YPO Pays Tribute to Educators of Note Honorees
Love this! Time to recognize the teachers for their committed devotion to our children, the future of our community! Yes, the Young Patronesses of the Opera honored Educators of Note honorees with a special luncheon on the 20th anniversary of the esteemed award. Educators of Note are Miami-Dade County elementary and middle school teachers, both public and private, who have inspired their students musically. These teachers are leaders in their field, many holding master's degrees, PhDs, titles of Who's Who of American Teachers, Teachers of the Year, National Board Certified Teachers, and recipients of many national and international awards.
The Educator of Note (EoN) award was conceived by Karyn Kennedy Herterich, past President of YPO, and is funded by The Ethel and W. George Kennedy Family Foundation. EoN winners receive a cash prize of $2,000. Karyn wished to honor her mother, Ethel Kennedy, and Louise Todaro, Chair Emeritus of the EoN committee, as well as this outstanding group for their contributions to our youth and their devotion to music education. Supporters and friends celebrated the afternoon at La Goree Country Club. EoN Co-Chair and luncheon chair Julie Todaro, along with her committee, including EoN Co-Chair Sheri Swanson, Janis Ramirez, Susanne Kayyali, Jacqueline Major, Linda Lindsey Meyers and YPO President Patricia Mederos, ensured all enjoyed a delightful event full of music and tokens of appreciation for the honorees.
The afternoon reception paid tribute to the worthy awardees: Fam- ily of Lillian Naruns (deceased), Sheila Firestone, Dr. Janet Duguay Kirsten, Timothy A. Sharp, Leslie Cooper, Jacqueline E. Moody, Sylvia Constantinidis, Antoinette Puhn, Maggie Palmer, Abigail Rubin, Dr. Yasmin Alvarez, Monica Harmon, Maria Murawka and Odalys Valdes-Caous. Unable to attend were Diane Mauch, Dr. Katherine Driscoll, Jennifer McLean Stadelmeyer, Magda Cruz Louriero, Mary Alice Kays and Atala Mendiola. Also present were Justin Moss, Florida Grand Opera Director of Broward Operations and Outreach, and Bryan Petorak, District Supervisor of Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
By Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard | Published by The Miami Herald