Expanding A Natural Paradise The Village Is Adding An Additional 45 Acres To The 365-Acre Wellington Environmental Preserve Passive Park

Story by Mike May  |  Photos By Frank Koester

One of Wellington’s most unique outdoor recreation destinations, a huge, passive park on the western edges of the community, is going through what is expected to be a seamless and significant expansion.

Thanks to the village’s recent purchase of the 45-acre Moncada property in western Wellington, the Wellington Environmental Preserve at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat will be getting larger, which is great news for those who currently enjoy this recreational paradise, popular with walkers, runners, bicyclists, bird watchers and anybody who simply enjoys mingling with Mother Nature.

The existing park includes a boardwalk, butterfly garden, learning areas, an observation tower, a trellis, walking trails, equestrian trails and restrooms. The good news is that this outdoor destination for nature lovers will continue to be available free-of-charge during the current expansion and after it is completed.

The Village of Wellington has had an eye on purchasing the Moncada property, which lies just north of the existing preserve, for many years, but it took some time to arrange both the sale agreement and the financing. The village spent $4.5 million to buy the 45-acre property, but $3.4 million of that was paid for by the Florida Communities Trust Program, which means that the village paid roughly $1.1 million for the land.

In addition to being a well-designed passive park, home to an impressive array of native Florida flora and fauna, the current 365-acre Wellington Environmental Preserve, located off Flying Cow Ranch Road, serves as a complex engineering project that is critical to Wellington’s drainage infrastructure.

According to Scott Fletcher, senior maintenance technician with Wellington’s Public Works Department, there are three positive aspects to understand, as it relates to the Wellington Environmental Preserve and its expansion into the Moncada property.

“Firstly, this is part of Everglades restoration. Secondly, we will be able to expand Wellington’s current ability to handle more water storage. And, lastly, we want to expand the current passive park, which will be a great enhancement,” Fletcher explained. “By adding the Moncada property to the existing Wellington Environmental Preserve, it makes it all complete and helps top it off.”

Having access to the Moncada land will help add roughly 30 million gallons of offline water storage to Wellington’s existing capabilities.

According to 20-year Wellington resident Garry Gruber, a senior vice president for the West Palm Beach-based engineering firm Mock-Roos, which is the lead engineering firm and engineer of record on the Moncada expansion project, the current undertaking by the village is a win-win-win for the environment and Wellington’s ability to expand its water storage capacity, as well as expanded access to passive outdoor recreation for Wellington residents and visitors.

“The Moncada expansion embraces the goals that inspired the original Wellington Environmental Preserve, providing the village with additional rainfall storage, drainage system resiliency and water quality treatment, while offering a great opportunity to provide the general public with access to connect with nature and wildlife flourishing in its natural environment,” Gruber said.

Gruber is pleased that the Village of Wellington is making sure that the preservation of the environment is its main priority.

“The Moncada expansion project is a wonderful example of the village’s local leadership in continuing its efforts to restore the Everglades back to its natural state,” Gruber added. “The original 365-acre Wellington Environmental Preserve was the final piece to the Wellington Basin B Plan. Since the early 2000s, the Basin B Plan has been the village’s framework toward restoring, protecting and preserving the greater Everglades ecosystem.”

Before the Basin B Plan, stormwater in southern Wellington drained directly into protected Everglades lands. The Basin B Plan “replumbed” the entire area, rerouting Wellington’s stormwater. The preserve serves as critical water storage and also functions as a native Florida habitat that helps naturally cleanse the water.

When the Wellington Environmental Preserve was first completed back in 2011, Mock-Roos was the lead engineering firm, while Gruber was the project manager for that job.

Right now, crews are transforming the Moncada property by removing all the invasive plant species so that it can become a natural extension of the current preserve.

“We are reshaping it, draining it, putting in trails, and it will blend in with the current Wellington Environmental Preserve,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher agreed that the overall goal of the project is to respect the fact that this is a natural wetlands area. It will become a piece of property that will also enhance and complement the natural environment.

What’s great about this current project is that the existing Wellington Environmental Preserve will remain open and fully operational during this construction time period on the adjacent Moncada property.

According to Wellington Village Engineer Jonathan Reinsvold, one of the goals of this expansion is to complete the work without negatively impacting the general public’s access to the Wellington Environmental Preserve in its current state.

