More than 800 guests gathered for the Independent School of South Florida (ISSF) Annual Star Luncheon on April 20 at the Miami Airport Convention Center. This annual affair recognizes one star student from elementary, middle and high school from each of the approximately 70 schools from as far north as Palm Beach to the Keys.
ISSF is a coalition of the accredited private schools in South Florida and among the independent schools in the greater Pinecrest/Palmetto Bay area schools participating in this event were Gulliver, whose honorees included David Krajewski, Carlotta Ferracina, Federica Hernandez Floris, Alexandros Tsoukas and Gaspard Crepy d’Orleans; Temple Beth Am, whose star students were Elias Baron, Colin Carletta, and Rori Brenner; Westminster Christian, whose honorees were Carolina Borges, Isabel De Allende-Silva, and Ashley Diaz; Palmer Trinity with star students Lauren Fernandez, Brigitte Isom, and Gabriela Shaikh; St. Thomas with star students Sofia Manguson, Lorenzo Ramirez de Arellano, and Ricardo Sucre; and Alexander Montessori whose honorees were Karyna Steele, Madison Jones, Sydney Powell, Liv Steinhardt and Owen Craig.
Westminster Christian’s concert band provided entertainment before the program and during lunch. ISSF President Alicia Casanova welcomed all with ISSF Executive Director Dr. Teri Logan. Of the many sponsors thanked by Dr. Logan that day were the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club with Deborah Van Stone Moore, on hand to accept the plaque, and Gulliver Schools represented by Hank Langston and others. CGWC has hosted the ISSF’s three spelling and geography bees at their clubhouse for several years as a community service.
Coincidentally, Gulliver’s Deborah Van Stone Moore, who is an amazing leader and non profit volunteer, was recently elected president of the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club for the 2016-18 term.
By the way, Deborah Moore will be installed as CGWC President on May 4, at 6:30 p.m. during a lovely dinner at the CGWC Clubhouse at 1009 East Ponce de Leon Blvd. Those wishing to attend to honor Debi, her board and new members, may RSVP with Mireya at 786-295-9323 or by emailing <tessie13@aol.com>. This also provides guests an opportunity to tour the club’s free children’s dental clinic which provides more than $250,000 in free dental care annually to Miami-Dade County children in need. Outgoing president, Mayra Dominguez, was recently honored with a dinner as well that Debi coordinated for her. An Indian theme provided lots of color and a lovely setting for the dinner dance on April 16.
In other news, Pinecrest resident Helen Witty continues to honor the memory of her daughter by advocating for responsible drinking and “not” driving. Working with MADD and their newly launched Power Talk 21, Helen was among those attending a kick-off at Ryder Trauma Center on April 20 targeting underage drinking and the importance of parents acting as role models. Parents can download a free Power of Parents handbook at madd.org/powertalk21.
Until next time, keep making each day count.
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