Wellington Table - Signature Dish

Rich Flavors Inside A Blanket Of Deliciousness

Rich Flavors Inside A Blanket Of Deliciousness Enjoy Fresh-Made Crepes, Smoothies And More At Keywa’s In The Mall At Wellington Green

Story And Photos By Melanie Kopacz

Sweeten your life with rich flavors wrapped inside a warm blanket of deliciousness at the newly opened creperie, Keywa’s in the Mall at Wellington Green.

“We specialize in sweet crepes,” owner Julian Sierra said. “We’ve created our own recipes.”

An array of colorful pictures are displayed along the menu wall, featuring mouth-watering creations that are sure to satisfy anyone’s taste buds. The menu ranges from a number of sweet and savory crepes to a tasty variety of boba teas, smoothies, thick milkshakes and an assortment of frozen drinks.

“We try to give customers something they can’t forget.” Sierra said. “If they always remember, then they always want to come back for it.”

Sierra knows what customers love to come back for, as his recipes have turned into cravings for many who frequent the original Keywa’s location in the Boynton Beach Mall, which opened last fall. Less than one year later, co-owner Tania Eifert, Sierra’s wife, feels blessed to have this opportunity to be a part of the Wellington community.

“We appreciate the friendships we make with our customers. It’s not like you pick up your food and leave,” she said. “We really like to have a relationship with the clients.”

Situated near the mall’s food court entrance, the freestanding location sits alongside the sunroom of the main dining area. A portrait of their beloved border collie Keywa, the eatery’s namesake, greets customers at the register. The mascot’s name means “one of good spirit,” and it’s that spirit Sierra wants the creperie to exude onto others, with its friendly staff and delicious, comforting flavors made with fresh ingredients.

“The general idea is crepes. Not many places have them,” Eifert said. “Little by little, we’ll keep adding more when we see what our customers like. We’ll listen to their ideas and grow with them.”

Customers can grab a beeper for when their food is ready, but many prefer to watch the mesmerizing crepe-making process, as the batter is quickly spread and spun as it cooks. Then the layering of the fillings begins.

To start your crepe journey, you will choose one of three bases: Nutella, Arequipe (a caramel/dulce de leche spread) or cream cheese. An assortment of fresh-cut fruit comes next with a choice of chocolate or caramel syrup, then topped with vanilla, chocolate or strawberry ice cream and a dollop of whipped cream.

The Vienne crepe is a popular choice, filled with Arequipe, brownie, sliced strawberries and vanilla ice cream with caramel syrup drizzled on the folds topped by whipped cream.

The Alaska crepe uses cream cheese for its base, filled with peach chunks and graham crackers, and topped with vanilla ice cream melting into the warm crepe.

For a richer-tasting dessert, try the Chocó crepe. It’s made with M&Ms inside and out, along with some brownie, then drizzled with both chocolate and caramel syrup, topped with both vanilla ice cream and whipped cream.

For a nutty flavor, there’s the Rome crepe. It’s made with walnuts and chocolate ice cream, drizzled with caramel and chocolate syrup. The London crepe is layered with Nutella, banana slices, vanilla and chocolate ice cream with whipped cream, while the Paris crepe also uses Nutella and banana, but mixes it up with graham crackers and vanilla ice cream.

For a chocolatey fruit combo, check out the Monaco crepe, made with Nutella, strawberries and blueberries. Not looking for dessert? A savory option is the America crepe. It’s made with ham and cheese, either Swiss or cheddar, and butter.

Complement your crepe with one of several smoothie options.

The Dubai is a rich and filling choice made with sweet peach slices, passion fruit and pineapple. The Sidney has blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, making it nutrient-rich on top of really tasty.

The Colombia — where Sierra hails from — features a mix of blueberries, strawberries and a twist of pineapple, while the Peru — which is Eifert’s heritage — has fresh-cut chunks of watermelon, passion fruit and banana.

If crepes and smoothies aren’t enough choices, there’s even more.

Rich, thick, handmade milkshakes feature flavors from strawberry and cookies and cream, to chocolate with drizzled syrup or classic vanilla.

Boba tea is also on the menu. Create your own delicious mix with either bursting balls or tapioca balls. Frozen drinks round it all out with some spectacular flavors. Pineapple, passion fruit and mint make for a flavorful mix in the Hawaii drink. A different twist on a classic is the Coconut Lemonade with lemon, coconut cream, condensed milk and coconut milk. For that coffee craving, try the Frappé made with coffee, chocolate syrup and whipped cream.

Still looking for more choices? There are tasty waffles on the menu, too! The signature Banana Split waffle is made with Nutella, banana slices and strawberries, while the Tartufo features Arequipe and strawberries. Both come with vanilla ice cream.

It’s a personal indulgence of sorts for Sierra to turn his passion into a profession after leaving an accounting job and side work to help his parents who became ill. After only six years in the United States, he has learned English, got married and just welcomed a new baby boy. He’s living the American dream, working hard alongside his wife, while making his creations that represent a melting pot of flavors from around the world. Flavors they hope will sweeten your life.

Keywa’s is inside the food court at the Mall at Wellington Green, located at 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Check out the menu at www.keywas.co. If you’re not ready to eat immediately, you can order carry out, as well as delivery through Uber Eats and Grubhub.

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Wellington Real Estate

A Relaxing Dream Retreat

A Relaxing Dream Retreat Beautiful, Spacious Courtyard-Style Home Features A Warm, Modern Look In The Palm Beach Polo And Country Club

Photos Courtesy Douglas Elliman Real Estate

This perfectly re-imagined home on Winding Oak Lane in the Palm Beach Polo and Country Club offers a relaxing dream retreat. It is a popular courtyard-style home where the outdoor space connects to almost every room through a multitude of sliding and French doors. Tucked in a corner, a hedged alcove offers a fireside nook with a cozy atmosphere. Once inside, the style features a warm, modern palette, carefully curated not to be too clinical or fussy. Some features include beautiful oak wood floors, Thermador appliances, a private master suite with heated bathroom floors, a gas-heated pool and spa, a sound system, and complete hurricane impact doors and windows.