“The recent purchase of the adjacent Moncada property will not affect the day-to-day operations of the existing preserve,” Reinsvold said. “We have taken and will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure that impacts to the local community during construction remain minimal. Our primary focus is on maintaining the current status quo while integrating the new property into the overall plan.”

Not only is Mock-Roos working with the Village of Wellington again on this expansion of the preserve as the engineer of record, but H&J Contracting has returned as the construction company on the project. Mock-Roos’ current role is serving as the village’s representative, assisting H&J Contracting in understanding the intent of the design and providing services to determine if the project is being constructed in accordance with the contract.

While a project like this is always subject to change, the scheduled completion date is July 8, 2025.

When all is said and done, the Village of Wellington will have seamlessly integrated the 45-acre Moncada property into the existing Wellington Environmental Preserve to create one single hydraulically connected and common passive park, which will become the new and improved 410-acre Wellington Environmental Preserve — even bigger and better than ever. And it will be accessible and available, free-of-charge, to the general public.

The Wellington Environmental Preserve at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat is located at 3491 Flying Cow Ranch Road. Learn more at www.wellingtonfl.gov.

Quick Action Saves Lauren Knopp’s Foal The Team At Palm Beach Equine Clinic Was Integral To The Positive Outcome

By Alice Collins/Jump Media

Keeping an eagle eye on foals in their first weeks of life is not only fun, but close monitoring can also be lifesaving, as FEI dressage rider Lauren Knopp discovered in July. Luckily, quick action from Knopp, her home veterinarian, her reproduction veterinarian and the team at Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC) in Wellington all came together to bring about a positive outcome.

Knopp noticed that something wasn’t quite right when her two-month-old Hanoverian foal-at-foot Poof started having diarrhea. She called her reproduction vet Dr. Erin Newkirk, who handles her foals’ wellness care, and asked her to look at the filly, who is by Dark Pleasure out of Knopp’s Dancier mare, Dakota.

“Dr. Newkirk came on the second day of diarrhea and did an exam, pulled blood and gave her Bio-Sponge [an equine health supplement designed to help support healthy gastrointestinal function] and probiotic, and within a few minutes she became ataxic, meaning that her coordination and balance became really abnormal,” Knopp recalled.

That is when they contacted the experts at PBEC.

“As soon as Poof exhibited neurological symptoms, Dr. Newkirk and I got on the phone with PBEC,” Knoff said. “We immediately rushed Poof and Dakota to the clinic, where the clinician in charge of her care, Dr. Candelaria Chunco, and her team were waiting for us. Poof was diagnosed with central neurologic dysfunction of the brain due to low blood sodium.”

When Poof arrived at PBEC, she had a fever and neurological symptoms resulting from an electrolyte imbalance caused by 48 hours of diarrhea.

“Upon arrival, we carried out a physical exam, neurological exam, and an abdominal and thoracic ultrasound was performed,” explained Dr. Santiago Demierre, the referring veterinarian. “Poof was severely ataxic, hyperresponsive to stimuli, exhibiting compulsive behavior, and had proprioceptive deficits, unilateral circling, head tilts and tremors.”

He noted that blood work revealed severe dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance.

“Intravenous fluids were immediately started to correct imbalances, and within a few hours, Poof’s neurological signs began to improve. She was maintained on intravenous fluid therapy, antibiotics, Bio-Sponge and probiotic paste,” Demierre said

Knopp was thrilled with the care the foal received at PBEC.

“The team at PBEC went above and beyond to care for Poof. They were all extremely professional and kept me informed every step of the way. I visited a lot and was always greeted by a tech and given an update,” she said. “Aside from their quick action to get fluids into Poof and working tirelessly for six days — especially the first night — I really appreciated the care and attention my mare Dakota also received during her stay at PBEC. They always made sure she was calm and well-fed. Both Poof and Dakota are used to turnout with the option to come in and out as they please, so the staff made sure Dakota was just as comfortable as Poof during their stay.”

After almost a week of monitoring and treatment, Poof was passing normal manure, acted bright and alert, had no fever, and her normal appetite had returned. She was ready to return home.

