European Wax Center Brings Unique Expertise And Stellar Customer Service To Wellington

After practicing law for 24 years, Lisa Monica Schiller was looking to own her own business. She was a regular guest of the European Wax Center, so she was familiar with the company’s product and quality of service. When she discovered that EWC had a prime franchise territory available, it was a match made in Wellington.

“I couldn’t imagine a better opportunity for me than owning an EWC franchise,” said Schiller, whose new business opened in May near Whole Foods Market on State Road 7.

“Corporate did its research and saw a need for an EWC in the Wellington area,” Schiller explained. “I was lucky enough to be presented the opportunity. I can’t imagine a better location than Wellington’s unique hometown, family environment. Our center is the perfect addition to a community that expects and deserves the highest quality services. Where better to offer the ultimate wax experience and pampering from the moment a guest steps into the center to the moment they strut out?”

Since her grand opening, Schiller has been thrilled with the community’s initial response. “The business is seeing a rapid increase in new guests and a consistent increase in our repeat guests,” she said. “Our scheduling books are getting busy, and our guests seem to be thrilled with the services.”

Schiller said that EWC’s success can be attributed to exceptional customer care, premium quality services and products, and the belief that luxurious waxing should be attainable to anyone seeking beautiful skin. Regular waxing, she noted, ensures that hair grows back softer, finer and sparser, making ongoing maintenance much more comfortable.

Her new location has been steadily building clientele with her local marketing.

“This includes our refer-a-friend program — for every friend referred, the guest receives $10 on their account — our advertising, our e-mail and local mail campaigns, meeting people out and about in Wellington, partnering with neighboring businesses, and our involvement with the local chamber of commerce and the community.”

The focus, however, is on providing the ultimate guest experience so that existing clients are so happy with the experience that they tell others.

“One of our first acts as a new business was to join the Wellington Chamber of Commerce,” said Schiller, adding that she and her manager are members of the chamber’s Medical & Wellness Committee. “Additionally, we were the host business for the Women of Wellington’s Luau Summer Mixer to benefit Animal Care & Control. We are very excited to have been able to host this wonderfully successful event. We have additional events in the works throughout the second half of 2018 with local businesses and charities.”

Schiller is proud that her franchise has become an integral part of the Wellington community.

“Our facility, like each and every EWC, features the highest level of professionalism, timeliness, unparalleled products and the top experts available in waxing and customer service — all in a chic and sophisticated European-inspired center,” she explained. “But the number-one reason our guests return is that they love the way we consistently deliver smooth, silky skin from the most comfortable wax experience they’ve ever had.”

The store also carries its own line of pre-wax and post-wax maintenance products that continue to work between waxes to ensure visibly smooth and hair-free skin. “The EWC product line will improve the way the skin looks, feels and responds to the hair regrowth process,” Schiller said.

Summer is a great time to try out the EWC experience, she said.

“We are offering our summer product limited-edition travel kits with some of our most popular products, as well as our back-to-school brow kit,” Schiller said. “Additionally, through the summer, we will be offering $10 off any $45 or more full-priced services for anyone who mentions that they saw our ad — or this article — in Wellington The Magazine. We will also offer, throughout the summer, our specially priced wax pass, which allows guests to buy nine services and get two free, or buy six services and get one free. Plus, we offer our 12-month unlimited bikini, eyebrow, underarm or full-face wax pass, as well as our student wax pass, which allows those with a valid student ID to purchase four services and get one complimentary.”

Schiller expects to add other promotions over the next few months.

“Guests should also check back through the summer for surprise promotions, specials and new product launches, including our newest face mask, which not only hydrates, but is the only mask on the market that contains hair growth inhibitors,” she said. “And for first time guests, we will continue to offer women their first eyebrow, underarm or bikini line complimentary, or 50 percent off their first Brazilian, and for men, their first eyebrow, nose, ears and brows treatment is complimentary.”

As a brand, EWC is dedicated to delivering an unparalleled experience, Schiller said.

“Our center offers our guests a luxurious waxing experience with our proprietary, trademarked comfort wax, in a modern environment featuring crisp, clean centers, with our private waxing suites and the most professionally trained waxing experts with exceptional service,” she said. “There are other businesses that offer wax services, but here at EWC, that is all we do, and it’s what makes us the experts in waxing.”

Founded by siblings David and Josh Coba in 2004, the EWC concept is to bring its unique waxing expertise and experience to women and men across the United States. The Wellington location is open seven days a week, with late evening hours to accommodate busy schedules.

“And with close to 700 centers open nationwide, guests can enjoy our first-class experience that is competitively priced and consistent every single time at every location,” Schiller said. “Plus, guests have the luxury of using their wax passes in any EWC throughout the country.”

European Wax Center in Wellington is located at 2557 S. State Road 7 in the Whole Foods Market plaza. For more information, call (561) 257-5099 or visit www.waxcenter.com.  

Wellington Youth Battle Blood Cancer Through LLS’s ‘Pennies For Patients’

For 10 years, the students of Elbridge Gale Elementary School in Wellington have rallied as only the young and energetic can to battle an unlikely foe — blood cancer.

This year marked a decade of the students participating in the Student Series Pennies for Patients program, benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Palm Beach Area Chapter. In 2018, they raised more than $10,000, all while having a ton of fun.

On March 15, the students put their teachers and administrators to the test during the annual Pie Day. Students paid $10 to “pie” a teacher, $20 for the assistant principal and $30 for the principal.

“This was our fourth annual Pie Day, so our kids look so forward to this event every year, and now it runs like such a well-oiled machine,” said Nicole Martinez, guidance counselor at Elbridge Gale Elementary School and Pennies for Patients coordinator. “We all try to have fun with it, as we know what an amazing cause it supports. The kids think it’s the best thing ever when they get to pie their teachers.”

Since 2008, the Elbridge Gale students have also held dress down days, bake sales and skate nights to support blood cancer patients and their families. During that time, the students have raised more than $100,000 total, one penny at a time.

