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Board advances planning for Words of Excellence awards and student-nomination timeline; catering, AC and categories debated
Summary
The board set a March planning meeting and discussed caterer quotes, venue air-conditioning concerns, new award categories and nomination rules for the Words of Excellence ceremony.
The Education Advisory Board advanced planning for the annual Words of Excellence awards at its Feb. 20 meeting, setting a March planning meeting and agreeing on nomination rules and category changes while flagging venue and catering logistics.
The board resolved to meet March 13 at 6:30 p.m. to finalize event logistics. Members recommended retaining a caterer used in prior years (quote cited at about $1,500 for roughly 150 people, or about $10 per person) but asked for comparative estimates from additional vendors. One member noted the event’s air-conditioning has been unreliable at prior ceremonies and asked staff to coordinate with the parks department to confirm the venue’s cooling systems before finalizing the date and food service.
On awards categories, the board agreed to split the former STEAM category into three separate student categories: science, mathematics and digital arts (media). The nomination form will require students to either live in or attend school in Miami Lakes and will request a brief narrative (minimum one paragraph) describing why the student deserves the award. The board also updated the educator category to teacher of the year, limiting eligibility to a teacher who lives or works in the town.
Other logistical items discussed included centerpieces and tablecloths, pre-folded programs, staging for photos, and graduation-banner pricing (quotes were discussed for 40–60 banners). Board members asked staff to circulate a flyer and nomination form to intergovernmental contacts and schools and to open the nomination portal promptly after the March meeting so schools have time to apply by early April.
No formal award selections were made at this meeting; members asked staff to return with vendor estimates, AC confirmation from parks, and a drafted nomination flyer for review.
