Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 5-4-18

Feature
Teenager Overcomes Disability, Excels At School
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Thousands of children in our country are born with disabilities. And, depending on its severity, the disability may seem insurmountable.
However, technology has advanced to the point that some disabilities can be over- come. One Tampa teenager has learned that through ex- perience.
Stacy Peterson was born deaf 13 years ago. His family learned sign language in order to communicate with him. But, as a result of technology and surgery, Stacy now hears perfectly.
Recently, the young man made his grandmother, Ms. Elizabeth Randolph, very proud. Stacy has made the high honor roll for the last three grading periods at Bur- nett Middle School, where he is a 7th grade student. He was also inducted into the Na- tional Junior Honor Society.
His grandmother said, “I’m just so proud of him.”
His journey to hearing perfectly began with the first Cochlear implant surgery when he was 4-years-old. He had the second surgery at the
STACY PETERSON
age of 9 and both were suc- cessful.
Stacy still uses sign lan- guage at Brandon Seventh Day Adventist Church, where he interprets the songs into sign language. He also enjoys reading, writing, singing, and playing the guitar. But, his grandmother said she makes him communicate by speech at home.
Stacy is the youngest of three children, brother, Dar- ius, and sister, Joella, born to Ms. Arsund Randolph.
Ms. Randolph said she believes that Stacy will most likely work in a field where he will help children with hearing disabilities.
Mayor Appoints Veteran Fireman As New Fire Chief
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Mayor Bob Buckhorn has promoted a veteran with the Tampa Fire Department. Assistant Chief Nick LoCicero will re- place Fire Chief Thomas Forward upon his retirement on May 20th.
Mayor Buckhorn said, “There is no doubt that Nick LoCicero is prepared to be the next Chief of Tampa Fire Rescue and build on the foundation laid by Chief (Thomas) Forward. There is not a job in the department he has not done and done well.
“He has committed 32 years to this de- partment and I look forward to his leader- ship for the next 11 months I have remaining as Mayor.”
Chief Thomas Forward said, “Assis- tant Chief LoCicero has been an executive staff Chief Officer for at least a decade and is fully capable of leadership at the Fire Chief’s level. His 32 plus years working in every area of the fire servic3e have more than prepared him for success leading Tampa Fire Rescue.”
Chief LoCicero said, “I am humbled by the faith and opportunity the Mayor has placed in me as the Fire Chief. I am ex- tremely proud to serve the great men and women of this department. It is truly an honor.”
Assistant Chief LoCicero began making preparations for his future by enrolling in the Fire Science Standards Program and EMS Paramedic Program at Hillsborough Com-
ASSISTANT CHIEF NICK LOCICERO
munity College. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management, and is a graduate of the National Fire Acad- emy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, in Emmitsburg, MD. He is also a former Silver Medal of Valor and Firefighter of the Year re- cipient of the Tampa Fire Department.
Chief LoCicero launched his career in fire service in 1980. Six years later, he joined the Tampa Fire Department. Since then, he has worked in all departments of the Tampa Fire Department.
PAGE 4-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018