The City Commission hosted a Special Recognition Meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 to honor the achievement and outstanding contributions of groups and individuals within our community. Additionally, the Commission presented proclamations to recognize a meaningful milestone and initiative.
Cooper City High School
Silver Knight N
ominees
The Silver Knight Awards is a prestigious scholarship program recognizing high school seniors for outstanding community service, sponsored by the Miami Herald - instituted in 1959 by John S. Knight, past publisher of The Miami Herald and 1968 Pulitzer Prize winner. This year, Cooper City High School proudly has 11 nominees, each representing a different category: Grace Lerner - Athletics; Isabella Nesselroth - Business; Aidan Don - General Scholarship; Isabella Hernandez - Journalism; Karen Huang - Mathematics; Neha Joseph - Music and Dance; Alisha Abraham - Science; Lilah Osborn - Social Science; Shazia Haque - Speech; Tu-Uyen Van - Vocational; Sophia Acosta - World Languages.
Career and Technical Education Students of the Year
Career and Technical Education prepares students for the real world by providing them with academic and technical skills, knowledge, and training necessary to succeed in their future careers. Offered in all Broward County Public Schools, three students at Cooper City High School have taken advantage of this valuable program and are being recognized for their hard work and commitment to bettering their futures: Lilah Osborn; Leonidas Adames; Julia Pichelman.
Cheerleading
The Cooper City High School Cheerleading squad is made up of 15 exceptional young women who have committed their time and efforts to their sport, whilst performing well academically. In January, the team competed against several other high schools across Florida at the 2026 Florida High School Cheerleading State Championships in Lakeland, Florida. Through hard work and dedication, the team placed third in their division with a "Hit Zero" performance - receiving the highest score in years for the cheerleading program.
Congratulations to the following athletes and coaches: Katie Christine Brent; Kaya Christiansen; Grace Olivia Dominguez; Ashley Marie Feuer; Alejandra Garcia; Natalee Stephanie Giraldo; Sofia Mangas Caceres; Liliana Mazzola; Victoria Barbara McFarland; Justine Therese Monroe; Julia B. Neidorf; Riley Brooke Rodriguez; Skylar Alexa Schwam; Danielle Siefert; Kaylin Rose Zaffino; Coach Alexa Blue; Coach Ginelle Azan.
Brian Piccolo Award Winner
Brian Piccolo was an outstanding athlete who played for the Chicago Bears for five seasons between 1965-1969, until his untimely passing in 1970 from embryonal cell carcinoma. Before becoming a star NFL player, Piccolo developed his natural athletic skills in the parks and fields of Broward County. Brian Piccolo County Park in Cooper City, located at 9501 Sheridan Street, is named in honor of the late South Florida athlete.
The Brian Piccolo Awards honor talented young men in high school football, who have demonstrated commitment and hard work. These athletes have excelled not only on the football field, but in the classroom throughout their high school years. Cooper City High School has awarded one of their own athletes with the Brian Piccolo Award - Chase Brightup - recognizing his athletic excellence and sportsmanship.
Outstanding Senior Leaders
Cooper City is proud to recognize four seniors who exemplify leadership, integrity, and service. These Outstanding Senior Leaders have made a lasting impact at Cooper City High School through their dedication and commitment to others. Congratulations to the following Outstanding Senior Leaders: Grace Lerner; Alisha Abraham; Aidan Don; Isabella Hernandez.
2025-2026 Scholar Athletes
Cooper City wishes to recognize the outstanding achievements of the Cooper City High School Scholar Athletes for the 2025-2026 academic year. These exceptional students have shown remarkable commitment to both their athletic pursuits and academic excellence. Congratulations to the following students: Gianna Fraino; Giancarlo Da Silva; Chase Brightup; Jaeden Cavanagh.
Proclamations
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death for men and women combined. It is estimated that tens of thousands of colorectal cancer deaths could be avoided if people are screened appropriately. Declaring March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is one concrete step our county can take to not only raise awareness and help prevent this disease.
Gabriel Gajdek, alongside father Louis Deslouches, accepted the proclamation on behalf of his mother, Kasia Orzechowska - cancer survivor and "Fight Colorectal Cancer Ambassador."
