Florida Schools Honored For Prevention Success During 2014-2015 School Year

Go Team! 18 schools across the State of Florida just earned bragging rights for their outstanding efforts to help prevent underage drinking and substance abuse. The All Star Safe, Healthy & Drug Free Schools were selected and recognized by Informed Families.

The schools (listed below) were chosen among hundreds of schools participating in Informed Families’ Ambassador Program for their demonstrated dedication to year-round prevention activities and for their success in actively engaging students, parents and faculty in prevention.

“Spring is the season for school celebrations – and now 18 of the most dedicated schools in Florida have more to celebrate,” said Peggy B. Sapp, President and CEO of Informed Families. “Informed Families All Star Safe, Healthy and Drug Free Schools understand the importance of spreading healthy, drug-free messages to help students and families make good choices surrounding alcohol and other drugs, ultimately saving lives. Our programs are designed to curb underage drinking, substance abuse and other risky behaviors - and the impact is real, thanks to the involvement of schools across Florida – and especially our All Star Schools.”

Each winning school received a certificate for their achievement and a $100 gift certificate towards 2015 Red Ribbon Week theme (“Respect Yourself. Be Drug Free”) merchandise.

Here is a list of the winning schools and Ambassadors and Schools (in alphabetical order by county):

1. Keller Intermediate School, Baker County - Anne Lewis/Principal David Davis
2. Vineland Elementary School, Charlotte County - Michele Meservey/Principal Laura C. Blunier
3. Pine Meadows Elementary School, Escambia County - Gina Burke/Principal Terri Fina
4. Montclair Elementary School, Escambia County - Stacey Ladner/Principal Jennifer Sewell
5. Ransom Middle School, Escambia County - Gail O'Neal/Principal Brent Brummet
6. Grand Ridge School, Jackson County - Barbara Melvin/Principal Laura Kent
7. Bowman Ashe Doolin K-8 Academy, Miami-Dade County - Jeanette Alvarez/ Principal Lisset Vazquez-Rios
8. I & B Peskoe K-8 Center, Miami-Dade County - Sonia Ambrose/Principal Madelyn Sierra-Hernandez
9. Ruth K. Broad Bay Harbor K-8 Center, Miami-Dade County - Susan De Leon/Dr. Maria T. Soto-Rodriguez
10. Key Biscayne K-8 Center, Miami-Dade County - Josefina Estrella/Principal Silvia Tarafa
11. Vankara Christian School, Miami-Dade County - Tenielle Fenn/Principal Elvira Smith
12. Sunset Park Elementary School, Miami-Dade County - Valerie Ortiz (Student Ambassador) & Melinda Rodriguez (Ambassador)/Principal Wendy S. Hernandez
13. Glades Middle School, Miami-Dade County - Mary Thomas/Principal Cynthia Valdes-Garcia
14. Meadowbrook Middle School, Orange County - Molly Fendrick/Principal Cheri Godek
15. Apopka Middle School, Orange County - Anne Leatherbarrow/ Dr. Kelly Pelletier
16. Cypress Creek High School, Orange County - Sonia Ledger/Principal Heather Hilton
17. Independence Middle School, Palm Beach County - Regina McClimond/Principal Kathryn Koerner
18. Freeport Middle School, Walton County - Laura Estes/Principal Charlie Morse

Media Recognition of All Star Schools:

• Grand Ridge School Recognized As All Star Safe, Healthy & Drug-Free School
• Behavior Efforts At 3 Escambia Schools Honored
• Pine Meadow, Ransom Receive Statewide Drug Abuse, Underage Drinking Prevention Awards
• 18 All Star Safe Healthy and Drug-Free Schools Honored By Informed Families

For information about the Informed Families Ambassador program, please contact Dr. Valmarie Rhoden at (305) 856-4886 or info@informedfamilies.org.

Join these Ambassadors and make a difference in your community.