“We are truly grateful to the students and faculty of Elbridge Gale Elementary School through our Pennies for Patients campaign. Their commitment to instilling leadership and support for those fighting cancer will add tremendously to our mission to find cures for blood cancers,” said Pamela Payne, executive director of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Palm Beach Chapter.

Students of other Wellington-area schools also accepted the challenge to raise as much money and awareness as they could during the month of March in small, yet meaningful ways. By collecting the smallest dominator of U.S. currency, they raised thousands of dollars. Three schools challenged each other to a “Penny War” among the students and staff of the Renaissance Charter School at Wellington, the Renaissance Charter School at Cypress and the Renaissance Charter School at Palms West.

The Renaissance Charter School at Wellington emerged victorious, collecting $2,281.82 in donations in three weeks. An award ceremony and check presentation was held on March 27 with Principal Mary Beth Greene; Karla Santiago, administrative assistant to the Principal; and teacher Jessica Fischer, the school’s Pennies for Patients coordinator. Kindergarten and first-grade students were also in attendance.

Other participating Wellington schools included Binks Forest Elementary School, which has consistently raised between $4,000 and $6,000 for the past seven years, and Wellington Elementary School, where students finished strong this year by doubling the amount they raised in 2017.

This year, the local LLS chapter was able to partner with the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital at St. Mary’s Medical Center. With 138 pediatric beds, it is the largest children’s hospital in Palm Beach County. With its award-winning pediatric emergency department, special surgical care unit, prestigious pediatric cancer program and comprehensive outpatient centers, it is committed to area children. Additionally, the hospital has a dedicated team of child life specialists. These highly trained professionals use various medical play tactics and kid-friendly language to help children of various age groups understand why they need medical treatment, while also guiding parents on how they can help their child feel more relaxed during a hospital stay.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.

Founded in 1949, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.lls.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.  

Area Private Schools offer Strong Academic Programs for All Grade Levels

The old adage “live and learn” is alive and well here in the Wellington area. The living is wonderful, and the learning opportunities include some of the best private schools in the nation at all grade levels, preparing students for the next stage of their education.

 

American Heritage School

As one of South Florida’s top private schools, the nationally recognized American Heritage School teaches knowledge, integrity and compassion to pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, with a low student to faculty ratio of eight to one.

The fully accredited school features a 240-acre campus in Delray Beach, as well as a 40-acre campus in Plantation in Broward County. The co-ed, non-sectarian college preparatory day school has an enrollment of approximately 4,300 students.

“One of our strengths is the broadness of our curriculum with almost 300 different course offerings in the high school alone, including 30 different Advanced Placement courses, with the highest passing rate in Palm Beach County, a 92 percent passing rate,” American Heritage Vice President Dr. Douglas Laurie said.

One key strength of the school is its strong specialty programs. “We have a pre-medical program and a pre-law program,” Laurie said. “Right now, we are building a multi-million-dollar science research and engineering building for our engineering, robotics and science research program.”

A key strength of the programs is who is teaching them.

“All three of these programs are taught by medical doctors, attorneys and engineers who are on staff teaching the courses,” Laurie said. “These are courses that no other school has, like medical terminology, embryology, pathology, electrical engineering, trial advocacy, moot court, criminal law, mock trial, family law, business law, civil engineering — and they’re all advanced courses.”

American Heritage students also get real-world experience outside the classroom. “Students can serve internships and visit with doctors and lawyers and engineers, and see the practice of medicine and law and engineering to help them decide if that’s what they want to do,” Laurie said. “That’s one of the unique things that we have.”

The school also has an extremely accomplished math competition program. “We are the number three private school in the nation in math competition, and the number one school in Palm Beach County,” he said. “In the science competition, we’re one of the best in the country.”

All these programs make sure students have the ability to shine academically.

“We’re wont to find competitive outlets for students with high academic standards to be able to compete, and so we make sure that we challenge them in the classroom and we treat these academic competitions as a team, like a lot of schools might treat a sports team, because the students are competitive and highly intelligent,” Laurie said. “We want to make sure they have a chance to shine, and it bodes well for the college resumes.”

Students from the school, representing the United States and 43 other countries from around the world, have three times the national average placement at prestigious U.S. colleges and universities.

There is also an award-winning fine arts program with 75 choices for students. “So, if someone’s interested in the fine arts, it’s also a great place to be,” Laurie said.

The school provides a rigorous private school education with participation in community involvement, a wide variety of service activities and a technologically advanced and well-rounded environment. Express bus transportation is offered from the Wellington area, which is home of many American Heritage students.

Each campus features athletic teams with a no-cut policy, extensive after school activities, a gymnasium, Olympic-size pool and tennis complex. The school seeks to graduate students prepared in mind, body and spirit to maximize their potential and meet the requirements of the colleges of their choice.

For information about American Heritage School, call (561) 495-7272 or visit www.ahschool.com.

 

Wellington Preparatory School

The Wellington Preparatory School offers an accelerated program for kindergarten through sixth grade. Its mission is to deliver a top academic education while providing supportive co-curricular activities in a co-educational, non-sectarian, private school environment.

The school was founded by Jeffrey Altschuler after a successful career growing Meritas Schools, a premium kindergarten through 12th grade family of college preparatory schools around the world.

Wellington Prep follows an accelerated program that encompasses a modified gifted curriculum with various supplemental programs.

“We are an advanced college preparatory school always staying one grade level ahead, with a small ratio of 15 students per teacher,” Principal Sandy Montoya explained.

The core curriculum includes math, science, social studies and language arts, including reading, writing and phonics.

“Co-curricular activities provide for the study of violin, art, karate and Spanish,” said Montoya, adding that Wellington Prep students also learn about health and nutrition. “The program is highly focused on academics with an emphasis on security.”

As academic performance is directly related to instructional time spent on each subject, the school devotes specific hours to core subjects. Additional co-curricular activities are available before or after school for parents requiring additional time at the beginning or end of the school day.

Each student learns conversational Spanish, as well as how to read and write the language, and students take a violin class. In addition to helping with the music education and coordination, the study of a non-fretted instrument has been shown to assist with math and reading skills.

Children are exposed to the lives and art of the great masters at each grade level, with a more in-depth experience as they grow older in the Meet the Masters art curriculum.

