Virginia M. Leonard Community Education Center

11/28/2025

THERE IS STILL TIME TO ENTER! Pinellas County Middle and High School students are encouraged to enter the 36th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay & Oratorical Contest. The top four (4) applicants in each grade level will be eligible to compete for the $500 scholarship.

The deadline to enter is December 14. Learn more and apply here: stpeteparksrec.org/mlkessaycontest

10/21/2025

Call for Proposals for Professional School Counseling Journal Special Issue on Black Neurodivergent Students and School Counseling. In centering the lived experiences of Black neurodivergent youth and elevating the role of school counselors as agents of equity, this special issue seeks to spark urgent conversations and sustained action across the profession. Submissions due by Dec. 1, 2025. Learn more here:https://schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/0ee8f63c-2a9e-440a-8300-a42b53aa6fdf/Special-Issue-Call-for-Proposals-Neurodiversity.pdf

06/05/2025

06/04/2025

🎨 Picasso & African Art: A Hidden Influence

When you think of Pablo Picasso, you probably picture bold, abstract shapes and the birth of Cubism but did you know African art played a major role in his revolutionary style?

🖤 In 1907, Picasso visited the ethnographic museum in Paris and was deeply inspired by traditional African masks and sculptures. The bold lines, exaggerated features, and spiritual presence of African art challenged his ideas of beauty and realism. That same year, he painted “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon”, often seen as the spark of Cubism a style that broke objects into geometric forms.

🌍 While Picasso never publicly credited African artists, their visual language helped him break from European traditions and reshape the future of modern art. This connection is a powerful reminder that Black art has always been foundational not just inspirational.

📚 Let’s teach the full story. Let’s give credit where it’s due.

Absolutely! To deepen your exploration of African art and its profound influence on artists like Picasso, here are several educational websites and resources that offer rich insights into traditional and contemporary African art:

🎓 Top Educational Resources on African Art

1. National Museum of African Art – Smithsonian Institution
• Teacher Resources: Offers adaptable workshops, lesson plans, and hands-on activities tailored for educators.
• Online Resources: Provides access to the Warren M. Robbins Library, professional development materials, and the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives.  

2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art – The Art of Africa
• A comprehensive resource featuring 40 traditional works from sub-Saharan Africa, complete with historical context, lesson plans, maps, and glossaries. 

3. Boston University African Studies Center – Visual Art Resources
• Curated materials that delve into both traditional and contemporary African art, offering guidelines and sample lessons for educators to approach the subject with cultural sensitivity. 

4. African Artists’ Foundation (AAF)
• Based in Lagos, Nigeria, AAF promotes contemporary African art through exhibitions, festivals like LagosPhoto, and educational programs aimed at youth empowerment. 

5. Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA)
• Located in Cape Town, South Africa, Zeitz MOCAA offers educational programs, fellowships, and exhibitions that highlight contemporary African artists and their works. 

6. Art School Africa
• An initiative that organizes events, exhibitions, and workshops to empower aspiring art professionals across the African continent. 

7. Virtual Museum of Modern Nigerian Art
• An online platform showcasing over 800 works from Nigerian artists, providing an accessible resource for students, teachers, and art enthusiasts interested in modern and contemporary Nigerian art. 

8. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – “I Am: Identity in African Art”
• An educational resource exploring the concept of identity in traditional African art and culture through twelve objects representing various societal roles. 

05/14/2025

Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines
1. Steps for Change Scholarship
• Award: $2,000
• Eligibility: High school seniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA and demonstrated financial need.
• Deadline: May 16, 2025
• Apply: Wealth by Health Foundation 

2. Empowerment Through Education Scholarship
• Award: $1,000
• Eligibility: Indiana residents pursuing post-secondary education, including college, technical schools, or cosmetology schools.
• Deadline: May 17, 2025
• Apply: Empowerment Through Education
 
