Page 1 - Martin Downs Bulletin - July '22

VOL. 24 NO. 7 www.seabreezepublications.com JULY 2022

House Of Hope Top Chef 2022

Turns Up The Heat To Help The Hungry

With high-stakes drama over hot stoves, friendly Table; Carra Crehan, events/ restaurant manager of Chef’s
competition for bragging rights, and an important Table; and Craig Ahal, winner of Top Chef 2019.
community mission, House of Hope’s Top Chef “We’re grateful to everyone who participated and who
2022 returned as an in-person fundraising event attended this year’s Top Chef,” said House of Hope CEO
on June 6 at District Table in Stuart. Rob Ranieri. “While we gathered around food in fun and
More than 180 guests enjoyed food and wine celebration, we were also raising funds to help with our
as they cheered on this year’s competing chefs: essential work of providing nutritious food to our friends
Katie Ertz, Donna Forcella, Marybeth Peña, and neighbors in need in Martin County.”
Julian Maiucci, Joe Tomasiello, and “Shipper Ten local restaurants contributed to the evening: Anthony’s
Pete” Morello. Among the ingredients the chefs Coal Fired Pizza, Chef’s Table, Colab Kitchen, Diamond Tea
worked with were fresh vegetables from House Room & Bistro, District Table & Bar, Gilbert’s Coffee Bar,
of Hope’s Growing Hope Farm. Guanabanas, Mulligan’s Beach House Bar & Grill, Spritz City
The Top Chef overall was Katie Ertz, an Bistro, and TideHouse. KC Daniel led the call to action fundraiser
especially sweet victory since she was filling in during the event, and Martin County Commissioner Ed Ciampi
at the last minute for her mother Donna Jenson. was the “masterful” master of ceremonies. Jason Stocks,
Donna Forcella was the top fundraiser, and The Top Chefs 2022 prepare for battle in support of House of Hope owner of District Table, was the evening’s host, graciously
Marybeth Peña had the Best Dish according programs: Marybeth Pena, Joe Tomasiello, Donna Forcella, Katie
to Judges Jason Stocks, chef/owner of District Ertz, “Shipper Pete” Morello, and Julian Maiucci. House Of Hope Top Chef 2022 on page 4

Students Presented With Joe Kordick Youth Character

Awards For Remarkable Character

Thirteen outstanding high school seniors and everyone could share the task of teaching young people
four exceptional eighth-grade students were to be responsible and to live with integrity.
presented with Joe Kordick Youth Character Awards This year, more than 50 nominations were received
for their enduring commitment to the Six Pillars of from schools and the community. Nominations of the
Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, students are based solely on their character. A panel of
fairness, caring, and good citizenship. judges from the community made the final selection based
Presented by United Way of Martin County’s upon the students’ essays, their community involvement,
CHARACTER COUNTS! program and sponsored leadership qualities, how they have dealt with and
by Phyllis Kordick, the awards are presented overcome obstacles in their lives, and personal interviews
annually to middle school students and high school with the high school finalists.
seniors in the Martin County School District. The high school award recipients were announced
The Joe Kordick Youth Character Awards are at each school’s scholarship night, and middle school
named in honor of the late Joe Kordick, founding recipients were announced at each school’s graduation
chairman and the driving force of CHARACTER ceremony. Seniors were presented with a $1,000 cash
COUNTS! in Martin County. He believed that Six students from Clark Advanced Learning Center were honored award and middle school recipients were presented with
character development starts at home, but also with Joe Kordick Youth Character Awards. Left to right: Cecilia a plaque.
felt strongly that by bringing parents, teachers, Galeas, Sydnee Gilliam, Rebecca O’Neill, Juliana Sequeira, Samuel
community leaders, and businesses together, Vinci and Roman Woodcock Students Presented on page 3
Nina Haven Circle Of Scholars Reception Returns

By Jackie Holfelder 2020, 2021 and 2022 Nina Haven scholarship recipients, to Judy Weber, who more than anyone, is the face of the
Since 1962, Nina Haven Scholarships have allowed the 12 Copper Key Promise Scholarship Kids were nonprofit. Judy spent 26 years as executive director and/
Martin County students who may not have had the recognized. These youngsters are identified as potential or board president at Nina Haven Scholarships and is still
opportunity to go to college the chance to participate in Nina Haven recipients while they are still in middle school
this life-altering event. and nurtured by a consortium consisting of Boys & Girls Nina Haven Circle on page 3
Each year, students selected based on their financial need Clubs of Martin County,
and a proven record of academic excellence, maturity, grit, Community Foundation of
leadership and service, are presented with their awards at Martin-St. Lucie, House of
a reception at the Kane Center in Stuart (2020 and 2021 Hope and the Nina Haven
were exceptions, due to COVID constraints). Scholarship Foundation.
On May 22, this year’s Circle of Scholars reception The highlight of the
added several new features. In addition to honoring the day’s events was a tribute

2022 Nina Haven Scholarship recipients