For more information about the Wellington Preparatory School, call (561) 649-7900 or visit www.wellingtonprep.org.

 

Education Place

When a flexible schedule is of paramount importance in a student’s life, Education Place in Wellington is on hand to meet their educational requirements.

“We provide for professional children, athletes, those whose parents have constrained schedules and students who find other environments too overwhelming or prefer flexibility in their education,” explained Judy Blake, director of the Lower School at Education Place. “The school is by no means easy. There’s a lot of accountability for the student.”

Nationally and internationally accredited, the school covers grades one through 12 and teaches many equestrians in the Wellington area from around the world, allowing these students to continue their educations by working from outside a traditional school.

“We have students who participate in polo, jumping and dressage, plus child actors and athletes,” Blake said. “They work individually or in small groups, on-site or as they travel. We have a very small population of about 100 students with a small ratio of seven students for each teacher.”

The Education Place program is tailored to each student.

“These teachers can provide a lot of instructional support depending on what works best for the student,” Blake explained. “They get to know the students very well. The program is student-driven with the children managing their time and their academics. They take personal responsibility, learn to be independent and manage their time and their academics, even in the first grade. As they grow older, they are given more demands and responsibility. Our high school graduates find they can go to any college they want and frequently have scholarships available to them.”

Education Place runs 12 months a year because students travel with their sport or career, and this maximizes their opportunities to learn.

“The school also serves the general population, as well as students who are professionals and children of professionals,” Blake said. “It succeeds whenever flexibility is a big factor.”

For more information, call (561) 753-6563 or visit www.1educationplace.com.  

 

Temple Beth Torah’s Leonie Arguetty Preschool

Temple Beth Torah’s Leonie Arguetty Preschool for children ages 2 to 5 is a place where little learners thrive academically, in an atmosphere of joy, curiosity, self-esteem, friendship and respect.

As the only NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and Gold Seal accredited program in the western communities, its educational strategies are based on cutting-edge research in best practices for young children.

“Our mission is to provide academic readiness, and to instill cultural identity, Jewish values and character development in all of our students,” said Sandy Wilensky, the school’s director.

The program offers a combination of secular and Judaic developmental curricula, designed to empower all children to reach their potential. Challenges that exceed the level of present mastery are offered throughout the day, providing opportunities to learn, practice and expand newly acquired skills and recognize and nourish individual variations.

The preschool’s integrated academic program embeds all of the learning objectives in children’s experiences so that each child’s learning is unique and meaningful. “For children under 6, the research on early learning shows that more of what is learned must be meaningful on the day it is learned, in addition to its context for future learning,” Wilensky explained.

In addition to the indoor classrooms with centers for learning, extensive outdoor spaces include gardens planted and cared for by the children and materials to learn fine motor control, such as outdoor chalkboards and drawing boards.

Throughout the day, the school’s teachers combine carefully framed learning objectives with the spontaneity that emerges from children active in the learning process.

Themed areas of study, including problem solving, scientific exploration, math, language, writing and literacy, along with creative art, music, movement and dramatic play, are an integral part of every child’s day. The Assessments Teaching Strategies GOLD method assures that the children are progressing in all areas of kindergarten readiness.

For more information about Temple Beth Torah’s Leonie Arguetty Preschool, call (561) 793-2649 or visit www.templebethtorahpre school.com.––

Elite Sports Programs Shine At Area Private Schools

The King’s Academy

The TKA boys track team was regional champion for the first time in school history, while girls track captured the team’s second regional championship, and first since 2006. Together, the Lions sent 26 athletes to the Class 1A state meet.

Highlighting the track team’s performance at states was Brianna Oats, who brought home two third-place finishes in the 300-yard hurdles and in the 100-yard hurdles, where she was just 1/100th of a second out of second place. Justin Bridgewater had the best finish, placing second in the 800-meter run.

Cheerleading has been one of TKA’s best programs over the last decade, and this year was no different. The competitive cheer team, coached by Jenn Allen, was the runner-up in the Class 1A medium division non-tumbling, and also earned National Grand Champion honors for a second time at the Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders Championships.

The girls volleyball team went 26-1, winning the district and finishing as the regional runner-up. Madeline Furtado was named the National Christian School Athletic Association (NCSAA) National Player of the Year, and Ashlei Furtado was NCSAA Coach of the Year.

The Lions football team won the South Florida Conference championship for the second consecutive season, and the boys lacrosse team had a breakthrough season, going 16-2 and finishing as the district runner-up.

“It has always been my desire and goal to support our teams, help with resources, and encourage a pursuit of excellence in all of our individual programs,” TKA Athletic Director Adam Winters said. “We have seen a resurgence in many teams, with others really encouraging and pushing their athletes to reach their potential. Many of our teams have become competitively relevant, while others are taking strides forward in competing at a high level. I am proud of our coaches, their desire to impact lives for the lord, while building champions from elementary through the high school levels.”

American Heritage School

The American Heritage School boys soccer team, featuring a lethal combination of speed and skill, rose to the top once again, capturing the Class 2A state championship with a dominating 5-0 triumph over the Bolles School in Jacksonville. It was the team’s second consecutive shutout, as the Stallions outscored their opponents 15-3 in the five state playoff games.

It was the fourth state championship, but first since 2011, for American Heritage. The Stallions also won titles in 2009 and 2006, reaching the state final on three other occasions since 2004.

But the team struggled in the last five years relative to these past successes, failing to reach the final four every year since 2013. That changed this year as the veteran American Heritage squad got goals from Nick Ludovico, Alex Guichard, Doug Phillips, Nick Marchionni and Giovanni Fraser and cruised to victory, getting back to a familiar position as the premier team.

The Stallions also dominated the Class 2A tennis finals with Melissa Sakar winning the girls individual and overall singles titles, and added the girls doubles title with Hayden Bethea. Not to be outdone, Steven Sun captured the boys singles overall title and added the doubles overall crown with Hunter Robbins.

American Heritage ended the season on a high note when the girls lacrosse team, coached by John McClain, captured its first state title, defeating Lake Highland Prep 10-7 for the Class 2A crown.

