2008 Honorees

Award Recipients

ACE of Hearts

The President’s Choice Award that honors an individual whose contributions to arts education in Florida have made a lasting impact on the quality of life in Florida.

JuDee Pettijohn
Deputy Secretary of State Cultural and Historical Programs

JuDee Pettijohn was appointed Deputy Secretary of State for Cultural, Historical and Information Programs in July 2003. She began her tenure with the Florida Department of State in 1976; there, she worked with the cultural grants programs from 1976 to 1985, and served as Grants Bureau Chief and section head. In 1985, she became Assistant Division Director and remained in that administrative role until 1997.

From 1997 to 1999, Pettijohn served as Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer and chief of the bureau of Historic Preservation. Her responsibilities included administrative oversight of the historic preservation grants and folklife programs, Section 106 compliance review, survey and registration for national register nominations, architectural preservation services, certified local governments, Florida Main Street, and other historic preservation programs.

In 1999, Pettijohn briefly detoured to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. There, she served as Chief of the Bureau of Testing and Director of the Division of Professions, working with nineteen professions and sixteen professional boards.

In 2001, she returned to the Department of State family as Director of the Division of Cultural Affairs, a position she maintained until she was appointed Deputy Secretary of Cultural and State Historical Programs by Secretary of State Glenda Hood.

In her role Pettijohn is delighted to expand her scope , which now includes not only the programs of the Division of Historical Resources and Cultural Affairs, but also those of the Division of Library Services. She is also honored to work with a staff that she admires and respects in all three divisions.

Pettijohn has served on the Boards of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and the Southern Arts Federation. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Ursinus College in Pennsylvania, and a master's degree in library and information sciences from Florida State University. However, she maintains that her real education came from working at the Department of State; for this she credits its remarkable staff, and knowledge gleaned from current and past members of the Florida Arts Council, Florida Historical Commission, State Library Council, Florida Folklife Council, Markers Council, and other professional boards at the Department of State and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Pettijohn is the mother of two children, Fred, 20, and Jeannie, 18.

Legislative Leader

This award provides recognition for legislative leadership related to ensuring the role of arts education as part of a basic education for all children in Florida’s schools and communities. The individual honored with this award must be a member of the Florida Legislature.

Senator
Evelyn J. Lynn, Volusia County

Senator Evelyn Lynn was elected to the Florida Senate in November 2002 after serving eight years in the Florida House of Representatives. Prior to her career in the legislature, she spent almost thirty years as first a teacher, then as assistant superintendent of the Volusia County School District. She was also a City Commissioner in Ormond Beach. Senator Lynn, who has worked with students from kindergarten through university level, currently serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Higher Education Appropriations. She is a member of the Senate Committees on Children, Families and Elder Affairs; Commerce; Criminal Justice; Communications and Public Utilities; Rules; and was appointed to the Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council by the Senate Presidents. She is a recognized state and national leader on matters pertaining to children and families, and on educational improvement.

During her years in the legislature, Senator Lynn has been recognized for her support of business and economic development as keys to improving education and family security. Key accomplishments include working for the passage of Florida’s A++ middle school and high school redesign legislation, and serving as the first woman elected to state office from Volusia County; she is also the first woman to chair the House Committee on Education Appropriations. With roles on the Education Commission of the States, and the Women in Government and Access to Higher Education Task Force, Senator Lynn is also one of twelve current members of the National Council of State Legislators Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education.

Senator Lynn holds a bachelor’s degree from Queens College in New York; a master’s degree from Stetson University; and a doctorate in instructional leadership and administration from the University of Florida.

Doris Leeper Award

This award, created in memory of artist, educator, and visionary, Doris Leeper (1929-2000) in 2001, honors an artist as educator for outstanding contributions to K-12 arts education in Florida via work which advances arts education through advocacy and arts education development efforts with students, teachers, and interested others. The award is presented to a Florida artist who has had a significant and unique impact on arts education in K-12 educational settings in Florida. Candidates for this award include such practitioners as artists-in-residence, lecturers, and professional artist-educators who have worked in, or contributed significantly to, K-12 arts education for at least five (5) years. Artists eligible for this award are those working to advance arts education-related programs, performances, and exhibitions; advocacy; promotion; or outreach to schools, youth centers, juvenile justice programs, or arts education in a K-12 school setting.

