Page 8 - 7-1-15 Friday's Edition

Local
School Gives Posthumous Award To Its First ‘Father Of The Year’
Tampa Man Hospitalized
ADRIAN FLOWERS, SR.
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
On May 7, 2015, Adrian Flowers, Sr. suddenly and mysteriously passed away.
On May 28, 2015, Sligh Middle Magnet School held a ceremony to recognize the school’s first “Father of the Year” recipient. Mr. Flow- ers was bestowed that honor posthumously, much to the delight of school offi- cials at Sligh and his family.
Mrs. Ciciler Russ, Avid Coordinator at Sligh, said she wanted to surprise Mr. Flowers with the award.
“Mr. Flowers passed away a couple of weeks be- fore the presentation, so we bestowed it on his family.
“I began working with Mr. Flowers since his son, Adrian, Jr., was in the 6th grade. Every time we had conference night, family night, or whatever we were having at the school, he was there. Not only did he come to the school whenever he was called, he came and sat in his son’s class. He mod-
ADRIAN, JR. AND ADRIYANA FLOWERS
8-Year-Old Injured In Accident
After Fireworks
Explode In His Hands
At 10 p. m. Wednesday night, Tampa Police were called to 312 East Ohio in the Robles Park Public Housing Complex.
When officers arrived on the scene, they reported that 34-year-old Travis Roberts had been shooting off mortar type fireworks when one of them blew up while he was holding it.
Roberts sustained seri- ous injuries to both of his hands, and has been hospi- talized.
TRAVIS ROBERTS .....injured in fireworks explosion.
eled the way for other fa- thers, and set the tone for fu- ture recipients of the award.”
Mrs. Russ said Mr. Flowers was an example in the classroom for other young men who did not have fathers so they wanted to re- member him.
“We want to make sure that we’re honoring him and his legacy. Not everyone has the opportunity to see their children grow and improve. During parent/teacher con- ference, he’d always tell Adrian, Jr. that he’s invest- ing in him, he believes in him, and he’s going to be there for him regardless.”
Mr. Flowers would also tell his son that he may not always like everything he says, but he loves him.
“I want to challenge every parent in here to be like Mr. Flowers,” said Mrs. Russ.
Mrs. Russ said Mr. Flowers operated off pre- vention instead of repair.
“Many of the other par- ents thought he was a single parent because he was al- ways at the school.
“Whatever it took for him to show support for his chil- dren, he did it naturally.”
Sharon Seabrook, Adrian, Sr.’s wife, said she met her husband 16 years ago when she was a single mom with four children.
“He played an important role in helping me raise them as well as the two we share together. He went to school events, and sup- ported them and gave 100%.
“Adrian never wanted the choices he made in his life to determine what type of father he was going to be, so he gave fatherhood his all. He was determined that his children would have oppor- tunities we did not.”
Ms. Seabrook said Adrian’s mother would tell her every time she called him, no matter the reason, he’d always respond.
“He had unconditional love for his mother and his family.”
Adrian, Jr. and Adriyana are currently at- tending a music conserva- tory.
The Florida Highway Pa- trol reported that an 8-year- old boy was injured in an accident last Friday.
At 6:47 p. m., troopers said Jayvius Hall was walking east on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in the crosswalk approaching the I-4 entrance ramp.
Hall reportedly ran across
the street in front of a vehicle driven by 48-year-old Christine Lee Aug.
As a result, the passenger side mirror of Aug’s vehicle struck Hall. He suffered se- rious injuries and was hospi- talized.
No charges were filed in the accident, and the investi- gation is ongoing.
Gas Pump Knocked Over At Station Injures Woman
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reports that at 7 p. m. Wednesday, a car knocked over a gas pump at a Thornton’s Gas Station in Riverview, crushing a woman’s ankle.
Deputies said a car hopped a curve and crashed into the pump at the station on the corner of Progress Boulevard and U. S. 301. The driver took off running.
Deputies said the pump landed on a woman who was fueling her car, severely injuring her leg and ankle. She was taken to a local hospital and is expected to recover from her injuries.
Deputies have not been able to locate the suspect, and did not release information on the suspect’s vehicle, or release in- formation describing the suspect.
PAGE 8-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015