It was the second state tournament appearance in the past three years for the Stallions, who were ranked No. 1 in the country for a short time and spent most of the season in the Top 10. The program began just four years ago.

The Stallions were led all season by sophomore Caitlyn Wurzburger, who reached the 100 goals/100 assists mark for the third time; reportedly only the third time it has been done by a high-schooler. She had a lot of help, including from Allegra Catalano, Kylie Hazen and Megan Mangines, who all return next season.

The Stallions were dominant en route to the title game, eliminating 10-time state champ Vero Beach 11-5 in the state semifinals and advancing to the final four with a 16-4 win over perennial powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas. They finished with a 21-1 record.

The American Heritage baseball program has been led by manager Carm Mazza for 20 years and is almost always one of the top teams in the county. The squad reached the state semifinals in 2017, and in mid-April, Mazza earned his 400th career victory. This season, the team amassed a 22-6 record and reached the regional final in mid-May with an eye on the state title.

OXBRIDGE ACADEMY

The highlight this year for the Oxbridge Academy was its dominating victory in the Class 5A girls basketball championship game. Four players scored in double figures en route to a 55-39 triumph over Lake Highland Prep. There were no seniors on the roster.

Alexa Zaph led the ThunderWolves with a game-high 18 points, supported by Haley Howarth (13 points), Aaliyah Stanley (12 points) and Kaylon Smith (10 points).

It was the school’s first state title in girls basketball and second overall state crown. Last year, the girls soccer team captured the Class 2A championship. “For us, the scoreboard will never determine our success,” Athletic Director Patrick Hollern said. “We want our students to make a positive impact in the next 10, 15 years.”

Individually, Hannah Kanjian won the Class 2A state title in the high jump and was also a member of the soccer team that reached the state championship game this year, dropping a 4-0 decision. Kanjian cleared 5 feet, 3.75 inches on her third attempt in the three-way jump-off to earn the title.

There isn’t a regulation track at Oxbridge, but the school now has a high jump pit. “It shows her determination,” Hollern said. “She adopted that spartan mindset.”

The Oxbridge football team also reached the state championship game, but their rally fell short, losing 31-28. The ThunderWolves finished with a 10-2 record.

“Their great comeback showed great resolve,” Hollern said. “It was an emotional game, and I know the team can learn from it. We learn from the setbacks, and we learn from the successes.”

Other top performances included Jen Secrest’s third-place finish in the 200-yard individual medley and fourth in the 100-yard butterfly at the Class 1A state swim meet, as well as Jamian Lovett’s sixth-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles at the Class 2A meet.

What impresses Hollern is how the teams and athletes compete at Oxbridge, which has about 525 students while completing its seventh year. “We’ve done well with wins and losses, but I’m hoping we make a bigger impact than that,” Hollern said.

 

Wellington’s Maddie Brown Competing On Hit NBC Show ‘World Of Dance’

Wellington’s deep reservoir of untapped talent continues to find its way to shine. Most recently, an up-and-coming star from the community is being featured this summer on NBC’s “World of Dance.”

Madison “Maddie” Brown, a 12-year-old Wellington native, can be seen on Season 2 of the hit summer show, which began airing May 29 and wraps up in September. Brown grabbed the attention of judges and dance superstars Jennifer Lopez, Derek Hough, Ne-Yo and host/mentor Jenna Dewan.

The 16-episode series from Universal Television Alternative Studio and Nuyorican Productions brings amazing dancers together to compete in epic battles of artistry, precision and athleticism. Solo dancers compete against duos and crews in an unlimited range of dance, including hip-hop, popping, locking, tap, ballet, break dancing, ballroom, stomping and more.

The contestants are handpicked from qualifying events around the nation and thousands of online submissions. New this season, the competitors are divided into four divisions based on age and number of dancers on the team. A panel of experts score the acts using a precise point system based on performance, technique, choreography, creativity and presentation.

The competition consists of five rounds. In the first four rounds, dancers only compete within their division, but in the World Final, the winners from each division compete against each other for the grand prize.

What began in 2008 as a single event is now a continent-spanning, tour de force of human spirit and amazing dance moves. The World of Dance Tour attracts YouTube stars, industry icons and tens of thousands of fans to events in more than 25 countries.

And in the mix this year is Brown, vying to stand out among the competition because, if she comes out on top, she’ll receive a life-altering grand prize of $1 million and the title “Best Dancer in the World.”

For her, it all started with a phone call. “I thought it was another interview call,” said Brown, who explained that the show’s producers had already called four or five times with questions. “They had already been asking me how much I liked to dance, how I felt about what was going on, what I’d do if I won or didn’t win, what I wanted to be when I grew up. I didn’t realize that this time they were calling to tell me I’d made it onto the show.”

Brown’s father, Redick, was at her side during the phone call, but as soon as she hung up, Brown called her mother, Jennifer Mazyck-Brown. Then they drove to the Lents Dance Company studio in Boca Raton to tell Brown’s coach, Brittany Lents. Family was next.

“Everybody was super-excited and happy for me. They were proud of me for making it,” Brown said. “And my brother and sister (Trey, 11 and Jordan, 8) were excited that their older sister was going to be on a TV show.”

She is very happy with all the support she has received from friends and family.

“They thought it was super-cool, and I’m hoping we can all come together and watch the show sometime,” Brown said. “When I told other dance teachers who’d pushed me, they were happy that all the hard work we do paid off.”

No one in Brown’s extended family has embraced the art of dance like she has. The youngster has been dancing since she was a tot. “I started when I was two, just because my parents thought it would be a good outlet for me,” Brown said. “I would be able to make friends and be a little less shy. I took to it right away.”

By age six, she was entering dance competitions — and winning. Today, she dances five or six hours a day, six days a week. “I lost myself in the music and movement, and it helped me express myself, to become more of an open person in general,” Brown said. “You can be shy when you’re dancing, too, but dance helps me work on talking to people who aren’t my friends and family.”

Turns out she would need those communication skills. Meeting “World of Dance” Executive Producer Jennifer Lopez and the other stars of the show might rattle some young fans, but Brown felt she already had a connection.

