Students Reflect on Year That Was, Stake Claim to Year That's Coming

Six-year-old Dominic Sullivan knows from whence he came and where he wants to go.

With kindergarten under his belt, and lots of kudos to boot, he's off to the first grade at Kids Community College, where he said he wants to continue to earn awards and "be on the principal's honor role."

"I received a reading award for being really into reading," he said, looking back.

Looking forward, he added, "I would like Ms. Ocasio to be my teacher."

Sullivan joined a small group of students from preschool through high school who gathered July 16 at the Way of Life Community Church service. The Brandon-based church meets weekly, 11 a.m. on Saturdays, at HCC at The Regent in Riverview.

The church, according to Cathy Butler, "believes in the Hebrew roots of the Christian faith" and on July 16 afforded students a chance to talk about their accomplishments over the past year as well as their hopes for the 2011-12 school year.

"It's never too late to motivate your child but you just have to take the time to do it," said Butler, who with her husband, Mike, stand as both founders and pastors of the church. "We wanted to let them know that not just as a church, but also as a community and parents we're very proud of them."

Jeremiah Whittlef, 10, an incoming fourth-grader at Symmes Elementary School, said at school last year he learned "my division and my times tables and a lot of math."

"What I love most of all," he added, "where the adventures, like Tornado Day and Field Trip Day."

Michael Lowery, 9, an incoming fourth-grader at Grace Christian, in the Greater Brandon community of Valrico, said he was proud of the straight-A's he received "every grading period."

His favorite subject?

"I like spelling and math and health," he said.

Marcus Butler is entering his sophomore year at Bloomingdale High School, where he plans to continue playing football on the field and cello in the orchestra.

A sign of the times, he read his school report before church parishioners off his smart phone, noting his 3.85 weighted grade-point average and his score of "3 out of 5" on his Advance Placement exam.

DeAndre Foye, entering the sixth grade, said he's "been through a lot in my 11 years."

And with God by his side, he said, he's set to shoot for both straight-A's and the Principal's Honor Roll.

Preschooler Devin Bobo stood bravely, but got a bit shy, holding a cell phone as he was poised to tell of his goals for the new preschool year.

He made it clear with one word: "Learn."

Preschooler Esther Whittlef followed suit, with a list of things she would like to accomplish over the course of the new school year.

"I'm going to learn about my ABC's and to write my name," she said. "And I eat snacks there, too."

As for the oldest student to give witness, that would be Michael Butler, an incoming senior at Bloomingdale High.

This past year he was inducted into the National Honor Society. He played in the wind ensemble, went to London with the Bloomingdale High School band and he helped the "Buckle Up" club raise the percentage of students wearing seat belts, from 80 to 95 percent, he said.

He's been elected senior government president and he gives high marks to his mom, the pastor Cathy Butler.

"She had a big role in my life," Michael Butler said. "She keeps me in a straight line and makes sure I don't veer off the path."

Way of Life Community Church is open to new parishioners and can be reached at 813-546-4362. Email: wayoflifecc@live.com.