Page 13 - 6-5-15 Friday's Edition

FLORIDA SENTINEL FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015
The Tampa Chapter Of The Links, Inc. Wraps Up 2014-2015 School Year With Jewels
The Tampa Chapter of The Links, Inc., has wrapped the school year with its mentoring programming with the Radiant And Royal Jewels.
The Radiant Jewels are all 8th graders at Van Buren Middle School. Their school advisor is Mrs. Cynthia Forward. Mr. Derrick Gaines is principal.
The Royal Jewels are all of the 5th grade girls at Sheehy Ele- mentary School. The Links are assisted by the Fifth grade teachers Ms. Kaneisha Williams, Mr. Jason Garcia and Ms. Erica Jurcak.
The Tampa Chapter Links coordinate its ‘Umbrella Program- ming’ through its 5 Facets. Services To Youth (STY) the lead facet is chaired by Links Margarette Spears and Ozepher Wilds; Health and Human Services is chaired by Links Jacentha Buggs, M.D. and Maria Russ, R.N. Ph.D; The Arts, is chaired by Link Evelyn Bethune; National Trends, chaired by Janice Carter Collier and International Trends, is chaired by Ruby Brown and Sylvia Andrews. The Umbrella program was called ‘Shine Where You Are’. The 9-month all-inclusive programming included sessions on healthy lifestyles through healthy snacks and ‘Ask The Doctor’ training. The Jewels learned about drinking water, hand washing, and were trained to do CPR. They were also given healthy snacks after each monthly session.
They also were given a session on Haiti to prepare them for their International service project. The project was called ‘Pen- nies to Haiti’ in partnership with Village Partners International (VPI). The Jewels raised money through the penny drive. The $300 raised will be given to VPI for a project designated by the or- ganization.
The Jewels were also exposed to the Arts through field trips and history.
The Royal Jewels of Sheehy were treated to the Victorian Stroll at UT during the holidays. They were also trained in Etiquette and rehearsed poems and music for their annual end of the year Mother/Daughter Tea. They were also trained as greeters for the Annual African American Read-In.
Both Jewels groups were given a session on ‘Bullying’.
The Radiant Jewels at Van Buren were also prepared for their Career Forum. Twelve professionals set-up displays in the Media Center. Each Jewel was given 10-15 minutes to talk to each profes- sional. The group included: a pharmacist, 2 engineers, an army recruiter, retail buyer, a State Attorney, a police Captain, a para- medic and firefighter, a massage therapist and nail tech, a journal- ist, mortician, a photographer, a banker and 2 nurses. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn also surprised the Jewels by coming out to speak to them. Link Janice Carter Collier, National Trends chair, coordinated the event.
To close out the school year on May 20th, the Royal Jewels adorned their beautiful dresses, and were supplied with gloves, hats and pearls for the Mother/Daughter Tea. This year’s theme was, Teapots with Character: An Attitude of Gratitude.” The Tampa Park Community Center was beautifully decorated by members of the Tampa Links with fine china, covered tables and chairs with colorful chair ties. The event was chaired by Link Jewel Warren and co-chaired by Link Sylvia Andrews and decorations and gifts by Link Evelyn Bethune. The Jewels with tiaras on their heads promenaded and introduced themselves and using the ‘A’ is for Attitude curriculum formulated for their pro- gramming. They then each were able to choose their hats. They recited their pledge and a poem. The Jewels sang their songs of choice, ‘I Can Only Imagine’ and ‘Take Me To The King’. They presented their guests with a decorated teacup and saucer. Each girl was given a framed photo, a certificate and a set of real pearls.
Many of the Jewels Moms, and or grandmothers and guardians attended to support them. They were chaperoned by their teachers Ms. Kaneisha Williams and Ms. Erica Jur- cak. Teacher Jason Garcia stayed at school with the 5th grade boys.
The Links closed out the end of the school year with the Radi- ant Jewels at Van Buren with a trip to the Kennedy Space Center. The 20 Jewels along with 3 Men of Vision boys and their 5 chap- erones left Tampa via chartered bus to NASA on May 23rd. The Jewels were able to visit all of the exhibits and experience the meaning of STEM. Links Yolanda Anthony, Paula Sheehy Snow, Gloria Andrews and Kay Andrews were the chapter chaperones. Mrs. Cynthia Forward and Mr. Josh were the chaperones from the school. Links Marlina McClure and Son- jia Little packed and provided a healthy snack for the bus ride.
Link Kay Andrews is president. (More Photos on Page 6-B).
A Career Fair was held at Van Buren in late March. The Radiant Jewels were fully engaged with the 12 professionals who came to talk to them.
Link Stephanie Sykes is the owner of Body Temple Spatique. Her business caters to full body and beauty. She shared her train- ing with Jewels Beth Valle Velez and Kiara Torres.
Van Buren principal Derrick Gaines, Stu- dent Success coach and the Links, Inc. lia- sion, Mrs. Cynthia Forward, Mayor Buckhorn, Service To Youth co-chair and chair Links Ozepher Wilds and Margarette Spears and Van Buren assistant principal, Mrs. Erica Stanfield-Griffin.
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Jewels,Lameasyia Byrd and J’hane Mercado and a member of Men of Vision.
Jewels Markesia Brown and Destiiny Pagan with photographer Lomax McIntyre.
Jewel Aliyah Carter and her grandmother, Ms. Lucille Wynn.
Jewel Yadah Pollard with her mom, Ms. Cristifer Neal.
Radiant Jewels with the Mayor Bob Buckhorn. Kneeling front: Ciarra Williams, Markesia Brown, Chanel Carr, Kiarra Torres, Akira Wingo, Gabriella Aftergood, Jaqweda Dillon, Susana Aquianos, Des- tiny Gilbert, Dynasty Thomas.
Row 2 standing: Sharne Robinson, Adaisha Roberts, J'hane Mercado, Zharamiyah Garrett, Miricale Ashby, Beth Valle Velez, Christina Smith, Destany Ashby, Mayor, Leon Nicholas, Debriana Washington, Lameasyia Byrd, Destiiny Pagan, Jeanez, Peake, Jaihla Burgess, Kelis Davis.
Links attend Mother/daughter Tea.; front, Links Joyce Daniels, Evelyn Bethune, The Arts chair,Ozepher Wilds and Margarette Spears, Service To Youth Chairs, Kay Andrews, president,Renee Lee, Esq., Vice President, Jewel Warren, Tea Chair, Sylvia Andrews, Tea co-Chair and Recording Sec. and Ruby Brown, International Trends chair. Back row: visiting Link Gladys Wright of Gainesville, FL, Chap- ter, Tiffany Greene Berry, Phyllis Lee, Joselynne Forde, Frances Sykes, Barbara Jackson, Joan Dawson, Sonja Garcia, Yolanda Anthony, Financial Secretary, Stephanie Sykes, Verneka Rhodes, Janice Carter Collier and Gloria Andrews. Not shown, but also attending were: Links Carleen Thompson, Esq., Corre- sponding Secretary, Julie Sneed, Esq., Vice President, Programming and Allison Clebert, Assistant Treasurer.
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