The Town of Miami Lakes is honoring amazing women during Women’s History Month. The Miami Lakes Cultural Affairs Committee and the town held the Women of Distinction awards March 12 at Town Hall.
At the luncheon, educator Rachel B. Autler, Dade Association of School Administrators’ principal of the year in 2021, was keynote speaker.
The meal was catered by Standing Ovations Catering. The winners were chosen Feb. 22 during a special committee meeting.
Descriptions about the women and their achievements come from their nominators. The awards recognize accomplished women in the categories of the arts; business; education; health services; a humanitarian; a volunteer; community and civic affairs and government.
The Arts: Sister Helene Kloss, music director, Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church.
For 26 years, Sister Helene Kloss has been director music at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church.
She leads both the adult and children’s choirs at the church.
Kloss has also organized choirs for charitable events at Palmetto General Hospital; Heartland Rehab Center; Epworth Village for the Elderly and Christmas Caroling at Camillus House.
In town, Kloss has also led singers at the Main Street Festival of Lights and the Blessing of the Nativity creche set up at Town Hall during the Christmas season.
Business: Silvia A. Arrastia, owner, S&S Educational Center.
Silvia A. Arrastia owns S&S Educational Center and dedicated her life to helping children and others for 40 years, according to her nomination form.
Arrasita helps teen mothers through Florida State University’s Young Parents project to ensure they are appropriately caring for themselves and their newborns. Arrastia also collects donations for the teen mothers and their children during the holiday season.
Education: Lisa Deyarza, legal studies teacher, Miami Lakes Middle School
Lisa Deyarza’s students have won multiple civics competitions at local, state and national levels. Her students have also worked with town staff to draft several ordinances.
Deyarza is described by her nominator as an encouraging educator who tries to get her students to participate in government and to make a difference.
Health Services: Melissa Alfonso Sedeño, orthodontist, Specialty Smiles Orthodontics
Melissa Alfonso Sedeño is an orthodontist and co-owner of Specialty Smiles Orthodontics, is an associate at Lastra Orthodontics and serves as a volunteer faculty member on the craniofacial team at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
At the hospital, Alfonso Sedeño cares for pediatric patients with severe craniofacial abnormalities and oversees long-term treatment for patients aged 7- to 21.
Alfonso Sedeño also supports local organizations such as Giving Gators and the Town of Miami Lakes Foundation.
Humanitarian: Karla Acosta
Karla Acosta is a volunteer who was nominated because of her dedication to the community. Acosta has worked with children and elders in town. She is described as having served at different schools and has coached many sports teams.
Acosta worked to help vulnerable members of the community get COVID-19 vaccinations and arranged visits to facilities.
Acosta is selfless, puts the needs of others above her own and is a role model in the community, her nominator said.
Volunteer: Dorothy "Dottie" Wix, chair, Elderly Affairs Committee
Dorothy "Dottie" Wix is well-known in Miami Lakes, where as chair of the Elderly Affairs Committee she organizes numerous holiday events for elders in town and monthly bingo lunches.
During the pandemic, Wix coordinated food deliveries via the Freebee for elders who could not leave home and for those who could drive to a different participating restaurant each month, which benefitted both hungry seniors and struggling restaurants.
Community and civic affairs: Cristina Sanguily, owner, ACAI EXPRESS
Cristina Sanguily is someone who is determined, dedicated and a trailblazer. She opened ACAI EXPRESS restaurant on Main Street in February.
She is also described as an advocate for women’s empowerment through business leadership. She has also been an advocate for underserved children through volunteering efforts. She is a determined leader who is not afraid to get her hands dirty, according to her nominator.
Government: Ashley Shepple, former Miami Lakes community engagement and outreach specialist and deputy town clerk and assistant to the town council.
Ashley Shepple is currently senior development coordinator for corporate partnerships at the Baptist Health Foundation.
In her municipal government career, Shepple worked closely with Miami Lakes elected officials.
Her duties included coordinating monthly council meetings and as acting town clerk for Planning and Zoning meetings. She has also coordinated meals and provided social service calls to Miami Lakes seniors.