Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 2-16-16 Edition

Local
County’s First African American Athletic Manager Humbled By Honor
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Growing up in Tampa, Billy Graham was guided toward athletics. As a student attending King High School, he was involved in several sports, and said sports have always been a part of his life.
Graham has been em- ployed for the past 20 years with Hillsborough County’s Parks and Recreation De- partment.
In 2011, Graham was promoted to the position of Recreation Coordinator, and two years later, became Hills- borough County’s first African American Athletics Manager.
“I love what I do, and the historical significance of what I’ve accomplished went right by me at first. I consider
BILLY GRAHAM
myself humble, so I just look at it as something I’ve always wanted to do.
“I’m sure I was given this position because they felt I was the best person for the job.”
Graham said the next step for him would be to be- come director, but there is a
great man already in that po- sition, Dale Dougherty.
“I have a great staff, and we serve more than 30,000 kids in the county, along with 5,000 volunteers.”
Graham said when he finished college, he consid- ered being a classroom teacher.
“The late Watts Sanderson was my mentor, and I was following in his footsteps until this opportu- nity presented itself. I must say, Hillsborough County has been great for me.”
Graham is a member of Harram Temple #23, and joined in 1995. He said that experience has helped him in his professional career.
Graham is married to Renee Graham, and they have three children, Bianca, Brittney, and Billy, Jr.
Student Who Wouldn’t Give Up Earns High School Diploma
Ross Anderson, Community Advocate Liaison, Hillsborough County School District, left, is shown with recent graduate Justice Hillary-Lemon, who was recently awarded his high school diploma.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
At the close of school in June, Ross Anderson, edu- cator and founder of Men of Vision, learned that several students participated in the graduation ceremonies. How- ever, many of them received a Certificate of Completion be- cause they had not passed the FCAT.
Feeling that he could be of assistance, Anderson began tutoring a group of young men in preparation for the tests. Recently, Anderson shared the story of one young man who would not give up.
The first time Justice Hillary-Lemon took the standardized FCAT he was a senior and failed. He at- tempted to pass it on two other occasions, but fell short by a few points.
Hillary-Lemon took the ACT for the first time as a sen- ior. “He gave up after the fourth time taking the test. But I told him he had come too far to stop.
“His goal was to join the military and serve our coun- try. I told him that if he was
going to be a soldier, then he must fight on until the victory is won. He signed up again to take the test in December. This time, on his 5th attempt, Justice passed the test,” An- derson said.
Now, the young man is working with a recruiter in preparation of enlisting in the military. Anderson further stated that Justice has a 3.0 grade point average and has met all of the requirements to receive his high school diploma.
Anderson said although Justice was required to pay each time he took the test, it was worth every dollar.
“We must continue to sup- port our young men and young women in the commu- nity to do whatever it takes to receive their high school diplomas and we can’t let money be the determining factor.”
Anderson said before the students actually take the ex- aminations, they should pre- pare for them. “Some of our students need extra attention and the free preparation classes don’t always provide that.”
UniverSoul Circus Opens In Tampa
UniverSoul Circus is a Tour de Force of Cir- cus Artistry on a Global Scale
We’re Bridging Cultures from Around the World.
A big top spectacle of global proportions, the 2016 production of Atlanta-based UniverSoul Circus takes fans of all ages on an unforgettable journey of light, sound and soul. Get ready for electrifying, edge-of-your-seat performances, in- cluding extreme motorsports, mind-bending contortionists, freshly-painted clowns, disco- dancing pachyderms, free-flying aerial acts and much more.
Hailed as the most interactive circus in the world, UniverSoul Circus opens in Tampa in the parking lot of Raymond James Stadium, Feb. 17- 21, 2016.
As has become its trademark after 23 years, UniverSoul Circus will present a multicul- tural/multinational cast of rock-star performers in 2016. Only under the UniverSoul Circus one ring big top will you be lucky enough to witness “Extreme Motorcycle Daredevils” from Colom-
bia, a cross-cultural “Wheel of Death” act from Ecuador and Guinea, “Flying Trapeze and Pagoda Bowls” from China, a pole act and con- tortionists from Ethiopia, limbo dancers from Trinidad and Tobago, clowns from Detroit, ze- bras and elephants from the United States, and a Ringmaster from Memphis, Tennessee.
“Just like the circular ring in which it sits, UniverSoul cele- brates cultures from around the world and brings them together under the big top,” said Founder and CEO Cedric Walker.
“At this time in our history we need to come together, to embrace and learn from each other. I believe the circus natu- rally brings people together. In 23 years of searching for talent, I have journeyed to every conti- nent to find a multicultural, multinational mix of talent to showcase.”
For more information, con- tact Hank Ernest, UniverSoul Circus, at (404) 588-1235, Ext. 872.
FYI
Housing Authority Board Meeting
The Regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of the City of Tampa is scheduled for Wednesday, February 17th at 8:30 a. m. in the main office boardroom, 5301 West Cypress Street, Tampa, 33607.
This meeting is open to the public and any person, who might wish to appeal any decision made by the Board of Com- missioners.
Ben Wacksman is Chairman of the Board.
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016