Miami Lakes K-8 Center’s (MLK-8) Middle School orchestra students performed solos, a duet and a quintet at the Florida Orchestra Association District 16 Solo and Ensemble event on February 2. All soloists earned a Superior rating: Sofia Rebustillo, Emily Castro, Brianna Saldarini on violin, Geena Saldarini on viola and Sabrina Scavuzzo on double bass. These five students also performed a quintet by Bach, “Musette” and received a Superior with...

Students from Bob Graham Education Center's Civic Engagement Academy (CEA) participated in the Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez’s State of the County address on January 31 held at the Port of Miami. The students were the only school that was invited to serve as greeters and ushers at this event as well as to assist the Gimenez’s staff. The CEA is a program in middle school dedicated to educating and exposing students to government,...

Miami Lakes K-8 Center (MLK-8) students performed for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools S.T.E.A.M Expo at Miami Dade North College on January 26. Under the musical direction of Sara Cino, the orchestra, chorus and guitar students performed a variety of ensemble and solo pieces. Soloists Sofia Rebustillo who plays violin and Sabrina Scavuzzo who plays double bass entertained the crowd with pieces that they also performed for the Florida...

Patricia Valenzano won the title of Teacher of the Year for the 2017-2018 school year at Mater Lakes Academy High School. Valenzano has been teaching science for 13 years, she also teaches in virtual school as well. She has a Bachelor's in Science from the University of Miami with a major in biology and a Master's in education for curriculum and instruction from American College of Education. Valenzano said that she likes to bring biological...

For the 2017-2018 school year, Xierra Itayem was named Teacher of the Year for Mater Lakes Academy Middle School. Itayem has a Bachelor's in Arts and a minor in Art History from Florida International University. Her background is in theater arts as well, specializing in musical theater and set design. With her education set, she has been teaching Studio Art, AP Art and AP Art History for four years now. She loves directing plays and musicals...