Community luminaries and champions in education who are alumni of Broward County Public Schools to be honored
Broward Education Foundation is taking an all-star team of distinguished Broward County Public Schools alumni out to the Publix Super Markets Charities 2021 “Hall of Fame Awards” presented by Memorial Healthcare System on Thursday, December 2 beginning at 6 p.m.
A nationally renowned punk-pop band, a south Florida cable industry leader, a Pembroke Pines elected official, a doctor who is also an author, a professor and an entrepreneur, along with distinguished graduates of Broward County Public Schools who are celebrated champions in education, will be honored by Broward Education Foundation during this festive celebration at Nova High School’s state-of-the-art baseball field in Davie. Guests will enjoy a fun-filled, baseball-themed evening under the lights, safely socially distanced on the field with blankets and lawn chairs and delicious ballpark bites and beverages.
“We are continuously inspired by the caliber of our Hall of Fame honorees and this year’s class is indeed an all-star team,” said Broward Education Foundation Board Chair Tim Curtin. “Their leadership, passion and commitment to education and community are exceptional.”
The 2021 Broward Education Foundation Hall of Fame honorees are:
Receiving the JM Family Enterprises, Inc. Bravo! Award are hometown favorite recording artists, punk-pop band New Found Glory, who will be recognized for their positive impact on youth across the country. Notably, the band headlined and organized a benefit concert for the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy, raising more than $100,000. Marjory Stoneman Douglas and J.P. Taravella High School grads, the bandmates have amassed a national cult following and are known for their high energy performances.
Community leaders receiving the Bank of America Community Achievement Award for significant accomplishments in any field are:
Cindy Stoddart Cooper, cable industry and public relations leader, philanthropist and Northeast High School graduate, class of 1977
Thomas Good, Jr., vice mayor of Pembroke Pines and assistant city manager of the City of Deerfield Beach, U.S. Navy veteran and Cooper City High School graduate, class of 1977
Dr. Katrina Davis-Kennedy, nurse practitioner, professor, author, entrepreneur and Dillard High School of the Performing Arts graduate, class of 1999
Recipients of the Office Depot Education Achievement Award for their dedication to a career in public education are:
Mary Barba, assistant director at Sheridan Technical College and High School and Cooper City High School graduate, class of 1981
Antonio Burgess, Broward County Public Schools educator and Dillard High School graduate, class of 2003
Debra Hixon, Broward County School Board member and educator and South Broward High School graduate, class of 1984
“Last year’s Hall of Fame Awards were our first-ever outdoor event and it was a home run by any standard,” said Shea Ciriago, CEO of Broward Education Foundation. “We decided to continue that tradition this year and cover our bases with a fun, baseball-themed celebration. We have a great night planned and are excited to take the field at Nova’s Coach Pat McQuaid baseball complex for what promises to be an unforgettable evening.”
Reminiscent of California’s Hollywood Walk of Fame, Broward’s distinguished alumni will also be honored with a large, engraved granite star on the BrightStar Credit Union “Walk of Fame” permanently located at the Broward County Public Schools district office, 600 S.E. Third Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.
In addition to Publix Super Markets Charities, sponsors include Memorial Healthcare System, BrightStar Credit Union, JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Bank of America, Office Depot, Broward Teachers Union, T-Mobile Work Perks and Comcast.
Sponsorships are still available, and tickets are $75 per person. For more information, visit browardedfoundation.org/halloffame, call 754-321-2030 or e-mail [email protected].