BY DEVIN HEFLIN
ORLANDO, FL.- In an effort to raise money to benefit the youth of the downtown Orlando area called Parramore, Mayor Buddy Dyer hosted and was “roasted”. Dyer held his annual tailgate party to benefit the Parramore Kidz Zone.
The festive event welcomed community organizers, dignitaries and philanthropists to relax, network, laugh and enjoy great food and giveaways. “I’ll be roasted, because it’s for a good cause. This will give hope to and inspire some child to believe that anything is possible”, said Mayor Dyer.
Some brief background information on Parramore Kidz Zone indicates that the program gives children in the Parramore section positive opportunities that they otherwise wouldn’t have.
Alarming evidence suggests that there are more children living in poverty in Parramore than in any other Orlando neighborhood and the children that live therein are more susceptible to juvenile crime and teenage pregnancy. Ninety-two percent of Parramore’s high school student’s read below grade level.
The City of Orlando’s Parramore Kidz Zone, along with Buddy Dyer are looking to reverse this horrendous cycle and eradicate the stigma which surrounds the downtown area. Through this program, children which many predicted would have a future as an offender now have opportunities.
Since the incorporation of Parramore Kidz Zone, abbreviated as PKZ, in 2006, the program has enrolled 1,500 of the 2,000 kids and in its third year the fundraiser has generated a reported $1 million in net revenues for the program.
The Mayor was welcomed to the stage with boisterous applause and approached the podium to first and foremost, discuss a few new initiatives for the City of Orlando before introducing the entertainment of the night, the SAK Comedy Lab. No aspect of Buddy Dyer’s career, accomplishments, or goals for the city were spared as the group satirized Dyer’s adolescent years to his beginnings in state government.
The audience cackled with laughter as the comedy group held a “Knowledge of the Buddy’s” game show, which quizzed Buddy Dyer on everything related to , you guessed it, Buddy Dyer. The group then unveiled a “Buddy Dyer of the future” which sported what the group liked to call a “Sears suit”. The evening concluded with a special dedication by Jones High School Marching Band.
Though hearts were warm with laughter and attendees were able to feast upon a plethora of deliciously grilled food, Dyer wanted the focus to be placed upon the faces of the future leaders, or as Dyer stated, “Quite possibly the future Mayor of this very city.”
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
With Educational Rap Concert, Tameka Preston Assures Youth that They can Become "An Excellent Writer"
By Devin Heflin
Maitland- At a very young and tender age, motivational speaker Tameka Preston is committed to changing the lives of young people everywhere. The name of her business is Always Truth Incorporated, which prides itself and places emphasis on inspiring and exhorting the youth to read the blueprint of today so that they can become the builders of tomorrow.
Always Truth Incorporated held an educational Rap Concert and CD Release Party on Sunday, Sept. 21st between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Maitland Civic Center. The concert theme was a celebration of the release of their first LP entitled, " I'm an Excellent Writer". The CD is aimed at reminding students of the necessary skills required to write an excellent paper. It also contains helpful strategies that they will need to know to pass the FCAT writing, reading and math.
Each student was summoned to the stage by the DJ and given uproarious applause from both parents and supporters as they performed an original rap that they had written dealing with the fundamentals of English and Writing.
Tameka is no stranger in the business of inspiring children. While teaching at Maxey Elementary School, she received the prestigious vote of Teacher of the Year during the 2004-2005 school year and was unanimously voted Teacher of the Year in the summer of 2007 by the students in the Upward Bound Program.
After each of the students performed, Tameka performed her signature track "Persuasive" which teaches children about the importance of grammar and punctuation. Each of the children which performed were given certificates and personally congratulated by their parents and peers. "I think this could have a very powerful impact on the youth. We need to spread the word, we need more people that have that passion like Tameka," said Michael Arrington, a longtime supporter and contributor of Always Truth Incorporated.
At the concert's end, Tameka took the stage to encourage the participants to never stop learning and to have fun while learning. "When I thought of this whole project, I knew it was going to be something that was going to benefit the kids and this truly appears to be everything they've worked for coming to fruition." said Tameka
Always Truth Incorporated is teaching kids daily to challenge themselves and their abilities, love to learn and most importantly, learn to lead.
Maitland- At a very young and tender age, motivational speaker Tameka Preston is committed to changing the lives of young people everywhere. The name of her business is Always Truth Incorporated, which prides itself and places emphasis on inspiring and exhorting the youth to read the blueprint of today so that they can become the builders of tomorrow.
Always Truth Incorporated held an educational Rap Concert and CD Release Party on Sunday, Sept. 21st between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Maitland Civic Center. The concert theme was a celebration of the release of their first LP entitled, " I'm an Excellent Writer". The CD is aimed at reminding students of the necessary skills required to write an excellent paper. It also contains helpful strategies that they will need to know to pass the FCAT writing, reading and math.
Each student was summoned to the stage by the DJ and given uproarious applause from both parents and supporters as they performed an original rap that they had written dealing with the fundamentals of English and Writing.
Tameka is no stranger in the business of inspiring children. While teaching at Maxey Elementary School, she received the prestigious vote of Teacher of the Year during the 2004-2005 school year and was unanimously voted Teacher of the Year in the summer of 2007 by the students in the Upward Bound Program.
After each of the students performed, Tameka performed her signature track "Persuasive" which teaches children about the importance of grammar and punctuation. Each of the children which performed were given certificates and personally congratulated by their parents and peers. "I think this could have a very powerful impact on the youth. We need to spread the word, we need more people that have that passion like Tameka," said Michael Arrington, a longtime supporter and contributor of Always Truth Incorporated.
At the concert's end, Tameka took the stage to encourage the participants to never stop learning and to have fun while learning. "When I thought of this whole project, I knew it was going to be something that was going to benefit the kids and this truly appears to be everything they've worked for coming to fruition." said Tameka
Always Truth Incorporated is teaching kids daily to challenge themselves and their abilities, love to learn and most importantly, learn to lead.
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Entrance
I would like to welcome you to the blog of the one they call Devin. I have never personally called myself Devin, but I am the one that is referred to as Devin. In my lifetime, people have referred to me as Devin so much that I guess that must be my name. I hope that you enjoy the extensive body of work and truth that is presented in this blog. As you've read in my profile, I have discovered "the way" and wish to show the truth of "the way" to others. You may ask yourself, "just what is this way that he is talking about?". The way can't truly be given, it must be taken. As our good friend Gandhi stated, " The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step".
The Way is the manner in which one goes to work and functions in their daily lives. The Way will give you purpose and understanding. I am not the way, but I am simply one that was fortunate enough to have discovered the way at an early stage in life. In living life according to The Way, it would not provide me an ounce of justice to remain as Devin, for to be given a first and last name is another limitation to keep us from reaching the climactic point of The Way. Stand before me, I have no end, compete against me, I have no limitation, Look above me, I am not restricted by height, Look below me, there is nothing too deep. I have journeyed many places, attempting to show others The Way but all that they can say is that I don't look like a messenger, but one that they call Devin....
The Way is the manner in which one goes to work and functions in their daily lives. The Way will give you purpose and understanding. I am not the way, but I am simply one that was fortunate enough to have discovered the way at an early stage in life. In living life according to The Way, it would not provide me an ounce of justice to remain as Devin, for to be given a first and last name is another limitation to keep us from reaching the climactic point of The Way. Stand before me, I have no end, compete against me, I have no limitation, Look above me, I am not restricted by height, Look below me, there is nothing too deep. I have journeyed many places, attempting to show others The Way but all that they can say is that I don't look like a messenger, but one that they call Devin....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)