Youth committee approves $57 plaque invoice, finalizes book drive and spelling-bee logistics

The Miami Lakes youth committee on Monday approved payment of a $57 invoice to VCD for a plaque and name update and moved forward on logistics for a student book drive and the regional spelling bee.

At the start of the meeting, staff reported the vendor invoice, noting the plaque cost of $45 plus $12 to update the name on the traveling trophy. “The invoice is for 57,” a committee member confirmed during the discussion. A motion to approve payment was made, seconded and carried; the chair noted the vote was unanimous.

The committee agreed the townwide book-drive collection window will run from Feb. 1 through April 1 to allow intergovernmental approvals and school coordination. Student representatives and committee members agreed schools should provide their own collection boxes when possible; a town-hall drop box will appear on the flyer as an alternative. Speaker 3, who is coordinating student outreach, said she would confirm sponsor participation and school representatives.

Members also resolved several event logistics: the room will be set up to allow three contestant lines, microphone stands will be requested from school activity staff, and the committee will print extra event programs and certificates of participation. Speaker 2 asked Vera to confirm three microphone stands and to follow up with principals about participant names and travel logistics.

The committee assigned Jessica to reconfirm student name spellings and missing confirmations from Bob Graham school; Jasmina Echeverria (the teacher referenced during the meeting) had earlier confirmed the spelling for Miami Lakes participants. Plans call for extra printed programs (committee suggested about 100) and completion of program copy prior to the event.

The committee closed the item with assigned follow-ups and a direction that vendors will deliver the trophy update and plaque directly to the event.