Brandon High Alumni Association Inducts Newest Round Of Hall Of Fame Honorees (Oct. 23, 2008) - # - MyPaperNow.com

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The Brandon High School Alumni Association on Oct. 23, 2008 initiatied the fifth group of inductees into its Hall of Fame. The recognition program, launched in 2004, has named 30 people so far to the Brandon's Hall of Fame, which adorns a brick wall in the school's cafeteria. This year's honorees includes, at left, Jean Ciccarello Davis, Class of '52; and, not pictured, Joy Gay Revels, Class of '54, and Nancy "Teri" Taylor Ohme, Class of '89. Accepting the award for James D. Randall Jr. is his son, James Randall III. At right is Betty Jo Tompkins, accepting the award on behalf of her son, Christopher, who graduated from Brandon High in 1988. Tompkins, known as "the double Gator" for his two degrees from the University of Florida, died in 2005. Randall, who was not well enough to attend the dinner at the school, served as principal of Brandon High from 1964 to 1968. He is the namesake for the middle school in the FishHawk area of Lithia, Fla.

Brandon High School Principal Leslie Granich with James D. Randall III, whose father, James D. Randall Jr., served as principal of Brandon High from 1964 to 1968. Randall graduated from Brandon in 1974. His brothers, too: Joseph E. Randall, in 1976,and Mark D. Randall, in 1981.

Betty Jo Tompkins reads the program handed out at the Hall of Fame Awards dinner hosted by the Brandon High School Alumni Association on Oct. 23, 2008.

"He wanted to make sure I came down here and represent him on his behalf and express his appreciation," said James D. Randall III, holding the plaque in honor of his father, James D. Randall Jr., who was inducted into the Brandon High School Alumni Association's Hall of Fame. Randall was the principal of Brandon High from 1964 to 1968. "Lyle Flagg was my principal [at Brandon High]," Randall said. But, he added, as a student in elementary school and junior high, "when your dad's principal of the only high school in the area, whatever happened in school he'd know about it." Today there are seven high schools serving the Greater Brandon area: Armwood, Bloomingdale, Brandon, Durant, Newsome, Riverview and Spoto.

James D. Randall Jr. served as principal of Brandon High School from 1964 to 1968. At high school in Alabama, he lettered in football, basketball and baseball; he also was president of the senior class, Future Farmers of America and the Beta Club.

He attended Auburn University and retired as Brigadier General after 30 years in the U.S. Army Reserve.

He started teaching at what was then called the Pinecrest School (and today is Pinecrest Elementary), the least of the "Strawberry Schools." He spent three years at Plant City High School as teacher, coach and dean of boys. In 1959 he transferred to Brandon High as assistant principal and was appointed principal in 1964. He was appointed general director for Area 1 schools in 1968, and position that gave him administrative responsiblity for 32 schools and 26,000 students. He was named general director of operations in January 1976, with responsibility for school plant planning, construction and maintenance. In 1978 he became general director for Area 2 school, which then involved 34 schools and 28,000 students. He served also as general director for Area 3 schools and assistant superintendent for administration and operations.

Randall's affiliations include the Lions Club, Brandon Athletic Booster Club, Brandon High School PTA, Band Parents Association, National Education Association, Florida Education Association, National Secondary Principals Association, Hillsborough County Administrator and Supervisory Association, Tampa Bay Auburn Club, Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce and Florida Congress of Parents and Teachers.

Randall is married to Mary and has three sons, all Brandon High graduates: James D. Randall III, Joseph E. Randall and Mark Dr. Randall.

"It's absolutely wonderful, Chris loved this school," Betty Jo Tompkins said about the induction of her son, a 1988 Brandon graduate, into the school's Hall of Fame. She noted that while her son in his junior year was a Congressional Page in Washington, D.C., school officials reached out to make sure he kept up with his studies back home. "Not all schools are like that," Tompkins noted.

Christopher Tompkins, class of 1988, was a member of the National Honor Society while a student at Brandon High. He was active in the FFA and won or placed high in numerous state and national competitions. He represented Brandon High and was a state winner in two national leadership competitions. He held offices in the 4-H bluc at the school, county and state levels. He received a Ronald Reagan Presidential Tray and attended the U.S. Congressional Page School, earning the Outstanding Republican Page award.

Tompkins earned both his B.A. in political science and his law degree fromo the University of Florida. The "double Gator" was involved in many community groups and organizations, including the Hillsborough County Soil & Water Conservation District, University of Florida Law School Alumni Council, Brandon Rotary Club, Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee, Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, Florida Farm Bureau, and the chambers of commerce in Brandon, Seffner and Riverview.

Chris died in 2005.

With members of her family, Jean Ciccarello Davis, shortly after being officially inducted into the Brandon High School Alumni Association's Hall of Fame.

According to the association, Davis started the Brandon School in the fifth grade and graduated in 1952. She was a cheerleader, played basketball, was a member of the Letterman's Club, Student Senate and Glee Club, among others. She was named "Most Popular" senior notable.

She graduated from Polk Community College in 1979 with an associate's degree. She was a 4-H leaderin Lakeland, Fla., for 13 years and was named Polk County 4-H Leader of the year. She was inducted as an honorary member into Kathleen High School's Future Farmers of America. She graduated in 1981, at the age of 47, from the University of South Florida with a degree in physical education.

Active in her church choir and a Sunday School teacher, she and her husband, Mack, volunteer as Santa and Mrs. Claus for many organizations. She's been active in the community, with senior citizens, the food pantry, the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and children.

Brandon High School Hall of Fame inductee Jean Ciccarello Davis with her great-grandson, 19-month-old Jayden Black.

The Brandon High School Alumni Association on Oct. 23, 2008 initiatied the fifth group of inductees into its Hall of Fame. The recognition program, launched in 2004, has named 30 people so far to the Brandon's Hall of Fame, which adorns a brick wall in the school's cafeteria. This year's honorees includes, at left, Jean Ciccarello Davis, Class of '52; and, not pictured, Joy Gay Revels, Class of '54, and Nancy "Teri" Taylor Ohme, Class of '89. Accepting the award for James D. Randall Jr. is his son, James Randall III. At right is Betty Jo Tompkins, accepting the award on behalf of her son, Christopher, who graduated from Brandon High in 1988. Tompkins, known as "the double Gator" for his two degrees from the University of Florida, died in 2005. Randall, who was not well enough to attend the dinner at the school, served as principal of Brandon High from 1964 to 1968. He is the namesake for the middle school in the FishHawk area of Lithia, Fla.

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Keywords: brandon high school alumni associationhall of fameoct. 23 2008james d. randall jim randalljean ciccarello davisbetty jo tompkinschris tompkinschristopher tompkins

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