BY ALLEN A. BUCHANAN,Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG – Learning to be responsible enough to get your first job as a teenager requires hands-on-deck supportive parents and self-motivation. These two critical elements were celebrated when Bethel Community Foundation’s Summer Bridge School-To-Work Readiness program held its annual graduation dinner ceremony earlier this month.
Family members and friends both smiled and cried as 14 young men and women names were called out for awards and certificates of successful completion of the program.
Assistant Police Chief Antonio Gilliam of the St. Petersburg Police Department congratulated the students and welcomed the families, while guest speaker Jocelyn Lawrence encouraged students to not only dream about what they want to do with their future but also to be doers.
“Hard workers sacrifice, dedicate time and put in an effort to make their dreams come true,” said Lawrence.
Her speech emphasized how success is synonymous with pursuing one’s dream no matter how difficult it may be.
“Do you want to die living your legacy or do you want to live…saying ‘I wish.’ Live your dream!
You don’t need your friends to live your dream. You don’t need your family members to live out your dream. You and only God have got the power to make your dream come true!”

Orinthian Long had trouble writing his graduation speech, but in the end, he did a masterful job with it.