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(PALM BEACH) – The sun was shining as more
than 250 guests gathered at the oceanfront home of Steve
Myers for the 13th Annual Center for Creative Education
Spring Luncheon, “Discover Your Heritage.” As the breeze
rolled off the beach, attendees were all smiles listening to
Ms. Lipinski’s third grade students from Hidden Oaks
Elementary School present “The Ellis Island Effect,” a
visual, musical and theatrical program showcasing what
they’ve learned through assistance from CCE this spring.
As guests entered the Luncheon, they were welcomed by
students who took them through the “living museum” they
created over the past 10 weeks with guidance from CCE
teaching artist, Ronni Gerstel. Guests were encouraged to
put pins on a map representing their ancestry while the
students gave them a history lesson about their handmade,
eight-foot tall paper mache Statue of Liberty. The afternoon
created the perfect opportunity for guests to see and hear
firsthand how CCE collaborates with local schools to infuse
arts into the classroom curriculum.
“We are so grateful to our wonderful sponsors, committee
members and co-chairs, Kenn Karakul and Talbott Maxey, for
making this year’s Luncheon a success,” said Robert Hamon,
CCE’s interim chief executive officer. “The Spring Luncheon
was a fantastic afternoon featuring the hard work and
commitment of the children, Hidden Oaks staff, CCE staff and
artists. It was gratifying to see the guests interacting
with the students as they were telling them what they’ve
learned and how much it means to participate in CCE
programming. CCE also extends special thanks to Jim and
Irene Karp for providing funding for the ‘Ellis Island
Effect’ project.”
“The Ellis Island Effect” project used art
forms such as visual and written arts, voice, drama and
movement to teach the students lessons in social studies,
language arts and creative writing. Through CCE’s
programming, the arts are infused into classroom curriculum
and after-school settings to enhance the teaching of
traditional academic subjects – improving each child’s
learning potential and academic performance, increasing
overall enthusiasm about school and shaping more productive,
responsible community members that exercise creative problem
solving throughout life.
“This is arts integration at its best, it is the
collaboration not only between the artist the classroom
teacher but included the music teacher, and the media
specialist all set in an environment where learning and
creativity are recognized and rewarded by the principal,”
said Shawn Berry, Center for Creative Education Programs
Director.
Kenn Karakul and Talbott Maxey were co-chairs for CCE’s
Spring Luncheon. Committee members included: Ashton Battle,
Susan Bodnar Malloy, Paula Butler, Kelly Cushing, Susie
Dwinell, Jack Elkins, Wendy Fritz, Lou Lou and Jamie Gordon,
Cheryl Gowdy, Vicki Halmos, Vicki and Chris Kellogg, Connie
Lacaillade, Donna Long, Blanche McCoun, Pam Miller, Casey
Pickett, Suebelle Robbins, Jeanne Rosow, Missy Savage, Alex
Snyder, Carol Anne Stiglmeier, Michele Vogel, Katherine
Ward, Elizabeth Wetherell and Sharon Wiggins.
Center for Creative Education’s Spring Luncheon presenting
sponsors were Fite Shavell & Associates and Jack Elkins &
Bunny Hiatt. Gold sponsors were Mrs. Lollie Stone, Margaret
& John Shaffer and Sheila & Nathaniel Crosby; and James Held
& Kenn Karakul Charitable Foundation. Silver sponsors were
J.P. Morgan Chase and Paula Butler. Bronze sponsors were
Alice Z. Pannill and Dan and Mary Stanton. Patron sponsors
were Michael and Barbara Crimi, Carolyn Jenkins Jaeger, Ray
Lucchetti, Blanche McCoun, Gordon McCoun, Sam and Anita
Michaels, Smith and Moore Architects, James Tigani Jr. and
Weeks & Calloway. Raffle sponsors were Provident Jewelry and
Seaman Schepps.
Proceeds from the Luncheon benefited programming and
operating expenses for the Center for Creative Education.
For more information about the Center for Creative
Education, please call (561) 805-9927 or visit
www.cceflorida.org .
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