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Wellington Education

A Good Education Is The Key To Success

A Good Education Is The Key To Success Principal Dr. Eugina Smith Feaman Of Emerald Cove Middle School Comes From A Family Of Educators

Story by Deborah Welky  |  Photos by Denise Fleischman

Emerald Cove Middle School opened in 2007 as Wellington’s third middle school. Located at the intersection of State Road 7 and Stribling Way, it serves Wellington’s eastern neighborhoods, such as the large Olympia community it borders.

Since 2014, Dr. Eugina Smith Feaman has served as principal at Emerald Cove, arriving there after three years in the top position at Wellington Elementary School.

Feaman is a self-described “product of Palm Beach County schools.” When she graduated from the International Baccalaureate program at Suncoast High School, she already knew she was aiming for a career in education.

“Both my parents were educators in middle school, and I always had very influential teachers,” Feaman recalled.

One in particular, her John F. Kennedy Middle School math teacher Helen Brown, was particularly inspiring.

“She was firm but fair as a teacher,” Feaman said. “In fact, her teaching style is one I started adopting when I became a teacher. She was clear and caring. Her students always knew that she cared about their success.”

Yet it was Feaman’s parents, Virginia and Ulysses Smith, who first encouraged Feaman to follow their footsteps into the field of education. It was the same for her sisters, who are also educators.

“They wanted us to help others,” Feaman said. “They wanted for us to be people who gave back to our community and to be role models, as they were. They were staunch believers in the importance of education and doing well in school, and they instilled that in us. They always talked about education being that key to success. They were our biggest supporters.”

Feaman attended Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, majoring in elementary education and English. Upon graduation, she returned to Palm Beach County and began working as a teacher at Bear Lakes Middle School, where they were looking for someone for their new intensive reading program. But Feaman continued her studies, later earning specialist and doctoral degrees in educational leadership from Argosy University in Sarasota.

As Feaman continued in her career, she was soon named an assistant principal at Bear Lakes, then promoted to principal at Cholee Lake Elementary School in Greenacres.

In 2011, Feaman became the principal at Wellington Elementary School, and in June 2014, when former Principal Dr. Nancy Lucas retired, Feaman took over as principal at Emerald Cove. “I had grown to love Wellington very much, and I have been here ever since,” she said.

Like many educators, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented her biggest challenge to date. “We had to go into a virtual setting, which was brand new, make sure students had what they needed in that time frame, and keep them safe,” Feaman said. “Now that we are back into the building, we have to make up for the gaps — academically, socially and emotionally.”

Emotional gaps are a real concern when it comes to middle schoolers, as they are typically highly social.

“Remote learning really has affected them socially and emotionally,” Feaman said. “Students had more screen time, which is both a positive and a negative thing, and not being able to interact with their peers affected their social skills. Also, in many cases, many were at home by themselves and able to do things without having structure. Kids are kids. They look for guidance from adults; they look for structure from adults. They do have other influences — phones and computers, as well as influences from within the community — and they are exposed to more things than in years past, but they are still children who are looking for love, nurturing and guidance from the adults in their lives.”

Since Feaman took the reins at Emerald Cove, the school has added its Pre-Information Technology academy, a technology-based choice program at the school, as well as becoming an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) school.

“Those are two high points, added to support our students academically,” Feaman said. “We also have very successful visual and performing arts classes. For the first time in the school’s history, our band has received a Superior rating, which was determined by a panel of judges comprised of other band directors.”

Moving forward, Feaman plans to continue her work helping her middle school students thrive.

“I hope to help as many children be academically successful as possible,” Feaman said. “I would like to grow some of our culturally aware programs to make sure we have a welcoming and inclusive environment, and I’d like to guide and support my teachers and staff members so they can do the best for their students.”

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Arle & Ken Adams Scholarship Winners

Arle & Ken Adams Scholarship Winners
Wellington Community Foundation Presents Annual Scholarships To Three Talented Students

Story by Deborah Welky  |  Photos by Denise Fleischman

The Wellington Community Foundation’s Arle & Ken Adams Scholarship recipients were named at this year’s Thank You Soirée held Thursday, May 12 at the Boynton Financial Group offices in Wellington. This year’s winners are Ryann Bierman, Miles Wang and Isabella Whedbee — three outstanding candidates, noted scholarship chairs James Seder and Joanna Boynton.

The foundation created this scholarship to serve those in need who can benefit from a helping hand in order to become one of tomorrow’s leaders. The scholarship is awarded annually to Wellington students who either live in or attend high school in Wellington.

The scholarship was named in honor of former Palm Beach County Commissioner Ken Adams and his wife Arle Adams. Longtime Wellington residents, Arle and Ken Adams made great contributions to the growth and development of the Village of Wellington, dating back to the late 1970s.

Key figures in getting Wellington incorporated as a municipality in the 1990s, there are few aspects of Wellington’s story that cannot be attributed to some kind of involvement or assistance from Arle and Ken Adams. The foundation voted to create this scholarship in their honor to ensure their legacy lives on.


Ryann Bierman recently graduated from Wellington High School with a grade point average of 3.9. She will be attending the University of Florida in Gainesville, where she plans to major in geology — at least that’s the plan for now.

“It may eventually change,” Bierman said. “I’ll have to see how much I like rocks once I start studying them full time.”

She may even check out UF’s new Gator Glaciology Lab, where Associate Professor of Geological Sciences Mickey MacKie, together with a team of undergrads, use machine learning tools to study the conditions under glaciers to better understand movement and melting in order to help ascertain the impact of the world’s glaciers on rising sea levels.

