Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 2-15-19

Features
2019 Teen Business Challenge Weekend Planned
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Members of Computer Men- tors are putting the final touches on a youth competition. This year, the 5th Annual Teen Busi- ness Challenge will take place.
The event will be held the weekend of February 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. Presented by Com- puter Mentors, the event will be hosted at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), 4801 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, 33617. Citi and Connectwise are spon- soring this year’s competition.
Ralph Smith, founder and CEO of Computer Mentors said, “The Teen Business Challenge (TBC) is an annual event that challenges all teens to uplift themselves and engage the mar- ket over an inspiring weekend of creation, competition and com- munity.
“The teens who participate are guided by instructors and coaches, motivated by each other and empowered with skills and tech to compete in teams of five in four challenges that earn
RALPH SMITH Founder and CEO of Computer Mentors, Inc.
the team points, and the team with the most points wins.”
He further said the differ- ence between this event and competitions is it is gamified ex- perience that motivates kids to engage discovery and teamwork in a way that otherwise may not interest them in a school setting. TBC was born out of a blossom- ing entrepreneurship ecosystem in Tampa, FL and injects a startup culture energy into the event that attracts kids’ partici- pation and achievement.”
In addition to the business aspect of the competition, it fo- cuses on skills they will need to become successful in the future, no matter what path they choose.
Smith said the learning out- comes revolve around three core competencies – collaboration, creative thinking. and commu- nication. These outcomes are rooted in the four challenges: “The Citi Big Idea” Challenge, which concentrates on creative problem-solving; “The Citi Biz Model” Challenge, which fo- cuses on concept modeling; “The Connectwise MVP” Chal- lenge, which highlights product modeling; and “The Pitch,” which targets organizing ideas and communicating clearly.
He further said the competi- tion is still in need of volunteers, (especially software develop- ment specialists) to assist the teams in demonstrating models of their ideas.
For more information about the annual competition, visit www.computerment- ors.org/TBC2019.
Safe & Sound To Host First ‘Girls Night Out’
MS. SAMMECIA BAGLEY Communications & Outreach Manager
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Safe & Sound Hillsborough is excited to host our first “Girls Night Out.” The event is being presented in partnership with the Beta Kappa Sigma Tampa Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
The event will take place February 22nd, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. It will be held at Kings Forest Recreation Cen- ter, 8008 E. Chelsea Street.
The girls will enjoy an evening of fun, music, games,
dance and step, girls talk, out- door activities. They will also be treated to the Pretty Poodle Boutique, where they will re- ceive free clothing and acces- sories.
The goal of the Youth Sym- posium Initiative is to provide a safe space for the young ladies. The event is free and open to girls between the ages of 11 and 17.
Ms. Sammecia Bagley,
Communications & Outreach Manager for Safe & Sound Hillsborough said, “Girls Night Out brings youth and mentors together in a safe space to hang out and participate in an array of fun interactive activi- ties that encourages bonding, increasing social skills and positive community engage- ment.”
Throughout the month of February, members of Beta Kappa Sigma Tampa Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., will host a vari- ety of events and activities for the young ladies.
For more information about “Girls Night Out,” con- tact Ms. Bagley at (813) 461- 0816 or email info@safeandsoundhillsbor- ough.org.
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