Founders Thank You Reception Honoring Carrollton’s
Cor Unum Award Recipients May 16, 2024
EVENING PROGRAM Welcome Cocktails Student Performance Blessing and Opening Remarks Presentation Award Ceremony Closing Remarks Cocktail Reception
TO OUR FOUNDERS On behalf of Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, our deepest gratitude to you, our Founders, for your unwavering support, boundless generosity, and enduring belief in our mission. Your impact extends far beyond numbers and statistics; it touches the lives of students and their community, igniting hope, and creating lasting change. As our community continues to grow and evolve, please know that your support remains at the heart of everything we do. Your belief in Sacred Heart education fuels our determination, and your generosity empowers us to dream bigger and aim higher.
COR UNUM AWARD This award recognizes individuals whose unwavering commitment to charitable endeavors echoes the core values of Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. Their unparalleled generosity, dedication, and service embody a spirit of selfless giving. These community leaders' extraordinary charity, strategic vision, and impactful contributions significantly enhance the school's ability to serve its community and fulfill its mission guided by the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education. Their devotion to contributing time, talent, and treasure exemplifies extraordinary leadership, enabling Carrollton to fulfill its Sacred Heart mission as a school of Christ’s heart in Miami. We are deeply honored to have these remarkable friends of Carrollton as valued members of our community. Their support and selflessness have not only shaped the present success of our school but have also paved the way for our continued growth. Their commitment has been instrumental in establishing Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart as a distinguished institution, and we are profoundly grateful for the lasting impact they have made on our spiritual and educational journey.
Antonio L. and Conchi P. Argiz Tony and Conchi Argiz have been an integral part of the Carrollton family for more than four decades. They arrived in 1983 as parents to new student, Carolina, aged 3. With their background in accounting and education respectively, their input and eagerness to volunteer was readily accepted. Carrollton has been the beneficiary of that early personal commitment which has never wavered even when, in the intervening years, their philanthropic endeavors and service to the Miami community increased exponentially. With Conchi staunchly by his side facilitating and supporting every step of the journey, Tony has received numerous awards including the 2019 Sand in My Shoes® award from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce; the 2013 National Human Relations Award from AJC Miami and Broward; and the 2007 Business of the Year Award from South Florida Business Journal, and INSIDE Public Accounting named Tony one of the “Top Five Most Admired Peers.” Tony has led many local organizations including as past chairman of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, past president and chair of the Orange Bowl Committee, immediate past chair of the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation, past chair of the United Way of Miami-Dade, and past chair of Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. He currently serves on the board of Coconut Grove Cares and, for the third time in the last thirty years, he is once again serving on the board of his beloved Carrollton. Tony is a Board Member and the South Florida Managing Partner of BDO USA which, in 2021, combined with Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, LLC (MBAF) where he served as chairman and CEO leading MBAF to become one of the top 40 accounting firms in the nation and the largest independent accounting firm in Florida. Conchi remains involved with Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, most recently on the committee for the restoration of the facilities which has become the Mater Chapel and Spirituality Center. She is a member of Junior League of Miami and Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Golden Angels. Tony and Conchi were both recognized for their contributions to the community by the United Way of MiamiDade County in 2011 with the Tocqueville Award for Outstanding Philanthropy. Married for 47 years, they have three children – Carolina ‘98, Tony Jr. and Andy, and four grandchildren, James, Max, Andres, and Eva for whom Tony and Conchi hold the fervent hope will be a member of Carrollton’s graduating class of 2040.
