When Miami-Dade County Public Schools named a Miami Lakes elementary school after U.S. Sen. and Fla. Gov. Bob Graham in 2002, he called it one of the greatest honors of his life.
On Oct. 24, his namesake school, the Bob Graham Education Center, celebrated its history of achievement.
“Reaching 20 years as an ‘A’ school is a tremndous accomplishment,” School Board Member Roberto J. Alonso said in a press statement. “It is an honor to have a school named in his memory, one that continues to embody his values of service, integrity and lifelong learning.”
Graham was 87 when he died April 16, 2024. Before his lengthy career in public service, he was educated at Hialeah Elementary and Junior High schools; Miami Senior High School; the University of Florida where he was in the Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society, and Harvard Law School.
His extended family, which founded the Town of Miami Lakes, has a legacy of supporting public education.
In the photo, from left, back row: Miami Lakes Councilman Juan Carlos Fernandez; Mayor Josh Dieguez; David Marin, Policy Director for Miami-Dade Commissioner Sen. Rene Garcia, Dist. 13; School Board Member Roberto J. Alonso; Thomas Gibson and his wife Arva Suzanne Graham Gibson, one of Bob and Adele Graham’s four daughters; Principal Yecenia M. Lopez and Fla. Rep. Alex Rizo, R-Hialeah.
Middle row from left: Sophia Alvarez; Giuliana Gonzalez; Abigail Lima; Victoria Hauck and Mia Clavelo. Front row: Allyson Lopez; Addison Lopez; Alexandra Marin and Melanie Barrios.
The Bobcat cheerleaders are holding proclamations from Alonso’s office, Mayor Josh Dieguez and the Town of Miami Lakes and Miami-Dade Commissioner Sen. Rene Garcia.
The school is at 1501 NW 79th Ave. The evening included a screening of an animated movie, “The Wild Robot,” attended by elected officials, families, students and educators. The night was sponsored by Papa Johns; The Graham Companies; Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and Miami Dade College North Campus.