Miami Lakes Town Foundation Grant Recipients Announced

December 19, 2023

Miami Lakes, FL – The Miami Lakes Town Foundation, supported by the Miami Lakes Food and Wine Festival, was created to encourage, foster and provide programs for the literacy and continuing education of the community, as well as, develop and implement complementary youth programs, beautification projects, and cultural events to benefit the Miami Lakes community and its citizens. In its efforts to advance this mission, this year it has awarded mini-grants to the following recipients:

TrojanMUN II project submitted by Rukayat A. Adebisi, HML Legal Studies Academy Teacher
- “‘TrojanMUN II’ will be a competitive Model United Nations training conference geared towards local middle school students in Miami Lakes, Hialeah, and other nearby municipalities. The purpose of this conference is to help foster the critical skills of public speaking, policy writing, diplomacy, and civil discourse. Furthermore, students will gain an expanded perspective of global politics, economics, as well as social issues.”
National Choir Festival – Arts at UCF project submitted by Emily Ramos, Hialeah Miami Lakes Senior High Choir Director
- “The UCF National Choir Festival is an opportunity for high school choir directors and their students to work with world-renowned conductors, participate in masterclasses, experience one-on-one time with the conductors, solo performances and mass choir experiences.”
Honoring our Veterans and Saluting Our Flag project submitted by Justin Correa, Senior Patrol Leader & Rebecca Munden-Correa, Adult Eagle Scout Project Coach
- “My goal of ‘Honoring our Veterans and Saluting Our Flag’ is to benefit the community in two ways by educating residents and beautifying Miami Lakes.”
Miami Lakes vs Hialeah Charity Basketball Game submitted by Maurits Acosta, Executive Director of Virtutem Populo, Inc.
- “The Annual Town of Miami Lakes vs Hialeah Charity Basketball Game, organized by Virtutem Populo, Inc., unites both communities in a fun-filled event. By bringing residents together for a charity fundraiser featuring entertainment, food, and activities, it fosters community cohesion.”
Coloring Futures submitted by Gabriel Diaz, Barbara Goleman Senior High Bionomics Club Secretary
- “‘Coloring Futures’ significantly benefits the Miami Lakes community by enhancing environmental awareness through an improved school recycling program and the innovative ‘Color Your Future’ art event.”
Integrated Education and Training Program Students Project submitted by Julio A. Echemendia, Assistant Principal Hialeah Miami Lakes Adult & Community Education
- “Our school strives on serving our community. Our goal is to promote local workforce. Our students can provide services in the healthcare facilities throughout our town and help entice our local economy.”
Contest of Champions Nationals Dance Competition submitted by Mayri Martinez, Dance Coach of the Bobcat Dance Team from Bob Graham Education Center
- “The Bobcat Dance Team has been attending the National competition for over 10 years now. Unfortunately, when the pandemic hit, we were forced to stop participating… This year I hope to be able to give these hard working and dedicated dancers the opportunity that many had in the previous years.”
Enhancing the Artistry of Our High School Dance Team with Mirrors submitted by Tessa Santillan, HML Sapphire Sponsor
- “We firmly believe that investing in mirrors for our high school dance team will not only benefit the current members but also future generations of talented dancers.”

The 2024 Miami Lakes Food & Wine Festival will take place February 3, 2024 with tickets on sale now.

The Town is proud to support initiatives that make Miami Lakes a more kind, beautiful, and involved community. Congratulations to all of the recipients!