“Once I get my degree, I can work in the paleontology field, although I may have to go beyond my bachelor’s degree to get there,” Bierman explained. “I’d like to go out and find fossils. I think that would be an amazing thing to do, although not forever. Eventually, I’d like to work in a museum or in labs on research projects.”

If her love of rocks does dim while in school, Bierman said she may pivot to a major in anthropology or archeology.

Providing the impetus for her all-round love of science is Bierman’s mother.

“First and foremost, it’s my mom,” she said. “My mother was in the science field during her career, and she’s the one who got me interested in it. Then dad pushed me to pursue what interested me.”

Bierman wants younger students to share her drive.

“Keep working on it,” she offers as advice. “If you’re having trouble with something, ask for help. At the end of the day, you’ll get to where you’re going if you keep trying — and that’s the most important thing. I was told this myself when I entered high school: ‘Have fun but work hard.’”

Receiving the Wellington Community Foundation’s Arle & Ken Adams Scholarship was not something Bierman had anticipated.

“When I first got the call, I was completely surprised,” Bierman said. “It truly means the world to me. It’s going to help me so much to reach my dream.”

During the check presentation, Bierman got to meet the other two winners. “They are lovely people,” she said.

In addition to the $2,500 she received from the Wellington Community Foundation, Bierman also has a few more applications pending, not that she’s dwelling on that. She’s already looking ahead to college.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people and being in a new place — being out of my comfort zone,” Bierman said.


Miles Wang graduated from the Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts with a 4.0 grade point average. While there, he majored in communications and joined the debate team in his sophomore year. By his senior year, he was serving as captain of the USA Debate Team for the National Speech & Debate Association.

Now, he’s packing his bags and heading to Harvard University.

“I loved growing up in Florida and attending Dreyfoos, but I also realize it’s a bubble of people formed by their environment,” Wang said. “I’m looking forward to meeting a lot of new people from every background and place possible — people who are passionate about whatever they are interested in.”

While Harvard offers more than 3,700 courses in 50 undergraduate fields of study, Wang has chosen to focus on applied mathematics as well as economics, part of the university’s quantitative social sciences program.

It seems like a perfect fit. Harvard’s economics program begins with the premise that individuals have goals and that they pursue those goals as best they can. Wang will learn the behavior of social systems such as markets, corporations, legislatures, and families, ultimately being able to make recommendations that will serve to make people better off.

“Harvard University is very well known for their well-renowned economics department, their economics professors and the resources they direct there,” Wang said.

And, although it’s a bit early to make a final decision, Wang has a few ideas on how he is going to put his education to use. “I’m looking at the fields of either politics, technology or finance,” he said.

While a Harvard education can cost upward of $50,000 per year before financial aid or scholarships, Wang is going to have a lot of help, including the Wellington Community Foundation’s Arle & Ken Adams Scholarship.

“I’m so grateful for it,” Wang said. “I’ve grown up in Wellington my entire life, attending the Little Place and Binks Forest Elementary School, and to have some of my hefty college tuition supported by the scholarship, I’m very grateful for this opportunity.”

Wang has also received a Coca-Cola scholarship, a Kovner Opportunity scholarship, a U.S. Senate Youth Program scholarship, a George Snow scholarship, a Community Foundation of the Palm Beaches & Martin County scholarship, and a National Merit scholarship, some of which are renewable.

“My parents and family were always pushing me,” Wang said. “They loved, encouraged, and supported me. I have a brother, Michael, who is five years older than me, and he has been a great mentor and role model. It takes a village to raise a child.”

Wang recommends that future graduates focus on what they enjoy.

“Pursue activities that you are truly interested in, that you’re truly passionate about,” he said. “You’ll do better at them, and it’ll be better as far as helping you get into college.”


Isabella Whedbee recently graduated from Palm Beach Central High School with a 4.0 grade point average and will be attending the Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida.

The college was designed to attract and challenge students who demonstrate an ability to achieve academic excellence and prepares them to enter the best graduate and professional schools. It offers a small college experience within a large research university.

There is also a two-to-four semester program, Honors Undergraduate Thesis, which allows UCF juniors and seniors to conduct original and independent research under the supervision of a faculty committee, culminating in a thesis or related creative project.

“I submitted a separate application and was fortunate enough to be invited to attend,” said Whedbee, who needed to list her volunteer activities and test scores as part of the process. “I’m looking forward to the smaller class sizes and working with a more-connected group of students.”

Whedbee plans to major in communications or advertising and credits a former teacher for steering her in that direction. “I had a high school newspaper teacher named Ms. Joanne Biferie,” Whedbee said. “I was one of her editors on the paper, and she inspired me to continue writing and growing my knowledge of world events.”

After college, Whedbee’s chosen path is clear.

“I would love to manage or own an advertising agency that is able to help businesses and nonprofits that help serve the community and underserved students,” she said. “I’d love to intern during college with a nonprofit or advertising agency and work my way up to help manage it over time.”

Receiving the Wellington Community Foundation’s Arle & Ken Adams Scholarship was a memorable experience for Whedbee. “It was a great moment,” she said. “It is amazing that they selected me, and an empowering feeling to be noticed by such a prestigious nonprofit as the Wellington Community Foundation. I’m very grateful.”

Whedbee is also grateful for having received the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, which will cover her tuition.

For those college hopefuls still working their way through high school, Whedbee has some advice.

“Block out all the noise and really try to focus on what you can help the community with,” she said. “Colleges will really appreciate it, and you’ll have a new sense of gratification for what you were able to have in your own life.”

The Arle & Ken Adams Scholarship is just one of the many ways the Wellington Community foundation continues to provide support to Wellington students to help them achieve educational success. Again this year, the foundation will be providing 650 new school uniforms and 650 backpacks filled with much-needed school supplies.

If you would like more information about the foundation, or this ongoing initiative, contact WCF Chair Tom Wenham at (561) 333-9843, or visit www.wellingtoncommunityfoundation.org to become involved and help “build a stronger community.”

