The 19th Annual Broward Education Foundaton “Mowtown Celebration”

Broward Education Foundation’s Motown Celebration
Supports Broward Public Schools

Donning Motown-themed costumes, guests at the recent Broward Education Foundation’s (BEF) annual fund raising event gathered at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa to support Broward County public schools. Donations to BEF support student scholarships, teacher grants for innovative classroom projects and free school supplies for low-income community schools through Tools for Schools Broward.
The nearly 450 guests in attendance heard from scholarship winner Desiree Casanova, who explained how her BEF scholarship is allowing her to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. Desiree, who plans to become a pediatrician, is a student at Nova Southeastern University and 2013 alumna of Monarch High School. Raised in a single parent household, Desiree said college most likely would not have been possible without this support.
“The Broward Education Foundation Scholarship allowed me to make my dreams a reality,” she said. “I am now on my way to a successful future all because of this scholarship.”
Former Miami Dolphin Twan Russell and his wife, Lysandra, served as masters of ceremony for the event. Motown-era hits were performed by the Apollo Middle School Glee Club and the band, Private Stock.
“After 19 years, this event remains a popular draw for our supporters and their friends, because they can see the difference their donations make in the lives of Broward students, our community’s future leaders,” said Thomas Severino, the president and CEO of BEF, who spoke about the major accomplishments of the organization and emphasized that thousands of deserving students like Desiree remain in need of support from BEF and the community.
“We are grateful for the generous support of our sponsors and attendees of this event, which will provide much-needed funds to support students and teachers of our Broward schools.”
Sponsors of the event included: Multi-Platinum Record Sponsor, BrightStar Credit Union; Platinum Record Sponsors, Avaya Communication and BECON TV; Gold Record Sponsors, Arthur J. Gallagher & Company, The Carroll Group of Morgan Stanley, Charter Schools of Excellence, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, JM Family Enterprises, Johns Eastern Co, Inc., Pirtle Construction, Sixth Star Entertainment; and Single Record Sponsors Broward Health,Broward Principals’ and Assistants’ Association, Broward Teachers Union, Cisco, Cornerstone Wireless, Ellen Schulman Public Relations, Kelley Kronenberg, and Nerdel & Co.