Broward County Teacher of the Year 2005, Mr. Frederick Williams (center) congratulates the Mentors and Volunteer of the Year, (l to r) Joel Cantor, Lynne Drummings, Alver Louys, Nora Lopez, Arielle Jean-Philippe and Ira Solomon.

For the second consecutive year, a Broward County Public Schools volunteer is named as Florida’s Senior Volunteer of the Year, Region 5.  This honor goes to 83-year-old Ms. Alver Louys, who volunteers at Country Isles Elementary in Weston. 

Ms. Louys, and all the other outstanding volunteers and mentors of the year, were honored at the Silver Anniversary/25th Annual Volunteer & Mentor Awards Brunch, May 5th at the Broward County Convention Center, in Fort Lauderdale.

School principal, Elizabeth Murray, explained that Country Isles nominated Ms. Louys because of her unique dedication and determination to students – Ms. Louys has walked to Country Isles Elementary every day for the past 12 years! She refuses to accept a ride from her many community friends because she prefers to teach students by example that exercise is the key to good health. This commitment to healthy living extends to the many emotionally disturbed and handicapped children she assists each day.

The Florida Department of Education honored Ms. Louys at the Outstanding School Volunteer Award Luncheon, held Tuesday, April 20th in Orlando.

Broward County Public Schools’ Volunteers and Mentors of the Year are:

Joel Cantor, a mentor at Orange Brook Elementary (Dr. Joanne Nitti, Principal) in Hollywood, is named as Broward’s Mentor of the Year, Elementary Level.  Mr. Cantor has served for five years as a guide and role model to students who would particularly benefit from this adult interaction.

Mr. Cantor is a former Assistant State Attorney in Broward County who now serves as Counsel for South Broward Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force.  He is a committed volunteer who also donates time to the Police Explorer Academy, Citizens Law Enforcement Academy, McArthur High School’s Mock Trials and Law Enforcement programs.

Ira Solomon, Broward’s Mentor of the Year, Secondary Level, mentors at Cypress Bay High (Charles Neely, Principal) in Weston.  Though a mentor for only two years, he has distinguished himself by supporting the academic and emotional needs of five students.  These particular students are relatively new to the United States, requiring assistance in their adjustment to school life.

Lynne Drummings, Adult Volunteer of the Year, has served Plantation Park Elementary (Helen Akers, Principal) for five years, even before her children began attending school there.  Her efforts resulted in a hardwood hammock where students now learn about the environment, attend science classes and use as a quiet reading sanctuary.

Ms. Drummings also participates actively in parent organizations, as a room parent and chorus assistant.  She represents the parent sector on numerous committees and participates on Plantation Park’s School Advisory Council.

Student Volunteer of the Year is Ms. Arielle Jean-Philippe, a ninth grader who volunteers at her alma mater, Floranada Elementary (Brian Kohli, Principal) in Fort Lauderdale.  Arielle chose to return to Floranada to support the students of one of her favorite elementary teachers. 

Arielle is known for using her warm and friendly personality to keep the most challenged third-graders working comfortably.  Understanding how critical reading skills will be in each child’s future, she challenges them to become excellent readers, but also children who enjoy reading.  

Arielle attends Ely High School’s Pre-Med Magnet Program.  A sports enthusiast herself, she plans to become a sports physician.

Nora G. Lopez, of Country Hills Elementary (Donna Morrison, Principal) in Coral Springs is named Program Organizer Volunteer of the Year.   Ms. Lopez developed and introduced a volunteer-driven Spanish language program, known as “Hola Espanol” to answer the school’s need for second language education.  Ms. Lopez also organized and trained forty school volunteers to make lesson presentations, under the guidance of Country Hills' classroom teachers.

Depending on the age level of students, they are taught Spanish greetings, counting and color words, all the way to complete sentences. The school’s principal Ms. Donna Morrison says that, “ What we have discovered is that our Spanish children feel even more special now that everyone is trying to learn a second language.  Our Spanish parents feel more comfortable in the school setting, realizing they are assisting in a very special way.  Not only are the children learning a second language, the home to school connection with our Spanish families has been a valuable outcome.”

“Hola Espanol” also won the State of Florida’s prestigious “Little Red Schoolhouse Award,” sponsored by The Florida Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals.  The award gives recognition to a maximum of twenty progressive schools that have outstanding educational programs.

The annual event is made possible through the generous donations of several corporations, including:

Gold Sponsor: North Broward Hospital District

Silver Sponsors: American Express, Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., & Sunshine Child Care

Copper Level:  After School Programs, Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union, Ibiley School Uniforms, Nova Southeastern University Fischler Graduate School of Education & Human Services and Broward Schools Credit Union

Bronze Sponsors: The Florida Marlins, Florida Power & Light, G. T. McDonald Enterprises, Inc. and the City of Coral Springs