American Idol auditions are Aug. 12, but you need to sign up Aug. 5.
Those who have always yearned for the chance to be on American Idol, circle Saturday, August 5 on your calendars.
On that day, sign-ups will open at ABCActionNews.com/Idol, with the first 400 registrants given the chance to audition — by performing a short a capella song before a panel of local celebrity judges — at Wesley Chapel’s Florida Hospital Ice Center on Saturday, August 12.
The winner of “Tampa Bay Idol” will receive a “Front of the Line” ticket to audition for American Idol producers during their bus tour stop in Orlando on Thursday, August 17.
“Pasco County has so much talent and I couldn’t be happier Tampa Bay Idol is holding their next tryout (here),” said Pasco County District 2 commissioner Mike Moore, who represents much of Wesley Chapel. “The ice arena where this will be held is a wonderful facility and we look forward to seeing the talent and the arena featured for the Tampa Bay Idol.”
To audition, local singers must meet all eligibility requirements and download the official rules & local registration which can only be found at ABCActionNews.com/Idol.
Dr. June Hall, aka Dr. June (2nd from left) is hosting her fourth annual APTacious Experience Conference on August 5.
Dr. June Hall (aka “Dr. June”) is a motivationalist and the “Proprietor of Positivity.” She founded “Time to APT” (Accentuate Positive Thinking) in order to help others find their way through dark periods and began the annual APTacious Experience Conference four years ago. The fourth annual APTacious event will be held on Saturday, August 5, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel (8310 Galbraith Rd., New Tampa).
With her background in Counseling and Education, she has worked with many individuals to help them overcome and deal with adversities. Not only has Dr. June been an educator for more than 20 years, she also penned a syndicated advice column and had her own advice segment on the “CBS Morning News” in Miami. Since then, she has also developed an advice talk show, “Cooking Up Advice with Dr. June,” to reach as many individuals as possible to reduce personal and relationship stress.
Through facing her personal struggles with darkness and negativity, including fighting cancer, Dr. June put her faith in God, learned to “APT” and to turn her own darkness into sunshine. In addition to her published books, No More Pity Parties: A Guide to Celebrating Your Way through Life and No More Career Pity Parties, she also is Editor-in-Chief of It’s APTAcious magazine. This is an extension of the APTacious event and is available online and in print. Dr. June has traveled throughout the country motivating individuals on national television shows such as “Daytime” and “Jenny Jones,” and has been an adviser and speaker for organizations such as the Pasco Lawyers Group, SALO (Student Activities & Leadership Officers), RA Group on Relationships, Mental Health Assn., Florida Developmental Education Assn. and others.
In addition to Dr. June, this year’s APTacious Experience Conference includes four other motivational speakers, so whether you’re a small business owner, “mompreneur,” interested in health & wellness or just want to be inspired, the APTacious Experience is for you!
Seating is limited, so register today at APTacious.com, call (813) 993-8100 or see the ad on page 19 of this issue.
Madison Davis, center, with her mom, Helena Hampton-Davis, and her dad, Mike Davis.
One of the top songs on Madison Davis’ playlist is “Titanium,” sung by Australian recording artist Sia.
It’s a song about prevailing over adversity, and when the refrain, “I am titanium, I am titanium” comes around, the New Tampa 12-year-old sings along with the words coming from a place deep within her.
That’s because Madison recently had titanium rods surgically inserted in her back to correct a severe case of scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. The rods are attached to her spine in order to hold it straight.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a case of scoliosis is considered severe, requiring surgery, if a still-growing person has a curvature of 45 degrees or greater.
She is well on the road to recovery following the six-hour surgery she underwent at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Tampa (located on the Tampa campus of the University of South Florida; see story on page 35 of this issue) in March, and her experience of overcoming a tough challenge at an early age has taught her to be generous.
Madison has formed a foundation {and applied for 501(c)(3) status} called Not on My Back, which raises money for rolling backpacks that she gives to children, including patients at Shriners who either have scoliosis or have had a spinal surgery.
Money is raised through fund-raising events and a GoFundMe page (GoFundMe.com/MadisonDavis). At our press time, the page showed that $5,625 of Madison’s $10,000 goal had already been raised.
To Madison, the rolling backpacks her project provides relieve a painful burden from the backs of children with scoliosis and is a way she can make a difference in the lives of others.
“It’s for a good cause, to give kids something they need and to make sure they’re not alone,” she says.
According to Madison’s mother, Helena Hampton-Davis, her daughter wants to express appreciation for the life-changing work that the doctors and staff at Shriners perform.
“She decided she wanted to do something nice for Shriners and that’s when she decided she wanted to start her own foundation,’’ says Helena. “We’ve committed to Shriners for 100 backpacks and we’ve already delivered 50.”
Helena adds that the backpacks are “fully loaded” with school supplies when they are presented to recipients.
