M-DCPS Celebrates Values Matter Miami Pop-Up Awards Winners

From the Miami-Dade County Public Schools:

May 27, 2021

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) held Values Matter Miami (VMM) Pop-up Awards Ceremonies at various schools throughout the District over five days. During these short ceremonies, the Student Services team traveled by school bus to recognize students, staff
and school winners.

The VMM awards are an opportunity to celebrate the values-based education that M-DCPS provides for students. Over the last six years, this initiative has made tremendous progress as evidenced by improved school culture and student behavior. The ceremony is the culmination of this year’s effort to teach, reinforce and celebrate behaviors that align with the District’s nine core values.

The winning students and staff members were recognized with trophies, certificates and a swag bag provided by the Miami Dolphins, a VMM community partner. The winners were also celebrated via social media.

Listed below for each Core Value are two winning students, a staff member and a school winner:

CITIZENSHIP

Meilyn Colina, 3rd grade, Sylvania Heights Elementary

Fernard Nolton, 6th grade, Horace Mann Middle

Erick Costa, P.E. Coach, Madie Ives K-8 Preparatory Academy

School – Coral Reef Elementary

COOPERATION

Cristian Garciasaquil, 2nd grade, Broadmoor Elementary

George Pickens, 12th grade, Miami Northwestern Senior High

Yessenia Carvajal, Paraprofessional, Irving and Beatrice Peskoe K-8 Center

School – Gertrude K. Edelman/Sabal Palm Elementary

FAIRNESS

Sebastian Garcia, Kindergarten, Andrea Castillo Preparatory Academy

Gianna Siciliano, 8th grade, Palmetto Middle

Karen Adamson, Teacher, Howard D. McMillan Middle

School - Caribbean K-8 Center

HONESTY

Lila Granja, 1st grade, Leewood K-8 Center

Brianna Johnson, 8th grade, Georgia Jones Ayers Middle

Karen Rozier-Floyd, Security Monitor, Golden Glades Elementary

School – Colonial Drive Elementary

INTEGRITY

Tara Conklin, 4th grade, Parkview Elementary

Nicholas Guinn, 6th grade, Jorge Mas Canosa Middle

Jefereal Johnson, JROTC Interim Instructor, Booker T. Washington Senior High

School – Medical Academy for Science and Technology

KINDNESS

Ana Salas, 3rd grade, Claude Pepper Elementary

Kevin Fernandez, 7th grade, Ernest R Graham K-8 Academy

Natalia Fajardo, Clerical, International Studies Preparatory Academy

School - Riviera Middle

PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

Melvin Cox, 4th grade, Barbara Hawkins Elementary

Andrey Khavtorin, 7th grade, Aventura Waterways K-8 Preparatory Academy

Sherronni Brady, Assistant Principal, TERRA Environmental Center

School – Coral Reef Senior High

RESPECT

Edier Chiong, 4th grade, Banyan Elementary

Ronald Candelario-Pérez, 8th grade, Marcus A. Milam K-8 Center

Kadie Montano, Assistant Principal, George Washington Carver Elementary

School – Santa Clara Elementary

RESPONSIBILITY

Oscar Melendez, 3rd grade, Norwood Elementary

Javier Armando Espinosa, 11th grade, Westland Hialeah Senior High

Stacy Sessions, Teacher, E.W.F. Stirrup Elementary

School – Rubén Darío Middle

This press release was produced by the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.