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William Cuebas

Students take a stand on the power of voting

March 11, 2020 By Brian Fernandes

Wiregrass Ranch High School’s annual Poetry Slam, for Black History Month, focused on the importance of voting.

With the theme “Let Your Voice Be Heard: Vote,” the event also was a tribute to the late Denise Goodridge – the school’s former principal’s secretary.

The members of the Black History Club at Wiregrass Ranch High School took part in the annual Poetry Slam. They shared their poems on the power of voting, during the Feb. 21 event. (Courtesy of The Wiregrass Stampede Newspaper)

Goodridge passed away last year due to health complications.

The Feb. 21 gathering took place in Wiregrass’s gymnasium.

Students packed the bleachers to hear the poetry from members of the Black History Club and from some faculty members.

Gloria Jackson, a reading teacher at Wiregrass, helps to oversee the Poetry Slam.

Before the wordsmiths took the stage, Jackson asked those gathered to reflect on Goodridge’s life.

As a slide show displayed photographs of Goodridge, guest vocalist Fiona Williams sang a rendition of Boyz II Men’s “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.”

Jackson also had encouraged students to come to school wearing blue — Goodridge’s favorite color.

Sa’Derrica Tate, president of the Black History Club, offered opening remarks before the poetry presentations.

She reminded her classmates about the need to express themselves at the ballot box.

“As you get closer to the age of 18, keep in mind to vote. Don’t sit and complain about our country. Instead, go out and let your voice be heard. Your vote is your voice,” she said.

She brought attention to the fact that 2020 marks 150 years since African-American men were granted the right to vote, by way of the 15th Amendment. And, it’s been exactly one century since women were granted that right, too, through the 19th Amendment, she added.

Wiregrass Ranch High School faculty joins the Kuumba Dancers and Drummers of Tampa, for Poetry Slam. The dancing group allowed students to take part in West African chants and dancing, on Feb. 21.

In her poem, “A Vote Is,” Tate described the right this way: “The shield for my mother, my sister and my aunt. It is the fight we have finally won!”

Faculty member Yvette Fisher, who stood alongside the students, offered encouraging words through her literary piece, “Silence No More.”

She shared: “I will speak and I will speak loud at the voting polls, always remembering that we all get to speak. We all have a choice because we all have a voice.”

Fisher said voting is a topic that cannot be “overemphasized.”

The teacher said her parents and grandparents were involved in the civil rights movement, and noted that resonates with her because the work for progress continues.

Fisher also reflected on Goodridge, noting the woman’s kind demeanor and the impact she had at Wiregrass.

Student William Cuebas offered a deeper meaning about going to the polls, in his poem, “It’s More Than Just a Vote.”

He said, “And true equality was rearing its bright face. So the next time that you’re taking the bus to go vote, don’t forget who came before us. The right to vote has a bigger message to me. It’s more than just a vote, it’s a symbol of our unity.”

Cuebas also touched on Goodridge’s positive vibe: “She always had this wonderful smile, this passion in her heart.

“I feel like this dedication to her memory, was one of the best things, I feel, we’ve done in this Poetry Slam,” the 17-year-old said.

Besides listening to poetry, students in the crowd had a chance to dance and sing.

The Kuumba Dancers and Drummers of Tampa entered the gymnasium, accompanied by the vibrant sounds of drums.

Dr. Kya Conner — the group’s speaker — was joined by various dancers and drummers dressed in African attire.

The purpose of the Kuumba dance is to “strengthen and preserve traditional West African dance and drum culture,” Conner said.

The rhythmic motions are accompanied with songs and chants during West African events, such as baby showers, funerals, weddings and graduations.

Conner instructed students in the crowd how to perform the stylistic clapping, as the drummers joined in unison. She also taught them how to incorporate a unique chant along with the clapping and drums.

Volunteers were invited to come down to learn an energetic dance routine, and several responded to the offer.

At the program’s close, Jackson brought it full circle, by reflecting on the life of Goodridge.

“Her impact has been tremendous,” Jackson said. “Even though she’s gone, she forever lives in our hearts.”

Published March 11, 2020

Filed Under: Education, Local News, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News Tagged With: Black History Club, Black History Month, Denise Goodridge, Fiona Williams, Gloria Jackson, Kuumba Dancers and Drummers of Tampa, Kya Conner, Sa'Derrica Tate, William Cuebas, Wiregrass Ranch High School, Yvette Fisher

Celebrating diversity through literature

March 6, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

As Kaila McAlpine spoke, her passionate tone filled the gymnasium, captivating the audience.

