2025 Community Involvement Awards

Vashti Chinkoo 
McArthur High School 

Throughout her academic tenure at McArthur High School, Vashti Chinkoo has been a part of several organizations including Broward College TRiO Upward Bound; AICE Leadership; Best Buddies; SPIDER College Preparatory Program; and Rotary InterACT Club. Ms. Chinkoo has committed more than 4,400 service-learning hours to volunteer work and giving back to her South Florida community. At McArthur High, she helps at several events, including senior events, fundraisers, and school spirit activities. She also serves the community each week at Griffin Road Church of Christ. Additionally, she volunteers for Hand ‘N’ Hand Youth Project, a nonprofit organization that donates school supplies for students in need; and Southwest Focal Point Community Center, assisting in any means for the events they hold for the senior citizens in the community. Vashti Chinkoo is a first-generation student who will be attending Florida International University in the summer. She is an early admissions student through Broward College and will be receiving her AICE Diploma along with her high school diploma.

Individual of the Year Award 
Jessica Oliverio Bailey
Riverglades Elementary School

As Riverglades Elementary School’s PTA Vice President of Events, Jessica Bailey has transformed school events into inclusive, educational, and community-centered experiences. By deeply involving students in event planning, such as turning Creative Arts Night into a school-wide, student-led installation themed on environmental sustainability, she bridges classroom learning with real-world impact. Ms. Bailey fosters strong partnerships with teachers and community organizations, supports over 1,000 volunteer opportunities (including high school students), and ensures accessibility through low-sensory hours. Her strategic, inclusive approach promotes high-quality instruction, a safe and supportive environment, and effective communication, positioning Riverglades Elementary School as a model for family and community engagement Districtwide.

Group of the Year Award
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Diaper Bank 

Led by Dwayne and Brittany Wolfe, The Greater Fort Lauderdale Diaper Bank has become a vital force in supporting families across the community. Through broad-based outreach and rapid response initiatives, the organization meets critical needs with dignity and urgency. In partnership with the Family and Community Engagement North Team at Broward County Public Schools, they extend that impact directly into the lives of teenaged parents within our District, helping build pathways toward stability and success. With an average impact of $600 per student in covered expenses, their support significantly boosts school attendance, retention, and overall academic achievement. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Diaper Bank’s model sets a powerful standard for holistic, responsive engagement in education and empowers teenaged parents to pursue their education with dignity, support, and the knowledge that their community believes in them.

Student Empowerment Mentor Award
Dr. Glenice Glover
Liberty Elementary School / Mentoring Program: BI-WI (Because I’m Worth It)

The “Because I’m Worth It” (BI-WI) Mentoring Program aims to empower 25 young girls at Liberty Elementary by providing them with positive role models and guidance for personal growth, academic achievement, and future success. The program focuses on several key objectives. First, it aims to help the girls build self-worth and confidence, encouraging them to believe in themselves and their abilities. BI-WI also provides guidance on academic and personal development, including goal setting, study habits, and building positive relationships with peers and teachers. Mentors work with the girls to help them set short-term and long-term goals, both academically and personally, and inspire them to dream big for their futures. The program’s emphasis on providing positive female role models empowers the girls, helping them envision themselves as future leaders and change-makers.

Leadership Through Literacy Connections Mentor Award
Canine Assisted Therapy
Riverglades Elementary School

Canine Assisted Therapy (C.A.T.) is a nonprofit organization in Fort Lauderdale, Florida dedicated to improving the lives of those in need. C.A.T. provides animal assisted therapy and companionship to Riverglades Elementary students, where their youngest readers build confidence by reading to the therapy dogs through their Leashes for Literacy program. Leashes for Literacy is designed to help children gain confidence and achieve academic goals in the classroom, one on one or small group visits with a therapy dog provides struggling students a safe space to practice reading skills with the support from a non-judgmental canine. This helps with comfort, reading fluency and building confidence.

Community Engagement Award
Officer Matthew Kroger
Sandpiper Elementary School 

Officer Matthew Kroger’s specialized pull-out reading group supports the Sandpiper Elementary School’s continuous improvement efforts by enhancing literacy skills and fostering positive relationships between students and law enforcement. This initiative contributes to students’ social and emotional development by building trust, communication, and a sense of community. By creating a safe and engaging learning environment, this initiative reinforces district goals related to academic success and positive youth development. Behaviorally, students have shown increased respect for authority figures and stronger social-emotional skills, fostering a more positive school climate. Additionally, parent engagement is encouraged, as families appreciate the support their children receive both academically and socially.

Inspiring Academic Excellence Mentor Award
Major Collins
Ramblewood Middle School / Mentoring Program: Dads Be on Duty/ 5000 Role Models

Mr. Major Collins has been working with the students of Ramblewood Middle School since 2021. His Dads Be On Duty mentoring program specifically targets eighth-grade males with the goals of increasing attendance, reducing suspensions, improving self-esteem, grades and life skills, as well as preparing them for high school and beyond. Sharing life experiences with these students has been crucial to the mentor program to deter students from external suspensions at Ramblewood Middle School. Through this program, the young male mentees are encouraged to share their struggles with their mentors and together build bond of respect and develop strategies how to solve peer issues.

