(Fort Lauderdale, Fla) – Each year, thousands of graduates from Broward County Public Schools move on to become teachers, entrepreneurs, business and civic leaders making significant contributions to the community.
To recognize distinguished alumni of Broward County Public Schools, Broward Education Foundation has announced its “2017 Hall of Fame” honorees. These outstanding individuals will be recognized at the Publix Super Markets Charities “Hall of Fame Breakfast” presented by Memorial Healthcare System at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 19 at First Baptist Church -Global Grille, 301 E. Broward Blvd. Individual tickets are $50.
This year’s JM Family Enterprises Inc. Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring an alumnus who has made an indelible mark in the community, is Keith Koenig, president and CEO of City Furniture. Koenig graduated from Northeast High School in 1969 and has been a philanthropist and advocate for education and children for more than 40 years.
Three honorees will receive the Bank of America Community Achievement Award for significant achievements in any field are:
- Lisa Scott Founds, President and CEO of Winterfest, Stranahan High School, Class of 1981
- Max Osceola, Jr., Native American Issues Consultant, McArthur High School, Class of 1968
- Shane Strum, Senior Vice President of Memorial Healthcare System, Hollywood Hills High School, Class of 1988
Receiving the Education Achievement Award for their dedication to a career in public education are:
- James F. Griffin II, Lauderdale Lakes Middle School Principal, Dillard High School, Class of 1989
- Patrick McQuaid, Nova High School Athletic Director, Nova High School, Class of 1968
- Elaine Saef, Panther Run Elementary School Principal, Hollywood Hills High School, Class of 1982
During the Hall of Fame breakfast, Broward Education Foundation also will pay special tribute to Brian W. Dassler, Ph.D., former Florida Department of Education Deputy Chancellor of Quality Education and Cooper City High School class of 1997 alumnus, who passed away earlier this year.
“We are exceedingly proud of the remarkable accomplishments and unwavering dedication of our illustrious honorees-they are true role models for today’s students,” said Christina Fischer, chair of the Broward Education Foundation Board. “We appreciate the impact they have on our students, schools and community. It’s so important for us to pay it forward by inspiring, mentoring and supporting our students as they become the next generation of game changers.”
Immediately following the breakfast, the BrightStar Credit Union “Walk of Fame” Alumni star unveiling for the honorees will take place at the Broward County Public Schools District Office, 600 S.E. Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
In addition to Publix Super Markets Charities, Memorial Healthcare System, BrightStar Credit Union, JM Family Enterprises, Inc. and Bank of America, other sponsors also include D. Stephenson Construction, Inc., Comcast, Wells Fargo and Charter Schools of Excellence.
About the Broward Education Foundation:
Established in 1983, the nonprofit Broward Education Foundation (BEF) aligns with Broward County Public Schools by providing support for innovative teaching to advance Pre K-12 achievement; critically needed educational materials for Title I school teachers and students, and scholarships for qualified high school seniors. Each year, the Foundation contributes more than $3 million to Broward County schools, serving as the catalyst for educational excellence.
For more information, call 754-321-2030, visit www.browardedfoundation.org, like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/browardeducationfoundation or follow us on twitter @BrowardEdFound.
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