2023 Crystal Awards Program

O ra n g e Co u nty P ubl i c Sch ools

MARCH 31, 2023

Letter from the School Board Chair and Superintendent Dear OCPS Volunteers and Partners: Welcome to the 2023 Crystal Awards! We are thrilled to honor our outstanding ADDitions School Volunteers and Partners in Education during today’s celebration.

Your continuous commitment to donating your time and talent with Orange County Public Schools helps our students academically, socially and personally. It also brings much-needed resources to our nearly 209,000 students and school communities throughout the year. You read books with our students, assist our teachers, mentor our teens, make connections and give students the inspiration and the push they need.

As an amazing volunteer, you shine brightly, inspiring and providing supplemental learning opportunities and real-world knowledge to our students. Your contributions assist administrators, teachers and staff across the eighth-largest school district in the nation.

Our business partnerships, both new and long-term, go the distance by fulfilling campus needs, enhancing educational experiences and providing workforce opportunities for our students.

Just this past fall, our phenomenal partners jumped into action and helped OCPS families who were affected

by Hurricane Ian and Tropical Storm Nicole. Their efforts helped our families start on their road to recovery.

We are grateful to our partners and volunteers for being a part of our OCPS team. Your unwavering support is needed more than ever. Thank you for helping our teachers lead students to success, now and in the future.

Sincerely, Teresa Jacobs Chair School Board of Orange County

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Foundation for OCPS

Maria F. Vazquez, Ed.D Superintendent Orange County Public Schools

School Board of Orange County

Teresa Jacobs

District 2

Vice Chair | District 1

Alicia Farrant

Pam Gould

District 3

Vicki-Elaine Felder District 5

Maria Salamanca

Angie Gallo

Chair

District 4

Karen Castor Dentel District 6

Melissa Byrd District 7

2023 Crystal Awards

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Orange County Public Schools Cabinet

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Maria F. Vazquez

Superintendent

Mike Armbruster

Deputy Superintendent

Bridget Williams

Chief of Staff

Rory Salimbene

Acting Chief Facilities Officer

Doreen Concolino

Interim Chief Financial Officer

Mark Shanoff

Interim Chief Information Officer

Roberto Pacheco

Chief Operations Officer

Scott Howat

Chief Communications Officer and President, Foundation for OCPS

Kathryn Shuler

Chief Academic Officer

Harold Border

Chief Strategy Officer

Jose Martinez

Chief of High Schools

Patricia Fritzler

Area Superintendent, East Learning Community

Meredith Leftakis

Area Superintendent, North Learning Community

Rolando Bailey

Area Superintendent, Southeast Learning Community

Tashanda Brown-Cannon

Area Superintendent, Southwest Learning Community

Rahim Jones

Area Superintendent, West Learning Community

Rosa Grant

Acting Associate Superintendent, Career & Technical Education

Robert Bixler

Associate Superintendent, Curriculum & Digital Learning

Wendy Ivory

Associate Superintendent, Exceptional Student Education

John Wright

Associate Superintendent, Innovation Office

Leigh Ann Bradshaw

Associate Superintendent, Professional Learning Department

Jennifer Sasser

Associate Superintendent, Research, Accountability & Grants

Greg Moody

Associate Superintendent, School Choice Services

William Bohn

Associate Superintendent, School Transformation Office

James Preusser

Senior Executive Director, Human Resources

Foundation for OCPS

Agenda Reception Performance

Castleview Dragon Scales, Castleview Elementary

Hosts

Jose Fernandez, Board Chair, Foundation for Orange County Public Schools

Performance

Vocality, Boone High

Recognition of Honorees

Teresa Jacobs, Chair, School Board of Orange County

Host Sponsor

Jon Peterson, President, SeaWorld Orlando

Award Presentations

Volunteer Program Coordinators

Kevin Wellmaker, Music Director

Debi Pedraza, Executive Director, Foundation for Orange County Public Schools

Alex Pollard and Brooke Stoermer, Choral Directors

Maria F. Vazquez, Superintendent, Orange County Public Schools

ADDitions School Volunteer Coordinator Partners in Education Coordinator Community Involvement Coordinator Diamond Coordinator of the Year Outstanding Partners in Education School Honorees Learning Community Honorees District Honorees Outstanding ADDitions School Volunteers School Honorees Learning Community Honorees District Honorees

Closing Remarks

Debi Pedraza, Executive Director, Foundation for Orange County Public Schools

2023 Crystal Awards

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Jose Fernandez

President & CEO Florida Compass Group and Board Chair, Foundation for Orange County Public Schools

Jose Fernandez is a proud OCPS graduate of Colonial High School and parent of two Winter Park High School graduates. Mr. Fernandez is a founding partner of Florida Compass Group and recognized as one of Florida’s leading government-regulatory experts.

Mr. Fernandez leads the Infrastructure, Public Private Partnerships and Energy Division of the Florida Compass Group, where he has been a key advisor in securing more than $3 billion worth of infrastructure projects in the past 10 years.

Prior to establishing Florida Compass Group, Mr. Fernandez worked in several leadership roles within the City of Orlando under Mayor Buddy Dyer’s administration, including City Clerk, Director of General Administration, Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor of Public Policy and Business Development.

Mr. Fernandez earned a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American and Caribbean Affairs from Rollins College, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Central Florida, and is a graduate of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government program for senior executives in state and local government.

Mr. Fernandez serves as the Board Chair for the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, and has served on the board of directors for several public and private organizations, including Blue Beetle Energy, Fifth Third Bank (Florida affiliate), New World Bank International and the University of Central Florida Foundation.