“Even though the experience itself was immensely stressful, the team at PBEC made me feel secure knowing they were doing everything they needed to,” Knopp said. “No stone went unturned. The service was amazing, and they provided me with a detailed list of aftercare and checked in with me to make sure Poof settled in well at home.”

Knopp extended her thanks to the entire PBEC team.

“I am so grateful. It can make all the difference when an owner is paying attention to their horses, and the littlest details matter. Because of everyone acting so quickly, we were able to get Poof the care she needed. The moral of the story is not to wait to call your vet, because the outcome may have been different if I had waited,” she said.

To learn more about Palm Beach Equine Clinic, call (561) 793-1599 or visit www.equineclinic.com.

Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders
Wellington’s Commitment To Student Success On Display Through The SWAG Program

By Jim Barnes, Wellington Village Manager

This month, we take a look at the Students Working to Achieve Greatness (SWAG) program, which the Village of Wellington runs in partnership with the Crowned Pearls of Wellington. This unique program assists rising high school juniors and seniors in their pursuit of higher education.

As the school year kicks into high gear, it’s not just classrooms that are buzzing with activity, the village’s youth programs are also revving up. Among them, the Students Working to Achieve Greatness (SWAG) program stands out as a gateway to opportunity for Wellington’s high school students who face significant challenges. Since its inception in 2017, SWAG has been more than just a program; it has been a lifeline, offering mentorship, academic support and real-world experiences that shape futures. Let’s dive into how SWAG is empowering our young people to break barriers and achieve greatness, one success story at a time.

As a key part of the SWAG program, the village partners with the Crowned Pearls of Wellington, the program’s sponsor. The Crowned Pearls is an official graduate chapter of the international Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the nation’s oldest sorority for African American women.

One of SWAG’s primary goals is to assist rising juniors and seniors in their pursuit of higher education. The program supports students’ career objectives and broadens their horizons through employment opportunities and cultural experiences. As program sponsors, the Crowned Pearls of Wellington also serve as mentors, create a life skills curriculum that includes financial management and professional development, and provide academic, intellectual and community support. Cultural outings and a paid summer internship are also integral components of the program.

The SWAG program is structured around three core elements: tutoring, internships and mentoring, with the following key objectives: demonstrating gains in academic achievement; acquiring leadership skills; boosting confidence; increasing school attendance and graduation rates; preparing students for advanced education; and enhancing community and civic responsibility.

Since the program’s inception, participation has steadily increased each year. Students are referred to the program by guidance counselors at Wellington’s two high schools. To qualify, students must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA.

SWAG participants who need academic assistance receive tutoring from the Crowned Pearls of Wellington, a nonprofit partner that includes retired educators. These educators offer weekly tutoring sessions, tailored to meet the diverse educational needs of the students. The program’s academic support includes supplemental instruction, facilitated workshops, and access to textbooks and other materials relevant to the students’ educational needs. This tutoring component strengthens subject comprehension, boosts confidence and builds important learning skills through individualized attention.

Students in the SWAG program are also awarded paid summer internships with local community partners. These internships are assigned based on the students’ skill sets, interests and compatibility with work assignments. The internships are designed to help students transition from school to the next phase of their lives, offering real-world experience that integrates school studies with workplace demands, preparing students for the expectations of the working world. The students also get opportunities to make informed career decisions by assessing their aptitudes and interests while exploring potential career paths. This internship program serves as a valuable link between schools and the local community. The internship component benefits both the student participants and the local business partners, which include organizations in healthcare, nonprofits, commerce and local government.

The mentorship aspect of the SWAG program, designed by the Crowned Pearls of Wellington, addresses the social and emotional needs of the students, while also fostering life skills that contribute to personal development and future success. The strong bonds formed between students and mentors cultivate leadership skills, a sense of belonging and community involvement, creating lasting connections. The broader community benefits from having strong, homegrown role models. Mentors work one-on-one with students throughout the program, offering academic support, assistance with college applications and financial aid forms, and emotional guidance.

Since its launch in 2017, more than 250 students have completed the SWAG program, with 71 students receiving internships. Impressively, 100 percent of SWAG participants have graduated from high school, and 80 percent have gone on to attend a four-year university — a significant achievement, well above the average among Wellington High School graduates. SWAG students have also been featured on local news channels and in newspaper articles.