 

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Feature Stories, Wellington Education

Personalized Learning For Students

Personalized Learning For Students
Local Private Schools Provide Students With A More Individualized Educational Experience

By Mike May

When it comes to education options in Wellington, parents have many choices beyond traditional brick-and-mortar schools. In Wellington, there are several private schools that specialize in providing an individualized educational experience for parents and students looking for this type of learning environment. Among these schools are #1 Education Place, Score at the Top and the Wellington Collegiate Academy.


#1 Education Place
The driving forces behind #1 Education Place are Judy Blake and Anita Kane. Together, they started this private school more than 20 years ago. They began as tutors with clients from the equestrian world. Now, they operate a full-fledged private school with clients from all walks of life.

At #1 Education Place, located in the original Wellington Mall, the teaching model is not what you find at regular schools. “We are a Montessori school,” Blake said. “And we are open 12 months a year.”

The “big picture” focus at #1 Education Place — which teaches children in grades 1 through 12 — is to emphasize independence and executive function.

According to Blake, when students are taught executive function, they learn organizational skills, personal responsibility, how to organize their day and how to master life as an adult. They also learn all the core subjects taught in conventional schools. At #1 Education Place, there’s a major focus on core communications. “We have a big emphasis on writing, especially in high school,” Kane said. “We also focus on cursive writing, penmanship, grammar, spelling and English comprehension.”

Rather than a teacher-directed environment, like in traditional schools, #1 Education Place implements a student-directed educational atmosphere.

According to Kane, teachers at the school encourage each student to follow his or her interests and passions. The teaching environment is peaceful and filled with purpose.

“We have all open spaces, no closed doors and there’s freedom of movement for everybody,” Blake said. “Here, students are interested in doing, learning and accomplishing. There are no rewards or punishment, but plenty of positive reinforcement. In many cases, we provide a few minutes of instruction and then let the students do the work.”

At #1 Education Place, homework is not a regular occurrence. “Our students have a life outside of school,” Kane noted.

The school also offers flexible arrivals and departures for students. According to Blake, flexible schedules are important for students who have serious interests in other endeavors, such as tennis, golf and equestrian sports that require unique travel and practice time.

For the elementary school and middle school students at #1 Education Place, they do get 30 minutes of recess every day and occasionally go on field trips.

#1 Education Place is located at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 23. For more info., call (561) 753-6563 or visit www.1educationplace.com.


Score Academy 
Score Academy, the private school component of Score at the Top, with a location on State Road 7 in Wellington, is also an option for families that require flexible scheduling because traditional schools don’t work for them. Score Academy teaches NCAA-approved core courses and is a SACS (Southern Association of Colleges & Schools) and SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) approved school.

“We are your pathway to academic success, virtually or locally,” said Maggie Alexander, the center director and head of school. “You don’t have to be in Wellington to attend Score Academy.”

At Score Academy, you can learn on site or remotely. According to Alexander, one of the appealing aspects of Score Academy is that many classes are one-on-one with a teacher, and no class has more than four students. Some classes feature a student connected via Zoom, who is joined by a student and teacher in one of Score’s classrooms. “Our classes are live, synchronous and face-to-face,” Alexander said.

Many of the students at Score Academy are serious equestrian competitors — hunters, jumpers or dressage riders. Many other students are tennis players, golfers, water skiers, figure skaters and dancers. Because of different and changing schedules, students who compete in equestrian pursuits are enrolled at Score Academy for classes throughout the day.

The academy accommodates a significant number of international students, as the school has the ability to provide I-20 visas for students who want to study and reside in the United States.

Besides catering to full-time students, Score at the Top also provides SAT and ACT prep workshops, as well as tutoring in all subject areas. You can also register to take a regular, honors or AP class at Score Academy, even if you attend a different school.

The emphasis at Score at the Top is to provide each student with a quality education. “99.9 percent of our students have been accepted to their top choice colleges and schools,” Alexander said.

For students looking for this type of program, Score Academy is worth the investment.

Score at the Top is located 1035 S. State Road 7, Suite 118. For more info., call (561) 333-8882 or visit www.scoreatthetop.com/wellington.


Wellington Collegiate Academy 
The students at the Wellington Collegiate Academy (WCA), located in the original Wellington Mall, currently range from kindergarten through eighth grade. However, the school will soon be educating students through 12th grade. Beginning this fall, the WCA will add one high school grade each year.

Right now, there are 90 students enrolled at the school.

“We offer traditional and innovative ways of learning,” said Juan Carlos Valdez, WCA co-owner and principal. “We try to cater to the specific needs of every student. We encourage students to progress at their own speed.”

According to Valdez, who operates the school with his wife, Jessica, the teacher-student ratio is low, which guarantees that each student gets plenty of attention.

“We have eight to 12 students per teacher,” Juan Carlos said. “There’s a great deal of relationship building between students and teachers. Our students know that they have the support of their teachers.”

At the WCA, there is a significant emphasis on the arts. The arts are the specialty area of interest for the Valdez husband-and-wife team. He’s a professional animator, while she is an opera singer.

Once a year, the WCA’s students conduct an acting or musical performance.

“This year, our students performed “The Wizard of Oz,” Juan Carlos said. “In recent years, our students presented Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan. In December, we have our Christmas concert.”

When it comes to music education, that’s Jessica’s specialty.

“I oversee all the music classes,” she said. “We want them to experience all forms of music, which includes music from the 1960s, 1980s, jazz and Mozart.”

One of the biggest musical opportunities for WCA students will take place in June 2023 when a school choir will be traveling to England to perform during the London Band Week.

Every year, WCA’s musical troupe performs at Walt Disney World, and there’s a reason that they are invited to return annually. “When people hear us sing, they stop and listen,” Jessica said.

A key aspect of WCA’s approach to education is connecting the textbook with reality. For instance, the students learning marine biology are taken on a field trip to the Miami Seaquarium. The school also takes students on educational field trips to the Kennedy Space Center, St. Augustine, the Palm Beach Zoo, local farms and the Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg.

