Mission Statement: To promote, encourage, and recognize excellence in public education.
Executive Board:
President - Elizabeth Heard Mallonee, Indian River Community College
Past President - Rudy Howard, RV Howard & Associates
Vice President - Pam Houghten, Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies
Treasurer - Cooie Newman, Riverside National Bank
Board Members:
Lee Brown - First Peoples Bank
Amy Brunjes - Florida Power & Light
Kelley Charles - St. Lucie Medical Center
Bernadette Floyd - Principal for the St. Lucie County School District
Ivonne Fraga - Editor, La Voz
Pamela Frederick - Principal for the St. Lucie County School District
Skeet Jernigan - C&EDC
Debbie Langley, Community Member
Michael Lannon - Superintendent, St. Lucie County School District
Cathy McKenzie - AT&T
Dr. Judi Miller - St. Lucie County School Board Chair
Ted Norman - 2009 Teacher of the Year
Larry Pelton - EDC
Anna LaDean Phillips - 2008 Teacher of the Year
Gary Roberts - Gary Roberts Nursery & Landscape
Vanessa Tillman - President CTA/CU
Michael Waninger, SLC Chamber Representative
Highlights of Foundation Programs:
Annual Foundation Ball - Raising over $75,000, the ninth annual Foundation Ball, "Going Wild over Education," was a tremendous success! The very talented and dedicated Foundation Ball committee transformed the Pelican Yacht Club into a jungle theme full of fun and adventure. Guests enjoyed bidding on live and silent auction items donated by local area businesses and community members. Some of the competitive bidding was for a wild game feast, a fishing charter, jewelry, and paintings, as well as beautiful baskets and art items donated by St. Lucie County public schools.
Night of the Stars: The 2009 Night of the Stars Awards Ceremony - a Celebration of Excellence in Education - was a tremendous success. During this evening in the Lincoln Park Academy Auditorium, the St. Lucie County Education Foundation and the St. Lucie County School Board recognized teachers and support staff who inspire, stimulate, and transform our children daily. Over 800 guests celebrated the 162 nominees for their dedication to excellence in education.
Scholarship Awards Ceremony: The St. Lucie County Education Foundation awarded $43,700 in scholarships to 44 public high school seniors on April 30. Catherine McKenzie, AT&T Florida Area Director for External Affairs, arranged sponsorship for the awards ceremony. Recipients and their families, donors, school board members and the superintendent, principals, and counselors celebrated these remarkable young people - many of whom have overcome and continue to grapple with major difficulties.
Local businesses and individuals presented scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,500 for outstanding students who demonstrated financial need. The donors introduced the students by telling some of their accomplishments. Most of the recipients plan to continue their studies in Florida and hope to work in St. Lucie County as teachers, biomedical researchers, medical workers, engineers, computer technologists, or artistic performers.
Matching Grant Program - The St. Lucie County Education grants to educators. The Working Together for Success Grant program, sponsored by the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, The Florida Legislature, Florida Department of Education, Executive Office of the Governor, and the St. Lucie County Education Foundation, funds innovative classroom and school-wide projects designed to motivate low-performing students.
Updated: 7/10/09
