MIAMI, Oct. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- After
receiving nearly one thousand motivating and heartfelt nominations
from across South Florida, three
standout candidates have been selected as finalists in Royal
Caribbean International's search for an educator who is inspiring
the next generation to dream big, think differently and challenge
the status quo. On Oct. 24, one
finalist will be named the winner, and honored as Godmother of
Harmony of the Seas, the world's largest and most innovative
cruise ship, during an official naming ceremony on Nov. 10, 2016. The South Florida-based cruise line also will
award a $25,000 grant to the winner's
school or non-profit organization, funding education initiatives
that further her mission to inspire the local community's
youth.
"We've seen an overwhelming response from the community with an
outpouring of exceptional nominations from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm
Beach counties. It is an honor to be able to recognize
such inspiring educators for the work they do to make a positive
impact on our youth," said Michael
Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.
"These three upstanding individuals have demonstrated unwavering
passion and dedication, going above and beyond the classroom to
make a huge difference in the community. We thank everyone who
participated by recognizing our many heroes in education; they are
leading the way in inspiring our youth to dream big, and that's
work we all can be proud of."
Consumers are encouraged to visit www.local10.com/godmother
through October 14 to cast their vote
for the finalist they feel is the most inspiring and making the
biggest impact on South Florida's
youth. The three educators chosen as finalists are:
- Brittany Affolter, Manager,
Teacher Leadership Development, Teach for America
Miami-Dade
Brittany Affolter
was inspired by her teachers to leave an unhealthy home, attend
college, and become an educator. To help pay it forward to others
like her, Brittany now trains teachers at 14 low-income schools in
Miami-Dade County, serving more
than 500 students. In her spare time, she tutors her former
students, is working to become a mentor for children in foster
care, and completing her masters in educational leadership. At just
23 years old, Brittany's accomplishments are many and include
starting the first-ever robotics and coding after-school program
while teaching at Miami-Dade
County public schools as a Teach for America corps member,
and engaging her students to author a book about making the world a
better place, which received attention from the White House and
major sports organizations, such as the Miami Dolphins football
team.
- Katherine O'Fallon, Magnet
Coordinator, New River Middle School
Katherine (Katie) O'Fallon has been sharing her
passion and knowledge for marine science with middle school
students since 2006, and quickly learned that her greatest joy came
from the wonder in a child's discovery of their passion for marine
science. She strives to inspire students to immerse themselves in
the underwater world, and apply what they learn by getting involved
in their local community. Exposing her sixth-, seventh- and
eighth-grade students to environmental issues, Katie fosters
stewardship and encourages them to be proactive in preserving and
protecting their local habitat. She hosts multiple coastal
clean-ups, engaging everyone from students and parents, to faculty
and community partners; and organizes a variety of daily field
experiences for students, including snorkeling trips in
Fort Lauderdale and the Keys,
shark-tagging with Nova Southeastern
University and trips to local state parks. One of Katie's
newest and most innovative projects is the school's remotely
operated vehicles (ROV) program, where students learn and hone
their skills in both the marine and engineering disciplines.
- Anike Sakariyawo, Physical Science Teacher at Miami Norland
Senior High School
Anike Sakariyawo has taught various grade
levels for more than 13 years, and is currently the physical
science teacher lead for the ninth-grade students at Miami Norland
Senior High School. Anike's passion for education extends beyond
the classroom and standard school schedule; she is the founder of
Seeking Education Empowers Knowledge (S.E.E.K.) ̶
a local non-profit that aims to empower teenagers, parents,
teachers and the community. S.E.E.K. serves over 1,000 at risk
youth in urban and rural areas with unique programming such as
digital literacy, robotics, coding, electricity basics and how to
create a product and a business plan. Each year, she holds the "Get
Hip & Fit Fair" in July on Miami
Beach for more than 500 kids from Miami-Dade and Broward County non-profit organizations, and
also works with student volunteers to feed and clothe the homeless
each month.
For more information on each of the finalists as well as the
role of Royal Caribbean godmothers, past and present, visit
www.royalhometownhero.com.
Harmony of the Seas is the world's largest cruise
ship with a bold and unexpected lineup of thrilling experiences
found nowhere else on land or at sea. Harmony combines
the distinct seven-neighborhood concept that
sister-ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure
of the Seas are known for, with some of the most modern
and groundbreaking amenities, including imaginative dining,
unparalleled entertainment and the latest technology, such as VOOM,
the fastest internet at sea. From the Ultimate Abyss, a thrilling
10-story tall slide, to unparalleled entertainment including
Broadway's hit musical Grease and high-diving,
acrobatic performances in the iconic AquaTheater, world-class
dining in venues ranging from Jamie's Italian Cuisine by celebrity
chef Jamie Oliver to Wonderland, a
unique whimsical culinary adventure for the senses; and robot
bartenders, there is an adventure for guests of all ages
onboard Harmony.
Harmony of the Seas spans 16 guest decks,
encompasses 226,963 gross registered tons, carries 5,479 guests at
double occupancy, and features 2,747 staterooms. For more
information about Harmony, please
visit RoyalCaribbean.com/HarmonyoftheSeas.
For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers
should call their travel agent; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call
(800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.
Video -
http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/GodmotherFinalist_BrittanyAffolter_NTSC_HD.mp4
Video -
http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/GodmotherFinalist_KatieOFallon_NTSC_HD.mp4
Video -
http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/GodmotherFinalist_AnikeSakariyawo_NTSC_HD.mp4
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SOURCE Royal Caribbean International