Cypress Bay Junior Named All-AmericanJunior Emilie Amaro of Cypress Bay High
School has become the first female cross-country runner in Broward County history to earn All-American status. Amaro earned high school All-American honors with a 13th place finish at the 28th Foot Locker Cross Country National Championships. The junior covered the hilly 3.1-mile course in San Diego’s Balboa Park in 18 minutes and 26 seconds. She was one of 40 of the nation’s top girl runners in the field and the only South Florida runner to compete. The top 15 finishers earned All-American status.

In addition, Emilie has been designated for the third consecutive year as the South Florida Sun-Sentinel Girls Runner of the Year. She made history this year at the BCAA Cross Country Championships by becoming the first three-time girls champion and was recently recognized as the premier cross-country runner in South Florida by the high school sports magazine, RISE.

Science and Me Part II Now Available

Mike Moscatello (Molecular Mike) host of Science and Me holds the Emmy awarded to the program last year.

The final eight episodes of the Emmy Award-winning Science and Me with Molecular Mike program have been distributed to every elementary school in the District as part of a grant from the A.D. Henderson Foundation. A total of 16 episodes complete this K-2nd grade science series, made with young students in mind. Molecular Mike (Mike Moscatello) introduces basic science concepts through everyday activities and environments. Science and Me is the supporting series for Soaring Into Science for grades 3-5. Between the two series, all the major benchmarks for the K-5 science curriculum are covered. For more information, ask your media specialist, visit (www.becon.tv) or call BECON at 754-321-1000.

Sunset School is First in State in Online Math Program
Sunset School is currently ranked as first in the state and 64th in the nation in the “First In Math” online program. Vicki Hartsough, Math Curriculum Specialist at the school registered the school for a trial subscription and Dabra Lofton’s 7th grade math class agreed to try out the program. Students log onto (www.firstinmath.com) from school, home, or wherever there is Internet access and solve 24 game cards and bonus modules. They earn award stickers as they progress through the program at their own pace. Problems range from one-step addition to multi-step algebra. Classrooms compete as a team and work together to become the top team in their school, district, state and nation.

Deerfield Beach High School Students Combat Poverty
Students at Deerfield Beach High School participated in a project called “Empty Bowls” to combat poverty in their community. With the assistance of several corporate partners, students collected food and donations, all of which were donated to non-profit agencies that support families in Deerfield Beach. Students in the school’s art department, led by Vickie Englehart and Sara Marc, designed and created hand-made soup bowls to symbolize the giving nature of those participating in the project. Bowls were presented to each of the project’s corporate sponsors. To learn more about the project, contact Frank J. Pizzo, Marketing/On the Job Trainer, 754-322-0650.

Willie J. Dudley
North Central Area Director

Work location: North Central Area Office

Broward County Public Schools employee since: 1974

Most memorable work experiences: Having the opportunity to become a principal at all three levels (elementary, middle and high school) is something that I’ve always treasured; I enjoyed and learned from the experiences at each level immensely.

Greatest work accomplishment: Earning the NAACP Award for Educational Leadership

What I like most about my job: As an Area Director for seven years, I have truly enjoyed working with my principals in the Piper and Boyd Anderson zones. I’ve particularly enjoyed watching the schools grow in their dedication and commitment to their students, and their scholastic achievement as they set goals for the future. I also appreciate all of the programs that the School Board has provided for children to get a second chance, if necessary, to become successful in their lives.

If I won the lottery: I would help my sisters and brothers who are working hard to succeed in life, donate to my universities (Bethune-Cookman College and the University of Florida), take care of my mother and family and, of course, give to the church. I would truly enjoy the opportunity to help others and finally build my dream house for my wife.

Favorite food: Grilled chicken and ribs

Some things you probably didn’t know about me: I’m the third of 17 children, a Fort Lauderdale native and actually, I’m very shy.

If I could pick someone out of history to have lunch with, I would choose: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. because of his sacrifices and belief in the greater good of humanity


Three words that describe me best: Caring, people person and passionate (about education and my students)

Chocolate, vanilla or strawberry? I like Haagen-Dazs butter pecan ice cream with some Lorna Doone cookies.

Best advice I ever received: The late Kathleen C. Wright taught me Social Studies in 9th grade and told me one day in the hallways at Dillard High School that she thought I was college material. I was really shocked, but coming from her, it changed my whole perspective on education. I am the first generation graduate of high school and college in my family. To see the smile on my mom’s face was worth a million bucks.

Nominated for this profile by: Gwendolyn G. Dudley, Assistant Principal at McNicol Middle School