Dillon Middle School Groundbreaking Ceremony Brings Ty'sheoma Bethea Back Into The Spotlight and into the Hearts of Area Citizens and Media

ALPHARETTA, GA, April 21, 2011 (Press-News.org) On Monday morning, a crowd converged at the new Dillon Middle School construction site at 1803 Joan Drive, in Dillon, South Carolina. The original school, J.V. Martin Junior High School, built in 1896, suffers from roof leaks and winter classroom temperatures in the 50s; a portion of the building is condemned. When special guests and media arrived to the ceremony for the new facility, their focus was on the esteemed keynote speaker. A speaker, who was not only the catalyst for the school's makeover, but who also helped to raise approximately $40,000 in aid for the dilapidated building. A speaker, who, as of this exact hour, minute, and second, is a 16-year-old tenth grade student.

In 2009, at the age of 14, Ty'Sheoma Bethea wrote a letter pleading for financial help for her ailing school. At the time, the economic stimulus package, which could provide funds for the impoverished Dillon school district was being heavily debated in Congress. She gave her letter to the J.V. Martin principal, Amanda Burnette, who, in turn, scanned it and emailed copies to the South Carolina Congressional representatives, as well as to the White House.

The passionate letter landed on President Barack Obama's desk. Obama, having visited J.V. Martin twice during his presidential campaign, was already familiar with the school's situation. He then invited Ty'Sheoma and her mother to sit in First Lady Michelle Obama's mezzanine box in the House of Representatives to watch his first address to Congress.

Ty'Sheoma's letter and subsequent visit to Congress brings us to the day of her five-minute speech at the Dillon Middle School groundbreaking ceremony. Many adults are fearful of public speaking; however, Ty'Sheoma is a seasoned veteran in the art, even at her young age. Although her letter catapulted her into the national spotlight, she was addressing the masses well before then—she speaks frequently on behalf of the group "Unplanned Teenage Pregnancy," in which her platform is abstinence and focus on education. Ty'Sheoma is active in her community, and she would like to see better things for it in the future. "I want to see the drop-out rate decrease and more kids go to college," she explains. "I also want to see more programs to help kids stay out of trouble."

Her words could easily appear in a speech at a political debate or the response of a contender for Miss America. Ty'Sheoma, despite her success in the realms of government, would like to utilize her amazing speaking abilities elsewhere. When I asked her what she wanted to do in the future, a college for performing arts and an acting career were her first responses.

Melvin Breeden, head of Ty'Sheoma's management team, Radar Management, and close family friend, speaks of her to that effect: "She is a superstar, and we need to treat her as that. She's doing things out of the ordinary, and her personality is outstanding."

Whether it's behind the podium at a grand assembly or on the stages of Hollywood, Ty'Sheoma is destined for great things. Her voice is strong, her opinion is clear, and with an acting career in her future, she'll be better suited to hand-pick someone to play to portray her in a biopic of her life. With the things she's already accomplished, the idea isn't farfetched. Now all Ty'Sheoma has to do is decide on a movie title.

CONTACT: Mr. Melvin Breeden
treadaypr@gmail.com or (404) 840-4391