She was among a host of students and faculty members taking part in the Wiregrass Ranch High School’s Poetry Slam on Feb. 22.

With “Diversity Rules” as the theme, participants could share a poet’s work, or deliver their own literary creation, on stage.

The Poetry Slam on Feb.22 offered both students and faculty of Wiregrass Ranch High School a platform for reading literary work – and, in some instances, works they created. (Brian Fernandes)

The school’s Black History Club conceptualized the theme and coordinated the second annual event, which was timed to coincide with Black History Month.

“I think diversity was the best way to bring everyone together,” said Averi Willins, vice president of the club. “Black history shouldn’t just be for black people. I feel like it’s an awareness for everyone.”

Willins, along with club president Sa’Derrica Tate, welcomed the audience before Fiona Williams, of Saint Leo University, performed the national anthem.

A special tribute was given to Jimmy DuBose, a former assistant principal at Wiregrass Ranch, who also made an appearance at the event.

Posters displaying the faces of prominent African-American writers, such as Langston Hughes, Tupac Shakur, Alice Walker and James Baldwin, among others, flanked both sides of the stage.

Rose Daniels recited “My People” by Langston Hughes – conveying the value of humanity through the wonders of astronomy.

“The night is beautiful, so the faces of my people,” the sophomore recited. “The stars are beautiful, so the eyes of my people. Beautiful also, is the sun. Beautiful also, are the souls of my people.”

In another piece, Juanita Lamprea Garcia also spoke on the constellation of stars as they relate to people. The writing expressed that while each star is different, they all work together to brighten the dark sky.

One literary work used the analogy of a seed to emphasize the importance of human growth – breaking free from its shell in order to flourish.

Another drew a comparison between people and crayons: a diversity of colors, opposed to just one, combine to make a picture complete.

Even Wiregrass Ranch’s Principal Robyn White offered words of inspiration.

In the poem “You Stand Out,” she spoke of a world where unity outshines individual differences.

“What really stood out in that poem, was the commonalities that we all have – things that we enjoy.

Between poetry readings, the Wiregrass Ranch High step team displayed their unique marching style.

“No matter who we are or what we stand for, these are all beautiful things in our lives,” the principal said.

During an intermission, the school’s step team, led by McAlpine, put on a lively presentation.

The gym echoed with rhythmic hand claps and foot stomps as the team performed their march with precision.

With an energized crowd, the presenters kept the momentum going as they continued to speak with emotion.

William Cuebas presented another literary piece that told the story of a person’s introspective journey in life – peacefully interacting with different ethnicities.

The 16-year-old said he found this reading compelling because it exemplifies how society should coexist.

“We should be treating ourselves not only as equal, but we should celebrate our differences,” Cuebas stated.

After reading a quote, Wanda Diehm took the time to commend Wiregrass Ranch High.

“We do diversity here so well,” the social studies teacher said. “I see it in my classroom, in the hallways, in the cafeteria, and I love it.”

Writer Charles Bennafield’s words were eloquently recited as Willins read “I Am Diversity.”

“My name is Diversity and yes I stand tall,” the senior quoted. “Recognize me and keep me in the mix. Together there’s no problem that we can’t fix.”

Willins stated that the poem was moving because it gave her the opportunity to look at diversity not only as a concept, but as a person.

McAlpine admitted that poetry helped her discover a newfound appreciation for literature.

“When I write poems, I draw from my emotions and my perspective,” the 16-year-old explained.

That was evident as she presented her own literary work “Blend” at the Poetry Slam.

In the poem, McAlpine expresses her views as a young African-American lady while encouraging everyone to “blend” as one people.

Cuebas also acknowledged “Blend” stating that it “really took the crowd by storm.”

He added that, “Art is a way of presenting concern, our creativity, opening our imagination, and I feel like that’s what we’re doing with this.”

Published March 06, 2019

Filed Under: Education, Local News, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News Tagged With: Alice Walker, Averi Willins, Black History Club, Fiona William, James Baldwin, Jimmy DuBose, Juanita Lamprea Garcia, Kaila McAlpine, Langston Hughes, poetry slam, Robyn White, Rose Daniels, Sa'Derrica Tate, Saint Leo University, Tupac Shukar, Wanda Diehm, William Cuebas, Wiregrass Ranch High School

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Avalon Applauds… Norah Catlin

February 23, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

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