“It’s one thing to learn about a place from a book, and it’s another thing to see it live and in person,” Juan Carlos said.

The school also understands the importance of recess and physical activity breaks for its students during the school day. “Giving students recess breaks helps support their imagination and helps create innovation,” Juan Carlos said.

The Wellington Collegiate Academy is located at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 14B. For more info., call (561) 784-1776 or (561) 701-3462, or visit www.gowca.org.

 

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Wellington Education

Top In Science, Math And Engineering

Top In Science, Math And Engineering
American Heritage Schools Leads The Nation In STEM Education

As the world continues to advance technologically, American Heritage Schools keeps pace with the global shift by integrating a culture of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) into its comprehensive and rigorous curriculum.

Founded in 1965, American Heritage Schools is a nationally ranked college preparatory school with two 40-acre campuses in South Florida for grades Pre-K3 to 12. The 4,800 students represent more than 60 different countries, and more than 70 percent of the faculty holds a post-graduate degree. The student to faculty ratio is 5 to 1.

AHS alumni are notable leaders in their fields, who are generating positive differences in the world. Dylan Cahill graduated from American Heritage Schools’ Palm Beach campus in 2014, from Dartmouth College in 2018, and he is currently a medical degree candidate at Harvard Medical School. “American Heritage prepared me for college academics,” Cahill said. “Though I didn’t realize it at the time, the study strategies I developed in challenging classes at AHS helped make my transition into the demands of college life much smoother.”

Ranked among the top private schools in Florida in STEM according to Niche, a leader in digital searches for the best K-12 schools and colleges, the students at American Heritage recently earned high honors in STEM, including No. 1 in Florida at the state science fair, No. 1 and No. 2 private school in Florida in math competition, and event champions in robotics competition.

The American Heritage Science Research Institute for select students in grades 6 to 12 enables students to conduct research on real-world problems, and in turn, they have earned international recognition for their findings.

Emilin Mathew researched digital phenotyping of the autism spectrum and earned first prize in the world at the 2021 International Intel Science & Engineering Fair.

“I’m really grateful for the support I got in pursuing my commitment to overcome healthcare inequities for people of color,” Mathew said. “Winning first place in the world was the most empowering experience that reaffirmed my aspiration to be a scientist-activist who helps underserved communities.”

She is just one of the many students at American Heritage empowered to make a big difference in the world.

The range of equipment in the science lab is unlike any other high school — fluorescent and inverted microscopes, UV/Vis plate reader (a spectrophotometer), a carbon dioxide incubator, a minus-86-degree freezer, a liquid nitrogen cryogenic tank and a scanning electron microscope, just to name a few.

“When our students graduate, they are equipped with a level of research knowledge they would not normally have without the opportunities presented in our program,” said Dr. Iris Thompson, director of science research at American Heritage Schools’ Palm Beach campus. “This sets them apart from their peers when applying to college or graduate school.”

The mathematics departments at both campuses are equally strong. Starting in Lower School, advanced courses are offered, including the Stanford University math program for accelerated math students in grades 4 through 6. This early learning enables the students to perform extremely well at math competitions. They earned the ranking of No. 1 elementary school in Florida and No. 2 private elementary school in the United States in math competition, and many of those students advance to the high school level with great success.

Both the Broward and Palm Beach math teams at AHS ranked No. 1 and No. 2 private school at the Florida Association of Mu Alpha Theta statewide math competition. The Palm Beach campus earned five first-place awards in Geometry, Matrices and Vectors, Statistics, Statistics Bowl and Computer Competition.

Justin Sun is a senior at the Palm Beach campus who has competed on the AHS Math Team since he was a freshman. His strength is in statistics with an interest in data science.

“One day I want to be the CEO of my own corporation using data to solve major issues in the world, such as climate change and the tumultuous political environment,” explained Sun, who attributed his success in high school to his teachers. “American Heritage does a great job of making sure the students are comfortable in class and understand the material, and I feel that only comes with experience of the teachers, who make sure the students have the proper tools to achieve the goals they want.”

Sun will be attending Carnegie Mellon University in the fall.

In the field of robotics and engineering, the AHS Ninjineers Robotics Team at the Broward campus qualified for the World Robotics Championship in Houston over the summer. The team also won NASA’s Regional Engineering Inspiration Award, which celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school or organization and community.

Senior Krishna Sorna was a top student in the American Heritage Pre-Engineering Program at the Palm Beach campus and will be attending Princeton in the fall.

“American Heritage has played a major role in my early acceptance to Princeton University by providing a great educational environment unlike any other high school,” Sorna said. “The Pre-Engineering Program allowed me to learn through several engineering classes, participate in internships with major engineering companies, and design and create products in the engineering and robotics lab to get real-world experience, which inspired me to choose a major in electrical and computer engineering and a career at an engineering firm.”

American Heritage Schools in Palm Beach is No. 2 in National Merit Scholars out of all schools in Florida. American Heritage Schools’ combined students from both campuses comprise 9 percent of all National Merit Scholars Semifinalists throughout the 2,227 public and private schools in Florida.

“We are very proud to have our students win prestigious honors for their various accomplishments in our STEM programs,” said Dr. Doug Laurie, president of American Heritage Schools. “These students are model ambassadors for American Heritage Schools. Each of them embodies our values of knowledge, integrity and compassion, and their hard work and dedication to their educational pursuits are admired.”

American Heritage is open all year at both campuses. It also provides an extensive summer program from June to August for children and teens ages 3 to 17 from all over the world. The offerings include traditional day camps, specialty and sports camps, the Summer Institute, available in-person and online with more than 100 courses designed for every student interest, and 1-on-1 tutoring. This comprehensive summer enrichment ensures students are prepared or ahead for the next school year and gives them a competitive advantage to succeed.

