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Tomlin Student Wins State Competition

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 20, 2007

Updated: 10/18/2007 09:12 pm

PLANT CITY - Elisa Lemerond, 11, a sixth-grader at Tomlin Middle School, was one of three students from across the state to win in an essay competition in the Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education program. Three educators in the state also were honored for their achievements.

The six were honored at a Monday night celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at the governor's mansion in Tallahassee. Joining Florida Gov. Charlie Crist at the event was Xavier Cortada, whose paintings depict Florida's Hispanic culture.

Elisa, along with the other two state winners in the essay competition, will receive a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to any Florida state college or university and a laptop computer. The other two winners were from Miami and Hialeah. Their essay subject was: 'In what way will you impact the future of the Hispanic community in Florida and why?'

The educators each received a check for $1,500 and a gift certificate for office supplies.

All six of the winners received a signed print of Cortada's painting, 'Conquistadores,' which has been donated to the state's permanent collection.

Local Pageant Winner Enjoys College Festivities
PLANT CITY - Junior Miss Plant City Wachovia Sherman visited Bethune-Cookman University in late September for the college's homecoming activities.

Wachovia, who was crowned in March, represented Plant City during the festivities.

She toured the college's Daytona Beach campus and visited the grave of May McLeod Bethune, who founded the school in the early 1900s.

She participated in the homecoming parade, the pep rally and enjoyed the Bethune-Cookman marching band's halftime show.

The Junior Elite Women's Club has crowned a Junior Miss Plant City for 23 years.

Wachovia, 11, is a seventh-grader at Sligh Middle School. Her parents are John Sherman and Quanita Sherman.

Wachovia was accompanied on the Bethune-Cookman trip by pageant coordinator Sharon Moody and Carolyn Brown, both of Plant City.

Two Trips Planned For Seniors

PLANT CITY - The Plant City Recreation and Parks Department has two trips planned for senior residents and guests.

The first on Nov. 16 will be to Sleuth's Mystery Dinner Theater in Orlando for a performance. Diners will have a choice of Cornish hen, lasagna or prime rib.

Cost is $57 per person. Tickets are limited and are on a first-come, first-served basis; two may be purchased with each reservation. Registration started Monday. The group will leave Plant City at 5:30 p.m. and return at 11:30 p.m. to midnight.

Nov. 20 is set for a visit to 'Ice' at Gaylord Palms Resort, leaving at 9:30 a.m. and returning at 3 p.m. Cost is $35 per person and does not include lunch, which may be purchased at any of the restaurants at the resort.

Registrations will be accepted starting Monday, and tickets are limited.

Tickets for both trips are available at the Planteen, 301 N. Dort St. For information, call Deborah at (813) 659-4200, Ext. 4343.

Bruton Memorial Library Plans Events For Teens

PLANT CITY - Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., has two activities planned for teens.

From 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, there will be a free session on 'HTML for MySpace and More.' It will teach HTML and other tricks to make MySpace better. It is open to students in grades six to 12.

Nov. 13 will be free movie night. A PG-13 comedy movie will be shown, and free popcorn and soda will be available. The show starts about 5 p.m. and is for students 13 and older. Those younger must have parental permission.

For information, call the library at (813)757-9215.

'River Without End' Up For Discussion

PLANT CITY - The book selected for the next discussion at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 McLendon St., will be 'River Without End' by Pamela Jekel.

The discussion will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 6. It is free. Copies of the book are available at the library, and large type is provided whenever possible. Some of the books are available in audio format by reserve.

For information, call the library at (813) 757-9215.

St. Peter's Plans Free Music Series

PLANT CITY - Believing that music is a gift from God, St. Peter's Episcopal Church is offering a free music series this fall and spring, starting with a presentation at 4 p.m. Sunday.

'For many years, St. Peter's has been known for its fine Anglican liturgy and music,' said the Rev. Tom Thoeni, pastor of St. Peter's. 'Within this history, we proudly present our music series as a part of our centennial celebrations. The season promises to be a celebration of distinguished choral music and one not to be missed. Each evening's offering is presented free of charge as our way of sharing the blessings of God with the people of Plant City.'

Eleanor L. Taylor, who joined St. Peter's a year ago as organist and choirmaster after a distinguished career at a church in Tampa's Hyde Park, will lead the music, including choir, organ and soloists. A reception will follow in Bender Hall at the church, 302 N. Carey St.

The 2007-08 music series will continue through April.

St. Peter's was founded in 1890. It's a prime example of the Carpenter Gothic style of architecture, decorated with stained-glass windows. St. Peter's is the oldest church building in use in Plant City and is one of the oldest public buildings in eastern Hillsborough County.

For information, call St. Peter's at (813) 752-5061.

County Seeks Neighbor Nominations

The Office of Neighborhood Relations of Hillsborough County is looking for nominees for the winter quarter of this year for the Lonnie Lea Napier Good Neighbor Award.

Individuals, neighborhood associations and community groups may make nominations until Nov. 3.

Residents of Hillsborough County are eligible to nominate and be nominated. The nominee must demonstrate an ongoing spirit of compassion and helpfulness to his or her neighbors. The annual award comes with a $2,000 grant to be awarded to the neighborhood association serving the area where the recipient lives.

The board of county commissioners established the award in 2000 in honor of Napier, who lost his life after falling from a tree while trying to rescue a neighbor's cat. That was only part of his role in his neighborhood. He put up Christmas lights for a widow and fought a brushfire until firefighters arrived.

The quarterly winners will be reviewed, and the commission will present the annual award in the spring.

Nomination forms are available at www.hillsborough county.com/org/onr/award. They also may be picked up at the Office of Neighborhood Relations, 505 E. Jackson St., Suite 308, Tampa, or by calling David Ash at (813)272-5860.

Columnist Barbara Kent reports on community news. Items submitted must include a telephone number. Send a fax to (813) 865-4441 or mail to Neighbors, 101 N. Wheeler St., Plant City FL 33563.

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