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Holiday Blessings At Barksdale Annual Family Giveaway
In what has become an annual tradition, Barskdale Center held their annual family giveaway and holiday blessings. (PHOTOS BY SYLVESTER HARRIS)
Students Join Mentor At Super Bowl 50
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
When former NFL defen- sive end, Tyrone Keys, founded All Sports Commu- nity Service in 1993, his goal was not to just create oppor- tunities for challenged youth, but to have them return to help the next generation.
“My mission was to create an organization that would be dedicated to offering mentor- ing and scholarship opportu- nities to young people in guiding them toward their goal of attending college.
“I taught them that skills from the athletic arena could be parlayed onto the field of life.”
On Super Bowl Sunday, Keys got a chance to see how his mission worked, when three young men, one of them his son, Tyrone, Jr., joined him in the stands at Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl 50.
The other two young men, Frederick Burns and Jadrien Brown, like Keys, Jr., are engineers and in keeping with their mentor’s vision, they continue to revisit All Sports to help mentor the next generation.
“All three of these young men have been a part of All Sports for 10 years,” said Ty- rone Keys.
“It was great to cap it all off by joining them at this year’s Super Bowl.”
Keys, Jr. recently fin- ished studies toward his Mas- ter’s Degree in Industrial Engineering.
“I had an opportunity to work with the CDC of Tampa, and it was a great experience. I got a chance to work in the community as a career re- source specialist. Now, I’m a consultant with a software company, and a major phar- maceutical company.”
Keys, Jr. said this was the first time he’s attended a Super Bowl with his friends, and it was a memorable expe- rience.
“I’ll never forget this day. I actually went to the celebra- tion party with the Broncos, and I listened to the players talk about their experience.”
Brown said this was his first Super Bowl ever, and he’s celebrating his birthday this week.
“The experience was something I’ll always cherish. “My career as an engineer is going great. I was recently promoted to the position of Senior Consultant, and I’m looking forward to a bright fu- ture. I want to inspire others and show them that there are
Tyrone Keys (far right), enjoys Super Bowl 50 with Tyrone Keys, Jr., Frederick Burns, and Jadrien Brown.
opportunities out there if they work hard and just keep push- ing to be better. You don’t have to be what others expect you to be.”
Tyrone Keys said it’s beautiful that so many people helped him mentor these young men and he’s proud of how successful they’ve be- come.
“They all want to inspire young people to keep grind- ing.
“When I walked in the sta- dium and heard them intro- duce Tony Dungy, it took me back to the last time he and Peyton Manning were at a Super Bowl together. That’s when I knew the Pan- thers were going to lose.”
Burns said his trip to the Super Bowl was a story of faith.
“I never thought I’d be in the stands attending Super Bowl 50. As an engineer I want kids to know it’s cool to be smart. Education isn’t cool to a lot of young people, but it’s the way to have a secure future.
“At the game, I was texting everyone I could remember. I remember talking to Mr. Keys about going to the Super Bowl, and acting on faith, I hopped on a plane and wound up in the stands. After the game, I caught a red-eye flight, and went back to work.”
Tyrone Keys said these are the young men of the fu- ture, and he’s in awe of their success.
“It’s important for adults to embrace young people and share their wisdom.
“All of them earned their way to the Super Bowl. It’s all about letting them mentor the next generation.”
Burns said you have to follow up after you’ve pro- gressed to make sure you leave opportunities for others.
“You have a part to play in our mentor’s life. Your part is to take what you’ve been taught, and share it with oth- ers.”
Mr. John Wise, recipient for his church (Hope of Shiloh Community Church) from Annette Gam- brell.
Mr. and Mrs. Joe (Maria) Pignatelo enjoying 71 years of marriage and danc- ing great.
Presenters staff with recipient: (left to right) Lisa Bryant, Merry Beth Grant, Annette Gam- brell, Fannie Keith (recipient) for First Baptist of College Hill, and Billy E. as Santa Claus.
Retirement Celebration Held At The Jazz House
Ybor City’s popular Jazz House was the scene of a retirement celebration for Jessie Lyons. (PHOTOS BY JULUA JACKSON)
Retirement celebration honoree, Jessie Lyons and Lucus Morres.
Doris Cannon came to the retirement cel- ebration.
The Dancing DJ shows his stuff at the retirement celebration.
Fuller
came to
Barbara
crowd entertained.
Carlos
wish his friend well at the re- tirement celebration.
El-Amin
kept the
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