Page 18 - Florida Sentinel 10-7-22

Polk County News Letters To Editor
The NAACP Lakeland Branch 75th Diamond Anniversary Freedom Fund Banquet
This Is Not A Culture War
August is the month of togetherness. The Kick Off of The American Sport - Football happens this month. Football rallies all Americans across all cultures to cheer for their favorite teams and players. Football creates a level of natu- ral camaraderie that is unmatched. Win or lose, the fans support and defend the greatness of their team.
Unlike American football, American politics and political leaders, struggle greatly finding common ground and ral- lying together to make America a place where all Americans are better because of the policies and decisions made to support citizens. Why are political par- ties creating culture wars with policies
that should protect all citizens? Instead of working together, political leaders have lost sight of the needs of all Amer- icans to have the life and pursuit of hap- piness the Preamble guaranteed to all Americans, regardless of culture, race, ethnicity, gender or religion.
We do not need culture wars, we need a unified country, just as the American football teams have, regard- less of culture. My question to all law- makers is, how will you ensue that ALL Americans have the opportunity to hold those truths of: The Preamble?
DR. SHANDALE TERRELL Lakeland, Florida
The NAACP Lakeland Branch 75th Diamond Anniversary Free- dom Fund Banquet was held on Saturday, August 6th at The First United Methodist Church in Lakeland, Florida. Over 250 citizens at- tended the banquet. The theme for this year was: "The Fight Contin- ues.” The Keynote Speaker was the Honorable Rodney L. Hurst, Sr., from Jacksonville, Florida.
Political and community leaders that attended the banquet were the following: Randy Barns, Beverly Boatwright, William J. Boss, Alicia Boss, Terry Coney, Rex Dimmig, Gow Fields, Kay Fields, Ruben Garcia, Ken Glover, Brian Haas, Janiya McAllister, Mary McElrath, Larry Mitchell, Bill Mutz, Larry Rankin, Trudy Rankin, Lorenzo Robsion, Shandale Terrell, Jackie Vickers, Phillip Walker and Keith Ward.
Shown are the NAACP Lakeland Branch Chair of the Economic Development Committee, Larry Mitchell and civic leader, Dr. Shan- dale Terrell.
Positive Mentors
Mentoring is a life changing experi- ence for those being mentored. Mentor- ing is imperative to providing support and guidance to children, young adults, and adults navigating life at such a piv- otal time in their lives.
A mentor is defined as a person who is advising, training, or counseling life skills to a person in a positive manner. Mentors are usually adults who have life experiences that changed the trajecto- ries of their lives as well, often times have strong backgrounds in specialized areas.
The mentee is a child, young adult or adult that seeks guidance, directions and structure in order to enhance their everyday life journey to become a suc- cessful and positive, productive citizen.
Mentors provide instruction and guidance that assist mentees on how to achieve success in life, as well as, find- ing out their why in life. Many mentor- ing relationships last a lifetime, mentors like to see the success of their mentees beyond high school gradua- tion. Mentees also like to keep their mentors abreast of life changes, grow- ing experiences, and still seek guidance because of the trust they have developed
with their mentor.
Data indicates, there are 51,088 plus
mentors, that are currently employed in the United States. 58.6% of the mentors are females, and 41.4% are males.
In the United States, the average age of mentors that are employed are 41 years old.
In my own experience, I had to seek for a mentor in order to better direct me in the path that I should go. I ran for po- litical office several times and came up short of the victory. I took time to sit with my mentor, whom I trust and lis- tened to feedback and strategies to keep growing. I took a step back from politics and running for a political office and fo- cused more on the community and citi- zens’ needs. I am still actively involved, serving on boards and committees in the city of Lakeland, Polk County and the State of Florida. I want to thank my mentor for guiding me and assisting me in my civic journey. My time will come soon to service the people in the Lake- land community.
[Dr. Shandale Terrell is an Educator for Polk County Public Schools, a civic leader in Lakeland, Polk County and the State of Florida]
School Educators And Health Care Providers Recognized For Their Services
During the Charmettes Incorporated, Polk County Chapter’s An- nual Retreat held on Saturday, August 27th, Dr. Sheila Jones, School Psychologist, Dr. Deirdra Sanders-Burnett, LMHC - Mental Health Counselor and Educator (Charmettes, Incorporated, Polk County Chapter’s Vice President), and Mrs. Linda Whitfield, School Nurse, were recognized for their many years of service, dedication, and re- tirement from the Polk County Public School System by Dr. Shirlie James (Charmettes, Incorporated, Polk County Chapter’s Presi- dent).
Dr. Deirdra Sanders-Burnett, LMHC also received the Charmettes, Incorporated, Polk County Chapter’s 2022 Spirit Award. The Charmettes, Incorporated, is a sisterhood of dedicated women committed to improving the quality of life within our com- munities through advocacy, education, service, and support for can- cer research.
Left to right are: Dr. Sheila Jones; Dr. Deirdra Sanders-Burnett, LMHC; Dr. Shirlie James and Mrs. Linda Whitfield.
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