Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 5-10-16 Online Edition

Features
Business Owner Says
Project PROMISE Targets Support For ‘High Risk’ Students
Phone Service Loss
Costing Her Money
Hillsborough County offers programs de- signed to help students excel in the system. As a result of this, various programs target the needs of the students.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The Friendly Fish Market, 2313 E. North Bay Street has served the residents of East Tampa for more than 60 years. The business began as a fresh poultry market.
Through the years, the type of business and the ownership changed.
It became a fresh fish market and remained that way for sev- eral years. Fifteen years ago, Ms. Doris Cannon pur- chased the business. And, as part of the service she offers is accepting payment by credit card, debit card, or EBT.
However, Ms. Cannon said she has lost thousands of dol- lars since losing her telephone service. She began having prob- lems after Frontier Communi- cations took ownership of Verizon, Inc.
“The same telephone num- ber has been assigned to that business for the past 30 years. I have called Frontier several times and every time I speak with a different person in a dif- ferent part of the world.”
Ms. Cannon said two tech- nicians have been to the busi- ness trying to fix the problem on separate occasions. How- ever, neither of the technicians were successful.
“One lady came out at around 10 a.m. on a Saturday and stayed until 4 p.m. She did not resolve the problem,” she said.
Ms. Cannon said when
On the front row: Pollynesia McMillian Isholina Thomas, D. Johnson, Angela Thorn- ton, Lan Pham, Doretha Edgecomb, School Board member, Tiffany Donahue, Christina Graffeo, Angela Beland, Marianne Alvarez, Katheryn Floyd, and Jeanette Joseph. On the back row: Anthony Cole, Principal Cornelius Bobo, Walt Shaffner, Sharon McKin- non, Henry Washington, Area 4 Superintendent, Jeff Eakins, Hills. Co. School District Superintendent, Paul Burke, Kim Huff, Dr. Vickers, Dr. Wilson, Miranda Mather, Gio- vanni Costilla, Kita Bills, and Jamie Joseph.
MS. DORIS CANNON ... Owner of the Friendly Fish Market
she contacted Frontier on one occasion she was told that her complaint was marked as “High Level, Top Priority,” and sent to a technician on April 23rd.
Ms. Cannon further said she is considering consulting an attorney to resolve the issue.
When contacted by the Sen- tinel, Bob Elek, spokesman, for Frontier Communications said, “Phone service is impor- tant, especially to a business. We apologize to Ms. Cannon and the Friendly Fish Market for not resolving her phone is- sues in a more timely fashion. The delay is inexcusable and we can and will do better.”
Ms. Cannon said her tele- phone service was finally re- stored late Sunday evening. However, that does not help her loss of income since April 20th.
One such
program is
Project PROM-
ISE, whose goal is to offer sup- port for at-risk students. Recently, the program was in- strumental in obtaining funding to support two alternative schools. Both North Tampa Al- ternative and Brandon Alterna- tive schools are focused on creating “game changing oppor- tunities for children.”
their home schools.
Dr. Sherell Wilson, of
Project PROMISE is focused on providing many layers of sup- port for students in the alternate school setting. A few months ago, Dr. Wilson implemented a plan that utilizes the skills of Paul Burke, Vendor Affairs and Community Specialist.
Burke has successfully cre- ated support for the students on both campuses. Burke reached out to Ms. Christy Vannette, of Bill Currie Ford, and Bob Conigliaro, of Caspers, Inc., as part of the Positive Behavior In- tervention System (PBIS). PBIS is designed to create incentives as well as character-based attrib- utes that all students can obtain.
With the help of the two or- ganizations, both North Tampa Alternative School and Brandon
Alternative School were pre- sented $1,000 to support their PBIS needs.
Burke said of his Supervisor, Dr. Wilson, “Her leadership is incredible and alwazys focused on that principle of student suc- cess. When I approach our com- munity and our business leaders, it is all about a relationship.
“Christy and Bob are friends who are actively partnered in our vision. Ownership means we throw our metaphoric arms around a situation and make it our responsibility to be success- ful. Our arms become stronger and the support strengthened when we have Bill Currie Ford and Caspers helping us! We ap- preciate our community and their involvement in our efforts to create “game changers” for kids.”
The schools serve Hillsbor- ough County students who have been removed from the tradi- tional school. Once they are re- assigned to an alternative school, the process of preparing them to return to the traditional classroom, or the “comeback” story begins.
Students are driven by leader- ship and faculty aimed at “course correcting” student situ- ations and providing tools for a successful transition back to
Six Students Chosen As Recipients Of YEA Awards
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last week, the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners presented six students with the YEA! (Youth Excellence and Achievement) Awards. The awards are presented to three high school students and three middle school students who display initia- tive, innovation, and commitment to themselves and others. The Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards are presented in the categories of Leader- ship; Success Despite Difficult Odds, and Vol- unteering or Community Service. Two students were selected from each category.
The “Leadership” is presented to an individual who demonstrates a positive impact on others in an ongoing endeavor such as sports, academics, or the arts. This year, the Leadership Awards were pre- sented to Katie Murphy and N’Jhari Jackson.
Katie, who attends Randall Middle School, uti- lizes her ability as a natural leader for her STEM Club. She speaks at informational meetings, talking about the opportunities the organizations offers to both students and parents.
N’Jhari Jackson was diagnosed with Autoim- mune Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, which causes se- vere pain, joint swelling, and other endocrine system-related problems. It is treated with injections, low-dose chemo drugs, and other system. N’Jhari was honored for earning the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America, Inc., at the age of 13.
Sarah Grace Kennedy and Donte’ Glover were chosen for having achieved “Success Despite Difficult Odds.”
Sarah, also a student at Randall Middle School, was born with bilateral moderate hearing loss. De- spite the fact that she was born with the disability, it has not stopped her from setting goals. Sarah an- chors the Randall Middle School Morning Show. She also contributes to the research, writing, and produc- tion of the show each day. She uses hearing aids and technology to adapt to her environment.
Donte’ Glover grew up associating with the wrong crowd. At the age of 15, he was charged as an adult with felony robbery, and incarcerated for 6
Shown from left to right are: Donte Glover, Sarah Grace Kennedy, Katie Murphy, James Colston, N’Jhari Jackson, and Devin Johnson.
(Photography by BRUNSON).
months. Donte’ used the time to focus on his edu- cation and turned his life around. The young man graduates from Blake High School third in his class.
He has also participated in several speaking en- gagements at churches and community events around the state. Donte’ uses his story to reach and motivate others who may need to turn their lives around.
The third category in which the Commissioners recognized students was Volunteering or Community Service. In this category, James Colston and Devin Johnson were chosen as the recipients.
James is a student at Williams I. B. Middle School. James makes no secret that he loves to read. But, recently his library began to overflow. Not want- ing to just get rid of some of the books, James cre- ated the novel idea of “Books in the Barbershop.” He approached local barbershops and the owners were receptive to the idea. Now, young men waiting to get their hair cut can read while they wait.
Devin is a student athlete at Tampa Bay Techni- cal High School. Devin works with Men of Vision, Inc., to help provide opportunities for young men to work together in fellowship, dedicated to community service. Devin also volunteers at the Veterans of For- eign Wars, Post 10140. Devin also serves as a non- paid junior counselor at Camp Virginia Jaycee, in Roanoke, Virginia, where he has logged more than 150 hours of community service.
The YEA! Awards were created in 2010 to recog- nize students who make a difference in their commu- nities through leadership in academics, community service, athletics, performing arts, conservation, and other areas.
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