Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 12-23-16 Online Edition

FLORIDA SENTINEL
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016
Fresh Off Political Bid, Atty. Rena Frazier Tapped For Important Position With Newly Elected State Attorney
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
Attorney Rena Fra- zier, fresh off a run for the State Legislature was tapped recently to join the office of newly elected Hills- borough County State At- torney, Andrew Warren.
Atty. Frazier, a real es- tate attorney at Quarles and Brady, LLC and a Brandon resident, will assume the role of Warren’s chief of policy and communica- tions. In this position, Atty. Frazier will act as the of- fice’s public information of- ficer, communications director, and community outreach coordinator.
She also will serve as a senior policy advisor to Warren.
Frazier’s appointment comes after her loss to Rep. Ross Spano, R-Riverview, for the District 59 House seat.
In a telephone interview, Atty. Frazier said the po- sition allows her to con- tinue her mission of
Attorney Rena Frazier and her family.
ren’s sentiments in a text message, calling Frazier “the real deal” who “...is uniquely qualified to help State Attorney Warren transform the way the office deals with the community and its constituents.”
“She’s smart, tough, and will add tremendous value to the State Attorney’s Of- fice,” he said. “She’s going to make a huge difference in that position.”
Atty. Frazier is married to Anddrikk Frazier, the color analyst for Spectrum (Bright house) and is prin- cipal owner of Integral En- ergy. The couple are parents to Ariana, 19, a cadet at the Air Force Academy, Aja, 12, Alivia, 7 and Aryn, 2.
A native of Tampa, Atty. Frazier is the daughter of Sherman Upshaw and Lois Bertulli (Robert). Rena earned her B.S. in Civil/Environmental Engi- neering with honors from the University of South Florida before earning her J.D. at Stetson University College of Law.
working in public service. “It’s such a wonderful op- portunity to work with Mr.
Warren,” she said.
Asked if she plans to run
again for public office, Atty. Frazier – who sits on the board of the Univer- sity Area Community De- velopment Corporation – said her focus now is on her new role.
“I’m committed to serv- ing the community 100 per- cent at this time,” she said. “I’m fortunate to be able to
do it in this capacity.”
She described her first journey into electoral poli- tics a “wonderful experi- ence” and that she plans to utilize much of what she learned on the campaign trail in her new position, specifically in interacting
and engaging with citizens. “The community is wait- ing on that,” she said. “They
want more engagement.” Warren was unavailable for comment, however, in a press release, he praised
Frazier as “a highly-re- spected member of our legal community who will bring energy and a fresh perspective to our office.”
“She is sharp and poised, and her deep knowledge of our community will facili- tate our efforts to strengthen ties between the State Attorney’s Office and the community through en- gagement and dialogue,” he said.
State Rep. Ed Narain, D-Tampa, echoed War-
Tampa Teenager Chosen As ‘Disney Dreamer’
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last week, a Tampa teenager learned that he was chosen for the 10th class of Disney Dreamers Academy. He received confirmation from Steve Harvey, notify- inghimthathewas1ofthe 100 students selected.
The names of all 100 se- lectees were announced on the Steve Harvey Morn- ing Show last week.
N’Jhari Jackson and the other members of the Disney Dreamers Academy will meet in Orlando March 9th through March 12th in Orlando. They will meet at the Walt Disney World Re- sort.
His mom, Ms. Lashina Lewis said, “He was so ex- cited after learning he had been chosen, he was still in disbelief that out of 20,000 applications help was cho- sen.”
N’Jhari said, “I was ex- cited to know that the an- nouncement of the winners would be named soon. I was
excited because I took a leap of faith and applied despite the odds. I’m ecstatic know- ing that I was selected and humbled knowing that there are 20,000+ other kids with similar goals.”
This honor is just the lat- est in an ever-growing list of accomplishments the 13- year-old has achieved over the years. He also won the Voice of Democracy Speech Contest, VFW Post 10140.
And, he is publishing his first book entitled, “Reve- lations@13.”
N’Jhari set a fast track for himself in 2013 when he became a member of the Boys Scouts of America, Troop 142. Then, he set his sights on earning the rank of Eagle Scout and began working toward that goal.
And, the year 2015 proved to be one of accomplish- ments for him. He accom- plished that goal in less than 2 years in October 2015 at the age of 13.
In order to become an Eagle Scout, N’Jhari was required to earn 122 of 136
N’jhari Jackson is shown with his mother, Ms. Lashina Lewis.
badges. In order to earn the badge, N’Jhari decided on obtaining an AED (Auto- mated External Defibrilla- tor) and university grade First Aid Kit for his school as his major project.
Entitled “NJ’s Love To The Rescue” Eagle Scout Project, N’Jhari raised more than $2,000 to pur- chase the piece of equipment for his school.
N’Jhari visited other schools in the New Tampa
area where he lives and learned that the equipment was on the campuses as re- quired by the school district. But, although the equipment was available, the teachers had not been trained on how to use it.
The young man then set about helping to get the teachers and staff training at his school. He was success- ful in obtaining a 4-hour training course for all of the teachers and staff.
He also raised more money than was needed, and earmarked the extra funding for health and fit- ness equipment for his school.
And, N’Jhari continues to provide stuffed animals to hospitalized children through his Pajama Buddy Voyage Foundation.
He also accomplished other milestones during the year.
In February, he was one of two Florida students chosen as recipients of the “Pru- dential Spirit of Com- munity” Award.
In October, N’Jhari was selected as the recipient of a 4-year scholarship during Hispanic History Month. N’Jhari won the scholar- ship as a middle school stu- dent for an essay he submitted in the statewide contest.
In May, he was chosen as one of four students to par- ticipate in the Arlington Cemetery Wreath Laying Ceremony.
In November, he was cho- sen as a Community Hero by the Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation.
And, continuing on the path he has chosen, N’Jhari was presented a commenda- tion from members of the Tampa City Council on Jan- uary 7th, of this year.
Now, an 8th grade student at Paideia School of Tampa Bay, N’Jhari is enrolled in online high school classes and plans to graduate early. He recently made the Junior Olympic Swimming trials and is also very active as a member of Men of Vision so- cial club as well.
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