Town Topics: Do you have a favorite memory from your school days?

Community By Alexandra Herrera, Reporter and Linda Trischitta Thursday, August 14, 2025

Taryn Lovely

Chef and Assistant Manager

BJ Hibachi Cuisine Food Truck

Miami Gardens

“My first time seeing [my son] play in the band at the football game,” Taryn Lovely said. 

“Just to see him, how he handled those drums.”

 

Bryan Morera

Attorney

Vice Mayor

Town of Miami Lakes

Miami Lakes

“Being part of the high school baseball team and getting the opportunity to see my friends every day, during school, after school and frankly before school because there was a period of time where we would practice before and after school, two a days,” Bryan Morera said. 

“These were my best friends, they were my brothers. Just [feeling] excitement to see my friends, hang out and play ball.” 

 

Zailey Machado

Co-Owner

Dados Ice Cream

Hialeah

“Having the opportunity to take my kids to school, that for me has been a blessing,” Zailey Machado said in Spanish. 

“All these years that they have been in school, to have the opportunity to take them to school every day. Not all mothers have that opportunity, to drop off and pick up their kids every day.” 

 

Thiago Abad
Traffic Safety Advocate

West Miami

 “My favorite memory, I think it was on my birthday,” Thiago Abad said. 

 “It was definitely in January, in first grade, walking to school with my mom. 

“For one, it was 43 degrees out and that definitely left an affect on me,” he said. “A large chunk of my good memories come from my walks to school in the morning … it’s the first one in a series of many in my life that drove me to want better places for everyone to live.” 

 

Justin Telleria

Transportation Coordinator

Town of Miami Lakes

Coral Gables

 “I had a lot of tricky memories from school,” Justin Telleria said. 

 "The one I really liked a lot was in fifth grade. We went to Disney on a class field trip and I threw up, ‘cause I went on too many roller coasters. 

  “It was memorable,” Telleria said. “I think a lot of people that knew me back then would remember this. I’m glad I’m able to laugh about it now. 

 “And I’ll still go back,” he said. “I don’t hold it against Disney, or Universal Islands.”