3. NYCDA Foundation College Scholarship Program
• Award: Up to $150,000
• Eligibility: High school seniors pursuing performance-based majors (dance, musical theater BA or BFA programs).
• Deadline: May 19, 2025
• Apply: NYCDA Foundation  

4. Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
• Award: Up to $25,000
• Eligibility: High school seniors, college, and graduate students worldwide.
• Deadline: July 19, 2025
• Apply: Ayn Rand Institute 

05/14/2025

🎓 National Scholarships
1. Horatio Alger National Scholarship
• Award: Up to $25,000
• Eligibility: High school juniors who have faced and overcome significant adversity, demonstrate critical financial need, and are involved in community service.
• Application Period: Opens August 1, 2025, and closes October 25, 2025.
• Apply: Horatio Alger Scholarships  

2. Coca-Cola Scholars Program
• Award: $20,000
• Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA who demonstrate leadership and commitment to community service.
• Application Opens: August 1, 2025
• Apply: Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation 

3. Voice of Democracy Scholarship (VFW)
• Award: National first-place winner receives $30,000; other national scholarships range from $1,000–$16,000.
• Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12.
• Deadline: October 31, 2025
• Apply: VFW Voice of Democracy  

4. Regeneron Science Talent Search
• Award: Up to $250,000
• Eligibility: High school seniors conducting original scientific research.
• Application Period: Opens June 1, 2025, and closes November 6, 2025.
• Apply: Regeneron STS 

05/13/2025

5-Year Career Readiness Roadmap for Middle School to High School Graduation:

⸻

Year 1: 7th Grade (Age 12-13) - Exploration & Self-Awareness

Focus: Building curiosity, self-confidence, and exposure to multiple careers.
• Join a STEM or coding club (online or school-based).
• Participate in sports, arts, or music to explore talents and leadership.
• Attend local career day events, Black business expos, or HBCU tours.
• Read books about Black inventors, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
• Join Junior Achievement or a youth entrepreneurship program.
• Start a small side hustle (e.g., lawn mowing, tutoring, sneaker cleaning).

⸻

Year 2: 8th Grade (Age 13-14) - Skill Building & Goal Setting

Focus: Identify interests, strengthen academic foundation, and build soft skills.
• Attend a career-focused summer camp (tech, sports, arts, trades).
• Take online courses in coding, graphic design, or financial literacy (free sites like Khan Academy, Coursera).
• Shadow a Black professional (teacher, business owner, engineer, barber).
• Join a leadership program (Urban League Young Leaders, NAACP Youth).
• Begin setting personal, academic, and financial goals (vision board, journal).

⸻

Year 3: 9th Grade (Age 14-15) - Early Career Exploration & Mentorship

Focus: Exposure to real-world work, building networks, and sharpening life skills.
• Enroll in career and technical education (CTE) classes if available.
• Attend career expos and HBCU college tours.
• Seek a mentor from the community, church, or professional groups.
• Start a YouTube, podcast, or social media page about a passion or skill.
• Participate in summer programs for African-American youth (like NSBE Jr. or 100 Black Men of America).

⸻

Year 4: 10th Grade (Age 15-16) - Certifications & Hands-On Learning

Focus: Begin earning certifications, internships, and work experience.
• Get certified in first aid, CPR, OSHA, or basic tech (Google IT, CompTIA A+).
• Apply for internships, apprenticeships, or summer jobs.
• Join DECA, FBLA, or youth entrepreneur competitions.
• Attend Black Male Summits or leadership conferences.
• Open a student savings or teen investment account (learn about stocks, business credit).

⸻

Year 5: 11th-12th Grade (Age 16-18) - Career Commitment & Transition Planning

Focus: Clarify post-high school plans (college, trade, military, entrepreneurship).
• Apply for scholarships, especially Black-focused ones (UNCF, Thurgood Marshall Fund).
• Visit trade schools, HBCUs, and local businesses.
• Secure internships, apprenticeships, or launch a side hustle formally (LLC, EIN).
• Join young professional associations (e.g., NABA, NSBE).
• Prepare for college applications, military ROTC, or entrepreneurship grants.
• Build a professional resume, LinkedIn, and business card.