American Heritage Schools will continue to set high standards for growth and learning and prepare the next generation of global thinkers and problem solvers to succeed.

American Heritage Schools’ Palm Beach campus is located at 6200 Linton Blvd., just east of Jog Road. For more information, call (561) 495-7272 or visit www.ahschool.com.

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Protecting America’s Vulnerable Horses

Protecting America’s Vulnerable Horses
The Equus Foundation Works To Educate People On The Importance Of A Horse’s Life Both In And Out Of The Show Ring

By Sydney Jones

The lives of horses are not only measured by how high they jump or how many ribbons they win. There comes a time when a horse can no longer compete and is in need of a next chapter or deserving of a long-term, relaxing retirement life.

Unfortunately, many horses don’t get that chance, which is where the Equus Foundation steps in. Founded in 2002 by Lynn Coakley, the foundation exists to place emphasis on horse care both during and post competition.

Driven by a mission to safeguard the comfort and dignity of America’s horses throughout their lives, the Equus Foundation focuses on empowering equine charities to operate at the highest standards for horse care and service, inspiring horse lovers to become horse protectors by simulating advocacy and volunteerism, and by educating the public on the value of horses through stories of their achievements and contributions.

Coakley founded the Equus Foundation after realizing a staggering statistic. “Over two million horses have been shipped across our borders for slaughter, most of which were young, healthy and had untapped potential,” she explained.

The transition period between competing and retirement is when the horses are most vulnerable. It’s a time when their owners can no longer care for them, so the foundation helps to provide financial support to ensure these horses go to a good home and live out their lives.

“The Equus Foundation has awarded over $5.2 million in grants to equine charities nationwide that rescue, rehabilitate, retrain, re-home and retire horses, and charities that partner with horses to improve the well-being of people,” Coakley explained.

The foundation also prides itself on education about the significant impact of horses. The foundation does this through several initiatives to help spread awareness about horse care both in Wellington and nationwide.

This year, the Equus Foundation initiated its 2022 “Stepping Out for America’s Horses’’ campaign to coincide with the Winter Equestrian Festival and held two major events in Wellington this season.

The campaign provides the opportunity for horse lovers to directly impact the lives of horses at the Equus Foundation’s Guardian charities by selecting a horse from a list of 120 horses to fundraise for. The fundraiser provided the opportunity for equestrians to share their “Stepping Out” page with their family and friends, furthering the reach of the foundation.

The foundation will also be supporting America’s Wild Horses through the Stepping Out Campaign. On March 30, the foundation held an exclusive live screening in Wellington of the documentary The Mustangs: America’s Wild Horses, produced and co-directed by Steven Latham. The Equus Foundation has vouched to match the first $25,000 raised during the campaign. There are more than 80,000 wild horses on federal lands and more than 50,000 in government corrals.

Another prestigious event held this season was the Robb Report’s Horsepower Gala, which took place March 31 at the farm of Helgstrand Dressage in Wellington. The event was created by the Robb Report to increase awareness surrounding the issues of horse abuse, neglect and slaughter and support the mission of the Equus Foundation. The foundation was the beneficiary of the live auction, receiving more than $110,000 to go toward protecting America’s horses.

Aside from the fundraising initiatives and financial support that the Equus Foundation provides, many well-known riders have stepped in to support its mission and serve as athlete ambassadors throughout the country.

“The Equus Foundation Athletes program recognizes equestrians who demonstrate that success is measured not only by winning but by making the quality of life of their equine partners paramount,” Coakley said. “They serve as inspirational role models in the world of equestrian sport to help raise important awareness on behalf of the horses we all love. These athletes exemplify that the horse should always come first — and what happens to them after their sport careers are over is just as important.”

Two local top-level riders, Catherine Tyree and Victoria Colvin, have taken a stance alongside the foundation to be a voice for America’s horses both here and nationwide. Colvin is proud of her work as an Equus Foundation athlete ambassador.

“I am proud to support the Equus Foundation as an athlete ambassador and support the work they do in bringing awareness to the abuse horses face across the world,” she said. “We are privileged to work with and rely on such incredible animals for our careers, so it’s important to me to give back in any way that I can and champion organizations like Equus that are making such a big difference.”

Tyree agreed. “Working with Lynn and the entire Equus Foundation has been a wonderful experience,” she said. “We are all fueled by one thing: our love for the horses. What Lynn has built is truly special. The foundation’s commitment to making sure each and every horse has their forever home with the proper love and care is admirable. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with such a special group to give back to the animals that give us so much on a day-to-day basis.”

Moving forward, the Equus Foundation wants to continue to spread awareness about abuse and neglect to America’s horses and provide financial and educational support to help keep horses an important part of American life.

“Informed giving is more important now than ever before — which is why we ensure donor dollars are invested in programs that have the greatest impact. We believe boundless opportunities exist for thousands of horses to contribute positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of all people,” Coakley said. “There are 61 million people in the United States with disabilities, yet only 69,000 are benefiting from the powerful healing ability of horses. Many more at-risk and transitioning horses could be serving people with disabilities. We need to embrace a fundamental shift in our attitude toward horses — from the horse as a commodity to the horse as an athlete, companion, teacher and healer.”

Learn more about the organization at www.equusfoundation.org.

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Wellington Table - Signature Dish

Take A Journey To Sardinia

Take A Journey To Sardinia
Zona Blu Brings The Unique Cuisine Of This Mediterranean Island To Life

Story and photos by Melanie Kopacz

Dare to be enlightened through an exploration of flavors from the Italian island of Sardinia in a culinary journey at the new local restaurant Zona Blu. The Sardinian style cuisine features an eclectic magic that makes for delectable culinary art with Mediterranean seafood, fresh-baked breads, unique cheeses and imported ingredients.

“We love our island,” co-owner Debbie Marras Bautista said. “We wanted to do something that reflected our cuisine in Sardinia, our culture.”

