Mater Lakes Academy honored three of its teachers for the 2019 – 2020 school year. Jennifer Paez, is head of the Science Department. She teaches Anatomy and Physiology and is Teacher of the Year. The middle school’s Teacher of the Year is Ana L. Sanchez, who teaches Reading. And Steven Leano, who teaches Social Studies, U.S. History and Civics, is Rookie Teacher of the Year. Photos courtesy of the school.

Georgia State University in Atlanta gave Jodi Sampson its Excellence in Research Award in Communication Sciences and Disorders, the school said. Sampson, 30, of Hialeah, received the award during a virtual Honors Day celebration on May 18. The award is given by the university’s College of Education & Human Development for “exceptional performance in research involvement as a master’s student,” according to the school. Sampson...

Congratulations to the Class of 2020! Although graduations have been canceled during the coronavirus outbreak and seniors won’t be able to walk across a stage, there is still a way to commemorate their hard work. “It’s important during these times to celebrate the little things that make life special,” said Miami Lakes Councilman Luis Collazo. “Honoring graduates is just one way we can continue to build and deliver positive news.”...

It was Teacher Appreciation Week May 4 – 8, and seventh graders at Bob Graham Education Center in Miami Lakes took a moment from their distance learning lessons to thank their instructors in a photo collage. The students, from left to right, starting in the top row, are: Christopher Inguanzo; Jasmine Uz; Roman Garcia; Yuliana Rivera; Andres Suarez; Eva Olivares; Alec Gutierrez; Mariana Moreno and Krystal and Kristina Martinez. Bob Graham...

The Knights of the Realm Chess Club at Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy in Hialeah held a virtual chess tournament on May 2 for middle and high school students, faculty and school dads. After five rounds, the top five finishers in the advanced division were Ernesto Roja (twelfth grade); Jose Garcia (eleventh grade); Valentino Cesiliano (twelfth grade); Leonardo Leon (eleventh grade) and Dennis Duran (twelfth grade). Finishers in the...