⸻

Extra Keys to Success Across All Years:
• Consistent mentorship.
• Focus on literacy, financial literacy, and digital skills.
• Community service and leadership opportunities.
• Exposure to positive, successful Black male role models in diverse fields.

05/12/2025

Seats are limited - book yours now!

05/12/2025

Don't miss this unique opportunity - register now!

03/28/2025

Important Shortcuts Keys For Computer
CTRL+A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Select All
CTRL+C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Copy
CTRL+X. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cut
CTRL+V. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paste
CTRL+Z. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Undo
CTRL+B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bold
CTRL+U. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Underline
CTRL+I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Italic
F1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Help
F2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rename selected object
F3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Find all files
F4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Opens file list drop-down in dialogs
F5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Refresh current window
F6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shifts focus in Windows Explorer
F10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Activates menu bar options
ALT+TAB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cycles between open applications
ALT+F4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Quit program, close current window
ALT+F6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Switch between current program windows
ALT+ENTER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Opens properties dialog
ALT+SPACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . System menu for current window
ALT+¢ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . opens drop-down lists in dialog boxes
BACKSPACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . Switch to parent folder
CTRL+ESC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Opens Start menu
CTRL+ALT+DEL . . . . . . . . . . Opens task manager, reboots the computer
CTRL+TAB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Move through property tabs
CTRL+SHIFT+DRAG . . . . . . . Create shortcut (also right-click, drag)
CTRL+DRAG . . . . . . . . . . . . . Copy File
ESC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cancel last function
SHIFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Press/hold SHIFT, insert CD-ROM to bypass auto-play
SHIFT+DRAG . . . . . . . . . . . . Move file
SHIFT+F10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Opens context menu (same as right-click)
SHIFT+DELETE . . . . . . . . . . . Full wipe delete (bypasses Recycle Bin)
ALT+underlined letter . . . . Opens the corresponding menu
PC Keyboard Shortcuts
Document Cursor Controls
HOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . to beginning of line or far left of field or screen
END . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . to end of line, or far right of field or screen
CTRL+HOME . . . . . . . . to the top
CTRL+END . . . . . . . . . . to the bottom
PAGE UP . . . . . . . . . . . . moves document or dialog box up one page
PAGE DOWN . . . . . . . . moves document or dialog down one page
ARROW KEYS . . . . . . . move focus in documents, dialogs, etc.
CTRL+ > . . . . . . . . . . . . next word
CTRL+SHIFT+ > . . . . . . selects word
Windows Explorer Tree Control
Numeric Keypad * . . . Expand all under current selection
Numeric Keypad + . . . Expands current selection
Numeric Keypad – . . . Collapses current selection
¦ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Expand current selection or go to first child
‰ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Collapse current selection or go to parent
Special Characters
‘ Opening single quote . . . alt 0145
’ Closing single quote . . . . alt 0146
“ Opening double quote . . . alt 0147
“ Closing double quote. . . . alt 0148
– En dash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . alt 0150
— Em dash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . alt 0151
… Ellipsis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . alt 0133
• Bullet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . alt 0149
• ®️ Registration Mark . . . . . . . alt 0174
