his room and do homework.
It was tiring but the spirit of the people in Houston renewed his vigor and determination. He met one doctor whose house was flooded and he had nothing but the t-shirt and jeans he had on. But the doctor didn’t miss a shift.
Of the devastation, Dunkley said, “It was lots of water. Trees overturned and a lot of people were asking for food in the com- munity. One of things that I saw was the impact we had at the hospital. The nurses were so ap- preciative. They were crying, hugging us. They were so happy to see us.”
While the member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., was in Houston, Hurricane Irma formed and started heading to- wards Florida. Dunkley could- n’t help but think of the irony that he was in Texas helping people when the people in his home state may soon need help.
“I wanted to get on the next flight and head home. But I had a job to finish. On my way over, I admit I was thinking ‘what was I doing?’
“But this just solidified the proof that my job is important. I can function anywhere in the world. We can help and we don’t know how we are going to touch somebody else’s life.”
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9