The SWAG program is more than just a tutoring or internship placement initiative; it’s about building relationships that make a meaningful difference. The Crowned Pearls of Wellington provide gentle yet firm guidance, imparting life lessons that will stay with the students for the rest of their lives.

Wellington is proud to partner with the Crowned Pearls to make the SWAG program a resounding success. Together, we’re not just supporting our students — we’re investing in their futures, fostering a community where every young person has the opportunity to shine. As we look ahead, we remain committed to empowering our students and nurturing the next generation of leaders in Wellington

Bink Glisson And The Vision That Became Wellington
Early Pioneer Assembled 18,200 Acres Of Land For The Wellington Family And Oversaw It For Decades

Wellington’s early history is filled with fascinating characters, and none more so than A.W. “Bink” Glisson. This self-proclaimed “Florida Cracker” assembled a huge tract of land for purchase by New York City accountant Charles Oliver Wellington, and then ran day-to-day operations on the land for 40 years.

One of the key members of Wellington’s pioneering generation was a self-proclaimed “Florida Cracker,” pilot, boater, veteran, artist, collector, real estate expert and land agent who oversaw a decades-long process that turned a huge parcel of land from a swamp to thriving agricultural land to the community now known as Wellington.

Arthur William “Bink” Glisson was born Aug. 2, 1914, in Welaka, Florida, just south of Palatka on the shore of the St. Johns River. However, when he was a child, his family made the move by boat to South Florida. His father gave nicknames to each of his five children, and young Arthur was called “Binky” — later shortened to “Bink.”

Glisson came of age in the wild frontier days of Florida, where he befriended bootleggers during Prohibition, pirates and the occasional crime boss. He loved to tell the story of how gangster Al Capone once picked him up while he was hitchhiking.

Glisson grew up with a love of water, fishing and exploring the mostly uncharted and unexplored waters of the Florida peninsula. This love of water and expertise in boating led him to join the U.S. Navy during World War II, rather than waiting to be drafted. He saw a great deal of action in the Pacific during the war, serving on a landing ship tank or LST.

While on leave during the tail end of the war, Glisson met someone who indirectly became integral to the story of the community now called Wellington. Glisson’s uncle, Eugene Theodore “Cap” Knight, owned Cap’s Place. Knight opened the restaurant in the 1920s, and it is still in operation today in Broward County’s Lighthouse Point. Knight introduced Glisson to U.S. Secretary of State Edward Stettinius, and they struck up a friendship. After the war, Stettinius hired Glisson to take care of his family’s property in Hillsboro Beach.

Unfortunately, Stettinius only lived a few more years, passing away in 1949. After his death, Glisson was tasked with finding a buyer for the Florida property. The buyer? Charles Oliver Wellington, the head of a successful accounting firm in New York City. With the sale, Mr. Wellington inherited Glisson, and they too became fast friends.

In 1951, Mr. Wellington decided that he was interested in investing in Florida land, tasking Glisson with the job of seeking out possible investment properties that he could purchase. Glisson assembled a number of parcels in central Palm Beach County and was authorized to buy the entire tract of 18,200 acres. Together, they created the Acme Drainage District in 1953, now the Acme Improvement District, to oversee drainage on the vast parcel of land so it could be used for agriculture.

Glisson would spend the next 40 years as an Acme supervisor and its executive director, overseeing the land, first for the Wellington family, then the developers interested in building on part of the site, and finally the residents of the community that took the Wellington family’s name.

Throughout the 1950s, Mr. Wellington and his family made many visits to what became known as the Flying C.O.W. Ranch (C.O.W. being Charles Oliver Wellington’s initials). Most of the land was leased to farmers for agriculture, with Glisson in charge of day-to-day operations. At one point, the Wellington family’s land could boast that it was home to the world’s largest strawberry patch, as well as acres upon acres of flowers and other valuable crops.

In 1959, Mr. Wellington died, and ownership of the land fell to his son, Roger Wellington. However, as Florida’s population exploded and land values increased, along with a big bill for estate taxes, the decision was eventually made to sell part of the family’s large land holdings for development. Again, Glisson was crucial to the process.

