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Nativity Treats Kindergarten Graduates Like Royalty

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By BARBARA ROUTEN

Tribune correspondent

Published: June 7, 2008

BRANDON - Boys in plastic chainmail and bejeweled cardboard crowns and girls in long dresses wearing tall, cone-shaped hats with sheer fabric drapes crossed a wooden bridge over a moat full of vinyl alligators.

The Nativity Catholic School kindergarteners were on their way to pick up diplomas from their teachers in front of the castle gate in a wing off the school cafeteria. Teacher Mary Haslam's students graduated May 19. Kathy Burleson's and Suzanne Crawford's graduated May 20.

At each "Royal Coronation," the teachers greeted each child and dubbed them king or queen of first grade.

The teachers also took the opportunity to thank their homeroom mothers Tricia Bradberry, Michele Thibodeau and Michelle Enrique.

Haslam, who moved to Nativity this year from Buckhorn Elementary School, brought with her the coronation tradition. It "began simply as a way to honor and recognize my kindergartners' hard work and transition to the first grade with something special," she said.

Samantha Bonce, a fifth-grader at Nativity, "had experienced her very own coronation at our previous school," Haslam said. Samantha shared with the younger students memories of how excited she was at her coronation.

After the ceremonies, the children ate a royal meal of chicken nuggets, fruit and marshmallows skewered on wooden "jousting lances" and cake shaped liked a castle and surrounded by a blue gelatin moat stocked with candy fish and alligators.

"And the parents," Haslam said, "laugh and cry as they watch their children exit their kindergarten year and take their initial steps toward the first grade."

Local Students Win Speech Contest
BRANDON - Four local high school students earned prizes in a speech competition April 29 at the Rotary Club of Brandon meeting at Center Place Fine Arts and Civic Association in Brandon.

Kelsey Phillips of Brandon High School, representing the Brandon Rotary Club, won the $150 first prize. Taylor Guinane of Spoto High School, representing the Brandon '86 Rotary Club, won the $100 second prize. Tied for third place and earning $50 each were Dayne Davis of Spoto, representing the Riverview Rotary Club, and Kadine Interval of East Bay High School, representing the Sun City Center Rotary Club.

"Our competitor, Kelsey Phillips, was the runner-up in our club contest," said Pat Gregory, event chairman for the Brandon Rotary, which hosted the district competition. That club's first-place winner had a scheduling conflict and could not attend the speech competition, opening the door for Kelsey to participate.

"It was great to see a ninth-grader win," Gregory said. "Kelsey really matured in the two months between the club contest and district. We're really proud of her."

The contest has been conducted for 10 years and is based on the annual Rotary theme, which this year is "Rotary Shares." Usually, the contestants are referred to Rotary Clubs by their English or speech teachers. Each of the 45 Rotary Clubs in the district holds its own speech competition and sends the winner to the district contest.

For information about next year's contest or Rotary International, the local Rotary Clubs' parent organization, contact Sun City Center Rotary Club President Alan Feldman at (813) 685-4343 or attend a meeting. The group meets at noon Tuesdays at Center Place, 619 Vonderburg Drive, Brandon.

Free Books Offered For Hillsborough Tots

BRANDON - The Imagination Library will mail free, age-appropriate books to the home of any child in Hillsborough County who was born on or after Sept. 1, 2006, once a month up to his or her fifth birthday.

The Imagination Library was founded in 1996 by country singer Dolly Parton to encourage children to read and improve literacy in Sevier County, Tenn., where she grew up. More than 700 communities in 43 states, Canada and the United Kingdom participate. Every month, more than 400,000 children receive a new book from the Dollywood Foundation.

"I am thrilled that the good folks in Hillsborough County have decided to bring my Imagination Library to all of the preschool kids in the county," Dolly Parton was quoted saying in an e-mail from Braulio Colon, assistant director of ENLACE Florida, an advocacy network that promotes college readiness.

"I know it's a big step to take, so thank you for letting us be a part of your loving and caring community," Parton said.

Hillsborough County's Imagination Library program is a joint initiative involving several agencies, the school district, the U.S. Postal Service and the United Way of Tampa Bay.

Joe Stines, Hillsborough public library director and a member of the Imagination Library partnership, said, "Intuitively and scientifically, we know that having access to a wide variety of reading material is vital if a child is to develop into a strong reader. In fact, the only behavioral measure that correlates significantly with reading scores is the number of books in the home."

At the end of the five years, a child who was registered at birth will have 60 books.

To register, go to www.unitedwaytampabay .com/imaginationlibrary or call (813) 272-5017.

Free companion programs also are available for parents. The next workshop will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 24 at the 78th Street Community Library, 7625 Palm River Road, Tampa.

Donations to the Imagination Library may be made at www.unitedwaytampa bay.com/imaginationlibrary or by sending a check to United Way/Imagination Library, 5201 Kennedy Blvd. W., Suite 600, Tampa FL 33609.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, e-mail neighbors@tampabay .rr.com or call (813) 657-4531.

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