Mr. Fernandez was recognized by the Orlando Business Journal as one of the 40 under 40 Central Florida business executives, and Orlando Magazine named him one of Central Florida’s 20 leaders of the 21st century.

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Foundation for OCPS

Hosts Debi Pedraza

Executive Director, Foundation for Orange County Public Schools

A proud graduate of Florida public schools and the University of Pennsylvania, Debi Pedraza has spent the last 26 years in educational fundraising and development, actively participating on teams that have raised more than $114 million for educational institutions in Massachusetts (a traditional boarding school), Maryland (a school and open community program for children and adults with developmental disabilities) and Florida (OCPS).

Prior to her work in educational fundraising and development, she served as a paralegal for five years. She was named the state of Indiana’s Paralegal of the Year for developing a statewide Code of Ethics for the profession.

Mrs. Pedraza joined OCPS in February 2013 as the district’s first Director of Philanthropic Development, and worked to secure resources needed to implement eight districtwide initiatives described in the OCPS Philanthropic Strategic Plan. In July 2016, she joined the Foundation as its Senior Director and became Executive Director in July 2020. As Executive Director, she leads 11 outstanding team members.

Mrs. Pedraza also served as Vice President of Education for the Central Florida chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals for three years. She is a member of the Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership, 100 Women Strong and the Fellowship of Women Leaders. She is a certified TetraMap facilitator and leads sessions on group dynamics for the district’s Emerging Leaders and Management Leaders Academies.

Most importantly, Mrs. Pedraza is an OCPS parent and volunteer. Her son is a seventh grader at Odyssey Middle School, and she tutors first graders at Vista Lakes Elementary School for Read2Succeed.

2023 Crystal Awards

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Diamond Volunteer Coordinator

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Foundation for OCPS

The Diamond Volunteer Coordinator of the Year represents more than 700 coordinators across the district who are dedicated to managing community involvement activities on their school campus or within their department, and embodies the overall characteristics of an exemplary site-based coordinator.

This coordinator is highly respected by the school staff and commmunity, and is extremely consistent in the efforts of recruitment, retention and recognition of the school’s volunteers and/ or business partners. The Diamond Coordinator must serve in a community involvement coordinator role for more than 10 years.

Denise Hartman

Diamond Coordinator of the Year

Dr. Phillips Elementary, Southwest Learning Community For more than 15 years, Denise Hartman has been a Partners in Education (PIE) Coordinator for Dr. Phillips Elementary as well as the ADDitions and Five Star School coordinator.

Principal Christine Rogers: “Denise manages her teaching responsibilities and extensive community involvement like no other. If there is a need within our walls, Denise will find a way to fill that void.”

As PIE coordinator, Ms. Hartman has brought many successful programs to life at Dr. Phillips Elementary. For the past seven years, Mathnasium has sponsored Math Curriculum Night and utilizes middle- and high-school student volunteers for math activities; secures Partners in Education financial support for PTA fall and spring fundraising events; maintains the business-partner incentive program for the Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA), teacher appreciation and giveaways and student-of-the-month celebrations.

Through school partnerships, Ms. Hartman has also provided dismissal car and book-bag tags for the past eight years, a playground sunshade, and has supported Honor Roll Spirit Night. It is simply not possible to cite everything that Denise has done while holding this position at Dr. Philips Elementary.

In terms of leadership, Denise takes charge effortlessly. She prepares a presentation at the beginning of the year to welcome partners and explain the benefits of their membership.

Denise invites the local businesses to speak to the classes for 20-25 minutes during the “TeachIn” event. Ms. Hartman attends the PIE trainings and provides recognition for local businesses through Facebook and Instagram, the school marquee, ConnectEd phone messages, principal newsletters and the DPES website. She also meets with PIE coordinators. She is in constant contact with community businesses, and informs them of current events and opportunities.

Her commitment to establishing a mutuallybeneficial partnership is evident in the fact that partners have informed us that their establishments are seeing a revenue increase due to their partnership with Dr. Phillips Elementary.

In terms of meeting the needs of both the community and our school, Denise has far surpassed expectations.

“Denise Hartman works tirelessly to better our school and its involvement within our vast community. Her relationship with business partners impacts student achievement, teacher morale and enhanced community relationships.

It is simple to say that we would be lost without her and that she makes our school a better place for students, families and communities alike.”

2023 Crystal Awards

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Outstanding Volunteer Evelyn Rosado

Community Involvement Coordinator Wyndham Lakes Elementary Southeast Learning Community

Evelyn Rosado is a pillar of Wyndham Lakes Elementary and its community. She makes sure events are well-executed, the school has enough volunteers and that everything is flawless.

Beyond overseeing a group of volunteers and completing a list of tasks, a great volunteer coordinator helps each member of the school and community to be more efficient while also using their skills to fulfill the long-term goals of the organization. Evelyn actively maintains the volunteer data using the eCoordinator site. She never stops recruiting community members to be ADDitions School Volunteers and Partners in Education. She strives to make Wyndham Lakes Elementary better every day!

Karl Moore, former Oxford professor and leadership researcher, states that “a good team leader is able to convince others to act upon a mission, helps resolve a crisis, addresses team concerns and ideas and knows when to push and when to allow people to relax.” Evelyn utilizes these qualities in her role as the community involvement coordinator and ESOL specialist every day. She has the best personality for recruiting school volunteers and having Wyndham Lakes Elementary staff donate their time for activities. Evelyn also actively recruits mentors for the different student-academic

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Foundation for OCPS

programs. It is because of Evelyn’s kindness and work ethic that people gravitate to her and support her ideas and school events!

