Liza Hernandez has been a teacher at Bob Graham Education Center (BGEC) for three years and has been named Rookie Teacher of the Year. Hernandez currently teaches seventh grade Language Arts and is the sponsor for the National Elementary Honor Society. Hernandez has always enjoyed helping others learn and grow. Her goal in the classroom has always been to help her students develop a growth mindset of succeeding and being able to believe that...

Republican lawmakers State Senator Manny Diaz Jr., House Speaker Jose Olivia of Miami Lakes and Lt. Governor Jeanette Nunez, attended the inauguration of Ron DeSantis, who became Florida’s 46th governor. Skipping the traditional parade in his honor, DeSantis went right to work at the Florida State Capitol Building, where Diaz, Olivia and Nunez listened to his plans as he addressed the legislative leadership and highlighted his agenda for work...

Barbara Goleman High’s senior defensive tackle Kamal Barnes was selected to the Miami-Dade County All-Star Team, which lost to Broward County 35-0 in the Miami Dolphins All-Star Game last Friday at Traz Powell Stadium.Kamal has been a four-year starter and is one of the school’s all-time leaders in games played, sacks, tackles and three blocked punts this season.The 5-10, 230-pound player recorded eight tackles (4 solo) and 2 sacks for the...

After leading the Panther’s offensive line in a 35-32 victory in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl, Florida International University’s graduate senior Jordan Budwig was named to the Associated Press All-Bowl Team, the organization announced following the game.Budwig is the only offensive lineman from Conference USA named to the list, while being just one of four league players overall given the prestigious honor. Budwig shielded junior...

Florida International University third baseman Austin Shenton has been named the 2018 Perfect Game/Rawlings Summer Collegiate Player of the Year for the 2018 season. Shenton, who played for the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, was the Cape Cod championship series MVP, as the Gatemen won the summer title.Shenton hit .349 with four home runs and 30 RBI during the 2018 Cape Cod Baseball League regular season. The 30 RBI were...