The restaurant is celebrating that uniqueness with the grand opening at its new location on Okeechobee Blvd., following a thriving first location in Broward’s Weston community. Sisters Debbie Marras Bautista and Sheila Marras David partnered with the menu’s creator, co-owner and Corporate Chef Andrea Fadda.

“The common thread for all of us is that we’re from the island of Sardinia, and that was Andrea’s vision. After traveling the world as a chef, to have these dishes unique to the island on our menu, and that’s what sets us apart,” Bautista said. “We seem to have tapped into a niche. We’re not your typical Italian.”

This is a cuisine that originated from a place in the world that’s so unique, it’s considered a “Blue Zone.” Sardinia is one of only five designated places in the world deemed by researchers as an area where people are known for their longevity, living 100 years and older.

“The food that they eat and the wine that’s made from grapes that are grown in Sardinia that have antioxidants,” Bautista explained. “They have benefits attributed to the longevity of the people who live there, so we wanted to incorporate that into the concept, and that’s why we named it Zona Blu.”

The illuminating and tranquil blue hues throughout the dining room set the tone, reflective of the Mediterranean Sea where Sardinia is situated above Sicily, making for a serene dining experience. An extensive outdoor patio is complete with blue shade awnings. Sardinian wines and varieties from around the world fill racks around the restaurant.

“Our maître d’ is from Sardinia and is basically our sommelier,” Bautista said. “He selects all of our wine, so we have an extensive wine selection from Sardinia, but also all over Italy, France, California, Washington. On Wednesdays, we have 50 percent off our wines that are up to $100.”

Paintings by a Sardinian artist are spaced around the restaurant portraying the people of the region, giving a feeling of who these recipes represent and the fishermen who reel in the fresh catch.

Like Octopus alla Griglia, for starters. The crispy grilled Mediterranean octopus is presented atop arugula salad and aromatic roasted potatoes.

A must-try is the Soufflé al Pecorino. It’s the signature appetizer — a creamy delight made with pecorino cheese from Sardinia with truffle sauce and mushrooms topped with a crispy traditional flat bread.

To help navigate the menu is a knowledgeable staff that helps make the culinary experience one to savor. Also on board is Executive Chef Nico Zallu, who not only loves being in the kitchen, but he also loves singing to the customers.

A huge tableside flaming cheese wheel is also an interactive favorite and a tasty experience.

“They prepare the pasta in the cheese wheel and scrape the cheese from the aged big wheel onto the plates. People love the show, and it’s delicious,” Bautista said. “They have all this fresh cheese. It’s something that’s not on our menu, but we have it, and it’s very popular.”

Another experience for the senses is the Spaghetti al Cartoccio with mixed seafood, fresh tomato sauce and pasta covered in a pastry dough baked in a wood-burning oven.

“It comes out as a big puff of pastry, and then they open it in front of the guest, and all they have is the aroma of the fresh seafood,” Bautista explained.

Freshly served Salumeria comes displayed on authentic Sardinian cork serving trays. “One of the main resources is cork, so when you drive around the island, you see all these trees, where the bottom of them is bare because people shaved the cork, and it grows back, and artisans use the cork to make shoes and purses. We wanted to bring that to our restaurant,” Bautista said.

The Salumeria platters come with a choice of meats, including Prosciutto Crudo and Salame Felino, and cheeses like Pecorino Semi Stagionato, with sprinklings of fresh olives served with a side of jam and giardiniera. “It’s a beautiful presentation and very unique,” she said. “People always ask us if they can buy the tray.”

Another plate with a beautiful presentation and full of flavor is the Fregola Sarda ai Frutti di Mare — a Sardinian couscous-style pasta with mixed fresh seafood.

You can pair any dish with a drink from the stocked bar, and happy hour is daily from 4 to 7 p.m. Zona Blu even has signature drinks specially created for them by a mixologist from Bacardi with a Sardinian twist. “We use a liqueur called mirto, and it’s grown only on the island, kind of like a licorice,” Bautista said of the spirit that comes from myrtle bushes growing wild all over the island.

One of those is the bestselling Wild Sardinia Martini, made with Wild Sardinia gin and mirto. Another favorite is the Cora Sardu, which means “Sardinian Heart.”

An array of desserts makes it hard to choose, including pistachio sorbet coated with pistachio crumbles and a tiramisu layered dessert dusted with cocoa powder. The most popular is a family secret recipe.

“Our parents are from Sardinia, and they’re the ones who make the traditional Sardinian dessert Seadas con Miele Sardo, a homemade puff pastry filled with sweet cheese, lightly fried and drizzled with Sardinian honey. I don’t think my mom will ever give up that recipe,” Bautista laughed.

It truly is a family affair, right from the beginning when their uncle, a restaurateur from Michigan, suggested the sisters help Chef Andrea Fadda find a location for his talents in Weston. The sisters used their expertise in marketing and advertising to create a concept that has since exploded with community support. “It’s not only that we work well together, but we’re also having fun,” Bautista said. “Andrea is like a brother, and we’re so excited about this second location.”

In true Sardinian style, Zona Blu does stand out like an island of its own.

Zona Blu is located at 8170 Okeechobee Blvd., Suite 1, just west of Benoist Farms Road. For more information, call (561) 323-4799 or visit www.zonabluwpb.com.