As Partners in Education (PIE) Coordinator, Ms. Rosado organizes and places volunteers from PIE in as many school-volunteer opportunities as possible. She also coordinates the amazing Veterans Day breakfast, which includes food donations, decorating invitations, follow-up phone calls, greeting families, etc. She also had to reschedule the breakfast because of Tropical Storm Nicole, and could execute the event in an extraordinary way, which motivated everyone to attend! As the volunteer coordinator, Evelyn shares the overall vision, acts with empathy and has initiative. Organizations can be certain that the volunteer team’s work will reflect its values, be effective, and make a bigger impact in the long run.

“The students, parents, volunteers and Partners in Education love Ms. Rosado, and are always willing to volunteer again and again because she makes them feel right at home!”

Iris Roldan

ADDitions School Volunteer Coordinator Dommerich Elementary East Learning Community

Iris Roldan, affectionately known as Ms. Iris, is a beloved staff member at Dommerich Elementary.

In her role as the ADDitions program co-coordinator for the past 15 years, Ms. Iris has demonstrated

outstanding interpersonal skills with the students and their families and staff members. She has created efficient and structured customer-service systems for organizing hundreds of volunteers during Dommerich Elementary’s many large events, including grade-level field trips, fifth-grade, winter- and end-of-the-year class parties, the kindergarten costume parade, Teach-In, Read2Succeed and concerts. During all the events and celebrations, Ms. Iris ensures that the ADDitions School Volunteers are approved and prints their nametags. She singlehandedly manages the crowd as they arrive at the front office.

Through Dommerich Elementary’s partnership with UCF, 70 aspiring education students visit our classrooms each year. Ms. Roldan works with the school’s CRT and UCF professors and college students to ensure that all the ADDitions School Volunteers meet the eligibility requirements. In conjunction with the other cocoordinator, Ms. Iris has provided new staff and volunteers with an orientation session. She also acknowledges Dommerich Elementary’s school volunteers for their time and efforts by planning their annual volunteer breakfast.

Ms. Iris has worked at Dommerich Elementary for the past 22 years and is committed to creating an environment of care and respect for all of our volunteers.

“Ms. Iris is an amazingly impactful employee at Dommerich Elementary School who knows generations of families by

Program Coordinators name. She is also a respected and recognized individual in our school community.”

Elizabeth Rodriguez

Partners in Education Coordinator Lancaster Elementary Southeast Learning Community

Elizabeth Rodriguez embodies a spirit of service and is characterized by her warm, positive, energetic and welcoming demeanor. She interacts with Lancaster Elementary’s students with joy and patience. She always goes above and beyond while supporting families with exemplary customer-service skills and readily makes herself available to provide Spanish translation.

Lancaster Elementary’s Partners in Education are provided with substantial volunteering and gift-giving opportunities. Ms. Rodriguez’s leadership and fantastic interpersonal skills are demonstrated as she interacts with community members, volunteers and business partners.

While serving as the Partners in Education coordinator, she focuses on meeting the needs of Lancaster Elementary’s students and families.

During the months leading up to the winter break, Ms. Rodriguez secured the support of several Partners in Education that donated more than 200 wrapped toys and gifts for students in the McKinney-Vento Program and families in need.

Another example of Ms. Rodriguez’s excellent leadership

abilities has been demonstrated through ongoing collaborative efforts with Alive Church. On one occasion, volunteers received the opportunity to create sensoryfriendly stations within our kindergarten through secondgrade playground. Ms. Rodriguez joyously served as a liaison between school administration and church leadership to oversee the creation of these activities.

As a result of her leadership, passion and dedication, the playground has been wonderfully enhanced and provides additional areas for students to play independently or with one another. Student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive!

Lancaster Elementary’s parents and guardians are frequently provided with a variety of opportunities to support their children or larger groups of students. For example, parents who are local business owners or possess specific skills are frequently invited to participate in school events and are encouraged to share their expertise with other families.

Ms. Rodriguez has made an effort to build relationships with several parents. Parents mentor, host Zumba classes and provide their professional expertise to Lancaster Elementary’s families.

“Ms. Rodriguez embodies a spirit of service and is characterized by her warm, positive, energetic and welcoming demeanor.

She interacts with Lancaster Elementary’s students with joy and patience.”

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM COORDINATOR NOMINEES: Margaret Johnston ADDitions School Volunteer Coordinator Bay Lake Elementary Angela Delvillar ADDitions School Volunteer & Partners in Education Coordinator Bay Meadows Elementary Laura Ellis ADDitions School Volunteer Coordinator Hillcrest Elementary Tatiana Cozzo Community Involvement Coordinator Hunter’s Creek Middle Fatty Ayala Community Involvement Coordinator Liberty Middle Jacqueline Farrell ADDitions School Volunteer Coordinator Sand Lake Elementary Joanna Emanuel Cabellero ADDitions School Volunteer Coordinator Sun Blaze Elementary Lauren Whittington ADDitions School Volunteer Coordinator Thornebrooke Elementary

2023 Crystal Awards

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Outstanding ADDition DISTRICTWIDE HONOREES Elizabeth Michalski Outstanding Youth Volunteer Columbia Elementary East Learning Community

Elizabeth Michalski is an energetic, responsible and creative young lady.

She enjoys helping others and has a heart of gold, and puts her best effort in all that she does with a smile on her face. When she is given a task or an idea, she runs with it and the teachers know that it will get done correctly and with a creative flair.

Her dependability has also been a huge asset to Columbia Elementary.