National Athletic Training Month
National Athletic Training Month, observed annually in March, raises public awareness about the vital role athletic trainers play in health care. Athletic training is a recognized allied health care profession endorsed by American Medical Association (AMA), Health Resources Service Administration, and Department of Health and Human Services.
The profession focuses on the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of emergent, acute, and chronic injuries and medical conditions. The Athletic Trainers Association of Florida, South I Regional Representative Valerie Smith accepted the proclamation recognizing the month of March as National Athletic Training Month.
Recognizing Madeleine Rivera
Madeleine Damas Rivera retired in February 2026 after 27 years with the U.S. Marshals Service. She held various roles, inclusive Assistant Chief for Administration, and received awards for her work, including for the 2010 Outstanding District of the Year. Additionally, she served as a Eucharistic Minister and CCD teacher at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church.
The City recognizes Madeleine Damas Rivera for her outstanding career and service.
Pioneer Middle School
Speech and Debate
Three years ago, ten students were part of the first-ever 6th grade elective to be offered at Pioneer Middle School. Three years later, these ten students have committed themselves to the program, their coach and to each other by staying the full three years of their middle school career in Speech and Debate.
Today, they are considered one of the foremost Speech and Debate teams in Broward County, having brought home an astonishing 40 medals and 5 county championships to date. It is with great pleasure that we recognize the following students and their coach: Mia Ciechanowiecki; Nicolas Dufays,; Sawyer Greenberg; Betty Karp; Eli Kotlicky; Kaylee Su; Noa Swift; Lucas Tamsberg; Layla Taylor; Melania Taylor; Coach James Ostrick.
Girls' Flag Football
Cooper City proudly recognizes Pioneer Middle School's Girls' Flag Football Team for their historic 15-0 win against Pineapple Cove-Palm Bay in the County Championship.
Congratulations to the following athletes and their coaches: Jocelyn Acosta; Hannah Rosner; Abby Cabrera; Lexi Edelman; Kendall Kornfeld; Bavara Rodzik; Melania Taylor; Gianna Amaya; Belle Brewer; Brynn Haller; Olivia Lewis; Alexandra Marrero; Makenzie Mortensen; Cooper Palmieri; Phoenix Reid; Mila Gonzalez; Ella Schellenberg; Maya Vanguri; Coach Lori Mortensen; Coach Chad Haller; Coach Jessica Acosta; Coach Jonathan Rapp.
Teacher and Staff of the Year
Llona Tinerino-Allen - Teacher of the Year (Cooper City High School, Pasadena Lakes Elementary)
Llona Tinerino-Allen is a resident of Cooper City and is a dedicated educator at Pasadena Lakes Elementary School, recognized as the Teacher of the Year for her school. She has also achieved the distinction of being one of the top 5 finalists for the Caliber Award in Broward County Public Schools, demonstrating her exceptional commitment to her students and the teaching profession.
Franklin Academy Charter School
Congratulations to the following winners: Nicole Frobel - Teacher of the Year; Eugenia Shears - School Related Employee of the Year.
Embassy Creek Elementary School
Congratulations to the following winners: Cynthia Schissler - Teacher of the Year; Natalie Bentolila-Buck - School Related Employee of the Year.
Renaissance Charter School at Cooper City
Congratulations to the following winners: Jennifer Pratt - Teacher of the Year; Yadeira Nunez - School Related Employee of the Year.
Pioneer Middle School
Congratulations to the following winners: Meaghan Sano - Teacher of the Year; Dorian Ruocco - School Related Employee of the Year.
Cooper City High School
Congratulations to the following winners: Irma Barr - Teacher of the Year; Charles Bell - School Related Employee of the Year; Deborah Covard - Cooper City High School Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year.
Cooper City Elementary School
Congratulations to the following winners: Suzanne Bushing -Teacher of the Year; Jonathan Rios - School Related Employee of the Year.
Griffin Elementary School
Congratulations to the following winners: Martin Anorga - Teacher of the Year; Maria Gomez - School Related Employee of the Year.