Realtor Ralph McCormack, an Acme board member, put Glisson in touch with James Nall, president of the Investment Corporation of Florida (ICOF), which agreed to purchase 7,400 acres of the land for $6 million. Working with Alcoa, the Aluminum Corporation of America, a huge planned community was proposed. It was given the name Wellington, and it was approved by the Palm Beach County Commission in March 1972. To this day, it remains the largest single planned development ever approved in Palm Beach County.

Aside from his work with Wellington, Glisson was an avid collector of Old Florida relics and a folk artist whose prolific paintings depicted Florida landscapes, flora and fauna, as well as scenes from Old Florida history. He was a proponent of preserving agricultural lands in Palm Beach County and served on several county advisory boards. When he decided to retire, there was a community celebration called “Bink Glisson Day” on Feb. 28, 1993. He is forever memorialized in the western Wellington neighborhood known as Binks Forest, along with an elementary school by the same name.

Former Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen was a personal friend of Glisson’s. They first became close working with others on a bank startup project circa 1990. While the bank was not a success, the relationship they built continued.

“We remained friends after that and had lunch frequently together,” Bowen recalled. “He was a good advisor to me, kind of like a fatherly figure. He taught me a lot about Wellington. He was more of a nuts-and-bolts guy. He taught me the whole canal system. We would tour around, and he showed me pump stations.”

Through their conversations, Bowen learned the history of Wellington. He also heard all of Glisson’s fascinating stories from his early years. “I always loved hearing the stories, even those I had heard several times,” Bowen said. “He was just a really good guy. He was humble. He didn’t grow up with anything, and he was thankful for what he had. He was always a very giving person who supported many charities.”

Bowen assisted Glisson in a key legacy project — finding a permanent place to house his immense collection of Florida antiques and memorabilia. “He was determined to figure out someplace to put that stuff,” Bowen recalled.

After exploring options all over the county, they settled on working with the South Florida Fairgrounds.

“They were really interested in making him part of Yesteryear Village,” Bowen said. “They wanted a multi-purpose building. Ultimately, he decided that was the way he wanted to go.”

That is why, nearly 25 years after Glisson’s death, his collection of Old Florida relics remains on public view at the Bink Glisson Historical Museum at Yesteryear Village.

Bowen’s work with Glisson on the project led him to support the fairgrounds. “I became involved with the fair as a result of that,” he said. “I ultimately went on that board and got involved in all kinds of different things.”

While Glisson passed away on March 14, 2000, his legacy lives on, not just in his namesake museum, but in the entire community he was instrumental in building.

“Without Bink, I don’t think there would be a Wellington,” Bowen said. “Mr. Wellington chose to buy that land, but he chose to buy it because Bink flew him over it to show it to him. They formed the Acme Improvement District, which provided the drainage to make that land usable. He also supervised the farming operations in the early years before it was developed.”

While the Wellington family were the investors, Glisson was the one with the vision.

“If he hadn’t been part of it, I don’t know if it ever would have been developed,” Bowen explained. “It might have remained farmland. It could have been chopped up into many different developments. Bink had the vision, and Mr. Wellington was willing to invest in it.”

Three Decades Of Memories
30-Year Reunion Brings Together
Wellington High School’s Class Of 1994

In the sixth grade, Jennifer (Sardone) Shiner and her cousin Melissa (Lauria) Schmidt — both members of Wellington High School’s Class of 1994 — moved from Staten Island, New York, to Wellington, Florida. Why Wellington? Jennifer’s family, who lived in Boca Raton, recommended the fast-growing community as an up-and-coming place to raise a family.

While attending Wellington Landings Middle School, Jennifer became friends with Alina (Farinas) Hoge and Amit Patel. Together with Melissa, they recalled learning in portable classrooms. Jennifer was a soccer player, and she, Alina and Amit sang and performed throughout Palm Beach County in the chorus under the direction of Mr. A (Richard Andreacchio).

As they looked forward to high school, they knew that the School District of Palm Beach County was building a new school, Wellington High School. As first-year students when the school opened in 1990, they were the first class to attend all four years. Alina worked in journalism on the yearbook, while Jennifer played varsity soccer and continued singing with the chorus, and Amit excelled in playing tennis and was on the debate team. Both Alina and Amit were named the “most talkative” of the class.

