Claude Morest and Josue Jasmin Share SPEF’s Educator Award
STAMFORD, CT – March 29, 2017 – More than 250 community members joined the Stamford Public Education Foundation (SPEF) in honoring businesses and community leaders for their commitment to education in Stamford on March 23, 2017. SPEF CEO Matthew Quinones, Mayor David Martin, Senator Carlo Leone, and Superintendent Earl Kim presented the awards to the honorees of the 2017 Excellence in Education Awards:
SPEF Leadership Award: Polly O’Brien Morrow, for her commitment to enriching the Stamford community particularly in the area of public education.
SPEF Philanthropy Award: First County Bank/First County Bank Foundation, for its thought leadership and innovation in the area of education and its generosity in helping SPEF pursue its mission.
SPEF Community Service Award: Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk, for its impact on youth development particularly focusing on literacy.
SPEF Educator Awards: Claude Morest, of AITE, and Josue Jasmin, of Rogers International School, for their dedication to creating an exceptional learning environment for their students. Thirteen educators were nominated for the SPEF Educator Award by the Parent-Teacher Organizations of their respective schools and the recipients of the award were announced on the night of the event. All of the nominees were recognized during the ceremony, and both Morest and Jasmin received a $1,000 donation for their classrooms. The evening began with a networking and cocktail reception featuring a silent auction and beer and wine tastings courtesy of Two Roads Brewing Company and Domaine Bousquet Winery. The reception was followed by the awards ceremony, which was led by the Master of
Ceremonies, Arda Ocal of MSG Networks. SPEF Board President Barbara Aronica-Buck delivered welcoming remarks and two students shared how SPEF’s mentoring program has impacted them. The night’s musical entertainment included performances by the Young Artists Philharmonic, Project Music, and a rendition of the National Anthem sung by Westhill High School’s Shayla Hernandez, who studies at The Pop Music Academy.
This year’s Excellence in Education Awards raised funds that will allow SPEF to expand and improve the educational resources they provide to the students and families of the Stamford public school system. SPEF is especially grateful to the sponsors of the evening for their support, including: Pitney Bowes (Title Sponsor); First County Bank and NatWest Markets (Magna Cum Laude); DiRusso Brooks Law Group LLC, Tom and Patti Gawlak, Robert and Patricia Phillips, Synapse Group (Cum Laude); American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group, Barbara Aronica-Buck and Peter Buck, Berkowitz and Hanna, LLC, Charles Cernansky and Sharon Burley, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Eileen Fred and Springer, Dudley N. Williams Jr. and Juanita James (Honors); and Serendipity (Media).
About SPEF: Founded in 1996, the mission of the Stamford Public Education Foundation (SPEF) is to support the students and teachers in Stamford Public Schools through community collaboration and philanthropy. During its two decades serving Stamford, SPEF has built a strong reputation for providing resources and programs that connect college, corporate and community volunteers with Stamford Public School students. For further information call 203- 965-7733 or visit www.spefct.org.
Ceremonies, Arda Ocal of MSG Networks. SPEF Board President Barbara Aronica-Buck delivered welcoming remarks and two students shared how SPEF’s mentoring program has impacted them. The night’s musical entertainment included performances by the Young Artists Philharmonic, Project Music, and a rendition of the National Anthem sung by Westhill High School’s Shayla Hernandez, who studies at The Pop Music Academy.
This year’s Excellence in Education Awards raised funds that will allow SPEF to expand and improve the educational resources they provide to the students and families of the Stamford public school system. SPEF is especially grateful to the sponsors of the evening for their support, including: Pitney Bowes (Title Sponsor); First County Bank and NatWest Markets (Magna Cum Laude); DiRusso Brooks Law Group LLC, Tom and Patti Gawlak, Robert and Patricia Phillips, Synapse Group (Cum Laude); American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group, Barbara Aronica-Buck and Peter Buck, Berkowitz and Hanna, LLC, Charles Cernansky and Sharon Burley, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Eileen Fred and Springer, Dudley N. Williams Jr. and Juanita James (Honors); and Serendipity (Media).
About SPEF: Founded in 1996, the mission of the Stamford Public Education Foundation (SPEF) is to support the students and teachers in Stamford Public Schools through community collaboration and philanthropy. During its two decades serving Stamford, SPEF has built a strong reputation for providing resources and programs that connect college, corporate and community volunteers with Stamford Public School students. For further information call 203- 965-7733 or visit www.spefct.org.
