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

Features
Greco Bus Driver Chosen As Employee Of The Month
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Known throughout the community for his love of working with children, Willie L. Jackson recently received a prestigious honor. Being a bus driver, he was one of the first to receive “Support Employee of the Month” from Greco Middle School.
“Normally, ‘Employee of the Month’ honor goes to one of the teachers or other staff members,” Jackson said, “rarely do you see a bus driver getting this award.”
Known as “Willie L.” to his co-workers and “Uncle Willie” to kids all over Hills- borough County, Jackson has been driving for 13 years for the School District and the Boys and Girls Clubs.
Jackson said he is like a dad to many of the kids and a big brother to some others. “They all know that ‘Uncle Willie’ does not play when it comes to rules and being obe- dient. With all of the violence in the streets today, we have to make sure they follow the rules,” he said.
Left to right: Yinka Alege, Greco Middle School Principal; hon- oree Willie L. Jackson; student, Meia Keaton and Assistant Princi- pal, Mr. Hernandez.
Reminiscing, Jackson said, “back in the day when we were teens, we had to lis- ten to the older people. We could not say anything – just listen. Over the years, time has changed. Back then, teaching started at home.
“The Lord’s Word says teach and bring up a child. Young moms can look at their little kids 2 and 3 years old, walking with their pants hanging down, and they think that’s cute, not realizing that
the child is being trained.” In addition to being the bus driver, Jackson also tries to teach the children les- sons about life. When he hears of an altercation around the school or in the neighborhoods, Jackson says he talks with the kids
about right and wrong.
“As parents, we need to go back to the old rules and this will help us as a whole with this street violence,” he con-
cluded.
Plant High School:
Alternative Prom Event Cancelled
PLANT HIGH SCHOOL
Hillsborough County School District spokesperson, Steve Hegarty, said the sen- iors of Plant High School had a great prom, and about 300 students attended.
On the subject of an alter- native prom event, Hegarty said that event was not sanc- tioned by the School District or Plant High School.
‘The principal at Plant heard about it from some par- ents and released a statement assuring the parents the school had nothing to do with that event.”
Hegarty said he doesn’t know why it was cancelled, but he did say students had
been selling $12 wristbands to attend the event that was scheduled for the Cuban Club in Ybor City.
“Some people have said a lack of supervision/security may have been the reason it was cancelled. According to some twitter accounts, an- other party is being planned.”
Hegarty said Plant High School was not the only school that had planned an event outside of their tradi- tional prom.
“Because it takes an adult to rent the Cuban Club, some parents did know about it, and it costs more than $3,000 to rent the venue.”
Meeting
Community Third Annual Easter Egg Hunt
The Home Association is asking for the community to join them for their third annual Easter Egg Hunt on Friday, April 3rd from 11:30 p. m. until 3:30 p. m. at 1203 East 22nd Avenue.
Children are asked to bring their own basket or bag to help find the 1,500 eggs that will be hidden.
Join in the fun with games, prizes, and picture area for the children. Free food will be served.
A number of the area’s elected officials have agreed to partic- ipate in the event.
All of the community is invited, and for more information please contact The Home Association at (813) 229-6901.
PAGE 4-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015