Elizabeth has been volunteering in one capacity or another for the past five years. As an East River High school alumna and now a UCF student, she finds time to make an impact on many Columbia Elementary students. Elizabeth made alphabet and sight-word flash cards for 80 kindergarten students to use in the classroom and at home by their parents/guardians. The number goes even higher because the flashcards were shared with some of the first graders who needed extra help with their sight words after they finished kindergarten.

Elizabeth also donated her time to videotaping some virtual storytime read-alouds for the teachers to play for their students through Canvas.

“I volunteer as an ADDitions School Volunteer because helping others is what I enjoy. When it involves kids, that makes it even better!”

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Foundation for OCPS

Kim Lyons Outstanding Adult Volunteer Blankner School Innovation Office

Kim Lyons has volunteered and contributed more than 1,150 hours at the Blankner School since 2019. With her innovative creativity, she has kept the Blankner School community connected by coordinating the PTSA membership campaigns, maintaining the PTSA shopBlankner.com website, coordinating the Spirit Wear sales and being the co-chair of the room-parent program. On average, Kim volunteers 23 hours per week annually and has impacted most of Blankner School’s 700 students by making sure the schoolchildren, faculty and staff feel connected with her work on the STEAM program and PTSA. She works closely with the STEAM faculty to ensure supplies are plentiful and future projects are within budget. She acts as a liaison between the STEAM team and the PTSA, ensuring funds are reserved for the school’s STEAM programs.

Ms. Lyons’ regular presence on campus allows her to lend a helping hand wherever it’s needed, from the ADDitions School Volunteer recruitment and parent breakfast events, faculty and staff appreciation lunches, kindergarten orientation and the silent auction fundraiser to collaborating with the Blankner School’s administrative team.

The Blankner School and its community appreciates Kim’s time, talent and dedication.

“Whether near or far, we are all Bulldogs at Heart! I feel complete when I am helping others.”

Donald Dudley Outstanding Senior Volunteer Lake Weston Elementary Winegard Elementary Southeast Learning Community and School Transformation Office

Donald Dudley is a champion for today’s young scholars! His innovative STEM projects at both Lake Weston (one year) and Winegard (five years) elementary schools have empowered students with the knowledge and confidence to make a positive impact within themselves, in their family, at school and in the community! Students are excited when they know Mr. Dudley is going to be on campus because that means a new and exciting STEM project is in the works!

One of the most impactful projects led by Mr. Dudley in collaboration with the University of Florida/ IFAS Extension is mentoring students and growing a vegetable garden. Students learn vital nutrition lessons and how to be self-sustaining in growing their own food. Other projects have included an underwater robot creation to foster understanding of local lake and ocean cleanup efforts. Students have also created small rockets, circuit boards and planned and constructed simple architectural structures. Mr. Dudley also supports the students and families through his participation in our PTA, SAC, family events and annual Teach-In presentations.

ns School Volunteers It is amazing to see the lifelong, meaningful learning opportunities Mr. Dudley’s intergenerational interactions provide! It is a true legacy of yesterday and today working for a better tomorrow!

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

YOUTH VOLUNTEER HONOREES Therissa Leo

Andover Elementary Innovation Office

“I love to help students become efficient readers! I also volunteer because of the enrichment opportunties in the school system and environment.”

David Stewart Boone High High Schools Office

“I like volunteering in my school to help promote a strong sense of community and help others feel accepted and valued.”

Cameron Farr

Columbia Elementary East Learning Community

“I find kids so fascinating and funny.

You are who you are with kids.”

Kamryn Jackson

Oak Hill Elementary West Learning Community

“I enjoy giving back to the community.”

Alex Hanley

Wendy Milburn

“As a Sand Lake Elementary alumnus, I have memories that made me who I am today. Now, as an ADDitions School Volunteer, I get to share those memories with a diverse group of students while doing something I love by fostering their creativity and ambition.”

“My mom was a fifth-grade teacher, and I remember how much she loved it, even though she was overwhelmed with the workload and raising her children. She would also stay late at school to take care of the things she couldn’t do during her lesson-planning period.

I volunteer as a tribute and nod to my mom. If I can give a teacher just a few minutes of their day back, then I consider it a win.”

Sand Lake Elementary Southwest Learning Community

Elizabeth Guardado Rubio

Walker Middle Southeast Learning Community

“I volunteer at Walker Middle School because this is where I started growing as a bilingual student. Therefore, by volunteering at this school, I am showing my gratitude for all the knowledge that I have received.”

ADULT VOLUNTEER HONOREES Arti Bhavsar Blankner School Innovation Office

“This is OUR Blankner! We can’t be our community’s school without our community’s involvement. Donate, volunteer and fundraise for organizations on any platform. Together, we can create a better school!”

Cynthia Strauss

Camelot Elementary East Learning Community

“I volunteer because it truly warms my heart to see the joy the kids receive from the PTA’s hard work, which is very rewarding.”

Clay Springs Elementary North Learning Community

Gemieshia Wimberly Edgewater High High Schools Office

“I enjoy making a difference while being of service. I volunteer my time because I love being around my kids. I want to get to know their friends and be involved in their hobbies. I’m a single mom, so while I don’t always have money to give, I know giving my time is priceless!”

Kenneth Bourgoin

OCPS Academic Center for Excellence Southwest Learning Community

“Helping kids fall in love with food, and the process of making food, brings me joy.”

Kevin Green

Orange Technical College East Campus Career and Technical Education

“As a partner and volunteer, I believe Orange Technical College is a worldclass career and technical program that’s right here in our backyard, and should be considered a postsecondary, first-choice option. It is also deeply rewarding to use my skills to give back to this community.”

2023 Crystal Awards

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Outstanding ADDitions School Volunteers Victoria Lockshin

Michael Orr

LeAnna Jackson

“I volunteer because I care about the teachers and staff at Sally Ride Elementary as well as making a difference in my son and his fellow students’ lives.”

