Page 5 - Florida Sentinel 6-17-22

Feature
‘Private Skool’ Alum Preparing For Fundraiser
All proceeds from the event will be donated to St. Peter Claver Catholic School.
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
The COVID-19 pandemic brought life-long changes to all of our lives – unusual, unknown changes.
A group of friends, most of whom had their youthful begin- nings in private schools, used this pandemic down time to re- connect with some old friends.
Rigo M. Garcia, II, Presi- dent of the Private Skool Village Foundation, started reaching out to some of his old class- mates. Many of them have been friends since grade school. One conversation led to another and before long, the small gathering had “taken on a leg of its own,” Garcia said.
“We’re connected in so many ways – through families, businesses, community, churches, salons, barbers. Dur- ing our discussions, we talked about having the same commit- ment our parents had, as they sacrificed for us so many years ago to attend private schools,” he continued.
Cheryl Roby Jackson
agrees. “This will be a win-win for all. We want to attract, re- connect and be in a position to leave a legacy. That’s why we’re inviting all private school alumni to join us for this re-
Rigo M. Garcia, II
... President, Private Skool Foundation
union.”
Most of the friends in this
core group had their start in pri- vate schools during the 1970s, however, their target audience is those from the 1970s, ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s; but they’re inviting all to join the Private Skool Vil- lage Reunion.
The fundraising event will be held on Sunday, August 28, 2022, 3-8 p.m., at Tampa River Center, 402 W. Laurel St., Tampa 33607, better known to this group as Riverfront Park, where they spent their Sunday afternoons.
The event is a day party and reunion, there will be a live DJ, raffles, and there are still spon- sorship levels. Because many of the group’s members are busi- ness owners, they have been able to get their start-up fund- ing, and the Private Skool Vil-
Thirty-year (30) friends: front, left to right, Cecelia (Knowles), Lorshawn Vickers Windless, Cheryl (Roby) Jackson and Allison He- witt. Back row, Rigo Garcia, Leslie (Barnes Young, Sharice Barnes, Alonso Barnes, Herbert Carrington, and Barry Clark.
in the group have not been at- tending their schools’ reunions, but they’re excited about this event. But, Garcia said he’s looking forward to attending his 40th class reunion from Tampa Catholic High.
“As a group, we want to re- connect. Many of us have a com- mon thread through St. Peter Claver, the school or the church. We’re holding this fundraiser to give back to something that we all love, and want to hold on to and fight for. As our cities go through gentrification, we want to reconnect, network and give back.
“Today’s tumultuous climate has caused us to look at things very differently, and we want to reach in and support the vil- lage,” Garcia said.
For additional information and to purchase tickets, go to the website, skoolvillage.com, email: skoolvillage@gmail.com or call (813) 360-1222.
lage Foundation is incorporated. A tax-deductible donation is asked.
The initial group has con- nected with so many alumni and others over the past year, and held several Zoom and in-per- son meetings. Dr. LaTonya
White, Principal of St. Peter Claver School, joined the group in a Zoom meeting. She shared with them her challenges and her desires for the school. She’d like to improve the school’s Per- forming Arts.
For various reasons, many
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