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Wellington Real Estate

Luxurious Mediterranean Estate

Luxurious Mediterranean Estate
Custom-Built Home And Property Includes High-End Details And Amenities Throughout

Photos courtesy Renee Goodemote/Keller Williams

This luxurious Mediterranean estate is located in the heart of southern Wellington’s equestrian community. It boasts more than 10,000 square feet under air and is set on 5.2 lush, masterfully landscaped acres with three gated entrances. No expense was spared in the details of this custom-built home and property, offering its own pond with a dock, gorgeous gardens and numerous tropical fruit trees. As you enter through the gated drive, you are greeted by a circular driveway leading to the front portico. Once inside, you will be captivated by marble floors, soaring ceilings and extravagant chandeliers throughout. The chef’s gourmet kitchen features a center island, 42-inch cherry cabinets, high-end appliances, a breakfast bar, double ovens and an ornate tiled back splash. The home includes nine oversized bedroom suites, each with a walk-in closet, kitchenette and private entrance. A large, dedicated office with built-in cherry cabinets overlooks the serene backyard. A private theater room doubles as a safe room or a 10th bedroom. The palatial backyard offers an 18-foot-deep pond stocked with koi, catfish and other exotic fish, nestled around a magnificent 20-foot waterfall. An ideal home for entertaining, it is located just minutes from Wellington’s famous equestrian venues and all else that the Palm Beach area has to offer. Other features include impact tinted windows and doors, two solar-powered water heaters, an eight-foot hand-dug wishing well, bidets in all main level en suites, several gazebos, recreational areas, walking trails and a playground.

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Wellington Education

Fostering A Love Of Learning

Fostering A Love Of Learning
Principal Dana Pallaria Is Proud Of The Unique Dual-Language Program At New Horizons Elementary School

Story by Deborah Welky  |  Photos by Denise Fleischman

New Horizons Elementary School opened in 1988 as the second elementary school serving the fast-growing community of Wellington. Today, the school on Greenbriar Blvd. is led by Principal Dana Pallaria.

Wellington takes pride in its top-rated schools, and that includes New Horizons, which features a unique dual-language Spanish program. The school has been ranked third in the United States as a Dual Language International Spanish Academy, and Pallaria aims to take it to No. 1.

“In the three years since I have been here, I have been successful in growing our dual-language program by adding two VPK dual-language classrooms,” Pallaria said. “This has allowed me to open up the opportunity to begin a bilingual and biliterate journey for our three- and four-year-old students. Ultimately, I’d like to take the program through eighth grade. Our students have an advantage over most because my goal is to provide a program that fosters a love of learning, a love of learning about other cultures, and the opportunity to learn two or sometimes three languages. English-speaking students will continue their education learning Spanish, and Spanish-speaking students will be able to maintain their native language and enhance their English into middle and high school.”

Pallaria herself didn’t have the same opportunity growing up. In fact, elementary school was a bit of a challenge for her as her family moved through several states.

“I went to kindergarten in Glendale, California; moved to New Jersey for first and second grade; and onto Long Island, New York, for third through sixth grade,” Pallaria recalled. “I finally landed back where I was born, in New Hartford, New York, for sixth grade through high school. I struggled with learning slightly due to moving, but I always had great teachers and the support of my parents. I thank them all.”

By fifth grade, Pallaria knew she wanted to be a teacher. “I wanted to make a difference in the lives of students and foster a love of learning,” she said.

Pallaria earned a degree in English with a minor in elementary education from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, and began pursuing a master’s degree at the State University of New York at Oswego. In 1992, Pallaria started out teaching science at a private school in New York, then taught third grade at a public school in Syracuse.

In 1998, craving the warmth of the Sunshine State and wanting to be near her relocated family, Pallaria took a job teaching second grade at Jerry Thomas Elementary School in Jupiter. Eventually, she moved on to teaching fifth grade and becoming the ESE contact, helping students with special needs.

It was then that Pallaria realized that she wanted to make a bigger impact and earned her educational leadership degree at Florida Atlantic University and became the learning team facilitator at Berkshire Elementary School in West Palm Beach. After one year there, she went on to become the assistant principal at Grassy Waters Elementary School, remaining there for five years.

“I reached my goal of principalship in 2019 at New Horizons,” Pallaria said. “In that time, we have grown from 700 students to nearly 800. Some of New Horizons’ highlights, I believe, are the partnerships we hold with the Norton Museum of Art and the Ministry of Spain. As only one of three Dual Language International Spanish Academies in the Palm Beach County School District, we work very closely with the Ministry of Education in Spain to support our program. They recruit Spanish educators to come work in our school and share their experiences with our students, staff and the community. I believe being bilingual is very powerful and, when students learn about other cultures and learn the language at such an early age, it is so beneficial to their academic and personal success.”

As with education worldwide, the pandemic took its toll.

“Although I have had a challenging first three years, I feel the biggest success I have had has been building positive relationships and a trusting partnership with our community, staff and students. We are very close-knit,” Pallaria said. “The biggest challenge has been maintaining morale and ensuring my staff is safe with all the challenges they themselves and the students in their classrooms have faced. We principals have had to handle things that we were not schooled on how to handle. As for the students, they have gone through some life changes that students in the past haven’t gone through. I believe every student needs support from both their family and their school, but today’s students and families need more support now than ever before.”

Personally, Pallaria has always had the support she needed.

“My mom has been the biggest influence in my career,” she said. “She has always supported me and encouraged me to pursue my dreams and goals as a future woman leader. My mom answered the phone at all hours of the day and night. If I was struggling with completing work or studying for a test, she was there to provide me with extra moral support and encouragement. She often said, ‘One more test, one more month. You got this.’”

Pallaria has played that forward by providing her staff with inspirational quotes and messages daily.

“There has never been a day in my life where my parents weren’t there the minute I needed them,” she said. “I firmly believe that, to be successful in your career and in life, you have to have a support system. My family has been there through the easiest and hardest times in my life. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for my mom and dad. They taught me to have grit, be kind, be patient, set high expectations and never give up. I can’t thank them enough for their unconditional love and continued support to help me achieve my goals, even as an adult. As a leader, I work to provide my staff with the same support, passion and dedication.”

Pallaria’s own children, Isabella and Peter, are both graduating from college this year, one as an engineer and one as a doctor of physical therapy. Both attended Palm Beach County public schools.

While Pallaria loves her job at New Horizons, she is always up for new challenges.

“I love to learn and be challenged, so I hope to have the opportunity to become a leader of a middle school or high school, and then, potentially, an instructional leader coaching future leaders,” she said.

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