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10 Students Hone Public Speaking Skills In Optimist Contest

Plant City Optimist Club

Participants in the annual Plant City Optimist Club Oratorical Contest pose with club President Jeb Hicks. From the left are Mercy Beatty, third-place winner Isis Ash, second-place winner Haley Ours, first-place winner Amanda Williamson, Hicks, first-place winner Addison Killebrew, second-place winner Trent Lott, third-place winner John Beatty, Kelly Drake and Virginia Bochy.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 4, 2009

PLANT CITY - The Plant City Optimist Club has been encouraging local youths through its annual Oratorical Contest for more than 40 years. Ten students competed in the Feb. 16 competition at the Plant City Recreation and Parks Department administrative office.

At the contest, Amanda Williamson and Addison Killebrew took first place; Haley Ours and Trevor Lott took second; Isis Ash and John Beatty placed third; and honorable mention was presented to Mercy Beatty, Virginia Bochy, Kelly Drake and Megan O'Steen.

The theme was "To Me, Optimism Is..." Each student presented a four- to five-minute oration in front of an audience of more than 60 people, including their families, club members and guests.

Club President Jeb Hicks said that as the students prepare for the future, many need experience expressing thoughts and opinions to an audience.

"The Oratorical Contest challenges them to do just that and also offers an opportunity for scholarships. In this way, our club hopes to bring out the best in each of them and help them achieve their goals for the future," he said.

Chairman Dave Robbins said the students did an outstanding job.

Plant City Toastmaster Club members David James, Jim Lane and Rick Norman served as judges. The two first-place winners will advance to the zone level of competition in April in Lakeland.

Last year's first place winner Nathan Carson advanced to the North Florida District competition and a won $1,500 college scholarship.

Stock Up Now On Girl Scout Cookies

Craving a Thin Mint or Tagalong?

Your wait for Girl Scout cookies is over.

Friday marked the start of the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida's annual cookie sale. The treats will be sold through March 22.

Need help finding a place to buy them? Go to www.gswcf.org for the Girl Scouts' Cookie Locator. For example, the Web site states that today the Scouts will be selling cookies in front of the Publix at 2515 Thonotosassa Road and the Sweetbay Supermarket at 205 W. Alexander St.

On Saturday, the Scouts will be at those locations plus the Publix at 2202 James L. Redman Parkway.

You can also donate cookies to be sent directly to military troops serving in combat zones overseas through March 22 by going online at that same Web address.

All the proceeds from cookie sales support Girl Scouting.

Call Susan Barnes at (813) 262-1769 for information.

Tomlin Students Win Leadership Awards

Future Business Leaders of America adviser Sharon Bridges said Tomlin Middle School was well represented at the Feb. 5 Future Business Leaders of America District Awards in Tampa.

Four students took first-place awards, including Taylor Adams (Spreadsheets), Sara Brumer (Public Speaking), Ashlyn Christie (Proofreading and Editing) and Jordan Genevie (Leadership).

Second-place winners were Brooke Miller (Career Exploration) and Madison Bradshaw (Future Business Leaders of America Principles and Procedures).

Third-place winners were Andrew Erickson (Business Math), James Orso (Leadership), Vishal Persaud (Proofreading and Editing), Stephanie Taylor (Keyboarding), Nicole Arnold (Spreadsheets), Sara Brummer, Nicole Arnold and Bailey Bowden (Build-A-Biz) and Christine Kenney (Public Speaking).

Fourth-place winners included Dillon Kirkland (Career Exploration), Kelsey Fry (Leadership) and Cody McNary (Keyboarding).

Fifth-place winners included Samir Patel (Business Math), Nick Rodriquez (Career Exploration), Christian Hoyle (Leadership) and Ericka Lott (Spreadsheets).

Sixth-place winners included Tayler Kip (Leadership) and Kaitlyn Miller (Spreadsheets).

Seventh-place winners included Austin Bruner (Principles and Procedures), Ciarra Johnson and Hannah Tredway (Desktop Publishing), Jessica Smith (Keyboarding) and Will Hanks (Spreadsheets).

Stock Up On Books At Bruton Sale

The Friends of the Bruton Memorial Library group will hold its annual book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 14 at the library, 302 W. McLendon St.

There will be lots of gently used books at low prices. Hardback books and larger trade paperbacks will be $1, regular paperbacks will be 50 cents and romance paperbacks will be three for $1.

Call (813) 757-9215 for information.

Concert To Benefit Group Home For Girls

A concert to benefit Steppin' Stone Farm featuring BarlowGirl will be 7 p.m. Friday at Andrew's United Methodist Church, 3315 Bryan Road, Brandon.

BarlowGirl, a Christian rock band made up of three sisters, has won multiple gospel music awards. The band members describe themselves as "radical girls for God" and their music delivers that message in a powerful way. Also performing that night will be Point 04.

Steppin' Stone Farm in Lithia is a Christian residential group home for troubled teenage girls.

Concert tickets are available at www.steppinstonfarm .eventbrite.com. Prices are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For information, go to www.StAndrewsBrandon.org, or call (813) 689-6849, ext. 217.

The concert will be the third fundraiser in the Brandon area to help Steppin' Stone.

Last month, the Beef O'Brady's restaurant on Kings Avenue, along with the Cherry's on Bloomingdale Avenue, donated a portion of a day's proceeds to help the group home.

Lifeguards Wanted For Lithia Park

LITHIA - The Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department is accepting applications for lifeguards for Lithia Springs Park.

Candidates must be at least 16 years old and have a current Red Cross Life Guarding Certificate. Starting pay is $9 per hour.

Lifeguards will work daily in the open water swimming area from Memorial Day through Labor Day and possibly weekends before and after the prime swimming season, depending on the weather.

Lithia Springs is on the Alafia River at 3932 Lithia Springs Road. Call Kevin Church at (813) 987-6278 to apply.

Chiseler's Market To Benefit Landmark

The 46th annual Chiseler's Market, Tampa's largest one-day flea market, will be held at the University of Tampa, 401 E. Kennedy Blvd., from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. March 14. Proceeds will be used for the restoration of the 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel (Plant Hall), a National Historic Landmark.

The market will be preceded by the 13th annual Market Preview Party from 7 to 9 p.m. March 13 in the lobby of Plant Hall and will include an elaborate cocktail buffet and music. Tickets are $50.

Call Robbie Williams at (813) 253-0037 for tickets and information.

Radio-Controlled Jets Take Off This Week

Florida Jets 2009, billed as the largest gathering of radio-controlled jets in the world, will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport off Drane Field Road.

Admission will be $10 for parking and pit pass.

The event includes more than 300 radio-controlled jets and seven active flight lines.

For information, go to FrankTiano.com or call (863) 607-6611.

E-mail items to Betty Briggs at gabylee@tampabay.rr.com; mail to The Tampa Tribune, 101 N. Wheeler St., Plant City FL 33563; or fax to (813) 865-4441.

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