“‘Jenny from the Block’ was my mom’s nickname, and Ne-Yo was one of my dad’s favorite singers. Derek Hough was one of my favorites on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ It was pretty awesome to learn from them and get their feedback,” she said. “I felt like they all had a positive vibe and were nice and sweet.”

Because of her previous experience in dance competitions, Brown knows both victory and defeat. “I think that competing becomes easier as we do it more often,” she said. “When you don’t win, it is always a little bit disappointing, but it doesn’t affect my love of dance. If anything, a loss propels me to work harder.”

For the “World of Dance” competition, Brown chose “contemporary solo” as her style. “It combines ballet with other styles that I enjoy,” she said. “Contemporary was a way to show a lot of my best qualities.”

“World of Dance” enjoys an audience of 8.3 million viewers with another 30 million per month watching performance videos online, making it the largest dance entertainment channel on YouTube.

“That’s a lot of people. I hope that they enjoy my art and that I am able to strike a chord with them,” Brown said.

A big influence on Brown is Misty Copeland, a dancer with American Ballet Theatre, one of the nation’s leading classical ballet companies.

“I watch her videos all the time,” Brown said. “Misty Copeland is a huge inspiration, and, as a young dancer of color, I’m aware that the opportunities for me have not always been there. She gives me confidence that I can achieve my dreams and become an inspiration to others.”

Brown’s dream is to move to New York and become a principal ballerina with the American Ballet Theatre, just like Copeland, her idol. In the meantime, Brown believes that Wellington is a great place for aspiring dancers to grow up. “There are lots of studios for dancers who want to start,” she said. “I’ve met a lot of nice and friendly people here. In New York, people are on-the-go and not so easy-breezy.”

To the people of Wellington who will be glued to their screens, watching this local girl throughout the summer, Brown said, “I’d like to thank them for all their support. It’s a wonderful feeling to have the community stand behind me and cheer me on for success. I want them to know I will always be my best and represent my community.”

And if she does win the grand prize?

“My parents might let me get a dog,” she dreamed. “Even if I just did ‘pretty good,’ I think I would still get a dog for working that hard… Hopefully.”

Watch “World of Dance” on Tuesdays this summer on NBC. Learn more at www.nbc.com/world-of-dance.

WIDE OPEN SPACES Golf Is Thriving At Local Clubs

If you’re looking for a great game of golf, look no further than Wellington. Members and their guests need only climb into a cart to discover that our area is a great place to play a round of golf, offering beautiful courses, wide open spaces and a touch of the equestrian lifestyle. If you’re looking for a place to enjoy 18 holes, be sure to check out the fantastic area facilities, such as the Wanderers Club, Wellington National Golf Club and the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club.

 

The Wanderers Club

A championship golf course with excellent conditions is the challenging, yet enjoyable course at the Wanderers Club. Offering an elite golf experience with relaxed professional service, no required tee times and extremely limited membership, a game at the Wanderers Club is a pleasurable experience — and with five sets of tees, it’s pleasurable for every skill level.

“Member service is the best possible. That is what separates us and is unique in the area,” said General Manager and Director of Golf Justin Thompson, a PGA member. “Playing here is an opportunity to relax and enjoy the day on an uncrowded course that is a U.S. Open qualifier.”

Thompson was the club’s first director of golf and has been there more than 10 years, designing the entire golf program to offer members a top-flight experience.

“It is the best possible golf experience in a quiet atmosphere, well away from the hustle and bustle. Members can arrive when they want and play as quickly or leisurely as they desire,” Thompson explained. “We have a fully stocked pro shop with logo products, and our director of instruction is PGA Hall of Fame member Michael Hebron.”

Thompson added that the Wanderers Club offers innovative instruction from a full complement of certified PGA professionals with many years of experience, backed by state-of-the-art swing analysis and expert club fitting. “The full-service country club has recently undergone multimillion-dollar renovations, including brand-new golf carts — although players can walk if they choose — and new bunkers on the course, lighted tennis courts with a Har-Tru clay surface that is maintained twice a day, an upgraded pool area and a new 4,000-square-foot fitness center with great equipment like Peloton cycles,” Thompson said. “And we have recruited an amazing group of well-qualified professional instructors to teach fitness classes.”

There is space available for private dinners to a complete ballroom where award-winning Executive Chef Tam Ha serves up some of the best food in Wellington.

“This is a great benefit to members, as no reservations are required, and they can get an excellent meal,” Thompson said.

The Wanderers Club is a family-centric facility with an on-site child care center featuring two areas, one for movies and one for games with a playroom. It provides year-round activities ranging from cooking classes to summer camp to golf tournaments.

Thompson feels that the family dynamic of the club is augmented by the staff offering personalized service. “We take a lot of pride in that the friendly staff makes members feel welcome,” he said.

The Wanderers Club is located at 1900 Aero Club Drive in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 795-3501 or visit www.wanderersclubwellington.com.

 

Wellington National Golf Club

A club with a definite equestrian feel to it is the Wellington National Golf Club, located on Binks Forest Drive. “You’ll definitely see some horses in the neighborhood,” said David Alpeter, one of the golf pros at the club, along with PGA Hall of Fame member Bob Toski.

“The challenging Wellington National Golf Club course was recently rebranded and renamed when it was purchased in March 2016,” General Manager and Director of Golf Ted Strelec explained. “The private course, designed by legendary Golf Hall of Fame member Johnny Miller, is very challenging, offering tree-lined fairways, good undulating greens, seven sets of tee variations for all skill levels, and an emphasis on accuracy and testing your short game. It provides a no-tee-times feature and limited membership, so the course is always ready to play, as quickly or as slowly as one would like.”

Strelec has been a PGA-certified pro since 2007 and has been the director of golf at Wellington National since October 2017. Before that he was at Bear Lakes Country Club for 27 years. He brought in Alpeter as an instructor to improve and expand the junior and ladies programs. “These are two demographics we are now serving much better,” he said. “We just hosted the South Florida Junior Team Championship with 88 players.”