“I volunteer to make a positive difference in the life of a child.

I receive joy from a student’s creativity and energy.”

“I volunteer because I believe if I make a difference in one student’s life, then I have planted a seed that will impact many.”

Lois Fakioglu

Sarah Braymer

“Volunteering gives me the opportunity to ‘hang out’ with some amazing people, keeps me in touch with what’s happening, and is a way I can give back to our schools.”

“I was an elementary school teacher for eight years, so I know all the extra ‘volunteer’ hours that teachers put in during the school year. It is also important for students to have positive, adult-role models because not all students have that at home.

In addition, volunteering shows my children that school is important and worth investing my time.”

Sally Ride Elementary Southeast Learning Community

Amy Shova

Windermere Elementary West Learning Community

“I volunteer as an ADDitions School Volunteer to help make our community the best place possible. I love watching children grow and find themselves in this giant world. I also volunteer to help them on their adventure.”

SENIOR VOLUNTEER HONOREES Dot Jervis

Blankner School Innovation Office

“Being a mother and having the opportunity to love and care for children is amazing, but volunteering and sharing those feelings and opportunities with so many students is one of the greatest feelings I have ever had!”

Doretha Mollett

Conway Elementary Southeast Learning Community

“My passion is to work with struggling students. I love celebrating with them and their successes.”

Garry Mott

Lake Sybelia Elementary North Learning Community

“Working with students with disabilities is far more rewarding than any job I have ever been paid to do.”

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Foundation for OCPS

Maxey Elementary West Learning Community

Olympia High High Schools Office

Theresa Crouch

Palm Lake Elementary Southwest Learning Community

“I love the kids, kindergarten team and school! Volunteering provides me with an opportunity to help teachers!”

Barbara Bierd

Union Park Elementary East Learning Community

“Volunteering helps me stay in touch with the children in my community.

The students keep this spunky senior moving and young at heart.”

MENTOR VOLUNTEER HONOREES Elaine Myers

Bonneville Elementary East Learning Community

“I volunteer because I know how hard the teachers and staff work to make a difference in the lives of the kids at Bonneville Elementary.

Every student deserves to feel valued and heard. I love being a very small part of helping them do that.”

Boone High High Schools Office

Hunter’s Creek Elementary Southwest Learning Community

Lance Lewis

Oak Hill Elementary West Learning Community

“Mentoring is fun and helps our kids.”

Tina Huber

Pershing School Innovation Office

“I believe that all children deserve and need to believe they matter.

As a mentor volunteer, I have the opportunity to encourage, support and foster positive selfworth in the students I work with at the Pershing School.”

Ray Malatino

Sally Ride Elementary Southeast Learning Community

“I really want students to be excited about mathematics, which will hopefully lead to careers in STEM.”

ADDitions School Volunteers S C H O O L- L E V E L H O N O R E E S

Categories include: (1) Youth, (2) Adult, (3) Senior and (4) Mentor Erin Provenzale

