Nazlie Diaz, a student ambassador, holds the first brick. Penny Fletcher photos.
The area surrounding the flagpole at Eisenhower Middle school won’t ever be the same now that the area has been dedicated to a memorial brick project.
The original building at Eisenhower was first used as East Bay High School so that all high-schoolers south of Brandon would not have to travel to Wimauma, which was the only high school in South County in the 1940s and 1950s. That school has since been renovated and currently is the Wimauma Elementary School. What is now East Bay High School was built next to its original location when the middle-school concept originated in the 1970s and the South County area began to populate.
Much has been added to Eisenhower Middle School in recent years, including the modern addition in front, directly behind the flagpole area where the bricks will be laid.
“The memorial bricks are to honor our country’s veterans, but they can also can be purchased by alumni and other individuals who want to connect with us as part of the community,” said Paul Burke, the guidance counselor who worked on the project with a group of students.
Burke, who has been at the school two years, said the project would give a “shared ownership” to all those who participate.
Nov. 14, East Bay High School’s Color Guard presented the flag under the direction of their leader, Col. Eddie Garcia, and all the ROTC members — although not in uniform — participated.
Nazlie Casiano-Diaz, 13, an A+ student, is also a student ambassador. As such, Nazlie helps new students get acclimated to the school and also tutors other students who need help.
Nazlie got to present the first brick at the ceremony, following a singing of the The Star-Spangled Banner by fellow student Kiara Rillera.
Only the Color Guard was in uniform, but the entire East Bay ROTC team was on hand for the dedication of Eisenhower’s bricks.
“We’re having the bricks engraved in honor of veterans of all wars, and also those who are currently in military service,” Burke explained. “But I hope others in the community, especially those who have attended the school or whose children have gone here, will buy them and become a part of the memorial project.”
Within the space, each donor may give his/her name and the name of the veteran, alumni or individual to whom the brick is dedicated, with thanks.
Each brick will cost $100 and may be ordered by calling Janette Burkett at 813-671-5121, ext. 228. Checks should be made out to Eisenhower Middle School with “memorial bricks” in the memo line.
“We are deeply indebted to Southern Paver Supply and Engraving [of St. Petersburg] for donating the bricks,” said Burke. About 500 were due to be brought to start the project.
The brick project is a fundraiser for the school, he said.