Strelec noted that it was a wonderful event, and it was great to see so many young players compete.

Alpeter has been a PGA member since 1991 and grew up in the business as a builder of golf clubs, later teaching other PGA pros how to build and repair clubs. He spent eight seasons splitting his time between the Fountains Country Club in West Palm Beach and as a head golf pro in Fargo, N.D.

“Wellington National is a fantastic facility with a very demanding, beautiful course that will test your game. It changes daily with the wind conditions,” Alpeter said. “Every hole is different, and it has extremely fast greens.”

The club is currently focused on establishing a bigger program for all skill levels. “This includes ladies, juniors or teen programs, couples and playing lessons,” Alpeter said. “We are also upgrading the driving range and providing a good practice environment.”

Strelec stressed that Wellington National is a place for the entire family. “The family-friendly amenities also offer two food and beverage options, a casual bistro that is like an upscale sports bar, as well as a wine bar,” he said.

Strelec added that dining ranges from an outdoor space, intimate indoor choices and an available ballroom. The club also features a newly renovated, resort-style pool and piazza, plus a new state-of-the-art fitness center.–

“The award-winning service provided by the staff is family-oriented and very accommodating,” he said. “The atmosphere is casual, fun and friendly, with a relaxed environment. People looking to go to a golf course want to get away.”

Alpeter added that Wellington National is just the place if you’re looking to get away from it all for a while. “Wellington National Golf Club feels like you’re in the country,” he said.

The Wellington National Golf Club is located at 400 Binks Forest Drive in Wellington. For more info., call (561) 333-5731 or visit www.wellingtonnationalgolfclub.com.

 

Wycliffe Golf & Country Club

Not one, but two premier, championship courses that cater to golfers at all skill levels, along with complete resort amenities, are available to members at the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club.

Embarking on a complete $18 million renovation next year under the direction of General Manager Rob Martin, this club features an active membership and a wide array of social activities.

“The East course, designed by Karl Litten, is challenging yet forgiving and has hosted an LPGA Tour event in the past,” said Director of Golf Paul Rifenberg, a PGA member who has been with the club for 18 years. “The second course is more challenging and was designed by John Sanford. It is target-driven with tight, undulating greens.”

World-renowned instructors Chris Ardolina and Christi Dorece are available for private and group lessons, clinics, tips and instruction to improve one’s game, as is a full practice facility with a range and a new short game area.

“There are full 18 and nine-hole leagues and all kinds of competition for mixed and single-gender match-ups, including member-guest tournaments,” Rifenberg said.

Complete golf club and cart sales, service and repair are on-site, and members receive pricing benefits in the fully stocked pro shop.

“Numerous social activities are always going on, and anything you can imagine is available from bocce to golf to tennis,” he said. “The membership is very social and really cares about each other.”

The extensive renovation includes the complete clubhouse, the locker rooms, the spa and fitness center, pool, and the food and beverage features. Most of the amenities will remain operational during the makeover. Plus, new Executive Chef Christopher Park will continue to serve excellent, tasty sensations.

The Wycliffe Golf & Country Club is located at 4650 Wycliffe Country Club Blvd., off Lake Worth Road just west of State Road 7. For more information, call (561) 964-9200 or visit www.wycliffecc.com.

 

Law & Justice
Attorneys Michael Pike & Daniel Lustig, Pike & Lustig LLP

The law firm of Pike & Lustig LLP includes partners Michael Pike, Daniel Lustig and Talina Bidwell. The practice focuses on legal matters associated with business litigation and personal injury litigation. Wellington The Magazine interviewed Managing Partner Michael Pike.

 

How long has your firm been doing business in Palm Beach County?

I have been in practice for more than 16 years in Palm Beach County and the tri-county area. I was born and raised in Miami and decided that we would open up a law firm here in Palm Beach County after practicing here for several years. I always wanted to move to Wellington and raise a family, and that is what we did.

 

What type of cases do you generally handle?

We handle complex business litigation cases, corporate disputes, business acquisitions and personal injury. My firm has two separate departments that handle business litigation and personal injury, which includes catastrophic auto accidents, trucking accidents, slip and falls, and sexual assault and battery.

 

What percentage of your practice is devoted to each type of law?

It is about 60/40 with 60 percent business litigation and corporate disputes, and 40 percent personal injury.

 

How many cases has your firm represented in this field of the law?

Hundreds upon hundreds. Over the course of my career, many, many more. We have represented more clients than I can count.

 

What special training or knowledge does your team have that sets your firm apart from other law firms?

In particular, I have a background in complex business litigation and personal injury in both state and federal courts. My partner, Daniel Lustig, has a background in business litigation, personal injury and intellectual property. In fact, he has an LLM in intellectual property, which is a legal master’s degree in intellectual property. My other partner, Talina Bidwell, has a sophisticated background in business litigation and financial litigation.

We also have a team of six to seven lawyers and a full support staff that handle all client needs. We handle complex partner disputes, physician practice disputes, physician partner disputes and several shareholder disputes in any given year. We try several cases per year in front of juries in both state and federal courts, arbitration proceedings, bench trials and evidentiary hearings in connection with all of our practice areas.

Recently, we obtained a federal jury verdict in excess of $2.5 million for a willful copyright infringement case. We also succeeded at trial in piercing a homestead exemption in Florida where a debtor attempted to fraudulently shelter assets in his alleged homestead without ever residing at the residence and in Florida. And, in connection with that case, we were just affirmed on appeal by the Fourth District Court of Appeal, here in Palm Beach County. We draft all of our appeals and have argued in front of the Fourth District Court of Appeal.

We have also obtained several personal injury results for clients injured in the State of Florida. We also have an office in Miami, off of Brickell Avenue, where we cater to our clients’ needs in Miami-Dade County.

 

What are some of the things to consider when hiring an attorney?

First, people should always consider the true number of trials the lawyer has been involved in, the types of cases the lawyer specializes in, and the academic and professional experience a lawyer has based upon his or her past employment.

Many lawyers claim to be “trial lawyers” but hardly try more than one case per year. To me, I don’t believe that is a fair characterization of a true trial lawyer. How can you sharpen your skills if you are only trying one case per year? At our firm, we try several cases per year, which include matters in both state and federal court.

