VOL. 26 NO. 12
DECEMBER 2024
www.seabreezepublications.com
Education Foundation Of Martin County Announces Teacher Of The Year Award Winners Tonight, the Education Foundation of Martin County announced its Teacher of the Year winners during a special celebration at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center. Vanessa Molina-Council of Citrus Grove Elementary School took top honors and was named the 2024-2025 Martin County Teacher of the Year. She will go on to represent Martin County in the state competition to become the Florida Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year. Devin Carlson, partner and general manager of Audi Stuart, Infiniti Stuart and Alfa Romeo Stuart, the event sponsor, presented Molina-Council with the award. The Education Foundation also recognized Alicia Carter of Hidden Oaks, who won the middle school category, and Samantha Pankhurst of Jensen Beach High, the high school category winner. There were a total of 23 nominees competing for the top spots. In addition, Felix A. Williams Elementary School won the Spirit Award, which was based on its theme, costumes, props and enthusiasm.
Molina-Council’s students inspire her to be a classroom teacher. She grew up in lowincome housing with nonEnglish speaking parents and a sibling who had a disability. They both attended inner city public schools in rough neighborhoods, but her teachers made them feel valued and respected and provided their parents with guidance and resources. This experience inspired her to pursue the teaching profession. E d u c a t i o n F o u n d a t i o n Felix A. Williams Elementary won the School Spirit Award, sponsored by the Education on page 3 Foundation of Martin County. (Photo by Paul Careccia)
Hanley Foundation And Mark Garwood Foundation Raise $120,000 For Education Scholarships At Eighth Annual Shoot For The Moon The Hanley Foundation and the Mark Garwood Foundation raised $120,000 during the Eighth Annual Shoot for the Moon on Friday, November 1, at the South Florida Shooting Club in Palm City. This year’s event marked a milestone as the Hanley Foundation officially partnered with the Mark Garwood Foundation to continue to provide education scholarships for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). After a warm welcome from the Garwood family and a safety briefing, more than 188 shooters took the field for the friendly competition. Participants and guests enjoyed a barbecue lunch prepared by the Martin County Sheriff’s
Office Grill Team, a live auction, and an awards ceremony for individual and team winners. Nine new recipients were awarded Mark Garwood Phoenix Scholarships for the 2025 academic cycle at the luncheon. Since its inception in 2015, 76 Mark Garwood Phoenix Scholarships have been awarded and more than $540,000 in financial aid provided to individuals who are actively in recovery, committed to long-term sobriety, and ready to begin or continue their education. More than 90 percent of Erica Garwood, State Rep. John Snyder, John Garwood
Shoot For The Moon on page 4
United Way Of Martin County Celebrates Community Leaders United Way of Martin County kicked off its annual campaign with the Community Leaders’ Celebration luncheon at Sailfish Point Country Club on October 28. Nearly 200 people from this fine community came together to honor and celebrate their outstanding achievements from the past year while looking towards an even brighter future. At the luncheon, United Way thanked the many generous
organizations and dedicated individuals who raise millions of dollars every year to ensure that Martin County residents are able to provide basic needs for themselves and their families. Derek Lowe, coordinator of Public Information and Community Relations for the Martin County School District, served as event emcee. “I understand that this year has not been an easy one, especially after the destruction caused by Hurricane Milton,” Lowe pointed out. “Which is why I wanted to thank United Way of Martin County for always being there when we need them most, not only by providing resources and assistance through disaster
relief programs, but most importantly, by being the guiding light to residents who may otherwise feel lost. With the generosity of those working and volunteering at United Wa y, o u r b e l o v e d family and friends can remain hopeful that they will get back on their feet every time.” During the luncheon, United Way
Since United Way’s inception of honoring our Top 10 Most Generous Workplaces and Communities, Publix Super Markets continues to reign as the most generous workplace in Martin County. (Left to United Way on page 6 right: Blake Davis and Dipal Mehta)