The personal strength and generosity of spirit Madison displays has earned her a role as a member of the Shriners team, as a patient ambassador. The hospital’s public relations manager Lisa Buie says Madison is an inspiration to everyone who meets her.
“She is a delightful young woman, and we couldn’t be prouder of her,” Buie says.
There are many people who are proud of Madison and some of them gathered at her family’s home in Heritage Isles on June 24 to celebrate both her accomplishments and National Scoliosis Awareness Month, which is observed in June each year.
“Madison has a team of people who support her,” says Helena.
Professional artist and graphic designer Morgan Welch, who designed the fashionable “Curves are for hips, not backs” t-shirts that attendees wore, is part of that support team.
Another is Mercedes McDowell, who sells Premier Designs jewelry at in-home events and is planning one of the jewelry company’s “Parties with a Purpose” to raise money for Madison’s foundation.
Helena also acknowledges the daily, routine support her family received.
“There are people who came to the house to check on her,” Helenasays. “They brought food, gifts, cards and stuffed animals.”
Madison and her family also want to raise awareness about scoliosis and within their circle of support, they have definitely succeeded.
Anytime a child goes through a tough situation, it’s always a challenge for their parents, too. Madison’s father, Mike Davis, says his daughter has become a role model for him.
“My strength is really listening to her,” Mike says. “Instead of complaining about the situation, she’s helping others.”
Through dealing with the curvature of her spine and the surgery to correct it, Madison has acquired insight as to what is required to prevail in such a situation.
“It takes courage and strength, and you will get those from your family, friends and doctors,” she says. “You have gifts that God gives you and you will discover them.”
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons website, as many as nine million people in the U.S. have scoliosis, which can develop in infants and toddlers, but most frequently begins when children are 10-15 years old. Severe scoliosis also can put pressure on the heart and reduce lung capacity.
Treatments range from wearing a supportive brace to surgery. Madison’s operation was performed by Geoffrey Cronen, M.D., a spinal surgeon at Shriners. His prognosis of Madison’s prospects for a fulfilling life is positive.
“She’s a great person and has a bright future,” Dr. Cronen says.
Madison says that her future includes designing clothes and exploring careers in medicine and law. “I want to help people,” she says.
City officials say the New Tampa Recreation Center should be back to full speed following repairs to a roof leak that caused damage to the pit and TumbleTrak area.
On June 23, a portion of the ceiling fell through, closing a portion of the recreational side of the gym for repairs.
The damage interfered with summer camps and regular City of Tampa classes, forcing parents who have children in the NTRC’s popular gymnastics program to drive their kids to the Wayne C. Papy Center in Seminole Heights for two weeks.
“I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause, but this is the best solution for all of the children in our program. If you need help with transportation, talk with some of the other parents to possibly set up a carpool,” read a text sent to parents following the issues with the roof.
The area of the roof that was leaking was repaired the same day, according to Ocea Lattimore, director of the city’s Logistics & Asset Management Department.
A couple of screws had started to back out of the metal roof at a joint in the metal panel, Lattimore wrote in an email to the Neighborhood News. That repair cost $300, and Lattimore says that the other areas in the roof with the same detail were inspected as well.
The insulation, however, must be repaired. The vendor that was scheduled by the city to do the repairs said the 5’ wide insulation was a special order with a two-and-a-half week wait time. Lattimore’s department was researching other vendors for the insulation in hopes of speeding up the process.
Tampa District 7 City Councilman Luis Viera, who represents much of New Tampa, says he was informed of the leak the day after it was discovered.
“If something happens out here, I want to know about it,’’ says Viera, a Hunter’s Green resident who offered to do what he could to nudge along the process. “I’ve always worked in the private sector. Things run a little bit slower in the public sector.”
This is the second significant repair done at the New Tampa Recreation Center in the last two months. In May, the turf under the outside playground equipment split at the seams, closing that area for a month.
The turf was replaced under warranty at cost of $16,500.
The rec center has been a point of contention for many New Tampa residents. It has been planned for expansion for five years, but twice has had the money earmarked for the project diverted to another project elsewhere in the city.
Last year, the City Council voted to provide funds for the Cuscaden Park pool in Ybor City instead of the $1.5-million, 14,000-sq.ft. NTRC expansion.
At a recent town hall meeting hosted by Viera at the rec center, local attorney Tracy Falkowitz drew loud applause when she complained to Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s chief of staff Dennis Rogero that the NTRC has been getting shortchanged by the city.
The recent inconveniences caused by the playground being closed and local parents having to drive to Seminole Heights for dance lessons is likely to raise more eyebrows.
“I can say that the way I looked at it, it’s symbolic of the rec center and the need for more attention to the New Tampa area,’’ Viera says. “It needs more attention.”
The City Council should receive Buckhorn’s fiscal year 2017-18 budget on Thursday, July 20. Prior to the need for these playground and roof repairs, however, the new budget was not expected to include any additional money for the NTRC expansion.
