Page 18 - Florida Sentinel 3-19-21

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UCF Grad Has Settled Into His New Position
In-Person Graduation Ceremonies Scheduled With Health And Safety Measures In Place
Andrew Carlton Ed- wards, the son of Staff Ser- geant Edgar Edwards (Retired) and Fran M. Tate, graduated from the University of Central Florida (UCF), Fall 2020. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration De- gree in Finance and a Minor in Accounting.
Andrew received an Asso- ciate in Arts Degree from Hills- borough Community College in 2015, before matriculating to UCF.
He attended Tampa Bay Technical High School, where he played Varsity football and baseball. His favorite subject was Mathematics. He was a member of the National Tech- nical Honor Society and gradu-
ANDREW CARLTON EDWARDS
Hillsborough County Public Schools is excited to celebrate our seniors during in-person graduation ceremonies at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall that will encompass all health and safety measures out- lined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
This year, more than 14,000 students from the district will graduate after a challenging year.
Each graduate will receive two tickets for guests to attend the ceremony. The tickets will be pre-assigned to the north or south entrance of the Expo Hall and to specific seating areas to reduce congregation of guests.
In addition, other health and
safety protocols will include:
• Face coverings worn by all graduates, guests, and staff in
the Expo Hall;
• MERV-13 filters installed
in the Expo Hall;
• Each school will develop
and communicate a system for staggering the arrival of their graduates and guests;
• Cleaning and disinfecting all spaces with a CDC approved product in between each cere- mony.
The decision to return to in- person ceremonies was not made without thorough re- search of many different op- tions. The district’s plan was developed after meeting with health partners at Tampa Gen- eral Hospital and USF Health and in cooperation with the Florida State Fairground Au- thority.
“We know our seniors have lost out on so many meaningful experiences during this pan- demic. That is why we are thrilled to be able to offer in- person graduations with health and safety protocols in place to allow families to celebrate this momentous occasion together.
“While we wish we could have more than two family members for each student, this was the only safe way to offer the type of experience our fam- ilies want for graduation. We can't wait to see our seniors' smiling faces in person as they cross the stage for their diplo- mas, and we will do so with health and safety at the fore- front,” said Superintendent Ad- dison Davis.
Each ceremony will be livestreamed from the district website for the enjoyment of friends and extended family.
ated from the Academy of Ar- chitecture in 2012.
Andrew has accepted a position with Withum, Smith and Brown Accounting Firm in Orlando, Florida, where he
serves as an accounts auditor. He is a member of the National Association of Black Account- ants (NABA), Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Lambda Omega Chapter, and Progressive Black Men, Incorporated. He cur- rently resides in Orlando.
PAGE 6-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021