Armando M. and Margarita M. Codina Margarita Codina is a woman of strength and conviction, deeply committed to her family and community. With her husband Armando, she found purpose in giving back to others and has been a lifelong supporter of numerous nonprofit initiatives including Carrollton. She has been recognized alongside her husband, by the United Way of Miami with their highest honor, the prestigious Tocqueville Award for Outstanding Philanthropy in 2016. Dedicated to the arts, Margarita has lent her time, expertise, and support to various charitable causes, serving as chair of galas for organizations such as YoungArts and the Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center. Most importantly for Carrollton, she served as a trustee of the school, leading the Buildings and Grounds committee during years of extensive transformations. Margarita’s husband of 52 years, Armando Codina, is a major real estate developer in South Florida. Early in his career Armando served as Chairman and CEO of Codina Group, a South Florida-based commercial real estate firm, which he founded in 1979. Currently, he is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Codina Partners, LLC, a real estate investment, development, and property management firm based in Coral Gables, Armando has served on several professional, civic, and educational organizations, including as a Board of Trustees member of the Urban Institute, Home Depot, American Airlines, Bell South, and as Chair of the Town Square Neighborhood Development Corporation. He is a Chairman Emeritus of Florida International University, Co-Founder of the Community Partnership for the Homeless, and a member of the Florida Council of 100, among others. He is an inductee of the NSU Huizenga College Entrepreneur and Business Hall of Fame, and in 2022 received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the American Jewish Committee. Margarita and Armando's legacy extends beyond their charitable work, and their imprint on Carrollton; their four daughters - Ana ’94, Alexandra ’96, Andria ’98, and Amanda ’02 - are all graduates of Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart and have inherited their parents' passion for making a positive impact in their communities. Carrollton is honored to have been entrusted with the education and development of their granddaughters, ensuring that the Codina family's spirit and example continue for generations to come.
Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ came to Carrollton very early on in her career as a young teacher of religion and history. When she returned as the fifth Head of the School in 1998, Carrollton was poised to enter a strategic master plan that would focus on the ultimate expansion of the existing physical plant and the educational offerings desired for a Sacred Heart school of excellence. Early innovations included launching the laptop and Mandarin programs. Collaboration with Honey Shine and Breakthrough was established. Carrollton Debate was ranked one of the top programs in the country. Science facilities across all grades were added to Rose Hall in the Junior High, the Science and Math Pavilion in the Intermediate, and Cooke Hall in the Upper School. The Fernandez and Argiz Families Wellness Center offers a state-of-the-art facility for the training and development of students in all sports. The new Founders Library promotes, for both students and the adult community, an atmosphere of inquiry, critical thinking, personal and aesthetic growth - in support of our commitment and respect of intellectual values. In accordance with that commitment, in 2005 Carrollton became an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. Our students continue to find success not only at top ranked schools, but at international colleges and universities as well. During her tenure the school received the first multimillion-dollar gifts to endowment from the Goizueta Family which created the Goizueta Scholars Program, and also provided for the establishment of the Goal One Tender’s role in support of adult spirituality. The introduction of espacio has become a tool for young and old alike in our personal practice of reflection, leading to a greater awareness of the Spirit acting within us.
Miguel “Mike” B. and Constance Fernandez Miguel “Mike” B. Fernandez is Chairman of MBF Healthcare Partners, L.P., a private investment firm in Coral Gables, Florida. He has been the Founder and/or majority shareholder of over 30 healthcare-related companies, most of which have been acquired by publicly traded companies. Mike is a member of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Dean’s Advisory Council. He has served on the Board of Trustees of Loyola University Maryland and the University of Miami. He has also served on the Boards of Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the United Way, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, and others. Over the past 20 years, he has been a generous contributor to many charitable and philanthropic causes, including donating transformational gifts to Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. The Founders Library established the intellectual nerve center of the Barat campus, and the Wellness Center has ensured the physical development of the entire student body. Both facilities have strategically addressed elements Carrollton educates to, as outlined in the Goals and Criteria. His daughter, Michelle graduated Class of 2009 and his granddaughter, Stella '27, is currently attending the school. Constance Tolevich Fernandez has diverse business experience of both the professional and philanthropic nature. She has held corporate, management and ownership positions in the healthcare, retail and restaurant industries throughout her career. Most recently and importantly are her contributions, enthusiasm, and commitment to the community at large. Constance serves on the Board of Trustees at Ransom Everglades School and actively continues to fundraise after chairing the $75M STEM capital campaign. She is also a trustee at St. Thomas University, and formerly on the boards of the United Way and the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation. Her fundraising efforts have benefitted Baptist Hospital, Breakthrough Miami, the Perez Art Museum, Miami Metro Zoo, UM-Sylvester Cancer Center and the Miami Children’s Museum, in addition to many political causes. Constance is the proud mother of 20-yr old son Cristofer, who is a sophomore at Loyola Marymount. Also, fortuitously a stepmother of four adults and step-grandmother to five beautiful and active children. Constance was born and raised in Sterling Heights, Michigan. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan’s Business School; and a Master of Arts in International Administration from the University of Miami.
