Miami Lakes Educational Center nominated twelve students for The Miami Herald’s Silver Knight awards in late May. MLEC’s nominees included:
Enswert Binns was the nominee for Art. The senior, who was involved with the Cambridge program at MLEC spent his time teaching art interpretation to children in the Jose DiMaggio Children's Hospital.
Latisha Miller, the nominee for Business, organized grant receptions for the SHAPE club for two consecutive years and organized toy drives with the Omega Power and Praise Ministry.
Samantha Cardet, the English and Literature nominee, used her love of English to tutor peers in the subject.
Julie Luo, a Cambride program senior and the nominee for Science, organized book drives, battery drives and beach cleanups in collaboration with the school's Student Government Association.
Natalia Fernandez, Journalism nominee, used her time in the journalism strand of the Cambridge program to work alongside Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Foundation to plan a youth leadership conference.
Flavia Cuervo, noted as first in her graduating class, was the nominee for General Scholarship. Cuervo spent her time working with the children at His House Children's home for abandoned, abused or neglected children.
Claudia Cruz, World Languages nominee, used her bilingual talents to begin the “Read With Me” ESOL tutoring program in an effort to help second language learners excel academically.
Luis Arreaga, Mathematics nominee, used his skills in math to teach students geometry during classes given on Saturdays.
Krisna Maddy, a Cambridge program senior, was the nominee for Social Science. She began a clothing drive with her church and worked with the Key Club to expand the project into additional community service activities.
Pablo Ordonez, Speech nominee, taught peers to debate in MLEC's National Honor Society chapter and the Junior Statesmen of America.
Carl Hughes, Vocational Technical nominee, organized clothing, toy and Christmas food drives to out to families in need during the holidays.
Eliana Bello, Music and Dance nominee, worked with Ronald McDonald House and taught children how to do line dances.