Page 1 - Hobe Sound Reflections - December '24

VOL. 25 NO. 12 www.seabreezepublications.com DECEMBER 2024

Education Foundation Of Martin County

Announces Teacher Of The Year Award Winners

Tonight, the Education Foundation of Martin County announced its Teacher of the Year
winners during a special celebration at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center. Vanessa
Molina-Council of Citrus Grove Elementary School took top honors and was named the
2024-2025 Martin County Teacher of the Year. She will go on to represent Martin County in
the state competition to become the Florida Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year.
Devin Carlson, partner and general manager of Audi Stuart, Infiniti Stuart and Alfa Romeo
Stuart, the event sponsor, presented Molina-Council with the award.
The Education Foundation also recognized Alicia Carter of Hidden Oaks, who won the
middle school category, and Samantha Pankhurst of Jensen Beach High, the high school
category winner. There were a total of 23 nominees competing for the top spots.
In addition, Felix A. Williams Elementary School won the Spirit Award, which was based
on its theme, costumes, props and enthusiasm.
Molina-Council’s students inspire her to be a classroom teacher. She grew up in low-
income housing with non-English speaking parents and a sibling who had a disability. They
both attended inner city public schools in rough neighborhoods, but her teachers made
them feel valued and respected and provided their parents with guidance and resources.
This experience inspired her to pursue the teaching profession.
Felix A. Williams Elementary won the School Spirit Award, sponsored by the Education
Education Foundation on page 3 Foundation of Martin County. (Photo by Paul Careccia)
Hanley Foundation And Mark United Way Of Martin

Garwood Foundation Raise County Celebrates

$120,000 For Education Community Leaders

Scholarships At Eighth Annual United Way of Martin

Shoot For The Moon County kicked off its
annual campaign with
the Community Leaders’
Celebration luncheon at
The Hanley Foundation and the Mark Sailfish Point Country
Garwood Foundation raised $120,000 during Club on October 28.
the Eighth Annual Shoot for the Moon on Nearly 200 people from
Friday, November 1, at the South Florida this fine community
Shooting Club in Palm City. This year’s came together to
event marked a milestone as the Hanley honor and celebrate
Foundation officially partnered with the their outstanding
Mark Garwood Foundation to continue achievements from the
to provide education scholarships for past year while looking
individuals in recovery from substance use towards an even brighter
disorder (SUD). future. At the luncheon,
After a warm welcome from the Garwood United Way thanked
family and a safety briefing, more than the many generous
188 shooters took the field for the friendly organizations and
competition. Participants and guests enjoyed dedicated individuals The Live United Award was presented to Zweben Law Group
Erica Garwood, State Rep. John Snyder, who raise millions for their decade-long commitment to supporting United Way
Shoot For The Moon on page 4 John Garwood of dollars every year through their annual Bike Drive. (Tara and Gene Zweben,
to ensure that Martin Carol G. Houwaart-Diez, Derek Lowe)
County residents are
able to provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Derek Lowe, coordinator of Public Information and Community Relations for the
Martin County School District, served as event emcee.
“I understand that this year has not been an easy one, especially after the destruction
caused by Hurricane Milton,” Lowe pointed out. “Which is why I wanted to thank United

United Way on page 8