In high school, the students filled the halls and, with every step, created memorable moments. New friendships were established, lasting until graduation and beyond. As the four years passed, and everyone grew up, the memories of homecoming, football games, parties, sleepovers and their high school graduation lasted a lifetime.

In 1994, the class had more than 600 graduates, and the graduation ceremony was held at the former West Palm Beach Auditorium. After graduation, students went on to college, married, started working and began the next chapter of their lives.

Since graduation, Alina and Jennifer, with the help of others, have coordinated and planned reunions through the years. These events created new memories and brought back fond memories of those early years at WHS.

Some of the memories they reminisced about living in “Welly World” back then were the times going to Squire’s Deli for fireballs, going to the original Wellington Mall (then known as the Commons Mall), getting their first jobs, going to the Wellington pool and attending the popular Huck Finn Day celebration.

Alina and Jennifer manage the class’s Facebook page, and as the time rolled around again, they surveyed the class for the dates for their 30th reunion. The reunion weekend was set for June 21-22, 2024. Once again, Alina and Jennifer started planning, and recruited Amit to help. A committee was formed. Their idea was to bring the class back to Wellington for this milestone 30th reunion, since many other reunions were outside Wellington.

After months of planning and more than 1,000 texts, Alina, Jennifer and Amit were excited that the weekend finally arrived. Friday was themed Flashback Friday to 1994, and the class was asked to wear clothes from the 1990s, or anything from Wellington High School. It could be a football jersey or a powder puff jersey, from a sport to a club.

Friday night was held at Kontiki restaurant, and more than 100 people attended. Every face was familiar, just a little older, but time stood still on that night. It was as if they were once again in the hallways of the high school. Everyone was anxious to catch up with old friends, meet spouses, and learn about their families and jobs. As adults now approaching 50, cliques no longer existed, and everyone was just friends. Lots of photos were taken, drinks were had, sushi and appetizers were served, and there was a DJ with plenty of dancing.

Saturday was scheduled to be a pool day at the Wellington National Golf Club, but the weather was questionable. Guys scheduled golf in the morning. Lunch brought many together at the club for social time.

Soon, it was time for the big dinner event, held at the Wellington National Golf Club — a night the organizers and their former classmates had all waited for. The committee made sure everything was perfect. As guests entered, former high school teachers assisted with signing in. Cocktail hour was a good time to say hi to everyone and to reconnect with each other. There was a photo booth with props, a bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, a shrimp display, and tons of laughs and smiles.

Next, it was time to enter the ballroom, adorned with classic royal blue and white, representing the high school colors. The centerpieces were glittery 30s with 1994 and confetti. The dance floor had an oversized “WHS 94.” Alina created a memorabilia table filled with yearbooks, the high school newspaper The Wave and photos of old newspaper clippings from their four years in high school. The walls had programs, invitations and the traditional high school cap and gown. The photo booth had groups of people dancing with hats, props and boas.

Jennifer, Alina and Amit hosted their tables filled with friends. Following dinner, and after looking around the room, seeing everyone having a great time made all the efforts worth every second. DJ Marcus played hit songs from the 1990s, and everyone hit the dance floor as if they were 16 again. For dessert, there was a 30-cupcake display and coffee.

During the evening, attendees took a moment to remember the five members of the Class of 1994 lost through the years — students they had known but gone too soon. There was a memorial table with their photos and candles. Guests were invited to sign the photos for each student, which would be given to their families as a gift.

Soon, it was time to end the evening. Some went home and returned to their normal lives, and some went to JoJo’s for a nightcap.

The reunion committee thanks Megan (Baran) Vodar and Rob Saake for their help with the reunion. Special thanks as well to classmate Kelly O’Brien of Coastal Click Photography, who captured the photos. Finally, thanks to all the classmates who traveled from near and far to attend and help to make the 30th reunion weekend one to be remembered forever.

The committee dedicates this story to the classmates who have passed on and who will always be remembered: Melanie Miller, Scott Zurko, Carlos and Rafael Aruzza, and Bryan Wiles.

Today, 30 years after graduation, Alina lives with her husband Brian Hoge and their triplet sons in Wellington, which has remained a great place to raise a family. Amit graduated as a civil engineer and currently resides in Wellington. Jennifer lives in Stuart with her husband Scott Shiner (Class of 1993), and her cousin Melissa lives in Palm Beach Gardens with her husband Joe Schmidt (Class of 1991) and both sons are in college.