Constance Rogers
Visual Arts Teacher, Van R. Butler Elementary

Constance Rogers has been selected as teacher of the year in each school where she has taught: Freeport (1993), Bay (1996), and Butler (2003). A teacher since 1989, Rogers is also a well-known presenter on inclusion in the visual arts for VSA art of Florida (VSAFL)/Florida Inclusion Network (FIN). She has presented at the VSAFL annual statewide leadership 2002 and 2004 conference. One of 18 VSAFL program partners, Rogers is also a member of the Florida Art Education Association (FAEA), the National Education Association (NEA), and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).

In 2006 she led her classroom in ArtLink, an international art exchange program through VSA arts, in which 51 U.S. classrooms partner with classes in twenty-five countries. The ArtLink program was a great success for Rogers and her students: One of her classroom participants was chosen as a national finalist, and her artwork was displayed at a Congressional Reception and traveled throughout the United States on a two-year tour. The art work of another student was chosen by former Lieutenant Governor Toni Jennings to use on her holiday cards.

Through Rogers’ efforts, Van R. Butler School was recognized as an Arts Achieve School. Rogers’ work has been highlighted in a DVD and brochure, The Arts and Reading: Making the Connection. Rogers has been featured in the international publication Creative Spirit and has published a short story, “ Powerful Classroom Stories by Accomplished Teachers.” She has national board certification in early childhood and middle school art.

School Board Award

This state-level award honors Florida School Boards that have implemented and sustained exemplary arts education programs that provide a creative learning environment for outstanding student achievement. A national award is offered in collaboration with the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network (KCAAEN) and the National School Board Association (NSBA). The Florida award-winning school board may serve as the Florida nominee for the National Award presented by the KCAAEN and NSBA .

School Board of Brevard County

Janice Kershaw, Chair; Amy Kneessey, Vice Chair; Robert Jordan; Dr. Barbara A. Murray; Larry E. Hughes

Under the governance of the five-member Brevard County School Board, Brevard Public Schools (BPS) ranks as one of the highest-achieving school districts in Florida and has aspirations to be first in the nation. The School Board holds Master Board distinction from the Florida School Boards Association, one of 38 boards in the state to have earned that status. In 2007, Brevard Public Schools won the Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for organizational performance excellence—only the second school district to receive the honor at the district level (the first was Pinellas County in 1993).

This spring, BPS was recognized as a national leader in music education, honored by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation as one of the country’s “Best Communities for Music Education.” Brevard was one of only 110 school districts recognized across the United States, and one of only three districts in Florida. The positive, proactive leadership of the school board has fostered many other achievements, including:

• Leading the State of Florida in music demonstration schools, including twenty-three of the thirty-one schools named statewide and all honorable mention sites;
• Initiating the Brevard Cultural Alliance Excellence in Visual Arts Award in 2005, designating 13 schools with this distinction and two schools with an honorable mention;
• Using the Brevard Excellence in Visual Arts Award to create a Florida Art Demonstration School model; and
• Being selected four years in a row for the State Congressional Art Competition, which showcases student art.

School Administrator

This individual award provides recognition for leadership in advocacy and/or public awareness related to ensuring the role of arts education in basic education. The individual honored with this award must hold an administrative position with a Florida school.

Jayne Ellspermann
West Port High School, Marion County

Under the leadership of Jayne Ellspermann, the Principal of West Port High School in Ocala, Florida, Marion County Public Schools has developed and supported a visual and performing arts secondary school. West Port High School houses the Marion County Center for the Arts magnet program in visual and performing arts.

Ellspermann supports educational projects that relate to visual and performing arts, and cross-curriculum project development, in Marion County Public Schools. She represents the Florida Association of School Administrators on the Arts for a Complete Education (ACE)/Florida Alliance for Arts Education (FAAE) board, where she is a past president. Ellspermann currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida Association for Secondary School Administrators, and has served as President of the Ocala Civic Theatre Board of Directors and of the Marion Performing Ballet Board of Directors. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Georgia, and a master’s degree in education in education administration and supervision from the University of Florida.

Arts Education Professionals

This individual award provides recognition for leadership in advocacy and/or public awareness related to ensuring the role of arts education in basic education. An individual who works within an educational institution or within the education program of a community-based arts organization or agency will be honored with this award.

Margot Knight
President & CEO of United Arts of Central Florida, Orange County

Since October 2001, Margot Knight has been President and CEO of United Arts of Central Florida. She currently serves on the executive board of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce, the board for the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the alumni board of James Madison University. In addition, Knight is a member of the Rotary Club of Orlando. In 2004, she was honored with a Woman of Distinction award by the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council, and received the Women’s Achievement Award in Arts & Culture in 2006. In 2007, she received the prestigious national Michael Newton Award from Americans for the Arts.