 

What awards and recognitions has your firm received?

I have received numerous accolades and awards including “Top Up and Comer” by the South Florida Legal Guide; “Up & Comers” by the South Florida Business Journal; “Legal Elite” by Florida Trend Magazine; a “Rising Star” and “Super Lawyers” by Super Lawyers magazine; and a “Person on the Move” numerous times by both the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post. I am on the board of directors of the Hanley Foundation, active within the community and involved with numerous organizations.

My partner, Daniel Lustig, is the president of the board of directors of Families First of Palm Beach County, a member of the board of directors of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and served as a member of the board of directors of Networking Hispanos. He was named to the list of Top 40 Under 40 for Attorneys in South Florida and was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers magazine.

My other partner, Talina Bidwell, has been named numerous times as a “Rising Star” and as one of the “Florida Super Lawyers” by Law and Politics magazine. She was also recognized numerous times as a “Top Up & Comer” by the South Florida Legal Guide.

 

To contact Pike & Lustig LLP, call (561) 291-8298 or visit www.bigfirmalternative.com.

Law & Justice Attorney Marcelo Montesinos, The Law Office Of Marcelo Montesinos

Attorney Marcelo Montesinos was raised in Wellington and currently lives in the community. He is a graduate of the Seton Hall University School of Law in New Jersey. Montesinos always loved South Florida and moved back after earning his degree to be near family and friends.

Building a life here, Montesinos is raising his family and growing his legal practice in the community. He said that success is measured in many ways, but nothing is greater than giving back to your community. To that end, he supports the community in various ways, including donating school supplies and backpacks to students each school year.

Transitioning from criminal defense to personal injury cases 17 years ago, Montesinos feels he is still “standing up for the little guy.” As a defense attorney, he was fighting for the rights of his clients, and now he battles large insurance companies that do not want to give an injured individual a fair settlement.

His firm provides individual representation to people who need help, seeking for them the best possible compensation for their injuries. His office handles many areas of personal injury law, but trucking and automobile accidents always stay at the forefront of his focus.

Wellington The Magazine interviewed Montesinos regarding his background, law firm and legal practice.

 

How long has your firm been doing business in Palm Beach County?

In 1997, I became an attorney and worked for the Public Defender’s Office in Palm Beach County. I was fortunate to open the doors to my private practice in 2001. For the past 17 years, I have been fighting for the rights of victims.

 

Why did you choose Palm Beach County to establish your practice?

Palm Beach County has always been my home. I moved here when I was less than one year old, so I think of myself as a Wellington native. My parents and my sister are here, my kids and my family. I went to law school in New Jersey and was blessed enough to find a job here after graduating.

 

What type of cases do you generally handle? What percentage of your practice is devoted to this type of law?

My firm handles 100 percent plaintiff’s personal injury cases. I only represent victims who have suffered damages and injuries caused by another person’s negligence.

 

How many cases has your firm represented in this field of law?

Over the past 17 years, I have successfully represented thousands of victims injured by the negligence of others.

What sets your firm apart from other law firms in the area?

My office staff and I strive to provide continuous individualized attention to my clients. When I represent you, you become family and not just a number in my system. I work as an advocate for my clients and have compassion for each person throughout the entire claims procedure.

I know every person wants to be treated as the most important case, so that’s how I treat them. They want to talk, to connect with the attorney, not a legal assistant, anytime that they have a question. I make sure I clear up any questions, so my clients always feel they remain connected to their attorney.

I provide individualized service for each client. I act as an advocate for them. I don’t take every case that comes along. I don’t want to give them a false illusion that they are going to prevail. Sometimes it is not practical to expect a case will be successful.

 

What are some of the things to consider when hiring an attorney?

Before hiring an attorney, make sure to meet with that attorney in person. Pay attention to the small details. For example: Can you speak with the attorney directly? Did you have to leave a voicemail and wait for a call back in order to obtain your initial consultation? Was the office staff helpful?

Beyond these questions and considerations, ask the attorney if they are prepared to go to trial or are they prepared to settle the case? Does the attorney have a background of trials under his or her belt?

 

Is there a fee if there is no recovery?

My office never charges a fee if there is not a settlement. If there is no insurance coverage to compensate you for your damages, my office will assist with resolving property damage claims as well as resolving your medical bills for free.

 

How has your firm given back to the community?

Each year I host a back-to-school event at my office where I donate at least 1,000 backpacks and school supplies to local school-aged children. I personally hand out each backpack and meet every family that attends. Additionally, I sponsor several youth sports teams.

To contact the Law Office of Marcelo Montesinos, call (561) 721-1600 or visit www.montesinoslaw.com.

Attorney Alec Domb,
The Law Offices Of Alexander L. Domb

Wellington attorney Alec Domb of the Law Offices of Alexander L. Domb P.A. was born and raised in New York. He attended the University of Miami and earned his law degree from the Nova Southeastern Law Center. Domb later chose Wellington for his business, his home and his arena for community participation. A practicing attorney since 1986, his primary focus is on commercial litigation and contested matters, real estate transactions, estate planning and guardianship, and the disputes that arise from these areas.

Managing guardianship proceedings means protecting people’s liberties, especially in adult situations, when such cases involve verification that the person petitioning to be a guardian is qualified and that it would be in the best interests of the person for the petitioner to actually be the guardian.

With a background as a legal practitioner and through his title company, Domb has been involved in the real estate business for more than three decades. When it comes to real estate transactions, there is not a title problem that he hasn’t seen, worked through and fixed during his tenure.

Domb offers this advice to residents, reminding them of the importance of having these four completed documents that every adult in Florida should have: a will, a living will, a durable power of attorney, and a healthcare surrogate designation that covers HIPAA concerns. These documents are especially important as people get older.

Wellington The Magazine interviewed Domb regarding his legal background and practice.

 

How long has your firm been doing business in Palm Beach County?

I relocated from Broward County in 2005. However, my firm was the HUD closing agent for Palm Beach over 25 years ago. I have been practicing law for more than 32 years.