A Gift Of Art From The Heart
High School Artist Andrea Gonzalez Uses Her Talents To Paint Murals At Local School

By Mike May

Andrea Gonzalez, a 17-year-old Wellington resident and a rising senior at Suncoast High School, is driven by the philosophy of giving back, expressing thanks and showing appreciation. She doesn’t always express her appreciation with handwritten notes or her voice. Instead, she often uses her artwork to give back and pay homage to those individuals, especially teachers, who have helped her progress in life.

“I’ve been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember,” Gonzalez recalled.

This past spring, and the previous spring as well, Gonzalez created murals for Teacher Appreciation Week at her elementary school alma mater, Wellington’s Binks Forest Elementary School. She is also planning to paint another mural for Teacher Appreciation Week at Binks Forest next spring.

Her murals in 2023 and 2024 have been quite large, and each took nearly five weeks to complete. According to Gonzalez, the murals were roughly 12 feet long and seven feet tall.

The title of the mural in 2023 was “Pyramids and Mountains,” while the name of this year’s mural was “The Clock.” Each mural followed a theme that was agreed upon by the leadership of the school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

“In 2023, the PTA’s theme for Teacher Appreciation Week was the Seven Wonders of the World, and this year’s theme was Toys,” Gonzalez said. “So, last year, my mural focused on the pyramids of Egypt and Mount Everest, which is why it was called Pyramids and Mountains. This year, since the theme was Toys, my mural design was the famous clock at the FAO Schwarz store in New York.”

The FAO Schwarz clock is unique since the face of the clock has two eyes and a smile. Believe it or not, Gonzalez was able to paint “The Clock” by using only five colors.

“My primary colors this year were red, gold, black and white, along with a little bit of blue,” Gonzalez explained.

According to Veronica Zavaleta, Andrea Gonzalez’s mother, her daughter would like to motivate the next generation of young students by expressing love and gratitude through art, which is why a young artist named Claire Russell — a rising fourth grader at Binks Forest — helped Gonzalez by making her own artistic creation this past spring to complement Gonzalez’s mural.

While Gonzalez said that she has always had an interest in art, she has benefited by learning and listening to her art teachers in school, including her current art teacher at Suncoast High School. That’s one of the many things that motivated Gonzalez to pursue the mural projects.

“My art teacher at Suncoast is Mr. [Anthony] Kopp, who genuinely gives me a solid and honest critique when I ask for it,” said Gonzalez, who plans to keep drawing and painting for the rest of her life.

In addition to her two murals, Gonzalez has already compiled a treasure chest of artistic creations.

“I have 10 art pieces in frames, and I have many more projects that I have started in my sketch book,” she said.

Gonzalez has been impressed and influenced by the work of other great artists.

“I love the work of Monet, and I love Impressionism,” Gonzalez said. “I also like the art of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. My favorite color is black, using the style Tenebrism. I also like portrait work and drawing faces of people, including my own.”

While Gonzalez is passionate about art, she’s also a great student and a member of Suncoast’s girls varsity weightlifting team.

“I’m enrolled in the school’s International Baccalaureate program, and I hope to be a co-captain of the girls weightlifting team next year,” she said. “I want to win a state championship next spring.”

At 154 pounds, her best clean-and-jerk effort is 174 pounds. She can also bench press 155 pounds, and her best lift in the snatch is 126 pounds.

After graduating from Suncoast next spring, she plans to continue her collegiate education in Orlando. “I hope to enroll at the University of Central Florida,” Gonzalez said.

16 Years Of Artistic Excellence
Dance Theatre At Wellington Marks Milestone With Convenient New Location

Located in the heart of the community, Dance Theatre at Wellington stands as a testament to dedication, passion and the transformative power of dance.

Founded in 1993 by Michelle and Randy Gerlick, this beloved institution started in Davie and has been nurturing the love of dance in students of all ages for more than 31 years. From its inception, Dance Theatre has been more than just a studio, it has been a family. In August 2008, the legacy continued when Dance Theatre arrived in Wellington. Since that time, it has become a home for thousands of dance families.

