"Off to Sunday School" by Jeff Akins
Sometimes when you write about someone, they just kind of stick in your mind over the years and you wonder how things turned out.
For Jeffrey Akins, the promise seemed so great. A 2008 graduate of Seminole High, he won a scholarship to the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota. I featured him in a story as representative of Seminole County’s hundreds of high school graduates that year.
So it was unsettling when I received an e-mail from Superintendent Bill Vogel today with word that Jeffrey had died suddenly.
I don’t have the details, but the note said Jeffrey ”passed away last night after surgery for the removal of fluid from around his heart.”
What was so striking about Jeffrey was his obvious talent in graphic art. And what was so unusual , especially if you have been around Florida for awhile, was that it sprung from a poor black kid raised in the Midway farm community east of Sanford.
Many had been rooting for Akins, who was unsure how he would manage college costs that weren’t covered by the scholarship. He was the first black student from Seminole High to attend the prestigious art school. He was reaching for a personal milestone as well.
“Nobody in my family ever went to college,” he told me, in wonder at his good luck.
Jeffrey drew on his deep religious experience in his Midway church for much of his art inspiration, and that apparently continued with his work at college.
Phi YoBa, fine arts instructor at Seminole High, said he spoke with Jeffrey just a couple of weeks ago and he was on top of the World with hopes and aspirations.
“He is a great example of the type of student that Seminole High School produces,” YoBa said.
Seminole County Schools Florida - News
A 2008 graduate of Seminole High, he won a scholarship to the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota. I featured him in a story as representative of Seminole County's hundreds of high school graduates that year. So it was unsettling when I
With Seminole County schools back in session the Monday following the holiday, it forces parents, teachers and students to push back their shopping to the last minute, or not get the tax break at all. "We support moving back to a full one week,
Nineteen High Schools from all over Central Florida including Brevard County, Seminole County, Orange County and Lake County were represented today by their coaches and athletes at the BHSN 2011 High School Football Media Day.
By Dave D'Marko, Reporter To donate food, supplies, clothes or volunteer, contact Beth Davalos with Families in Transition at (407) 746-8518 or email beth_davalos@scps.k12.fl.us. Hundreds of Seminole County school children are spending their summer
With school starting Monday in Seminole County and a week later in Orange and other districts, parents are hustling to check off items on back-to-school lists. Like parents of tots, moms and dads of adolescents usually are diligent when it comes to
Hot Topics: Starting School on a Shoestring « LWV Seminole's Blog
The League of Women Voters of Seminole County sent out the following press release today about our upcoming Hot Topics luncheon.
The event begins at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, at Sergio’s Restaurant, 2895 S. Orlando Ave., Sanford. It is open to the public and anyone concerned about education in Seminole County is encouraged to attend. Additional details below.
LWV Seminole Hot Topics: Starting School on a Shoestring
SANFORD – A-rated, nationally recognized schools help draw families and companies to locate in Seminole County. Yet the school district has been forced to close one school already and is facing a $22 million shortfall as the 2011-2012 academic year begins.
At the Seminole County League of Women Voters’ next Hot Topics luncheon, School Superintendent Bill Vogel will talk about how SCPS plans to run a quality district on a slash-and-burn budget.
The event begins at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25, at Sergio’s Italian Restaurant, 2895 S. Orlando Ave., Sanford.
“Seminole county schools have long been part of the economic engine that drives this county,” said LWV Seminole President Pat Graves.
“People and businesses move here because of the school system, yet the Legislature has slashed funding and the voters turned down a half-penny tax last November to replace other lost funding. Come hear Dr. Vogel speak about what’s next for our acclaimed school system – the immediate challenges and those coming in the next year.”
Vogel, a graduate of Rollins College who has been superintendent since 2003, will discuss the district’s challenges to continue to provide an outstanding classroom and learning environment for staff and students as it faces a year of greatly reduced funding.
Hot Topics luncheons are held on the fourth Thursday of the month. They are open to the public and all interested persons are encouraged to attend.
Reservations are appreciated. To RSVP, e-mail LWVSeminole@gmail.com or call 407-339-9266. Checks and cash are accepted at the door. The cost is $15 ($13 for LWV members) and includes buffet lunch, non-alcoholic beverage, tax, tip and a small donation to the League.
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