Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 8-15-17

Local
Young Athlete Earns Gold Medal For 2nd Consecutive Year
Demetrius Jenkins proudly displays the gold medal he has won for the last two years.
College Graduate Completes City Council Internship
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Demetrius “D.J.” Jenkins is a 10-year-old who bears watching in up- coming years. The young man has already accom- plished things other athletes have not.
Recently, the young man and his parents returned from the AAU Junior Olympics in Detroit, Michi- gan. While at the event, Demetrius captured the gold in the 9 and 10-year-old boys shot putt competition.
His parents, Demetrius Jenkins, Sr., and Ms. Chyna Walker, were very proud of his accomplish- ment. However, they weren’t surprised because this was the second time the young man had excelled at the AAU Junior Olympics. Last year, he accomplished the same goal when the nationals were held in Houston, Texas.
An all-around athlete, Demetrius played football for the TBYFL Jaguars last year, where played on the de-
fensive line. In fact, his father said he decided to enroll his namesake in the Trailblazers Track & Field Club to keep him in shape for football.
In addition to the shot putt, Demetrius also runs the 100m, and plans on throwing the turbo javelin as soon as he is old enough.
“He’s really a great kid. He’s very mannerable and we are trying to raise him the right way,” his dad said.
Demetrius entered the 5th grade this year at MacFar- land Park IB Elementary School. He is a member of the Youth Choir at Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church and enjoys watching television.
Demetrius has already decided that he’s not going to play football this year. He’s grooming himself for basket- ball season. He plays the po- sitions of center or power forward.
And, he has already de- cided that when he grows up, he is going into the building and construction industry —- just like his dad.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
During the summer, one Tampa woman was busy learning the ins and outs of City Government. Ms. Yulita Howard had the opportunity to complete an internship in the office of Tampa City Councilman Frank Red- dick.
For the past 3 months, Ms. Howard attended the weekly City Council meetings, community meetings, and various other events con- nected to the responsibilities of the office.
Councilman Reddick
said, “We were glad to have Ms. Howard in our office over the summer. We did our best to expose her to all sides of local government. She grew up in the district and had a good understanding of the residents we serve.”
Ms. Howard said, “In- terning with Councilman Reddick was the best experi- ence. I had wanted to get into the political realm, especially locally. I learned so much from Mr. Reddick.”
But her accomplishments didn’t stop there. On August 5th, Ms. Howard partici- pated in the graduation cere- mony at Florida A & M
Posing for a keepsake photograph to remember her in- ternship, Ms. Yulita Howard is shown with Administrative As- sistant Cedric McCray, (left) and City Councilman Frank Reddick in City Council chambers.
Ms. Yulita Howard graduated from Florida A & M University on August 5th.
Mr. and Mrs. Julius (Florine) Howard re- cently attended the graduation ceremony of their daughter, Ms. Yulita Howard, center.
University. During the cere- mony, she was presented her Master’s Degree in Public Ad- ministration.
A Tampa native, Ms. Howard graduated from Middleton High School in 2006, and began classes at Hillsborough Community College majoring in Liberal Arts. She interrupted school for a few years, retuning in 2011.
After graduating in 2013, Ms. Howard, 29, continued her education at Florida A & M University, and graduated with a B. S. Degree in Jour- nalism.
Now that she has accom- plished her educational goals, Ms. Howard plans to stay active in the community and hopes to work with local not- for-profit organizations who share her vision. “I want to participate in community events and try to clean up East Tampa.”
She is a member of New Life Restoration and enjoys reading, creative writing, sports and spending time with her family. The youngest of eight children, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Julius (Florine) Howard attended the graduation ceremony.
PAGE 8 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2017