Tampa girl's tribute a winner
The Villa Madonna School eighth-grader wins the Black History Month competition with a piece about a teacher.
By ALISA ULFERTS
Published February 2, 2005
TALLAHASSEE - During her middle school career, Tampa student Ariel Thompson has had one African-American teacher, and that teacher made an impression.
"Mrs. Tillman has made one of the biggest impacts on my life," wrote the 13-year-old in an essay celebrating Black History Month. "She is funny in nature. She has a strong, funny New York accent. Mrs. Tillman can be strict at times but she is only strict due to the fact of she wants kids to learn.
"I may be in the eighth grade now," Thompson added, "but I shall tell my children so Mrs. Tillman's legacy will live on through the ages."
The essay helped Thompson, a student at Villa Madonna School in Tampa, where Angela Tillman teaches, win a four-year tuition scholarship sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, and a Hewlett-Packard computer.
Thompson was one of three winners - out of more than 4,500 essayists - in Florida's annual Black History Month essay contest. She won in the middle school category and was treated Tuesday to a night of arts and entertainment honoring Black History Month at the Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee with Gov. Jeb Bush and his wife, Columba.
The reception kicked off the beginning of a monthlong celebration to honor the contributions African-Americans have made throughout Florida's history. The theme for students' essays: "What Impact Has an African-American Educator from Florida Had on My Life."
Bush praised the students who participated and won and the teachers who encouraged them to do it.
"The more than 4,500 essays submitted for this contest are a testament to the important role Florida teachers play in bettering the lives of our children," Bush said.
Denzel Pleasant, 7, of West Palm Beach, won the elementary school category. Khaleah Ann Evelyn, 16, of Homestead won the high school category.
Thompson, who sings, swims, plays football and writes poetry in her spare time, said she has her eye on attending the University of Miami. She wants to be a doctor, lawyer or foreign ambassador.
And she'll always remember Tillman's lessons.
"Mrs. Tillman is a leader now and for the future, and her teachings shall live with me forever," Thompson wrote in her winning essay.