Page 23 - Florida Sentinel 7-15-16 Online Edition

Polk County News
Trends And Issues Across The United States Of America
The 4th of July was a day to celebrate our free- dom of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The tragic events at the end of the week left Amer- ica hurt and confused.
Americans, including those who serve and pro- tect, lost their lives be- cause of anger, thoughtlessness and lack of love for mankind. Americans were left to grieve someone who did not return home safely to family and friends. Americans did not live to celebrate another 4th of July and their freedom.
As Americans, we speak about freedom yet man live in fear. We speak of the Declaration of Inde- pendence “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain un- alienable Rights, that among these are Life, Lib-
erty and the pursuit of Happiness,” yet many are unable to live these truths.
The answers and solu- tions to the cycle of vio- lence and hate that stunned our nation last week, none of us may have this time but, I believe that conversations held in our communities, state and at national levels must begin in knowing it will take all of us from di- verse backgrounds, speak- ing love for each other.
I have participated on committees in Lakeland, partnering with the Lake- land Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Of- fice, and Polk County School System to break the cycle of gang violence in our commu- nity. These committees have been proactive in en- suring that the divisive- ness that happens in our
nation does not take root in our communities.
I'm passionately dedi- cated to giving our youth opportunities to succeed, dedicated to allow our children to be productive members of our commu- nities, rather than a meaningless statistic on the nightly news.
Nobody wins if we don’t work together, in- cluding State, County, City and Community lead- ers. We must have collab- orative conversations providing our children, our future, a safe place to live.
Without God, we will fail, but with God in all things, we can make a pos- itive impact in our com- munity and world.
DR. SHANDALE TERRELL Lakeland, Florida
Polk County Schools 2016 Hall of Fame Inductees
DR. NERIAH E. ROBERTS
In loving memory, Shaw- Nuf Talk pauses to gives tribute to the Polk County Schools 2016 Hall of Fame inductee, the late Dr. Neriah E. Roberts, who dedicated his life to improving education in Polk County and abroad.
Though he resided in Lake- land, Dr. Roberts was a Polk County community icon. After graduating from Rochelle High School, he returned in later years to serve as a Teacher and Coach at Rochelle Junior-Se- nior High School in the Paul A. Diggs neighborhood of Lake- land. The Dr. N. E. Roberts El- ementary School located in Northwest Lakeland, was named in his honor.
Over the years, Dr. Roberts served as Assistant Principal and Principal at nu- merous Polk County Schools; Executive Director of the Asso- ciation of School-Based Ad- ministrators and a member of the Polk State College District Board of Trustees. His educa- tion included South Carolina State College (Bachelor’s), Florida A&M University (Mas- ter’s) and Nova University (Doctorate).
Dr. Roberts authored and published a book entitled The Evolution of African-Ameri- cans, Lakeland, Florida (1883- 2014).
On March 6, 2016, Dr. Roberts departed from this life to his eternal home leaving a lifetime of cherished memo- ries with his wife, Yvonne; son, Ronald; two grandchil- dren, Kristen and Omar; and a host of family and friends.
Dr. Neriah E. Roberts is remembered as a trailblazer, trendsetter, mentor, selfless friend, and dedicated advocate of education and his commu- nity. He is gone from this life, but his legacy will continue to live on through the many lives whom he touched.
Other PCS 2016 Hall of Fame inductees are: Rear Ad- miral J. Adrian Jackson, who gave 35 years of service to the USA military as a Naval Aviator and Officer, coordinat- ing combat requirements for over 61 nations supporting US- CENTCOM operations; Leslie M. Muma, co-founder of Fis- erve, Inc. a Fortune 500 com- pany that provides management technology to fi- nancial institutions; and Dr. J. Patrick O’Leary, who serves as the Executive Associate
Dean of Clinical Affairs and As- sociation Vice President of Medical Affairs at Florida In- ternational University’s Her- bert Wertheim College of Medicine.
Birthday Greetings
Shaw-Nuf Talk extends HAPPY BIRTHDAY! wishes to Lakeland lady, Kay Fields - July 18th; New York gentleman Sylvester Gordon, Jr. – July 20th; and formerly of Polk County: California lady, Shirley Shaw-Hutchinson and New York lady Mary ‘Catherine’ Gordon – July 21st! May the Lord continue to bless you with many, many more years of life!
Shaw-Nuf Shout-out
This week’s Shaw-Nuf Shout-out goes out to Tianna Quintero of the PACE Center for Girls-Polk.
Recently, Tianna attended The White House Summit on the United State of Women in Washington, D. C. It was re- ported that more than 5,000 leaders who are involved in women-related policy advance- ment and advocacy traveled from across USA to attend the summit. Speakers included President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, War- ren Buffet and Oprah Win- frey. Tianna was invited to attend the summit due to her personal leadership skills and ability to represent the PACE philosophy and mission.
Congratulations, Tian- na!!! Keep up the awesome work.
Polk County Advertisers/ Distributors Sought
The Florida Sentinel Bul- letin is in search of advertisers and distributors in the Polk County area. Are you interested in advertising your political campaign, business, church, organization, community events, employment opportu- nities, etc., in the Sentinel or having the Sentinel available for purchase at your church, agency or place of business? Yes!..then contact me (Cyn- thia Zorn-Shaw) at (863) 513-8437 or Darlene Thomas at (863) 513-2178. Talk to Shaw-Nuf
Shaw-Nuf Talk wants to hear from you. Share news and/or photos of your celebra- tions, special events, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, family reunions, etc., with the reader- ship of The Florida Sentinel Bulletin with Shaw-Nuf Talk by sending an e-mail to: shawnuftalk@yahoo.com or calling (863) 513-8437. Shaw-Nuf Talk will share your exciting news with the readership!
Retirement Party Celebrates 40 Years
Celebrating 40 years at CranesForkliftCompany,are- tirement party was held at the
Lakeland Post Center for Riley Jessons. (PHOTOS BY JULIA JACKSON)
Dr. Tommy and honoree, Riley Jessons.
Lende’ Munez attended the party.
Attending the retirement celebration were: Dr.
Ester M. Vickers (sitting), Marrie V. Culler, Theresa
Culler, and Dr. Phillis T. Fuller. Mr. and Mrs. Russ (Tammy) Wheeler.
Jean Davis and Jannette Vickers.
FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 11-B