PBSC recognizes local luminaries and hails future of innovation at Emerald Torch Awards Gala

Palm Beach State College welcomed more than 300 guests for a celebratory night of dinner and dancing at its second annual Emerald Torch Awards Gala held Saturday, Nov. 16, in the Student Commons area on the Lake Worth campus.

The sold-out signature event was hosted by Mistress of Ceremonies and WPTV news anchor Hollani Davis to recognize local luminaries, celebrate PBSC’s legacy, and raise funds for student scholarships.

Guests included PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D., Vice President of Institutional Advancement and CEO of the Foundation for PBSC David Rutherford, Congresswoman Lois Frankel, State Rep. Anne Gerwig, city and county commissioners, District Board of Trustee members, Foundation board members, donors and friends of the College.

Those in attendance were dazzled by the new Panther Plaza at the Lake Worth campus, which featured an iconic panther sculpture and 3-dimensional animated welcome cube, displaying four screens of PBSC pride.

Five outstanding alumni and community leaders were recognized for making a significant impact on our communities.

The signature award of the night, The Lifetime Achievement Award, was given to philanthropists Danielle Moore, the current mayor of the Town of Palm Beach, and her mother Lesly Smith, the former mayor, who carry on the legacy of The Mary Alice Fortin Foundation, a family foundation started in the 1950s by Moore’s grandfather, oilman Philip N. Fortin.

Danielle is the foundation’s president and Lesly is its vice president. The Foundation provides grants to qualified charitable organizations by invitation only and has supported Palm Beach State with scholarships for decades.

“On behalf of my mother, our team leader and rock star of our family, and the directors of The Mary Alice Fortin Foundation, we thank you so much for this amazing honor,” said Moore, who also thanked fellow honoree Julie Kime for introducing her to Ava Parker. “Standing here today fills me with immense pride not only for the work we’ve been able to accomplish but for the remarkable commitment of people who have inspired and guided us along the way.  For our family, philanthropy is more than just a mission. It’s a legacy of compassion and commitment passed down from generation to generation.”

Three other alumni received Emerald Torch Awards. One of whom was alumnus Harold Caudio, an accomplished mixed-media artist and designer.

“This award is profound recognition of the journey that art has taken me on, and I’m truly humbled,” said Caudio, a Haitian-American and South Florida native. “Art is my language to heal and to speak to truth that words sometimes can’t express. From the skittles pieces that symbolize sweet impact, peace and unity to installations that embrace community, my work is a tribute to those stories we all carry and the vibrant color that unites us all.”

Alumnus Bill Yeargin, CEO of Correct Craft and author of six books including the best sellers Education of a CEO and Faith Leap, also spoke about what an honor it was to receive an Emerald Torch Award. During his time at PBSC, he told the crowd of three unique experiences that were transformative to him, including meeting then President Ronald Reagan on the Lake Worth campus.

“I shook his hand, and he stood there and talked with my for 20 to 30 seconds like he had woken up that day just to see me,” said Yeargin, who has shared leadership insights in innumerable articles and columns for nearly three decades and has been a popular speaker at hundreds of events on six continents. “Ever since, I’ve strived to make people feel like Ronald Reagan made me feel that day.”

Another philanthropist to be honored was alumna Julie Kime, who acknowledged the gratitude that the College has shown to her.

“Both John and I love PBSC,” said Julie, a board member for the Foundation for PBSC and the Wellington Boys and Girls Club. “I’m going to do everything I can to support them in any way I can. It’s wonderful when you do things for a school, and they thank you over and over again. It lets me know they really appreciate my support.”

Also at the event was Parker, who spoke about PBSC’s future.

“We are preparing our students for the jobs of the future, and we are expanding our offerings in Artificial Intelligence and equipping our classrooms with cutting-edge technology in the fields of healthcare, nursing, medical imaging, engineering, Integrated Technology, clean energy and more. However, the one thing I want you to know is that every time you leave your neighborhood if you live in Palm Beach County you come in contact with someone who was trained at PBSC. We are part of the infrastructure that makes this community work. If we didn’t have PBSC, Palm Beach County would not be what it is today, and I am so proud to lead an institution that makes that kind of a difference in the community.”

For more information about the Emerald Torch Award Gala and its honorees, please visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/torchawards.

To view photos from the event, visit the Flickr album.