Cultivating Career Exploration Mentor Award 
Dr. Afrah Hamin
Dave Thomas Education Center / Mentoring Program: Pearls of Excellence 21st Century

Through her work in programs like Pearls of Excellence, Dr. Afrah Hamin supports Dave Thomas Education Center students’ emotional intelligence, confidence, and leadership skills, helping them navigate challenges both in and out of the classroom. Her mentoring of new and aspiring Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers ensures consistent, high-quality instruction in real-world skill areas, addressing the District’s college and career readiness goals. Dr. Hamin also serves as a trusted adult mentor for many minority-male students, offering individualized guidance and high expectations that promote academic growth, accountability, and self-worth. She engages in culturally responsive practices and positive behavioral interventions, helping to reduce disproportionality in discipline and promote a more equitable 

The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County

The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County BBBS has served as an external partner for 51 years, proudly supporting and providing programs for Broward County Public Schools elementary-post-secondary students in a variety of settings. To date, 854 mentors have completed 40,992 combined service hours in BCPS schools. 

Description of BBBS Programs:

• The BIG Futures program (Ages 12-25) is a college and career readiness initiative designed to equip youth for post-secondary success through career mentoring, education, and access to key opportunities.
• The BISS program supports academically at-risk youth by pairing them with caring mentors, who help improve their academic performance, school attendance, and classroom behavior.
• The BIG Pride program is a focused effort to address the unique needs and vulnerabilities of LGBTQ+ youth (Ages 12-25) by providing trusting, caring, mentoring relationships between Bigs and Littles.
• The Mentoring Children of Promise program (Ages 5-25): Mentoring Children of Promise

(MCOP) provides consistent, one-to-one mentoring for youth impacted by parental or familial incarceration.

Adult Volunteer of the Year
Rosaura Cruz
Ramblewood Middle School

Ms. Rosaura Cruz is an exceptional and dedicated volunteer at Ramblewood Middle School. Her outreach and impact are far-reaching, as she offers her time, energy, and leadership to ensure that students at every level receive the attention and encouragement they need to thrive. Whether it’s organizing events, supporting teachers, or helping students excel, Ms. Cruz is always there, making a difference in the lives of countless individuals. A truly remarkable accomplishment of Ms. Cruz was her ability to increase volunteer engagement by over 80%. This boost in participation has been essential in ensuring that school’s events and initiatives, such as the Debate Team, MTL (Mentoring Tomorrow’s Leaders), and the HEART Families program, which serves our homeless students and their families, run smoothly. Another initiative led by Ms. Cruz is the Student of the Month celebration, where students are recognized for their exemplary character. Her dedication to highlighting and fostering character development has not only boosted the students’ morale but also cultivated a positive and supportive environment at Ramblewood Middle School.

Senior Volunteer of the Year 
Elizabeth Riggs
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Montessori Academy

Elizabeth Riggs is a staple at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Montessori Academy. Serving the school for more than 850 hours this school year, Ms. Riggs assists the Pre-K teacher with everyday classroom activities and gives one-on-one support to students who may need additional help. Ms. Riggs has participated in a wide range of volunteer activities, including Storytime sessions, arts and crafts and outdoor play. She has established a warm and friendly environment in which children may engage and explore, which is essential for students to prosper academically and socially. Ms. Riggs routinely develops fascinating initiatives that encourage teamwork, cooperation, and respect among peers. These programs assist in preventing disputes and increase pleasant relationships, which leads to improved classroom conduct. Her presence consistently fosters an atmosphere in which children feel encouraged, engaged, and inspired to succeed, resulting in improved academic performance and a vibrant school community.

Youth Volunteer of the Year
Amanda Perez-Berrios
Riverside Elementary School 

Amanda Perez-Berrios’ dedication, enthusiasm, and resourcefulness have made a significant and lasting impact on Riverside Elementary School. At Riverside Elementary, Ms. Perez-Berrios assists with numerous school initiatives and projects. She provides vital translation services for Spanish-speaking parents, bridging communication gaps and strengthening the connection between the school and its families. She assists with classroom setups at the beginning and end of each school year and contributes to a variety of school events, including Family Nights, BINGO, school dances, food drives, and Multicultural events. Additionally, Ms. Perez-Berrios’ leads school tours during Open House, reminds parents about necessary vaccinations for registration, and helps students and families to sign up for club activities. Ms. Perez-Berrios maintains a 4.0 GPA and serves as Freshman Class President of Student Government. Her contributions to her community are invaluable and have earned her the admiration of teachers, parents, and students alike.

District Advisory/Committee Volunteer of the Year 
Narnike Pierre-Grant
Diversity Committee

Narnike Pierre-Grant is the Chair of Broward County Public Schools Diversity Committee. She has four children who have matriculated through the Broward school system and has served as a PTO/PTA president and IZONE representative for her children’s elementary and middle schools for two years each. With one child currently attending a District school, she has spent more than 12 years volunteering and serving on several boards. Ms. Pierre-Grant’s passion has always been the youth and contributing to their success. Each day she advocates for the students of Broward by way of promoting diversity in keeping equity at the forefront. Ms. Pierre-Grant’s vision for the Committee is to expand its core focus, provide the District with the recommendations that will bring about changes to elevate and demonstrate to other school districts a robust representation of educational diversity and equity.