Joshua Williams Named 2017 Gloria Barron Prize For Young Heroes

The students and staff of Palmer Trinity School recently hosted a ceremony and breakfast to honor veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces.

The school’s band, choir and dancers performed for the veterans, and former acting U.S. Attorney Dexter Lehtinen, a Vietnam veteran, spoke to students about his experiences and the importance of honoring and respecting those who have fought to protect our country. Following the ceremony, his wife, U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami; Miami-Dade Commissioners Jose “Pepe” Diaz and Daniella Levine Cava; and Miami-Dade School Board Member Larry Feldman helped to honor the veterans by attending the breakfast.

2017 Gloria Barron Prize For Young Heroes

Joshua Williams, 16, of Miami Beach was named the winner of the 2017 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes for his work in the community.

Joshua founded Joshua’s Heart Foundation, a nonprofit that has distributed more than 1.5 million pounds of food to about 350,000 people in need in South Florida, Jamaica, Africa, India and the Philippines. He has also raised more than $550,000, created partnerships with businesses like Walmart, Unilever and TJ Maxx, and created a Junior Advisory Board to help guide his organization and execute his programs.

“I tell young people that they can do something about the world’s problems now,” Joshua said. “You don’t have to wait until you are older to make a difference.”

Each year, the Barron Prize celebrates 25 students from North America who have made a difference for people in their community and/or their environment. The organization then chooses 20 students to receive a $5,000 award to support their work or higher education.

West Miami Middle School

The faculty of West Miami Middle School’s environment and technology magnet are hosting school tours at noon every Tuesday in November and December. The school will also host a Magnet Showcase event for fifth-grade parents at 7 p.m. on Dec. 6.

For information, call 305-261-8383 or email lperez-munoz@dadeschools.net.

If you have news for this column, please send it to Adrianne Richardson at schoolscenemia@gmail.com.

Source: Miami Herald

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