Students across Miami-Dade compete in one big field day. Their prize? Community building
“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great at whatever they want to do.”
The late Kobe Bryant’s words resonate even louder these days especially at After-School All-Stars South Florida, where organizers help every child be their best through academic support, extracurricular enrichment and health and fitness activities.
The group, our local chapter of the national organization, held its inspirational Superfest for the sixth year in December at Florida International University’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus.
More than 600 students, and their families and teachers, played organized games of flag football, basketball, track and soccer and enjoyed other fun activities such as tug-of-war, sack races, and carnival games. The activities all highlighted sportsmanship for students in Title 1 Middle Schools.
“I truly love what Superfest stands for as each year we see hundreds of kids and families from different communities throughout Miami-Dade County come together in the spirit of competition and leave with new bonds of friendship and understanding,” Sean Prospect, executive director of ASAS South Florida, said.
Grand sponsor was the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida, which gave the program a grant of $10,000.
“We choose After-School All-Stars because of their continued education and unconditional support toward improving the well-being of children in South Florida,” said Soraya Rivera-Moya, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida.
At the end of the day, trophies were awarded to all the winning students in each sport and the teachers who represented their schools in the teachers’ challenge.
The Miami Dade winning schools include Andover Middle School, Brownsville Middle School, Bowman Ashe/Doolin K-8 Academy, Coral Way K-8 Center, Jorge Mas Canosa Middle School, Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy, M.A. Milam K-8 Center, Norland Middle School, North Dade Middle School, Ruben Dario Middle School, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, West Miami Middle School, and Bair Middle Community School in Broward.
Visit https://afterschoolallstars.org/asas_chapter/south-florida/ to learn more, get involved, donate, and find out how this group has helped so many students find their success through sports and other after school enrichment programs.
Social Citizens share local shows, tours and meals
Members of the Social Citizens of Southeast Florida consider this group their extended family through which they make new friends and share experiences.
In 2019, they saw the musical “Ring of Fire” at the Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theater in Coral Gables, visited Freedom Tower Miami Dade College, and experienced food and fun at Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana.
“I always loved Johnny Cash’s music and was lucky to get tickets to my favorite theater. As an active member, I appreciate all the work that Dennis Stubbolo, president of SCS, does in Sunny Isles by creating a varied calendar of places one might not visit, with such diversity, including Broadway shows, educational trips and luncheons,” said Evelyn Cawley.
At the show, member Marvin Cooper enjoyed watching the versatile cast tell the life of the legendary songwriter and performer.
“As a musician and educator, I have a genuine interest in Cash because he was original country. His lyrics were poignant that told a story about life experiences,” Cooper said.
On a recent educational trip, the Social Citizens toured the Freedom Tower, a perfect choice for architecture and history buffs. The structure was once the Miami Daily News offices, and later became a processing center for Cubans who fled the Castro regime. Afterwards, the members had lunch at Versailles.
“I want to emphasize the purpose of the club is to educate, entertain and camaraderie for our members. We plan to have a fabulous season with an array of unique events and cultural experiences. I have subsidized this group from my Foundation to maintain the cost for affordable events in order for us to retain and also attract new members,” Social Citizens benefactor Norman Edelcup said.
Upcoming events include “Mamma Mia” at Actors’ Playhouse Feb. 16, and an educational trip in Coral Gables with historian Seth Bramson, Feb. 25. Lunch or dinner is included, and the bus leaves from the Sunny Isles Beach Government Center.
For more, call Social Citizens president Dennis Stubbolo at 305-936-0986, or visit www.socialcitizenssef.org.
Children’s theater is expanding
More children across Miami will be able to experience and learn theater thanks to a new partnership of two organizations — Miami Childrens Theater and Miami Theater Center.
Organizers said the Kendall-based Miami Childrens Theater, under the direction of Tim Fath, will now host renowned musical productions and summer programming at Miami Theater Center, based in Miami Shores and guided by visual artist and executive director Giselle Kovac.
Featuring both performance and rehearsal space, MTC is ideal for children throughout northern Miami-Dade County, Miami Shores, Miami Beach, and the Design District.
“We are thrilled to partner with smart, compassionate and creative people that share our vision,” said Tim Fath, director of Miami Childrens Theater, said.
“While we will continue to nurture our theater programs at Pinecrest Gardens and the Alper Jewish Community Center in Kendall, being able to offer a dedicated space at the Miami Theater Center for residents in the northern part of the county is simply sublime,” Fath said.
There are two main stage musical theater productions and a summer camp in the works for MTC in Miami Shores.
“We are delighted to join forces with Miami Childrens Theater in offering more opportunities for children in Miami-Dade County to express themselves through musical theater,” Kovac said.
Visit http://miamichildrenstheater.biz/ and https://www.mtcmiami.org/ for more on classes, auditions, and productions.
If you have news for this column, write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com.