Audubon Park School

Amy Jessee

Community Outreach

Winston Axtell

Lake Nona Middle

Nancy Bigot

Julia Diniz Nogueira

Brittany Kiniry

Diana Bjorkman Wade

Nanette Campbell

Avalon Elementary

Conway Elementary

Amy Zolessi

Elizabeth McGlamery

Baldwin Park Elementary

Tatum Delia

Bay Lake Elementary

Shannon Julian

Bay Meadows Elementary

Mary Coddington

Bay Meadows Elementary

Amarra Kerr

Rashad Russell Legacy Middle

Panther Lake Elementary

Candice Simmons

Suzanne Archer

Marcia Swenson Pershing School

Walker Middle

Sharon Warner

Avani Babwah

Rebecca Wallace

Corrine Grady

Talitha Roper

Antonia Williams

East Lake Elementary

Liberty Middle

Dena Reyes

Nancy Pelser-Borowicz

Ashley Smith

Bonneville Elementary

Hamlin Elementary

Sharon Chacon

Maria Silvia Goulart

Amy Bhasavar

Legacy Middle

Little River Elementary

Benjamin Stovall

Boone High

Legacy Middle

Evans High

Gotha Middle

Sarah Kittrell

Little River Elementary

Odette Estrada Torres Lovell Elementary

Angelica Rujano

Hamlin Elementary

McCoy Elementary

Catherine Knight-Brewer

Judith Vega

Howard Middle

Meadow Woods Elementary

Gloria LeQuang

Andrea Caldas Dourado

Hunter’s Creek Elementary

Ashley Merritt

Millennia Elementary

Lauren Curlew

Boone High

Independence Elementary

Moss Park Elementary

Alison Dick

Tahani Hadiah

Michelle Barber

Brookshire Elementary

Deja Wright

Camelot Elementary

DaNiesha Byron

Cheney Elementary

Vanessa Faberlle

Cheney Elementary

Zachara Mas

Columbia Elementary

Anneudy Tucker-Reitz

Deborah McDonald

Eagle Creek Elementary

Blankner School

Bonneville Elementary

Louise Garvey

Hannah Beaujon

Deborah Routh

Brandyn Largo

Sun Blaze Elementary

Stephanie McGatlin

Dream Lake Elementary

Louell White

Bonneville Elementary

Frances Bromhead

Olympia High

Lancaster Elementary

Eccleston Elementary

Yaryna Levytska

Michael McCourt

Margaret Senese

Summerlake Elementary

Dommerich Elementary

Bay Meadows Elementary Blankner School

Lakemont Elementary

Olympia High

John Young Elementary

Allyson Billie

Keene’s Crossing Elementary

Edward Lundell

Keene’s Crossing Elementary

Michele Garbalosa

Lake Buena Vista High

Thomas Naus

Lake Gem Elementary

NorthLake Park Community School

Taylor Bracy

Orlando Gifted Academy

Ashleigh Cardillo

Palm Lake Elementary

Jacqueline Turner

Pershing School

Nivia Gracia

Walker Middle

Desiree Wade

Jordan Jackson

Stephanie Ludden

Pine Hills Elementary

Kadesha Beltran

Wedgefield School

Aubrey Worth

Riverdale Elementary

Wedgefield School

Tonya Jeffers

Leslie Hacha-Rodriguez

Rolling Hills Elementary

Stephanie Burke

Rosemont Elementary

Harinie Jeyisanker

Westbrooke Elementary

Karl Persaud

Windy Ridge K-8

Cecilia Dimino

Sally Ride Elementary

Windy Ridge K-8

Janet Lusby

Dolores Rodriguez

Sally Ride Elementary

Beth Hibbs

Sand Lake Elementary

Jan Harding

Annette Adjutant

Shingle Creek Elementary

Helen Moses

South Creek Middle

Michael Ludford

Stone Lakes Elementary

OCPS Academic Center for Excellence

Diana Heinzman

Timber Creek High

Washington Shores Elementary

Shenandoah Elementary

Oak Hill Elementary

Jennifer Julian

Thornebrooke Elementary

Phillis Wheatley Elementary

NorthLake Park Community School Oak Hill Elementary

SunRidge Middle

Nirlande Singleton Gloria Sanchez Ashley Koca

Windy Ridge K-8

Laila Egan

Windy Ridge K-8

Eugene Kalley

Winter Park High

Yokena Martinez

Wyndham Lakes Elementary

Andres Rodriguez

Wyndham Lakes Elementary

Lucia Ojeda

Zellwood Elementary

2023 Crystal Awards

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Outstanding Partn FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS RECOGNITION AWARDS AND ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARTNERS OF THE YEAR Mathnasium Districtwide Partnership 50+ School Partnerships Community Outreach Office Mathnasium believes in supporting Orange County Public Schools and has adopted more than 50 schools throughout the county!

Mathnasium’s representatives are engaged with schools year round. Partnership activities range from attending and sponsoring Meet the Teacher, Open House, math curriculum nights and district math competition events to providing student and teacher scholarships. Mathnasium also provides gift incentives to support several school functions and participation, including sponsoring school teams since the inception of the Foundation for OCPS’ School Spirit Run. Mathnasium is willing to jump into the equation and help the schools reach their overall objectives.

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Foundation for OCPS

Nemours Children’s Health

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church

Districtwide Partnerships Cheney Elementary, Lake Nona High, NorthLake Park Community School, Phillis Wheatley Elementary, Windermere High, Winegard Elementary, Foundation for OCPS, High Schools Office, OCPS Health Services and OCPS Student Services

College Park Middle, Edgewater High and Lake Silver Elementary High Schools Office and North Learning Community

Nemours Children’s Health has established several partnerships across the district. They offer a variety of services and training for students and staff, including mental health resilience and coping skills and life-saving skills, such as hands-only CPR. Nemours’ team members enthusiastically participate in the OCPS Parent Academy and provide parents with well-care tips and resources to encourage healthy families. Several of the employees work with districtlevel groups and serve on OCPS boards and committees, such as, the Medical Advisory Committee, School Health and Wellness Advisory Council, the Foundation for OCPS Board of Directors, Community Outreach Committee and more. This year, Nemours had the opportunity to sponsor a student-choice book fair at three OCPS elementary schools. Nemours continues to seek and collaborate with OCPS to strengthen the community connections for school and home, which in turn strengthens the entire community.

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church has become a stable partner for three College Park community schools: College Park Middle, Edgewater High and Lake Silver Elementary students, who can count on seeing the support and blessings from their neighborhood church. St. Michael’s Assistant Parish Administrator and Outreach Coordinator, Mike Robertson, has worked effortlessly with the Partners in Education coordinators and school administrators to bring enthusiasm and excitement through a variety of activities and collaborative projects. One such project was assisting Lake Silver Elementary with getting an industrial washer and dryer for the school. St. Michael’s also conducts an annual supply drive and bi-monthly “Feed My Lambs” project, which helps restock Lake Silver Elementary’s food-pantry shelves with much-needed items for students’ families.

ners in Education DISTRICTWIDE HONOREES CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION Lane Technology Solutions Technology Orange Technical College East Campus “Orange Technical College has had, and continues to have, a huge impact on the success of Lane Technology Solutions. Thirteen of our 16 team members (including our owner, Jim Lane) are currently registered or have completed the technology program(s) at OTC. Lane Technology Solutions values the partnership we have developed over the years with OTC, and look forward to lending any assistance that we can as an industry partner to keep the college’s technology programs current and successful.”

EAST LEARNING COMMUNITY Julirose Icy Treats Restaurant Cheney Elementary “When working in harmony toward a common goal, success is inevitable.”

Youth Families and Communities United, Inc. Nonprofit Union Park Middle

Hampton Inn & Suites Orlando Airport

Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando

Hospitality Little River Elementary

Hospitality Jones High

“We partner so that we are actively engaged with the community.”

“It is easier to build strong children than fix broken men.” - Frederick Douglass

Eastern Homes Professional Wedgefield School “As business owners, community members and parents of students at Wedgefield School, we believe it is important to repay the community for all they instill in our children’s lives. By being a Partner in Education, we can actively give back to the school and the community through volunteering our time and resources.”