Bryanna Fallen — known as Ms. Bry — began her journey with Dance Theatre at Wellington in 2008 as the front desk administrative assistant, a role that allowed her to immerse herself in the vibrant atmosphere of the studio. Working closely with the children, as well as her two daughters, who enjoyed dancing as part of the growing Dance Theatre community, she quickly developed a deep affection for the environment, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of dance on young lives.

“From my first moments in the studio, I fell in love. You could instantly feel the energy that surrounded you from the students and families,” Bryanna recalled. “There was an excitement in the air. Dancing was always a big part of my life growing up, and I knew that this was where I belonged. It soon became a second home to me. Both of my daughters danced at the studio, and it was such a blessing to be able to share that time with them.”

Bryanna’s passion grew each day as she supported the students and staff, fostering a sense of community and belonging. This connection to the studio’s mission ignited a dream within her to one day own and lead Dance Theatre at Wellington.

After 15 years, a significant milestone was reached when the studio’s previous owner decided to pursue a new career path.

This presented an incredible opportunity for Bryanna and her husband, Howie Fallen, whose dreams of owning the studio finally came to fruition. Her transition from manager to owner was seamless, thanks to her deep-rooted connection to the studio and its community.

On Nov. 15, 2023, after a challenging and eventful build-out at their new location in the Shoppes at Wellington Green near Panera Bread, the Fallens opened the doors as the new owners at Dance Theatre at Wellington. Their commitment to preserving the studio’s legacy while infusing it with fresh energy has been nothing short of remarkable.

“We have something for everyone,” Bryanna said. “Whether you are looking for recreational classes or looking for a competitive edge with our DTX competition team, we offer classes for students ages 2.5 to 18 years old. We offer acro, ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, poms, musical theater, tap, salsa, TikTok classes, conditioning and contemporary/hip hop. For our little ones, we offer combination classes, such as ballet and tap.”

At Dance Theatre at Wellington, Bryanna and Howie Fallen have cultivated an environment that is warm and inviting to anyone who enters. They welcome all families into the studio, treating every student as if they were their own. Their mission is to create a space where students not only learn to dance but also feel a profound sense of belonging and comfort from the moment they walk through the doors.

“Dance Theatre is proud to be a family-run business,” Bryanna said. “When you walk through the doors, you will instantly feel like you are part of that family. Nothing warms my heart more than when I hear a child call me ‘Mama Bry.’ Under the guidance of our experienced and dedicated staff, children learn proper dance techniques, build confidence and develop a deep love for dance.”

She added that the studio’s programs not only focus on technical skills, but also on fostering creativity, working as a team, being resilient and becoming self-disciplined. “We want to help raise students who are kind, compassionate and support one another,” Bryanna said. “The dance world is tough, and you need that support from your fellow dancers. We are committed to nurturing each child’s potential and helping them thrive both on the dance floor and in the world.”

One of the cornerstones of Dance Theatre’s success is its staff, many of whom have been with the studio for years. These dedicated professionals are not just teachers; they are mentors who are deeply invested in the growth and development of their students. Their goal is to instill proper technique, challenge students to reach new goals, build confidence and foster an enduring love for dance.

“There are so many life lessons from taking dance classes,” Bryanna said. “Whether dancers are performing or mastering dance skills in the classroom, this is building their confidence and self-esteem, which will then in turn help them have a positive self-image. Every skill that is mastered builds their confidence and self-esteem. Dancers have to be resilient and persevere during difficult times. They are challenged constantly when mastering a difficult routine or overcoming the fear of being on stage.”

She added that dancers also learn the importance of time management.

“Balancing dance classes with school and other activities help children develop strong organizational and time management skills,” Bryanna said. “Dance encourages creative thinking and personal expression, allowing children to explore and convey their emotions through movement. Most importantly, they learn respect and how to work together as a team. Dancers learn how to follow instructions, respect teachers and peers, and maintain a positive attitude, which helps children understand and practice good manners and respect for others. Dance teaches discipline and commitment. Coming to class on a regular basis teaches children the importance of dedication and hard work.”

Dance Theatre at Wellington is located at 10550 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in the Shoppes of Wellington Green. For more information about classes and programs, call (561) 270-5678 or e-mail wellington@dancetheatre.net. Learn more at www.dancetheatre.net/wellington.