• ©️ Copyright . . . . . . . . . . . . . alt 0169
• ™️ Trademark . . . . . . . . . . . . alt 0153
• ° Degree symbol. . . . . . . . . alt 0176
• ¢ Cent sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . alt 0162
• 1⁄4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . alt 0188
• 1⁄2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . alt 0189
• 3⁄4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . alt 0190
• PC Keyboard Shortcuts
• Creating unique images in a uniform world! Creating unique images in a uniform world!
• é . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . alt 0233
• É . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . alt 0201
• ñ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . alt 0241
• ÷ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . alt 0247
• File menu options in current program
• Alt + E Edit options in current program
• F1 Universal help (for all programs)
• Ctrl + A Select all text
• Ctrl + X Cut selected item
• Shift + Del Cut selected item
• Ctrl + C Copy selected item
• Ctrl + Ins Copy selected item
• Ctrl + V Paste
• Shift + Ins Paste
• Home Go to beginning of current line
• Ctrl + Home Go to beginning of document
• End Go to end of current line
• Ctrl + End Go to end of document
• Shift + Home Highlight from current position to beginning of line
• Shift + End Highlight from current position to end of line
• Ctrl + f Move one word to the left at a time
• Ctrl + g Move one word to the right at a time
• MICROSOFT®️ WINDOWS® SHORTCUT KEYS
• Alt + Tab Switch between open applications
• Alt +
• Shift + Tab
• Switch backwards between open
• applications
• Alt + Print
• Screen
• Create screen shot for current program
• Ctrl + Alt + Del Reboot/Windows®️ task manager
• Ctrl + Esc Bring up start menu
• Alt + Esc Switch between applications on taskbar
• F2 Rename selected icon
• F3 Start find from desktop
• F4 Open the drive selection when browsing
• F5 Refresh contents
• Alt + F4 Close current open program
• Ctrl + F4 Close window in program
• Ctrl + Plus
• Key
• Automatically adjust widths of all columns
• in Windows Explorer
• Alt + Enter Open properties window of selected icon
• or program
• Shift + F10 Simulate right-click on selected item
• Shift + Del Delete programs/files permanently
• Holding Shift
• During Bootup
• Boot safe mode or bypass system files
• Holding Shift
• During Bootup
• When putting in an audio CD, will prevent
• CD Player from playing
• WINKEY SHORTCUTS
• WINKEY + D Bring desktop to the top of other windows
• WINKEY + M Minimize all windows
• WINKEY +
• SHIFT + M
• Undo the minimize done by WINKEY + M
• and WINKEY + D
• WINKEY + E Open Microsoft Explorer
• WINKEY + Tab Cycle through open programs on taskbar
• WINKEY + F Display the Windows®️ Search/Find feature
• WINKEY +
• CTRL + F
• Display the search for computers window
• WINKEY + F1 Display the Microsoft®️ Windows®️ help
• WINKEY + R Open the run window
• WINKEY +
• Pause /Break
• Open the system properties window
• WINKEY + U Open utility manager
• WINKEY + L Lock the computer (Windows XP®️ & later)
• OUTLOOK®️ SHORTCUT KEYS
• Alt + S Send the email
• Ctrl + C Copy selected text
• Ctrl + X Cut selected text
• Ctrl + P Open print dialog box
• Ctrl + K Complete name/email typed in address bar
• Ctrl + B Bold highlighted selection
• Ctrl + I Italicize highlighted selection
• Ctrl + U Underline highlighted selection
• Ctrl + R Reply to an email
• Ctrl + F Forward an email
• Ctrl + N Create a new email
• Ctrl + Shift + A Create a new appointment to your calendar
• Ctrl + Shift + O Open the outbox
• Ctrl + Shift + I Open the inbox
• Ctrl + Shift + K Add a new task
• Ctrl + Shift + C Create a new contact
• Ctrl + Shift+ J Create a new journal entry
• WORD®️ SHORTCUT KEYS
• Ctrl + A Select all contents of the page
• Ctrl + B Bold highlighted selection
• Ctrl + C Copy selected text
• Ctrl + X Cut selected text
• Ctrl + N Open new/blank document
• Ctrl + O Open options
• Ctrl + P Open the print window
• Ctrl + F Open find box
• Ctrl + I Italicize highlighted selection
• Ctrl + K Insert link
• Ctrl + U Underline highlighted selection
• Ctrl + V Paste
• Ctrl + Y Redo the last action performed
• Ctrl + Z Undo last action
• Ctrl + G Find and replace options
• Ctrl + H Find and replace options
• Ctrl + J Justify paragraph alignment
• Ctrl + L Align selected text or line to the left
• Ctrl + Q Align selected paragraph to the left
• Ctrl + E Align selected
__________The End_________