INNOVATION OFFICE Wetfoots Retail Arbor Ridge K-8

HIGH SCHOOLS OFFICE

“Wetfoots’ main mission is to share and teach how easy and sustainable hydroponics can be for people. Our partnership with Arbor Ridge K-8 and OCPS will reach an entire generation of youth that can take our system and educational tools that we supply to truly change the way people eat and grow!”

Harbor House of Central Florida

Authentic Exploration Matters

Nonprofit Boone High

Nonprofit Arbor Ridge K-8

“I believe if I make a difference in one student’s life, then I would have planted a seed that will impact many.”

“Partnering with educators to bring resources and opportunities for authentic exploration in their classrooms is who we are and what we do in the community. Connecting with passionate educators, like the Arbor Ridge K-8 staff, is an amazing gift that allows us to help them engage students in a way that empowers everyone involved.”

Flippers Pizzeria SoDo District Restaurant Boone High “We love our community and are here to support our Boone Braves!”

“A small deed can have a huge impact.”

2023 Crystal Awards

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Outstanding Partn DISTRICTWIDE HONOREES Essential Mind and Body

Starbucks

Health Blankner School

Restaurant Pinewood Elementary

“I’ve always felt a responsibility to give back to Blankner School and my local community.”

“This work fills my bucket.”

NORTH LEARNING COMMUNITY Welbro Building Corporation Professional Riverside Elementary “A major part of Welbro’s philosophy is building relationships, not only with our clients and industry partners, but also with the communities where we work and live. As a local, employee-owned business, this is especially important and part of the company culture. One of our main markets is education, where our company builds schools. When the opportunity arose to partner with Riverside Elementary, a local school that was also built by Welbro, we were delighted to help. Besides the obvious benefit to the community, giving back builds camaraderie and stirs a competitive spirit and sense of gratitude within the workplace.”

New Life Ministries World Outreach Center, Inc. Faith Based Rolling Hills Elementary “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” - 1 John 4:1

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Foundation for OCPS

ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS Universal Orlando Resort Hospitality and Tourism Alternative Schools “Being a mentor and partner allows us to share our experiences and wisdom with the students to guide them into their future professional endeavors. We get just as much out of the mentoring relationship as the students do because they bring a smile to our faces and a great outlook for future generations.”

Ur Learning Solution Education Orange County Virtual School “I partnered with Orange County Vitrual School because I believe it is important to support the students, staff and school. I know first-hand how hard it can be to keep students engaged and motivated, so helping the teachers by encouraging their students is a no-brainer. However, we also must motivate our teachers and staff. I am glad that I can assist by providing incentives for the school’s hard-working students and staff.”

SOUTHEAST LEARNING COMMUNITY Taft Neighborhood Center for Families Nonprofit Sally Ride Elementary “The Partners in Education program helps me connect with the members of our community.”

Championship Martial Arts Lake Nona Sports Vista Lakes Elementary “We love working with our local elementary schools, which is a way of exposing more students and families to the values and benefits of martial-arts training.”

Essendant Financial Winegard Elementary “Any individual or business who has interest in helping their local community be a better place to live and wants to create a better world for our children should partner with their local schools.”

ners in Education DISTRICTWIDE HONOREES SOUTHWEST LEARNING COMMUNITY Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt Restaurant Dr. Phillips Elementary “We love our Dr. Phillips Elementary partnership and working with Ms. Hartman. We believe our partnership helps make it a better school, boosts the teachers’ morale and is a great incentive for the students.”

Helpro Cleaning Services Professional Memorial Middle “We want to give back as much as we can and make a difference in the community. Memorial Middle’s students are our community’s future and we hope to inspire and provide them with opportunities.”

Evermore Resort Hospitality Millennia Gardens Elementary “The Evermore Resort loves our culture and believes in our values.

We also believe that community involvement is the power to positively impact the community in which we operate.”

HOPE Worldwide Orlando Faith Based Sadler Elementary “Being a Partner in Education begins with our slogan, ‘Helping Other People Everywhere.’ One way we do that is through forming a relationship, which is meant to help children succeed. Our joy is seeing a student who smiles and begins to have a fire and desire to learn.”

Huey Magoo’s of Winter Garden Restaurant Panther Lake Elementary “Huey Magoo’s partners with Panther Lake Elementary to create a sense of community with the school and vencourage students, staff and families to get involved.”

stART Studio Education Thornebrooke Elementary

WEST LEARNING COMMUNITY The Nurture Place

“Stay connected and help ‘my school’ by promoting creativity through art.”

Nonprofit Maxey Elementary “As a nonprofit that is providing family support and mental health resources to children, individuals and families, The Nurture Place believes all members in the community can collaboratively work together to provide tools and resources to strengthen families. It is an honor to partner with Maxey Elementary and the excellent work they do to provide a safe environment and the use of multilayered resources to care for the whole child.”

2023 Crystal Awards

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Partners in Education S C H O O L- L E V E L H O N O R E E S

Categories include: (1) Faith Based/Government/Health/Nonprofit, (2) Hospitality/Tourism, (3) Restaurant/Retail/Sports and (4) Education/Financial/Professional/Technology The Core Financial Group

The Naked Cupcake - Lake Nona Eagle Creek Elementary

Meadow Woods Elementary

By G.R.A.C.E. Mentoring, Inc.

