Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 2-16-18

Local
Grandmother’s ‘Legacy For Learning’ Continues
Mia Blocker made the Dean’s List at Howard University with 5-A’s and 1-B.
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Ms. Evelyn McCloud, 86 years old, sent herself to college at the age of 42. The mother of 6 says she had spent her life dreaming big dreams for her children, “until one day I de- cided to dream a big dream of my own.”
She sees the fruits of her early labor and is beaming with pride as one of her grandchil- dren, Mia Blocker, continues the family’s legacy of learning. At the end of the first se- mester, Mia made the Dean’s List, earning 5- A’s and 1-B. And, Mia told her grandmother she’s working on bring the ‘B’ up.
Mia is a recent graduate of Tampa Catholic High School. One of her happiest ac- complishments of her high school career was playing as a point guard for the TC Crusaders Girls Basketball Team. She was chosen cap- tain of the team as a freshman.
Mia loved the game of basketball and played it well. She played so well, in fact, that many thought she’d go off to college on a bas- ketball scholarship offer.
Those plans were compromised when Mia tore her ACL and required major surgery on both knees. Although the athletic scholar- ships were no longer on the table, this would not stop her aspirations of going to college.
She was accepted into the freshman class at the Howard University, Washington, D. C. According to Ms. McCloud, Mia is studying hard and working towards her aspi- rations of one day becoming an anesthesiol- ogist, while she’s also enjoying the full experience of college life and the D. C. cul-
MIA BLOCKER
ture. Locally, Mia is a member of the 29th Street Church of Christ.
Ms. McCloud decided to get a college de- gree with the goal of making a better life for herself and her family. With determination and without public assistance, she was able to follow through on her goal. She was a loving, supportive mother to her children, while building a career in the healthcare industry.
Other than Ms. McCloud, others proud of Mia’s accomplishments include her par- ents, Joyce and Marcus Blocker and sib- lings, Ian Coleman and Simone McCloud.
Ms. MCloud says the one thing she al- ways shares with Mia, “Keep up the good work and stay strong in your faith. Always re- member our favorite scripture, Matthew 6:33.”
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
LATOI
This week’s Beauty Unlimited feature is the lovely Latoi. She’s not lacking in confidence or energy when it comes to her career, and she has no time to waste on tasks that lead nowhere. Latoi says she is a professional, motivated, well-spoken, humble and hard-working woman. Congratulations to Latoi as this week’s Spotlight feature.
PAGE 12-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2018