For more info, visit TampaGov.net and search “parks-and-recreation.”
Teghan Theile (center) with the New Tampa YMCA lifeguards who rescued her (l.-r.): Alfred Briceno, Emma Cutkomp, Aviana Jividen and TJ Hernandez.
On a sunny day just before school let out for the summer, the New Tampa Family YMCA pool was busy. Four teenage lifeguards were on duty as people enjoyed the pool and young synchronized swimmers were training for the upcoming Junior Olympics.
Teghan Theile, a 10-year-old who has been on the synchronized swimming team at the New Tampa YMCA for three years, was participating in the practice, doing what she does most afternoons, for several hours at a time.
As Teghan and her teammates were swimming laps, something about the way her legs were moving caught lifeguard Aviana Jividen’s attention. It didn’t look quite right. As Aviana watched, Teghan blacked out and sank to the bottom of the pool.
Aviana jumped into action, and TJ Hernandez, another of the lifeguards on duty that day, helped pull Teghan out of the water.
“We do practices every month,” recalls Aviana, “so when you actually see it happen, your adrenaline kicks in and you think of all the training that you went through.”
Assisted by lifeguards Emma Cutkomp and Alfred Briceno, Aviana and TJ began lifesaving procedures as 9-1-1 was called.
“They stayed calm, worked together and did what was needed to save Teghan’s life,” says aquatics experience director Lacey Boldman. “All the monthly drills and scenario practice was put into action and they remembered all the steps necessary to make the rescue quickly and efficiently. A life was saved because of their vigilance and quick action.”
Teghan’s mom, Brenna Fender, was in the shower when she got a call that something scary had happened to her daughter. She immediately headed to the pool.
“When I arrived, Teghan wasn’t moving, but they said she was breathing,” says Brenna. “Running out to the pool and finding it silent, with onlookers frozen against the fence while a small group huddled together over a figure that I knew was my daughter, was an experience I’ll never forget.”
Over the next couple of days, Brenna pieced together what had happened.
“Teghan did several laps in a row with very few breaths,” Brenna explains. “She then attempted a 50-meter zero under, trying to swim the distance without taking a breath.”
“I thought I could make it because the wall was just a few yards away,” Teghan remembers. “The next thing I remember, I was out of the pool, lying on a towel, and I was so confused.”
Tampa Y aquatics experience executive Amanda Walker explains that what happened to Teghan is called a shallow water blackout.
“With shallow water blackouts, you don’t even realize sometimes that you need to take a breath,” explains Amanda. “Your brain genuinely plays tricks on you and you pass out.”
Thanks to the quick action of the four lifeguards, Teghan was conscious by the time paramedics arrived, and was transported to the hospital, where she stayed in the pediatric ICU for a couple of days, while doctors ran tests to ensure that there was no underlying medical cause for her blackout.
When Brenna considers that the four people who saved her daughter’s life were all just teenagers, “it was stunning to think about,” she says. “They were so attentive. It was a pool full of people, so who thinks they need to be watching the experienced swimmers? The lifeguards were so prepared and obviously took their training seriously. I absolutely credit the YMCA for that — selecting the right people for the job and training them so well.”
Brenna says that on the way to the hospital, Teghan was already asking if she had to miss school the next day. She was given the all-clear to return to her fourth grade class at Lake Magdalene Elementary just in time for the last day of school later that week.
Within just a couple of weeks, Teghan was back in the pool again.
In early July, just barely a month later, Teghan and her team travelled to California to compete in the Junior Olympics.
Brenna says there was never a doubt she would get right back in and swim again.
“She’s worked too hard,” Brenna says, “I couldn’t keep her from competing at the Junior Olympics.”
Brenna says Teghan has always loved to be in the water. “She was the kid who thought she could swim before she was two years old,” she says. “I’d tell her to jump to me and she’d jump into the water next to me.”
Based on research she’s since done, Brenna understands that it’s unlikely to happen again, as long as Teghan makes different decisions. That doesn’t make the lingering anxiety go away, though, as her daughter continues swimming. “It’s been over a month now, so it’s getting easier,” Brenna explains, “but I’ve had a knot in my stomach that’s been hard to get rid of.”
Brenna is incredibly grateful to the YMCA lifeguards. To provide just a glimpse of the appreciation she and Teghan have for them, they hosted a thank-you pizza party with homemade brownies and goodies, where Teghan had a chance to talk with the lifeguards who saved her life. “It was really good for Teghan, especially,” Brenna says, “because she wanted to see them all.”
Now that Junior Olympics is over, Teghan is getting a brief break from her synchronized swimming practices. Her mom says she loves reading Harry Potter and making her own music videos, and is excited about joining her school’s safety patrol as a fifth grader in the fall.
But, when the swim season starts again, Teghan will be right back in that place she loves the most, practicing synchronized swimming in the New Tampa YMCA pool again.
Luckily for all of us, the New Tampa Y lifeguards will be there, too.