P. Nelson and Consuelo Rodriguez Nelson and Chely Rodriguez have been married for 50 years and have four daughters Georgette '92, Carolina '93, Alexandra ‘96, Melissa ‘01. They both share similar life stories, having been born in Cuba and immigrating to Miami at an early age. Together, they built a successful real estate business that has been in operation for more than five decades and which they now run with two of their daughters. Their eldest daughter is a medical doctor practicing dermatology, and the spirit of their youngest daughter, Melissa, continues to inspire and guide their lives. Nelson and Chely’s journey at Carrollton might have begun when their eldest daughters first applied as Montessori students in 1979, but their impact on Carrollton was seismically set the day Melissa, upon seeing Sr. Cooke amid construction issues told her Headmistress, “Sr. Cooke, I think my dad can help you.” Since shortly after that day, Nelson, with his vast knowledge and connections in the construction business placed at the school’s disposal, and Chely, with her faithful friendship and unstinting support of Sr. Cooke and every Head since, have been active participants helping to secure Carrollton’s future and continued excellence. Nelson was a member of the Board of Trustees until 2023 and has been a member of various committees over the years. For the Rodriguez’s, their commitment to Carrollton has been a labor of love. They feel blessed to see the advancement and growth of Carrollton throughout these years. Their four daughters graduated from Carrollton as “lifers“, an endearing term to explain an academic life spent entirely here. Both Nelson and Chely feel strongly the education they received at Carrollton has provided the steppingstones and discipline to lead their lives according to the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education which the family embraces. Carrollton has been part of Nelson and Chely’s lives for more than 45 years and continues to be part through the next generation with their 4 granddaughters currently attending the school.
Ann Taylor, RSCJ Ann Taylor, RSCJ came to Carrollton as the fourth Head in 1978, perfectly suited to the emerging developments of that time. Prior to her arrival in Miami, as a member of the Society’s Washington Province Provincial Team, Sr. Taylor had extensive familiarity with the governance of the schools of the Province. This experience served her exceptionally well when in 1982 the decision was made to establish local, lay Boards of Trustees, having full responsibility for governing each school under the Goals and Criteria for Sacred Heart Education in the United States. Sr. Taylor engineered the school’s next pivotal moment in the school’s history. Knowing that the school needed physical and psychological space for the educational and developmental needs of its young women, she embarked on the formidable task of acquiring the Duchesne Campus in 1991. Upon stepping down in 1998 after twenty years as Head, Sr. Taylor took on a dual role. She was appointed by the Provincial of the United States to Head the Sacred Heart Commission on Goals whose purpose is to hold accountable each Sacred Heart School for living the Sacred Heart mission and she was appointed by Sr. Cooke, her successor, as her Director for Special Projects, a role which had her at every construction meeting and every consultation with the artists responsible for Carrollton’s iconography. Perhaps Sr. Taylor will be best known and remembered for being the guiding force for bringing Carrollton its Chapel of Mater Admirabilis.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Raphael Bastian SH’83, P’16, ’18
Your example, even more than your words, will be an eloquent lesson to the world. Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat Raphael had an unparalleled passion for Sacred Heart education and our shared work at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. Her commitment to Carrollton’s mission, rooted in faith, intellect, service, and growth, resonated deeply with all whose lives she touched. We will continue to honor the life and legacy of Raphael, an example of wisdom, compassion, and leadership.