Herff Jones

The Kendrick Team Powered by eXp Realty

Alternative Schools

UAW Local 1649

Alternative Schools

Edgewater High

Gatorland

Onyx IP Group

Championship Martial Arts Avalon Park

Pediatric Dentistry of Horizon West Hamlin Elementary

Oak Hill Elementary

Outback Steakhouse Winter Park

Downtown Baptist Church Orlando

Greenway Ford

Audubon Park School

Avalon Elementary

Evans High

Baldwin Park Elementary

Championship Martial Arts Baldwin Park Brookshire Elementary

Brown Home Group @ Keller Williams Realty Camelot Elementary

M J Embroidery and Screen Printing

Lake Buena Vista High

Alive Church

Lake Gem Elementary

Clay Springs Elementary

Lancaster Elementary

Yontz Enterprises, Inc. DBA

Elizabeth Milner Voyage Retirement Solutions Legacy Middle

Chick-fil-A Waterford Lakes Legacy Middle

IDEAS for Us

High Performance Promotions

Legacy Middle

Kidz Therapy Zone - SoDo

Apopka Calvary Nazarene Church

Sanford Brewing Company Maitland Dommerich Elementary

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Foundation for OCPS

Piesanos - Windermere Summerlake Elementary

Rotary Club of Dr. Phillips

John Young Elementary

Conway Elementary

Shingle Creek Elementary

Livingston Street Church of God

Lil Chefs Academy

Conway Elementary

Culver’s of Orlando - Millenia

Esteem Dental

Independence Elementary

Conway Elementary

Bears Who Care

Shenandoah Elementary

Stephany Cornelius Group

Wekiwa Springs Baptist Church

Texas Roadhouse Orlando Airport Lee Vista

NorthLake Park Community

UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program

Oak Hill Elementary

City of Destiny Church

McDonald’s Columbia Elementary

The Naked Cupcake

Sand Lake Elementary

Howard Middle

St. Joseph Council of Catholic Women Camelot Elementary

Moss Park Elementary

Hilton Garden Inn Lake Buena Vista

Lovell Elementary

Feed and Fortify

McCoy Elementary

OCPS Academic Center for Excellence

Fifth Third Bank - Ocoee Orange Technical College West Campus

Sun Blaze Elementary

Tangelo Park Elementary

Chick-fil-A Waterford Lakes Timber Springs Middle

Orlando Solar Bears

Orlando Gifted Academy

Title I Federal Programs – McKinney-Vento (Homeless Education) Program

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes

Union Park Elementary

Above & Beyond for Change

Westpointe Elementary

The Celeste Hotel Orlando

Ellie Lou’s Brews and BBQ Ocoee

Educational Life Company

Pershing School

Pinewood Elementary Riverdale Elementary

The Wilkins Way

Ladies With Class

Windermere Elementary

Youth Program Development Consulting

That’s the Spot Massage

Gospel Centered Church

Wyndham Lakes Elementary

The Core Financial Group

Zellwood Elementary

Roberto Clemente Middle Rock Springs Elementary Rosemont Elementary

Winter Park High

The Core Financial Group Renewal Church

Wall of Fame Partners

Diamond Coordinators

Addition Financial (2011) Financial Partner

Denise Bainbridge (2021) Partners in Education Coordinator 20+ Years

Baptiste Orthodontics (2021) Health Partner BellSouth (1996) Professional Partner Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (2011) Hospitality Partner Donald Royal of the Orlando Magic (1996) Sports Partner Junior League of Greater Orlando (2011) Nonprofit Partner Lockheed Martin (1996) Professional Partner NationsBank (1996) Financial Partner Orlando Economic Partnership (2011) Professional Partner SeaWorld Orlando (1996 & 2011) Hospitality Partner St. Luke’s United Methodist Church (2021) Faith-Based Partner Strawbridge Studios, Inc. (2021) Professional Partner

Betty Chandler (2021) ADDitions and Partners in Education Coordinator 25+ Years Dr. Monica Johnson (2021) ADDitions and Partners in Education Coordinator 25+ Years Martha O’Connell (2021) Partners in Education Coordinator 25+ Years Leah Slaughter (2021) Partners in Education Coordinator 20+ Years Colita Smith (2021) ADDitions and Partners in Education Coordinator 25+ Years

2023 Crystal Awards

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Thank You to our Sponsors:

Special Thanks To: SeaWorld Orlando

Award Announcers

All Orange County Public Schools

Bill Schmidt Manager, Event Services

Jose Fernandez, Board Chair, Foundation for OCPS Debi Pedraza, Executive Director, Foundation for OCPS

ADDitions School Coordinators Community Outreach Event Staff Volunteers Mentor Coordinators OCPS Cabinet OCPS Media Relations OCPS Public Relations and Graphics OCPS Video Services Partners in Education Coordinators Principals Program Administrators Students Teachers

Alex Jacobsen Event Staff

Strawbridge Studios Photographers Al Scotti Jody Brinkman Veronica Gomez Brooke Sharpe

Performers Boone High, Vocality Castleview Elementary, Dragon Scales

Video Producer George Fournier

Community Outreach, District Foundation Pam Carson, Assistant Director Vaidwattie Jagmohan, Administrator, ADDitions School Volunteers Kathleen Wright, Manager, Partners in Education

OCPS EEO Non-Discrimination Statement The School Board of Orange County, Florida, does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities, on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other reason prohibited by law. The School Board also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular school activities.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies, reports of alleged violations, concerns about compliance and/or the grievance procedure(s), etc.

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Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer & Title IX:

ADACoordinator

Section 504:

Staff Attorney II Office of Legal Services (407) 317-3411

Jay Cardinali ADA Compliance Officer Office of Legal Services (407) 250-6248

Tajuana Lee-Wenze Director ESE Procedures/Compliance (407) 317-3279

Keshara Cowans Foundation for OCPS

Thank You