After Watts Jr. returned from Howard
University and enrolled at the University
became a Bull as well.
bachelor’s degree in Physical Education
Temple Terrace Elementary as a P.E.
teacher while pursuing a Master’s in the
to begin a lesson with a class, a parent
asked him to come urgently to the
in trouble and was throwing a tantrum,
refusing to speak to anyone.
girl before kneeling down next to her and
talking to her. She began to calm down,
and soon the situation was quelled.
“Every time I saw that little girl after that
said. “I (thought), I might have some kind
of gift of gab to be able to reach the spirit
of people.”
At that time, the guidance department
were interested in going into school
counseling. Rhonne, who was already
accepted into a P.E. Master’s program,
decided instead to make a career pivot
and give the counseling program a try.
He earned a Master’s degree in
Counseling and accepted a job with
Hillsborough Community College’s
day of work, Rhonne strolled into the
counseling center and recognized a
had been
his social studies teacher as a senior
at Jesuit in addition to serving as the
“He was my supervisor (at HCC), then
became director of student services
before he went into the vice presidency
(at HCC),” Rhonne said of Diaz, who was
recognized posthumously as Jesuit High
School’s Alumnus of the Year in 2020-21.
“He was always a really strong advocate
for students.”
Rhonne became a counselor for VA
students at HCC, operating off the grant
money allocated to the department.
However, as the Vietnam War ended
and fewer soldiers returned to become
dwindled.
With his job security coming into
question, Rhonne began searching
for opportunities elsewhere. He was
encouraged by ,
a dean at St. Petersburg Junior College
(now St. Petersburg College) who was
Education with a doctorate, to apply for
“She helped me a great deal,” Rhonne
said. “(She) said, ‘I think you’re bright
enough, you ought to apply for this.’”
Rhonne earned a doctorate degree in
to HCC and working as a counselor for
another year, and broke into the private
practice realm. A marriage and family
therapist in Tampa named
hired Rhonne to join her practice on
N. Dale Mabry Highway. One day he
asked if she was related to
, a theology and physics
teacher while he was at Jesuit.
As it turned out, Betsy, who was
fallen in love, left the religious life, and
gotten married.
“That just blew my mind,” Rhonne said.
After working for Wolcott part-time
for a year while with HCC, Rhonne
committed to partnering with Wolcott
married , sister of
and
In 1999, Rhonne was appointed by
Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage
Counseling. The board’s main duty is
to oversee the licensing for therapists,
counselors, and social workers, and
be appointed to the board, serving until
2002.
He operated the therapy practice in
Rhonne, as he lost his brother while
a new practice.
He and his wife still live in Texas, and
they have two children, GiRhon and
Giana, both of whom work for American
Airlines, GiRhon in the human resources
attendant.
specialized in psychotherapy, marriage
and family counseling, teen counseling,
written several books, which are
available for purchase online, and his
newest work will be published soon,
“The Power of Paradox.” The book
with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder,
exploring a “technique of mass confusion
that people use to get what they want.”
“I care about the truth, the plain truth,”
Rhonne said, “and what can we do to
help one another.”
JESUIT PERSPECTIVES • WINTER 2020-21 37
Rhonne Sanderson ’70
Rhonne Sanderson '70 with his family, L-R wife Gina,
daughter Giana, Rhonne, and son GiRhon