Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 1-30-18

Features
Teens Encouraged To Apply For 5th
Annual Teen Business Challenge
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Ralph Smith, founder and CEO of Computer Men- tors, Inc., is making final preparations for the 5th An- nual Teen Business Chal- lenge. The event will take place the weekend of Febru- ary 16th, 17th, and 18th.
Smith said the organiza- tion will select 20 students to participate in teams at the event. However, those inter- ested must submit their ap- plications by February 1st.
The Teen Business Chal- lenge (TBC) is an annual event where teens challenge themselves over an inspiring weekend of creation, compe- tition and community. The winners of the competition are chosen by a panel of judges.
“Each member of the winning team of the over-all competition will receive a Microsoft Surface Pro tablet with keyboard worth over $1,000. However, none of the participants are left empty-handed. All of the participants receive a Win- dows 10 tablet computer and keyboard which they use throughout the competition.
“We are encouraging stu-
RALPH SMITH
... Founder and CEO of Computer Mentors, Inc.
dents who are interested in entrepreneurship to sign up to participate in this event. This is the last week for them to apply to be considered. The event is being sponsored by Connectwise and Citi,” Smith said.
The event is open to all high school aged students living in Hillsborough County and is a fun way to learn entrepreneurship, Smith stated.
To apply, teens should visit the Computer Mentors website at www.computer- mentors.org/tbc2018 and click on the “Wanna Play?” button.
An optional YouTube video is requested but not required.
6th Annual Grandmothers Valentine’s Day Gala Planned
MS. TONYA LEWIS Founder of Children With A Vision, Inc.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Sunday, February 11th, more than 400 grandmothers will be treated to a Pre-Valen- tine’s Day Celebration. This marks the 6th year that Ms. Tonya Lewis, founder of Children With A Vision, Inc., has hosted the event.
This year, the grandmoth- ers will meet at Bounce Boy, 5008 E. 10th Avenue, (corner of N. 50th Street and East Columbus Drive). The ladies will board buses and promptly leave at 4:30 p.m. for the hotel.
From there, they will travel to the luxurious Fort Harrison
MRS. VONCILE DRY ... Recipient of Oldest Grandmother Award
Hotel, in Clearwater, where they will enjoy a special evening dedicated to them.
The ladies will be treated to a limo ride and presented red roses. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 9 p.m.
The ladies will return home with fond memories and gifts after enjoying and evening of dinner and dancing.
The ladies will be escorted by youth, fraternity members, and other organizations.
Ms. Lewis said, “We will sign up grandmothers until we have all of the slots filled. We are also in need of male es- corts for the ladies. The event began to honor those grand- mothers and great grand-
MS. FLOSSIE PITTMAN
... Recipient of Humanitarian Community Award
mothers who were caring for children. However, it is open to any grandmother who would like to participate.”
Ms. Keisha Boyd will serve as the Mistress of Cere- mony. The honorees this year are Mrs. Voncile Dry and Mrs. Flossie Pittman.
Mrs. Dry, who celebrated her 110th birthday on April 24th, will be presented an award as the oldest grand- mother.
Mrs. Pittman is the re- cipient of the Humanitarian Community Award.
Anyone interested in learn- ing more about the event can contact Ms. Lewis at (813) 235-5656.
Florida State Fair Returns For Its 114th Year
The Florida State Fair Opens on Thursday, February 8th
The 2018 Florida State Fair returns to the Florida State Fairgrounds from February 8- 19, 2018. This year’s theme, “Discover The Fun at YOUR Florida State Fair,” focuses on the fact that there is something for everyone at the Fair – all at an affordable price and parking is always free.
With numerous new attrac- tions and entertainment op- tions, the Florida State Fair offers nonstop family fun. The Fair will feature 110 rides, in- cluding four large roller coast- ers and the largest traveling Ferris Wheel in North America.
As always, there are new trends in food with creative concessionaires. This year’s new food items include: BBQ Pulled Pork Ribbon Fries, Cat- fish Sundae, Banana Frenkel Funnel Cake and Deep Fried Strawberry Shortcake.
“As always our rides and food will be a huge draw for our guests. But...this year, there is so much more”, said Cheryl Flood, Executive Director of the Florida State Fair. “All for the price of admission, families
can enjoy live shows, character meet and greets, music and sports. A family could visit us all 12 days and never see all that the Fair has to offer.”
There are entertainment options for all ages. For the lit- tle ones, there are meet and greets with Rusty Rivets and Paw Patrol. A PBS Kids Fun Zone featuring all your favorite PBS characters and plenty of hands-on activities, as well as Little Farm Hands presented by Mosaic, Inc., a free hands- on exhibit, where children learn to milk a cow, gather eggs and pick produce.
For tweens, Teen Stars LIVE will make a stop at the fair on February 10th and 11th with performances and meet and greets with the stars of Dis- ney and Nickelodeon TV shows and on February 16 and 17, the Fair will host its first ever Dance Championship which will be judged by the stars of the show Dance Moms.
New this year, the Fair boasts an extreme sports series with action-packed events such as BMX/FMX Freestyle Mad- ness, Mini Monster Trucks on February 9th and 10th, lawn mower races on February 17th and 18th and, back by popular
demand, the Demolition Derby on February 17th. The Ninja Experience features a team of martial arts experts, who com- peted on America’s Got Talent, wowing audiences with high- flying, jaw-dropping perform- ances.
As always, the music scene will showcase local and na- tional acts alike.
Agriculture has always been at the heart of everything the Fair represents and this year won’t be any different. A vari- ety of species from around the Southeast will be judged and on display in the livestock barns.
In addition, there will be a To end each exciting day of the Fair, there will be a spectacular laser light show at 7 P. M. and 9 P. M.
For a full list of entertain- ment, attractions and events, visit floridastatefair.com.
A variety of ticket promo- tions will be available during the Fair. Advance discounted tickets are available on the Fair’s website or at participat- ing Publix locations in the Tampa Bay area at the Cus- tomer Service desk through February 7th.
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018