The Town Foundation of Miami Lakes has chosen grant recipients for 2022.
The Foundation is supported by the Miami Lakes Food and Wine Festival, which donated $50,000.
The festival was co-founded by Realtor Lynn Matos and restaurateur Giuseppe Zuozo, and the next one will be held Feb. 4, 2023 at Optimist Park.
Residents, teachers and local organizations submitted 19 nominations.
Grant recipients’ programs promote literacy and continuing education; develop youth programs; beautification projects and cultural events.
The foundation’s president is Town Manager Edward Pidermann; Town spokeswoman Clarisell de Cardenas and Fred Senra of Miami Lakes AutoMall are directors; Town Clerk Gina Inguanzo is secretary and Town Chief Financial Officer Kay Grant is treasurer.
All listed projects must be completed by April 28, 2023.
The grantees are:
Aiden Schwinghammer of Boy Scout Troop 566, $2,500 toward a goal of planting 1000 orchids in town public parks, as part of The Million Orchid Project from Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
Juliana Correa of Girl Scout Troop 902, $2,500 for Sharing Golden Smiles and Stories to benefit GiGi’s Playhouse and a learn to read program that includes dance, music, crafts, and writing activities.
Maurits Acosta of Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School, $2,500 for his non-profit Virtutem Populo to host a Hialeah Miami Lakes civics bowl for middle and high school students.
Jessica Hernandez, teacher at Miami Lakes K-8 Center, $1,500 for digital cameras and editing software to photograph wildlife and landscapes in the Everglades.
Jennifer Gomez, second grade teacher at Miami Lakes K-8 Center, $2,500 to bring hands-on learning experiences in math, science and social studies.
Milagros Alvarez, third grade math teacher at Miami Lakes K-8 Center, $1,500 for 10 additional Chromebooks to give students access to i-Ready Connect and allow them to complete online assignments.
Karen Diaz, first grade teacher at Miami Lakes K-8 Center, $2,500 for a program to immerse students in technology using programs approved by the school district.
Cindy Iturmendi, social studies teacher at Bob Graham Education Center, $2,500 for Flocabulary library of songs and activities. The program uses educational hip-hop music to engage students.
David Galarce, magnet lead coordinator at Miami Lakes Educational Center, $2,500 for Garden to Table Experience. The program gives students who have food insecurities the resources to grow their own healthy foods.
Michelle Medina Hernandez, teacher at Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School, $2,500 for a reading diversity project centered around the memoir “Two Badges: The Lives of Mona Ruiz,” and its themes.
Richard Silberman, teacher and National Honor Society Sponsor at Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School, $2,330 to take students to the Team Ropes Adventure Challenge at FIU to help develop leadership, team building, communication and problem-solving skills.
Rukayat Adebisi, legal studies teacher at Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School, $2,500 for students to attend a Model United Nations training conference.
Colleen Mahoney, theater teacher and electives department chair at Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School, $2,480 for a science, technology, arts and math unit to study set design and create a 3D model.
Kevin Segura, director of bands and orchestra at Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School, $2,500 for cellos, string parts, valve oil, mouthpieces and woodwind reeds for the bands.
Alicia Grant, chair for career technical education at Barbara Goleman Senior High School, $2,497 for a MacBook Pro and two Apple iPads to make photographs and create advanced placement 2D art and design portfolios.
Ana Soto-Gonzales, social studies teacher at Barbara Goleman Senior High School, $2,500 for podiums, attorney tables and chairs and jury seats for the mock trial courtroom at the school.
Marlen Acosta-Garcia, teacher and facilitator of Model UN Club at Barbara Goleman Senior High School, $1,000 for students to learn public speaking, research skills and synthesize information from around the world.
Debbie Perez, bowling and badminton coach at Barbara Goleman Senior High School, $2,500 for students who have never participated in sports, to gain skills and compete.
Elizabeth Lopetegui, English Language Arts teacher at Miami Lakes Middle School, $2,500 for students to learn journalism, design and photography in a yearbook course.