 

Why did you choose Palm Beach County to establish your practice?

I chose to live in Wellington around 2003, and eventually transferred my business here 13 years ago. I love Wellington, and moving here is the best move my wife, Melody, who is a nurse, and I ever made. The village has so much to offer socially. I enjoy the Wellington community, the horse shows and polo. The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and the dressage arena make Wellington a unique place among communities. It is not your average South Florida bedroom community.

 

What type of cases do you generally handle? What percentage of your practice is devoted to this type of law?

I deal primarily in the area of real estate, including related litigation, title insurance and title disputes, as well as zoning and code enforcement matters. I handle foreclosure cases for the lender. I am presently prosecuting a $36 million foreclosure matter regarding a property in the Town of Palm Beach.

I handle commercial litigation, contested matters, real estate transactions and estate planning; all litigation fights and the disputes that arise from that. I also participate in court-appointed guardianship matters as attorney for alleged incapacitated persons. My job is to make certain [the petitioner] is qualified [and the guardianship is] in the best interest of the allegedly incapacitated person.

 

How many cases has your firm represented in this field of the law?

There are too many cases to count over the course of 32 years.

 

What special training or knowledge do you have that sets your firm apart from other law firms?

I owned a real estate and mortgage company, as well as the title company, prior to the great real estate recession. There is nothing related to real property purchases, sales or closings that I have not litigated and/or negotiated to a resolution in the past 32 years, including disputed estate and probate issues.

 

What are some of the things to consider when hiring an attorney?

I would suggest people make sure that the attorney has experience with contested hearings and trial experience, including jury trials. I would also make sure they have experience with mediation and arbitration and the alternate dispute resolution process.

 

Does your firm do any pro-bono work in Palm Beach County? If so, what type of pro-bono work?

Yes, but not with any particular agency. I pick and choose who I help and when. It has to be someone really in need and without the means to protect themselves. I am engaged in the community and involved in local politics. I am a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and the South County Bar Association. I was president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and on the board for five years, and on the Palm Beach Consumer Affairs Board for four years.

I am also a member of Wellington Cares, a charity aimed at keeping seniors in their homes, allowing them to age in place with shopping and other services. I drafted the documents and qualified them as a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) with tax-exempt status. I did that pro bono.

The Law Offices of Alexander L. Domb P.A. are located at 11199 Polo Club Road, Suite 1, in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 578-8900.

Law & Justice
Attorney Les Shields, Morris & Shields, Attorneys At Law

Attorney Les Shields of the firm of Morris & Shields handles mostly civil matters in the western communities, primarily Royal Palm Beach and Wellington.

Shields has been in practice for 23 years. Admitted to the Florida Bar in 1993, he has a vast amount of experience representing both lenders and homeowners in mortgage foreclosure actions, as well as a wide array of civil litigation cases.

Wellington The Magazine interviewed Shields about his legal background and his law firm.

 

How long has your firm been doing business in Palm Beach County?

I’ve been doing business in Palm Beach County for about 25 years. This firm has been here for 25 years; it was owned by my father-in-law, Bob Morris. About five years ago, he retired. I purchased the firm from him. My wife is my paralegal, my assistant, my office manager and my right-hand woman. She has been here for the full 25 years, working first for her father, so she has experience since day one. It works out great, because not only is she experienced, she knows the clients.

 

Why did you choose Palm Beach County to establish your practice?

I actually came down here to go to law school. I worked for the Hertz Corporation in Nashville, and I moved down here to go to Nova Southeastern Law School. The area has grown a lot in the time we’ve been here, that’s for sure. During my three years of law school, we fell in love with Wellington, as well as the climate and the equestrian community.

 

What type of cases do you generally handle? What percentage of your practice is devoted to this type of law?

The big three [that we handle] are estate planning, wills and trusts, and probate. We do a lot of business law, and we handle a lot of litigation, where one business is suing another business.

I represent several electrical suppliers that supply materials to builders. Sometimes builders will take the supplies and use them, and then not pay for them. We work to get the money or the supplies back.

My first jobs after law school were all representing major banks and insurance companies, so I know a lot about that. The firm that I left to come to this firm was a general practice.

 

How many cases has your firm represented in this field of the law?

There are too many to count. It would be hard to count how many are going right now.

 

What other special training or knowledge do you have on your team that sets your firm apart from other law firms?

Working in the corporate atmosphere with the insurance companies and the banks, I have a lot of hands-on experience doing litigation. I was in court literally every day. In the morning, I was in court, and then taking a couple of depositions in the afternoon, then a mediation before quitting time. It was extremely busy, jam-packed with experience. I was exposed to things that I wouldn’t normally experience representing a large company.

 

What are some of the things to consider when hiring an attorney?

The type of experience is important, especially trial experience. People ask me, “Can I do this probate myself?” I tell them, “Yes, you can, technically, but there’s no way you should.” Attorneys have been doing this for a long time, and they still make mistakes, so the chances of you actually doing it right by yourself are very slim.

You need to hire someone with experience in the areas you are dealing with. Someone who is not afraid to go to court. I know attorneys who just despise going to court, having to put on a tie. I wear a suit and tie and go to court every day.

Another thing that is important is that the firm not take on too much work. They need to be comfortably busy. See if it is going in a forward manner, not at a crawl, at a convenient, plausible speed.

Find an attorney you can trust. I’ve known less than a dozen attorneys in the past 25 years that I trust enough to refer to someone. It’s very important to talk to the attorney and find out how they charge; how much the service is going to cost.

 

What kind of community support does your firm participate in?

We handle a lot of mortgage foreclosure cases. I handled bank foreclosures for years, and now I’m on the other side handling individuals. It’s very rarely a positive situation for the people being foreclosed upon. They don’t have the money, obviously, or they would have been paying their mortgage. Often, they don’t even have the money to pay an attorney [the full amount]. If they seem sincere, and they’re trying to make the payments, then we have no problem taking on the case.

 

Morris & Shields is located at 685 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Suite 205, in Royal Palm Beach. For more info., call (561) 793-1200 or visit www.fllawman.com.