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Teacher's plan builds in room for compassion

By JEFFERY S. SOLOCHEK
Published November 3, 2006

Breanna Ford loves art.

"To me, it's a way of expressing your feelings," the fifth-grader at Citrus Park Elementary says. "You can't go wrong with it."

The other day, teacher Vicki Daniele's class project evoked emotion that Breanna didn't expect. She wept.

Each fall, Daniele picks a group of her best fifth-graders to learn to make clay bowls. The children donate their artwork to America's Second Harvest of Tampa Bay, which gives them to participants in its annual Empty Bowls lunch, a fundraiser that helps feed children who otherwise might not eat dinner each night.

"I've seen people who aren't as fortunate as us," Breanna said, taking a break from smoothing and pinching clay at the Tampa school. "It made me happy that we could do something like this. It touched my heart."

Daniele didn't anticipate such a raw reaction as Breanna's crying. It drove home the point, though, that school can offer so much more than a hard and unforgiving path toward graduation or failure.

"This is to teach them some compassion," Daniele said.

Her lesson also includes reading the book The Greatest Table, emphasizing how you should always have room at your table for those who need a seat. Others in the class didn't cry, but they got the point.

"I feel good because I'm helping someone else and making a difference in their life," said fifth-grader Marissa Jones.

Marc Sutherland, spokesman for the food bank, appreciates all the effort. This year, children in more than 40 county schools are participating, making thousands of bowls.

The Empty Bowls luncheon, at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 16 in Lykes Gaslight Park in downtown Tampa, attracted more than 1,100 people last year, raising about $75,000. They pay $10 and get a lunch of water, an apple and soup. It signifies that "food is just sustenance for so many people," Sutherland said.

The children's artwork reminds those who attend the event of their neighbors who have empty bowls at home. The kids don't attend, but, thanks to teachers like Daniele, their spirit and their art will be there.

"I always try to do whatever I can to help people," says Michael Kennedy, another Citrus Park fifth-grader. "Whoever gets the pottery, I hope they're happy with the art they receive."

- - -

Last month, members of Brandon Academy's Government Club met with Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, City Council member Mary Alvarez and County Commissioner Ronda Storms. The officials gave the students a sneak peek at the inner workings of local government.

The idea for the gathering started last summer when Rafael Gonzalez, a Lithia attorney and father of two Brandon Academy students, read in the Florida Bar News that middle and high school students lack an interest in local and state government.

Gonzalez's son, Alex, a seventh-grader, didn't fall into that category. The younger Gonzalez had already met both 2006 gubernatorial candidates and had accompanied his father to numerous County Commission meetings.

"But funny enough," said Gonzalez. "Some of his buddies had no idea who the mayor was."

With the blessing of the Academy's Head of School Robert Rudolph, Gonzalez arranged for four sixth-graders to meet with a group of Tampa's elected officials.

Mayor Iorio answered students' questions about the upcoming election. Council member Alvarez took them on a tour of City Hall. After meeting with Commissioner Storms, the students visited the Hillsborough County Circuit Court and television station.

But the students learned more than the ins and outs of government. They also saw that the officials were real people with families and responsibilities beyond politics.

Mayor Iorio told the group how much she enjoyed her job, but the position kept her very busy.

"She said she still has to go home and cook dinner," said Gonzalez.

The students also learned the opportunity cost of decisions affecting the budget.

The students learned that putting money toward the Tampa Convention Center could help boost tourism, said Gonzalez. However, the money could also go toward salary raises for firefighters.

In March, the group plans to visit Tallahassee to see the new governor in action.

Staff writer Helen Anne Travis contributed to this report.

Have opinions about this column, or ideas for future ones? Contact Jeffrey S. Solochek at solochek@sptimes.com or 813 269-5304.

[Last modified November 2, 2006, 08:36:24]