Page 10 - 4-3-15 Friday's Edition

Local
Tampa Bay Lightning Honors Couple As Community Heroes
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Last week, the Tampa Bay Lightning honored a couple as their 38th Lightning Commu- nity Heroes of the season dur- ing the first period of their game against the Florida Pan- thers.
Mr. and Mrs. Nate (Car- men) Johnson received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation, and the Lightning Community Heroes Program will make donations to Bay Area Youth Track and Field (BAYTAF), All Sports Community Services, and three other non-profit organi- zations.
For the past 28 years, the Johnsons have dedicated their lives to bring hope and achievement to local youth by providing them an outlet to grow through track and field.
The Johnsons live in East Tampa, and help develop young athletes through their Bay Area Youth Track and Field Program they founded in 1986.
“In the beginning when we started, no organizations were doing track and field clinics anywhere in the area,” said Mr. Johnson.
“My wife and I met at
lot of people, especially par- ents.
Tyrone Keys, founder of All Sports Community Serv- ices, said the Johnsons have helped develop two genera- tions of leaders using track and field as a tool to cultivate youth goal setting, character development, self-esteem, and the desire to give back to their community.
“Youth members who have gone through their program have progressed to become
college graduates, entrepre- neurs, doctors, and even a Rhodes Scholar.”
Rhodes scholars may study any full time post graduate course offered, whether a taught master’s program, a re- search degree, or a second un- dergraduate degree.
University and college fees are paid by the Rhodes Trust, and scholars receive a monthly maintenance stipend to cover accommodation and living ex- penses.
From left to right: Tyrone Keys, Nate Johnson, Bessie Keys, Car- men Johnson, and Junior Buccaneers coach, Jamal Jefferson.
Florida A&M University as track and field athletes.”
The Johnsons are proud to be the parents of the first African American Rhodes Scholar recipient from Florida State University, Garrett Johnson. The second African American recipient was Myron Rolle.
“As far as our track and field organization is con- cerned, I’m doing less training and more officiating and man- agement now.
“During the 1990-1991 sea- son, we put on one of the largest track and field meets with 1,500 athletes at the Uni-
versity of South Florida. It was the largest anywhere at that time.
“We’re proud to have all three of our children involved in track and field, and we hope through that sport and the work we’ve done in East Tampa, another Rhodes Scholar will emerge. It’s quite an honor to have a Rhodes Scholar come out of East Tampa, and make history as well.”
Mr. Johnson said they are continuing to work hard to building the foundation to cre- ate another Rhodes Scholar, but it will take the effort of a
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