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June 2012 - Volume 11, Issue 5
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Graduation is beginning of success
Career Center students prepared for great future
Graduations, graduations, graduations, non-stop graduations. At this time of year I did not envy our fellow HEF Board Members, Superintendent MaryEllen Elia and School Board Member Doretha Edgecomb, who attended dozens of graduations for our Hillsborough County Public Schools' (HCPS) 27 high schools and four career centers. I had the privilege of being on stage at the Bowers-Whitley Career Center graduation ceremony. What a moving event!
What made this particular graduation so meaningful was that in days past, almost none of these students would have graduated from high school. Bowers-Whitley is one of four HCPS career centers designed especially for students who may not perform well academically in a traditional high school. At Bowers-Whitley students acquire career training in the culinary, automotive mechanic/technician, fashion merchandising, and childcare fields, to name a few, offered at the school.
The inspiration of the principal, Dr. Anthony Colucci, could be felt in his opening remarks at the commencement ceremony. This guy really cares for his students. He is as proud of their accomplishments as if they were his own children. The entire faculty demonstrates that same type of care and pride in the success of the graduates.
HEF plays a role in the success of these students with its Project Success program, which provides lab coats, stethoscopes, workbooks, uniforms, classroom supplies, competition fees, FCAT/GED/ACT study workbooks and certification fees for at-risk students to complete their career center programs. Students in Project Success may also be eligible for scholarships to either Hillsborough Community College or a HiTech center to continue their education.
On the stage with me at the graduation was Joe Clark from the Eckerd Foundation. In partnership with Eckerd, HEF has made dozens of grants over the years to Bowers-Whitley to support career training and classroom learning experiences. These students today walking out as graduates received a chance to be able to live the American Dream with a real possibility for success. For all of us at HEF, we should be very proud of the part we have played in making this new life story a possibility.
B. Philip Jones, Jr.
President
Hillsborough Education Foundation
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Thanks, May Supporters!
Alliance Francaise de Tampa Inc American Stage Company Inc. Bailey Family Foundation, Inc. Leslie and Hope Barnett BIC Graphics, USA John B. Brannan Russell Casady Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association Inc. Chick-Fil-A Tampa Bay Area Children's Board Of Hillsborough County CliftonLarsonAllen LLP Cutler Associates, Inc. Diversified Business Machines, Inc. Dwight Darby & Company, CPA's Fantasy Theatre Factory, Inc. Fleischman Garcia Architecture James and Mary Fortson Luis and Mary Garcia Pamela L. Green Andrew Harris Helios Education Foundation Hill & Knowlton, Inc. Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Holland & Knight, LLP Joe and Sue House ING J.R. Long, Inc. Junior League of Tampa, Inc. Kablelink Electric The Kaul Foundation Kimley-Horn & Associates Jack E. Maniscalco Gene and Aldyth Marshall MedExpress Urgent Care Middleton High School Alumni Association David Mikes Morrison & Associates, Inc. Moss Creek Goldendoodles National Association of Women in Construction New York Yankees Tampa Foundation, Inc. Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. Denise Papich Jason Pithers Danette Rey Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay Craig E. Rothburd Fred and Mary Sue Rothenberg Salem Communications Rebecca B. Savitz Serve Legal Process, Inc. SERVE, Inc. Steve Sessums Shriner's Children's Hospital Take Stock in Children Tampa Bay Rays Tampa Bay Times - Payroll Deduction Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation Tampa Convention Center Tampa Theatre Thunderbolt International Inc. VALIC Walden University The Walmart Foundation Waste Pro USA Wheelabrator McKay Bay Inc. William A. Gregory Jr. Foundation, Inc. Nathan L. Williams Williams Company Tampa Arthur Wood |
Good 4U, Good 4Us Enjoy Some Savings
LEGOLAND� Florida Tickets
As a Hillsborough Education Foundation supporter, LEGOLAND� Florida would like to offer you BIG savings on 1-day, 2-day and annual passes!
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Apple Appeal - Casino Royale Guests enjoyed an evening of of casino games, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, wine tasting, silent auction and chance drawings. This year's event, which gave a nod to James Bond, raised almost $33,000 for the Hillsborough Education Foundation. Thanks to our sponsors and donors for their support: Amscot Financial, Bright House Networks, Cutler Associates, Inc., Ernst & Young, Hill Ward Henderson, Humana, Invo Healthcare Associates, Inc., Gene Marshall, Moffitt Cancer Center, Northern Trust, Publix Super Markets Charities, Raymond James Financial Services, James H. & Amy G. Shimberg Foundation, ST Cotter Incorporated, Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union Foundation and TECO Energy.
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Wanted: School Supplies for At-Risk Students Help us 'Stuff the Bus' for Teaching Tools Help place pencils, pens, paper and the other critical tools for school in many children's hands, from the first day of school to the last! Join forces with other businesses & community organizations to help kids succeed. Our goal is 175 supply drives and we want YOU! Encourage your family, friends, businesses, clubs and organizations to hold supply drives or drop off donations at area Tax Collector offices. For more information or to schedule a supply drive, contact Laura Grucza at (813) 574-0279. |
Donor Spotlight: Alliance Fran�aise de Tampa End Sparks New Beginnings
To learn a new language and culture can be one of the most enjoyable experiences in life. No one knows that quite as well as the Alliance Fran�aise de Tampa.
The Alliance Fran�aise de Tampa is a local organization that teaches private and public French lessons, tutoring, and travel planning for more than 40 years. "Its purpose was to promote and celebrate French culture and holidays and to offer French classes to the community at a reasonable rate," said Alliance Fran�aise de Tampa board member Monique Groulx.
As the organization is disbanding, the group has made a donation to the Hillsborough Education Foundation for the creation of two different scholarships: one for students whom have successfully completed at least three years of high school French in the IB program and another for students who have completed for students who have completed three years of French outside of the IB program. The Alliance Fran�aise has also donated funds for school enrichment grants to French teachers for special projects.
By doing this the Alliance Fran�aise de Tampa hopes to give one last time to the community it has served by helping those who teach and enjoy the French language. "Thus, the money of our French Alliance will continue to promote the French language and culture," said Groulx.
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Honoring Our Business Partners
2012 Commissioner's Business Recognition Awards
The Florida State Fair Authority, ST Cotter Incorporated and the Wyndham Tampa Westshore Hotel were among more than 70 businesses and local organizations honored for supporting education during the 2012 Commissioner's Business Recognition Awards ceremony sponsored by the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Education Foundation. The Florida Education Foundation and Florida Department of Education hosted the event to honor all the Business Partnership Winners from all counties in the state.
The Florida State Fair Authority was last year's District Business Partner of the Year. ST Cotter Incorporated was the 2011 Elementary Business Partner of the Year, and the Wyndham Tampa Westshore Hotel was the Secondary Business Partner of the Year.
The Commissioner's Business Recognition Awards are administered by the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Education Foundation to encourage successful alliances within the business community and among local school districts for the benefit of Florida's students.
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License for Learning
Did you know that 100% of the $20 specialty tag fee is donated back to the education foundation in your county? Show your love and support of teachers and education by choosing to place the Support Education license tag on your vehicle today. You don't have to wait to your next renewal. Learn more about how to change over your tag at www.license4learning.com.
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Making Headlines
Hillsborough Education Foundation in the News
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