Knight, who also enjoyed a brief theatrical career in history and the arts, was the oral historian for the Whitman County, Washington Historical Society; director of the Oral History Office at the Washington State University; regional coordinator of the Washington Women’s Heritage Project, and interim director of the Washington (State) Commission for the Humanities. She has served as President and CEO of the United Arts Council of Raleigh-Wake County, North Carolina, and Executive Director of the Idaho Commission on the Arts. She also served as the assistant director of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies in Washington, DC.

Peter Stark
Director of the Orlando Ballet School, Orange County

Peter Stark danced leading roles at the New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Washington Ballet. At Boston Ballet, Stark met and danced with Maria and Fernando Bujones under artistic director Bruce Marks. He became assistant to Fernando Bujones, then Interim Executive Director at Ballet Mississippi. In 2000, Stark was appointed director of Orlando Ballet School (OBS), and under his leadership, the organization has grown to four school locations in three Florida counties. OBS is widely considered one of America's best ballet academies: It has enjoyed two rave reviews in the New York Times for New York performances, and its students are winning major international ballet competitions and receiving jobs with the world's best dance companies. In 2001, Stark established accreditation for OBS with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Stark has choreographed works for The Washington Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Ballet and Orlando Ballet, including the audience favorite Cinderella . In addition to serving on grant panels for the National Endowment for the Arts, Mr. Stark has been named Central Florida Arts Educator of the Year and was featured on the cover of Dance Teacher Magazine. He studied dance under Andre and Leda Eglevsky, and at the School of American Ballet, and business at Columbia University and Strayer University.

Business Leaders

This award will honor a business or an individual businessperson for leadership in, and support of, arts education. Outstanding partnership efforts; local and/or statewide advocacy for arts education; local ACE coalition support; and/or financial support of arts education will be recognized through this award.

Patty DeYoung
Executive Administrator of Darden Restaurants Foundation, Orange County

A 28-year veteran with Darden Restaurants and the Darden Restaurants Foundation, Patty DeYoung has been the executive administrator for the Darden Restaurants Foundation for 17 years.   In this capacity, she presents grants to the Darden Restaurants Foundation Trustees and is responsible for Darden’s corporate contributions.   DeYoung is a member of the Communities Activities Committee, which provides volunteer opportunities to Darden employees and necessary services to the community.

DeYoung serves as a board member for the Orlando Repertory Theatre,  the Victims Service Center, and the Women’s Resource Center. She is a member of the Local Advisory Council for the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community, which presents the Zora Neale Hurston Festival every year.  She was past president of the Board of the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center, and the Board of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.   DeYoung is also a member of the Central Florida Donor’s Forum, a consortium of local funders, and the Florida Philanthropic Network.

Deanna Costa, Producer of Education and Outreach
The Arsht Center, Miami-Dade County

Deanna Costa is Producer of Education and Outreach at the Arsht Center. Through her efforts, the Arsht Center has provided funding—as well as technical and staff support—for 22 school-based residencies in inclusive classrooms, culminating in three student performances in the Center’s Black Box Theatre. These performances, which include students with disabilities, historically involved ten schools total: four elementary, four middle, and two high schools. In December 2007, this program was increased to 12 classes. For many students, this program represents their first visit to a performing arts institute and the first opportunity to perform for a live audience. Under Costa’s leadership, the Center provides funds for the teaching artists and performance space. It also provides full production and technical staff for all performances.

Costa’s tireless pursuit of her vision— to promote inclusive programming at the Center and support for other Center administrators—demonstrates her commitment to provide a full range of cultural and learning experiences for all Miami-Dade students.

Community Volunteer

This award honors an individual who has provided significant support to arts education in Florida schools and communities. Work with schools, non-profit arts education programs, and/or ACE Coalitions is recognized through this award.

Debbie Fahmie
Music Educator Teacher

Cypress Elementary School, Osceola County

Fahmie is a vibrant and talented music educator at Cypress Elementary School in Osceola County, and a tireless advocate for arts education in the community. In 2008, Fahmie’s students performed The Last World Standing, a tribute to veterans that was a joint program with the Osceola County School of the Arts Band, Dance, Chorus, and Tech Departments. This performance was attended by veterans from throughout Central Florida.

Her students support worthy causes in the community, building a spirit of involvement and volunteerism in them. She worked with third grade students to provide a special program for the state bullying conference. In addition, she and her students performed the Butterfly program at the National Migrant Conference.

Her excellence as a teacher was recognized when she was named one of five finalists for the Florida Teacher of the Year award in 2007. Also in 2007, Cypres Elementary School was named a National School of Distinction in Arts Education by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.