The thought of a stranger passing out thank-you cards for people simply being themselves is pleasantly out of the ordinary, but for 23-year-old Miami Lakes resident Fiorella Marquez, random acts of kindness like this are just stepping stones on her journey towards making positive impacts on peoples lives.Marquez, known affectionately as Fio, has a degree in psychology and is currently working on her second degree in sociology. Fueled...

  Eight students from Monsignor Edward Pace High School became the next set of future Spartan leaders to attend Notre Dame Vision, a Catholic leadership conference for high school students held at the esteemed Notre Dame University in Indiana from June 15-19.Sofia Lama, Amy Velez, Chris Velez, Tristan Luzod, Matthew Schaffer, Joshua Felipe, Ruben Masters, and Nathan Bonet were the fifth group in as many years to be sent by Pace to the...

  Longtime Miami Lakes Educational Center (MLEC) principal, James V. Parker, announced the 2014-2015 school year would be his last full year as principal, having previously enrolled in the education system’s Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) which named his last working day in February 2016. A new principal has not yet been announced.Parker, a principal known for his approachable attitude and annual head-shavings when the...

  Former Miami Lakes resident, Ellen Frances Pease, 72, passed away peacefully at her home in Hiawassee, Georgia, on Friday July 3, surrounded by her loving family. Pease was born on December 15, 1942 in Ellenville, N.Y., daughter of the late Martin Braterman and late Molly Windreich Braterman, and step-daughter of the late Eleanor Braterman. Pease began her career as an English teacher at Miami Beach High and continued as a Guidance...

  The Fine Arts Department at Barbara Goleman Senior High School held a Fine Arts Showcase, “Arts Under the Stars” on May 12, for students, faculty and staff. The showcase consisted of musical performances, dramatic skits, live anime caricatures, on-the-spot painting and ceramic productions, student art exhibitions student poster giveaways and a firstever murals unveiling.  The event, sponsored and led by art teacher...