Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 5-18-18

Local
Grad Earns AA Degree And HS Diploma
In Same Week
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Saturday, a Tampa teenager will receive her diploma from Armwood High School. She is ranked third in her graduating class.
This will be the second graduation ceremony that Kelviyana Walker has par- ticipated in this month. Last Friday, she earned her AA de- gree in Liberal Arts from Hills- borough Community College.
This means that when she begins classes at the University of Florida in the fall, she will be a junior. In many ways, Kelviyana is a typical teenager. She enjoys hanging out with her friends and says music is her passion. She also loves to read.
Kelviyana is the daughter of Kelvin and Linda Walker, the fourth of five children. She is a member of Grace Family Church, of Tem- ple Terrace. She holds the dis- tinction of being the first in the family to attend college.
In other ways, the 17-year- old is wise beyond her years. Her goal is to become both an Oncologist and Cancer Re- searcher. Her chosen major at the University of Florida is bio- chemistry and molecular on- cology.
Kelviyana said, “I have been excelling since 5th grade and I have not made a grade lower than an “A.” I was in all advanced classes and honor classes.”
She remembers being in el- ementary school and not doing well. “My mom noticed that I
seemed more advanced that the other students and realized the classes were too slow.
“The administrators said they didn’t think that was the answer, but my mom kept pushing and I’ve been ex- celling since then.”
Initially, Kelviyana wanted to become a dentist and her research led her to the University of Florida. Then, the unthinkable happened. Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. And, hav- ing gone on that journey with her mother, she decided to be- come a physician and re- searcher. “I want to work in this area to help others.
“When I did the research, I realized that the University of Florida had a really good on- cology program. My mother has been cancer-free for al- most two years now. I’m so proud of her. She works all the time.”
Her future is bright and her options are many and she is excited about the future. Kelviyana quickly said, “my story hasn’t begun yet.”
KELVIYANA WALKER
Allen Temple AME Church Preparing For Unity Day Celebration
REV. DR. GLENN B. DAMES, JR. ...Senior Pastor
Several events have been planned leading up to the Unity Day Celebra- tion in September.
Within the next few weeks, Allen Temple AME Church is kicking off their an- nual Unity Day Celebration. Allen Temple’s Unity Day isn’t just about unity within the four walls of the church; but about uniting the commu- nity. Allen Temple is located at 2101 N. Lowe Street, (cor- ner of Nuccio and Palm Ave.), Tampa 33605.
In keeping with the scrip- ture (James 2:14-18), Allen Temple is striving to make its Unity Day about Faith and Works.
Allen Temple is reaching the masses by feeding the hungry through its annual Memorial Day Church picnic (May 28th), where the com- munity is invited to share in free food, entertainment and fun on the church grounds.
They have clothed those who in need through partner- ships with local neighbor- hoods.
They are educating young people through tutoring pro- grams in local elementary schools and going onto col- lege campuses for Bible Study.
In partnership with Allen Temple Neighborhood Devel- opment Corporation of Tampa, Summer Camp be- gins May 29th through the end of August. Young people ages 4-14 will have an oppor- tunity to participate in activi- ties of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) while being served hot breakfast, lunch and snacks.
The church has planned several entertainment events. They are beginning with a Gospel Explosion featuring Tyrell Pittman & The Tampa Boyz, a local group whose purpose and mission is giving praise, honor, and de- votion to the Most High through song. The Gospel Ex- plosion kicks off on Saturday, June 2nd at 4 p. m. Tickets
TYRELL PITTMAN AND THE TAMPA BOYZ ...In Concert on June 2nd
are available.
Other artists include:
Janice Nunn Nelson, Allen Temple Praise Team, Allen Temple MIME Ministry and other featured guest artists. A Fashion Show is planned for later this summer. The culmination of Unity Day is September 16th with services at8a.m.and11a.m.
The focus for Rev. Dr. Glenn B. Dames, Jr., who
has been the senior pastor since November 2016, is to extend his ministry outside the walls of Allen Temple and into the community of Hills- borough County. The Unity Day Celebration is just an- other outreach to bridge the church and the community.
For tickets or information regarding either of these events, contact the church of- fice at 813-229-1438.
FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2018 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-A