Special Recognition Meeting Recap for December 10, 2024
It was an evening full of recognitions at City Hall on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. The City Commission began by proclaiming February 17th as Karen Rodgers Day in Cooper City, in honor of her birthday. For more than two decades, Karen was a dedicated volunteer and provided countless hours of support to the Cooper City Optimist Youth League Sports Program. During the City Commission Regular Meeting that followed the Special Recognition Meeting, the Commission would draft and adopt a resolution that will name the east concession stand at Suellen H. Fardelmann Sports Complex in Karen’s honor.
The Commission also shared a proclamation in honor of Rick Case Automotive Group’s “Bike for Kids” program. Each year, the program collects bicycles that are donated to children in need throughout the holiday season. We also had the opportunity to recognize the service of Commissioners Donald Cris Fardelmann and Massimo “Max” Pulcini for the efforts as part of the Central Broward Water Control District.
The Commission then recognized Dr. Kem Hussain, Allan Baksh, Nadeer Khan, and Dr. Husman Khan for their outstanding contributions to furthering the mission and goals of Nur-Ul-Islam for the past 25 years in Cooper City.
We also witnessed an emotional recognition as Sasha Milan, Cristy Monroe, and Justin Stewart were honored for their life-saving efforts. In October 2024, they took quick action and administered CPR and utilized an AED to help save the life of Robert Starkman, who had suffered heart failure and collapsed, after attending his granddaughter’s softball game at Suellen H. Fardelmann Sports Complex. Sasha, Cristy, and Justin are credited with saving Mr. Starkman’s life. Doctors later telling the family he had less than a 10% chance of survival.
We then moved to recognizing educators, school administrators, and students at our Cooper City schools. This portion of the meeting included recognition of Helise Gailboord, who was named the Gutterman Family Outstanding Holocaust Educator of 2024. Additionally, teachers of the year and non-instructional staff members of the year were recognized.
Cooper City High School
Teacher of the Year: Nicole Hicks
Non-Instructional Employee of the Year: Sherri Rausseo
Pioneer Middle School
Teacher of the Year: Christine Chang
Non-Instructional Employee of the Year: Javier Ortega
Cooper City Elementary School
Teacher of the Year: Candace Fletcher
Non-Instructional Employee of the Year: Valerie Serventi Amaya
Embassy Creek Elementary School
Teacher of the Year: Tracey Prezeau
Non-Instructional Employee of the Year: Mari Anne McDonnell
Franklin Academy Charter School
Teacher of the Year: Spencer Degen
Non-Instructional Employee of the Year: Patricio Centurion
Griffin Elementary School
Teacher of the Year: Alishe Hajaree
Non-Instructional Employee of the Year: Maria Dunakin
Renaissance Charter School
Teacher of the Year: Sean Santiago
Non-Instructional Employee of the Year: Vincent Tripoli
The meeting concluded by recognizing and swearing in members of student government associations at our Cooper City schools. The following students and advisors were recognized.
Cooper City High School
Student Government Association
President: Lola McClure
1st Vice President: Ellie Roisman
2nd Vice President: Isabella Landberg
Treasurer: Grace Lerner
Recording Secretary: Alisha Abraham
Corresponding Secretary: Shiraz Orion
Historian: Reoot Sherman
Project Manager: Cyarah Rosado
D6 Vice President: Erica Hoy
Senior Class Officers
President: Ella Shuch
Vice President: Kayla Spennato
Treasurer: Julian Correa
Recording Secretary: Madeline Lizano
Corresponding Secretary: Amanda Safrin
Historian: Jacob Reich
Junior Class Officers
President: Leo Gonzalez
Vice President: Parker Aversa
Treasurer: Ashley Feuer
Recording Secretary: Elina Baig
Corresponding Secretary: Katie Brent
Historian: Justine Monroe
Sophomore Class Officers
President: Drew Harvey
Vice President: Carson Balzen
Treasurer: Miranda Paan
Recording Secretary: Sophia Serrano
Corresponding Secretary: Anabella King
Historian: Logan Arruda
Freshman Class Officers
President: Benjamin Spigelman
Vice President: Elliott Madalena
Treasurer: Phillip Hoang
Secretary: Ava LaRosa
Pioneer Middle School
Staff Sponsor: Meaghan Sano
Presidents: Evan Ruocco & Enza Demare
Vice President: Amayah Hayle
Secretary: Isabella Roiz
Treasurer: Luis Munguia
Historian: Evie Cooper
7th Grade Representative: Nicolas Dufays
6th Grade Representative: Emma Garcia
Cooper City Elementary School
President: Adam Bouban
Vice President: Zoey Campbell
Secretary: Adrianna Flores
Embassy Creek Elementary School
Advisors: Mrs. Ficara & Ms. Harmell
President: Avery Langer
Vice President: Ryder Martinez
Secretary: Mila Nimni
Franklin Academy Charter School
Advisors: Ms. G. Franco & Ms. N. Frobel
President: Kane Restrepo
Vice President: Madelyn Sasser
Secretary: Adrianna Flores
Griffin Elementary School
Advisors: Dana Shapiro and Patricia Gallagan
President: Sebastian Amador
Vice President: Jackson Kornfeld
Secretary: Camryn Garbellano
Treasurer: Misha Litvak
Historian: Kennedy Umbaugh
President: Gabriella Rodriguez
Vice President: Sophia Chavez
Treasurer: Ezinne Amako
Secretary: Kaiden Hicks
Historian: Markelle Isidor
8th Grade Representative: Kailey Suarez
7th Grade Representative: Samantha Brunache
6th Grade Representative: Gabriella Augustin