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First Lady Bush Awards Acevedo

KEY WEST (612 words) – What does it take to keep kids safe in and out of school in Monroe County? Hard Work. Innovation. Dedicated Partners. Three things Monroe County School District Superintendent Randy Acevedo lives and breathes on his job during the school day and many solitary hours driving up and down U.S. 1 in the evenings and weekends to support the students in Monroe County. His unique passion for the kids was recognized by Florida’s First Lady Columba Bush last week in Orlando. For his outstanding leadership and partnership with Monroe Youth Challenge Program, Acevedo was honored as a “2006 Who’s Who of Prevention Leaders in Florida” at the Florida Statewide Prevention Conference.  

In tribute to Acevedo’s state recognition, a local presentation was also made to him at this week’s county school board meeting.  The award is of additional significant because Acevedo is the only school superintendent to be nominated and receive it. “He was one of 64 prevention leadership recipients but all the other recipients were from law enforcement, Department of Juvenile Justice or in drug rehab work,” said Acevedo’s Nominator Sunny Booker who is the Monroe County School District Safe School Coordinator.

After traveling for an over-night stay in Orlando, during a hectic time of the school year, showing his dedication to bullying and substance abuse prevention, Acevedo was glad he went the extra miles to attend the conference. “It was an honor to be recognized. Making a difference with the kids is what it’s all about,” said Acevedo.

Conference officials wrote, “Randy Acevedo has actively supported violence/bullying prevention in Monroe County School District.  He created a partnership with a grassroots organization formed by parents lending them resources and bringing many services to students throughout the district. He attends many events and sits on the board that oversees this non-profit organization. The mission fosters acceptance, respect and success for and among youth.” The organization they refer to is Monroe Youth Challenge Program that hosted four successful Challenge Days for more than 400 students in Monroe County this month.

According to Florida Prevention Partnership Officials, the Who's Who of Prevention Leaders in Florida recognizes field leadership of; 1) individuals who have shown particular initiative in their communities on behalf of substance abuse or violence prevention and; 2) members of organizational boards and state advisory groups. “Taken together, the entries in this directory just begin to reflect Florida’s capacity for reaching local and state goals for substance abuse and violence prevention,” officials said.

First Lady Columba Bush herself, who presented the Who’s Who awards, has received many awards for her efforts in promoting substance abuse prevention. As Florida’s spokesperson for prevention of youth substance abuse, Mrs. Bush said, “Far too many families have suffered the devastation of substance abuse and addiction.” She added, “I’m dedicated to keeping children off the path to addiction and to providing hope to those who have already traveled down that destructive path.”

Also on hand to present the awards at the 2006 Prevention Conference were Office of Drug Control Director Bill Janes and Jim McDonough, the immediate past ODC director and current Department of Corrections Director. Gov. Jeb Bush was on hand the next morning and called special recognition of the winners. This event kicked off the 20th annual prevention conference.

Monroe Youth Challenge Program is a project of the Monroe County Education Foundation to foster acceptance, respect, and success in the youth of Monroe County. For more information about this project or any other MYCP-sponsored program call MYCP District Prevention Coordinator Michele Sutter at (305) 852-1664 or go to www.monroe.k12.fl.us/mycpp For more information on Governor Bush’s Florida Drug Control strategy, visit the Governor’s or First Lady’s website at www.myflorida.com