The University of Florida named alumni Helen Roldan one of its 40 Gators Under 40 awardees for 2025.      “I’m honored,” Roldan said on March 14. “UF shaped a lot of my world view and things I’m passionate about. It’s special to go back to the university and be recognized. I hope I can do them proud.”      Honorees are chosen for their impact...

     How many Google calendars do you have?       Barbara Goleman Senior High School senior Hailie Prieto has five as she mentors hundreds of peers and manages her extra-curricular activities.      Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the Town of Miami Lakes have both shined a light on the Miami Lakes teenager for her leadership and community service.      Councilman...

Miami Lakes Optimist Club Treasurer Jim Hamilton presents a plaque to Fred Senra in January. Senra is a partner at Miami Lakes AutoMall, and the recognition was for the dealership’s sponsorship in 2024 of the youth sports organization’s baseball program. 

    If the U.S. State Dept. issued passports to dogs, Blanche, the apricot Toy Poodle, would have one.      An energetic 9-year-old girl named for a sassy character on the “Golden Girls” TV show, she was born in northern Japan.      Blanche has lived in three countries and traveled extensively with owner Dr. Patricia Hammer, a physician and retired major in the U.S. Air...

     Ray Palacios is the newly-elected president of the board of the Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce.       Palacios, 48, previously was vice president of the chamber and in 2020, moved to the Young Professionals Committee so he could focus on his business.            A career in banking led to his founding of ASJ Financial Group mortgage brokerage in 2006. In 2013, he...