The Dade Association of School Administrators’ Principal of the Year is an educator who was praised for setting high standards for teachers and students. Rachel B. Autler, 55, led Hialeah Gardens Elementary School. During her 15 years there she was assistant principal for a decade and principal for the past five years. “I was shocked, and super honored to receive this award,” said Autler, 55, of Pembroke Pines....

After more than three decades of service to the parish of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church and its school, Elsa Reus is retiring at the end of June. Reus, 70, is also well- known in Miami Lakes for her ongoing duties as a volunteer and past officer with the Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce and with the Town of Miami Lakes’ Cultural Affairs Committee. “I love Miami Lakes,” said Reus, of Hialeah Gardens. She lived...

The Graham Companies and the Town of Miami Lakes’ Education Advisory Board on June 8th awarded scholarships worth $1,000 each to two recent high school graduates who live in town and are bound for college in the fall. The Graham Companies and the Education Advisory Board chose the winners; the scholarships are funded by The Graham Companies. Lisbeth Arrieta, 18, graduated from Coral Gables Senior High School and plans to attend...

Pedro Fiallo, 76, received an honorary diploma on June 7th from Barbara Goleman Senior High School and Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Alberto M. Carvalho, superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and Perla Tabares Hantman, chair of the school board, presented Fiallo with the diploma. “It was a surprise,” Fiallo said afterward. “I had no idea. I was so honored to receive this honorary diploma. It was very...

It was fitting that a
steel drum played happy rhythms for Ana Pena’s surprise retirement party on June 7th. The Miami Lakes Middle School director of band cried joyful tears as colleagues celebrated the woman who taught music to children for 39 years. “It’s been my life,” Pena, 61, of Hialeah, said. “I think of it as a service. And I think I served the kids with my heart and my music.” Pena and her...