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Local
‘Top Teens’ Need Help To Attend Math Mission Trip
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Next month, a group of teenagers from East Bay High School plan to visit New York. The purpose of the visit is to attend a Mis- sion Trip to tutor a group of middle school students. They will also have the op- portunity to visit the Mu- seum of Mathematics while in the city.
Top Teens of America Tampa Bay West Central Florida President, Teen Amari Davidson, a fresh- man at King High School, presented the support letter from Mrs. Patrice Brown, East Bay High Re- source Math Resource Teacher, to Top Teens of America Peers and they were eager to provide sup- port.
The trip will take place Friday, March 9th through Tuesday, March 13th. It is the hope of the organiza- tion that all 10 girls and 2 boys will have an opportu- nity to go on the trip. The majority of the students in need of assistance all re- ceive free or reduced lunch and several are Foster chil- dren.
Two of these students lost their parents this year. Because they are lacking in finances and a stable home, they have never had an op- portunity to leave Florida.
In order for all of the children to participate in the event, donations from the community are needed.
Top Teens of America is a youth program sponsored by Top Ladies of Distinc- tion, Inc. Top Teens of America (TTA) provides non-teen parents (13-19 years of age) the opportu- nity to receive extra-curric- ular support, career and character development training, along with key community volunteer op- portunities.
There are currently 108
Participants on hand during the presentation of the spon- sorship letter from left to right are: Terriona Johnson, Najah Miller, Kaitlyn Gardner, Isaiah Ershery, Teen Amari David- son, and Teen Cory Burleigh
Teens in eight specific areas M.O.M.E.N.T.U.M. (Mis- sion, Ownership, Mental Toughness, Empowerment, Networking, Teamwork, Unity, and Mentoring); En- courage high academic standards and develop so- cial graces, leadership, and fellowship abilities; imple- ment activities to raise awareness of the negative words used to describe Black youth and women, and encourage appreciation of ethnic and cultural her- itage.
The organization also teaches the teenagers to work collaboratively with other organizations through partnerships; to raise awareness of such is- sues as senior citizens, sta- tus of women, keeping the community beautiful, and
human suffering caused by homelessness; to provide value to the community; and to work with other or- ganizations to promote healthy choices.
The organization also host workshops to teach youngsters to make positive decisions in their lives by developing pride in self, home, and community.
Anyone interested in ob- taining more information about Top Teens of Amer- ica, Tampa Bay West Cen- tral Florida Chapter, can contact Lady Patricia Francis, TTA Advisor at (813) 451-0312, or patrici- afranci@aol.com.
Anyone wishing to make a contribution can visit TeachWithLove.com or email hola@teach- withlove.com.
TTA chapters with over 5,000 Top Teens located throughout the United States making a difference
in the community in which they live.
The purpose of the TTA Program is To train Top
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