39th Annual Impressions in Watercolor Exhibition.
Congratulation to the following students . They will exhibiting during the 39th Annual Impressions in Watercolor Exhibition.
This exhibition marks the 39th year of the enduring partnership between the Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the Miami Watercolor Society.
The annual exhibition preserves and promotes the unique character of watercolor as a medium among our young artists. This is a STEAM Authentic Assessment Exhibition.
Rocio Giesso Gr. 9
Sofia De-Prat-Gay, Gr. 11
Phoenix Aragon, Gr 11
Exhibition Location:
Wyn 317 Art Gallery
4320 NW 2 Avenue
Miami, FL 33127
Exhibition Dates:
Monday, March 10 – Sunday, March 16, 2025
Awards Ceremony:
Thursday, March 13, 2025
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Miami Dade County Fair and Exposition
Congratulation to the following students. They will be exhibiting at the Miami Dade County Fair and Exposition March 13 – April 6.
Maia Winsberg, Gr 9
Gabriela Duque, Gr 10
Matteo Spagnolo, Gr 11
Melanie Seremet, Gr. 12
70th Annual State Science Fair
Luca Durham, 6th grader and only student from MAST advancing to the 70th annual state science fair, has now been selected to advance to the national level. In addition to Luca Durham advancing to the national level, both 6th graders Annie Diaz and Alexander Yannuzzi advanced also. These kids work extremely hard in and out of the classroom and to put in the level of work in which they did with the support of their awesome parents, I cannot help but to brag about them. It’s an honor to be their instructor. If you know them, please congratulate them because they put in the work and they represent MAST well.
Below is a description of the magnitude of this competition.
Have a great remainder of the week and extended weekend!
3D Expressions: Beyond the Frame: Infinite Dimensions Exhibition
Congratulation to the following students. Their work will be on display during the 3D Expressions: Beyond the Frame: Infinite Dimensions Exhibition.
Amelya Vizcaino, Gr 9
Teodelina Deestrada, Gr 9 & and Pedro Mingo Gr. 11
Rosario Aberastury, Gr 10
Maitane Rivero Gr. 10
Filippa Pontonio, Gr. 12
Virtual Exhibition Online By:
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Annual Countywide Student Art Show
The following students will be participating in the Annual Countywide Student Art Show. The annual show encompasses all styles, media, and techniques. The ambitious and impressive collection demonstrates the development of new skills, abilities, and interests; and emphasizes versatility, good design, and imagination.
Phoenix Aragon, Gr 11
Sofia Giuffrida, Gr 11
Lola Gallo Argerich, Gr. 12
Exhibition Location and Info:
Exhibition Location:
Bakehouse Art Complex
561 NW 32nd Street
Miami, FL 33127
Opening Reception/Awards Ceremony:
Friday April 11, 2025
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Scholastic Art Awards 2025
Congratulations to Phoenix Aragon, Gr. 11.
She received the following accolades at Scholastic Art Awards 2025.
Silver Key
Miami Herald Athlete of the Week
Senior Liam Lesentier has been nominated to be the Miami Herald Athlete of the Week for last week. We need to go on and vote for him. He had an amazing game last Thursday, and is being recognized for his performance.
▪ Liam Lesentier, Miami MAST Academy basketball: the senior had 22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal in a loss to Miami Westland Hialeah.
Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/high-school/article299083230.html#storylink=cpy
Their last game of the season is this Thursday at the Key Biscayne Community Center. Hope to see you there.
2024-2025 Environmental Arts Contest: People of Miami
These students participated in the 2024-2025 Environmental Arts Contest: People of Miami.
Their art works received the following awards.
Gabriella Lopez, Gr 10 -First place
Olivia Tobi, Gr 11 -First place
Phoenix Aragon, Gr 11 – Second place
Sofia C. Giuffrida, Gr 11 – Second place
Fabiana Audisio, Gr 12 – Third place
2025 GMAC Champions
Good morning, Makos,
Our Boys Soccer Team has been crowned the 2025 GMAC Champions, making them back-to-back GMAC champions! Additionally, our Girls Soccer Team has achieved an impressive milestone, earning the title of 2025 GMAC Runner-Up. Their hard work and dedication have brought tremendous pride to our school.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Mr. Couzo, our exceptional Athletic Director, along with his entire coaching staff, the talented players, and everyone who supported the teams throughout the season. These achievements are a true reflection of their commitment, teamwork, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Let’s take a moment to celebrate this successful season and the unwavering spirit of our student-athletes. They have once again shown what it means to be Anchored in Excellence.
Lets Go MAKOS!
Black History Month Exhibition
Congratulations to the following students. They will be participating it the Black History Month exhibition in the gallery of the School Board Administration Building. The theme “African American
Faculty Related Awards
Florida Scholastic Press Association Gold Evaluation
Congratulations to the staff of Spilt Milk for receiving from the Florida Scholastic Press Association for magazine volume 26 an evaluation of Gold.
The evaluator wrote “There is a lot to like in this issue of Spilt Milk. I enjoyed the editor-in-chief’s letter. What a great way to get started! The essays and short stories were thoughtfully written and artwork and photos often helped communicate the topic of their literary selections. The magazine offered a unified design to readers… I offer my congratulations on this issue’s gold medal…”.
In the past 5 evaluations, Spilt Milk has received from FSPA three Golds and an All-Florida.
In case you did not receive your copy of the magazine, it and previous years’ magazines can be downloaded here:
https://app.box.com/s/supchxglpxuhv6cvgnmaaeap8jz1gsy2
“Out of This World” Top Math Educator of the Year 2023-2024
Please join me in congratulating our very own Makos family member Ms. Yancoskie on being recognized by Explore Learning and M-DCPS as the “Out of This World” Top Math Educator of the Year 2023-2024. This recognition is bestowed upon a mathematics educator who demonstrates outstanding leadership and commitment to using technology in the classroom. Congratulations Ms. Yancoskie!
Our school was also recognized as the top user of Gizmos this year in the grades 6-12 category. The banner will be proudly displayed on campus.
Central Region Principal of the Year
Congratulations to Dr. Collman-Perez on being named the Central Region Principal of the Year. She is now vying for the District Principal of the Year.
Whole School Awards
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital “Spread Joy” Toy Drive
Thank you to the following teachers for helping us to meet our contribution goal for the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital “Spread Joy” Toy Drive. It’s a truly wonderful institution that serves many children who are dealing with very serious illnesses, such as cancer and spinal diseases, many who spend months or more in the hospital. Special shoutouts go out to the following wonderful souls who made it happen!: to Mr. Lacayo, Ms. Mendoza, Ms. Paz, Ms. Vazquez, and Ms. Kolonias.
Top School of Excellence!
Today, Magnet Schools of America (MSA) released their annual Magnet Merit Awards, and I am proud to announce that MAST Academy has been recognized with one of the highest honors: Top School of Excellence!
This prestigious award reflects the dedication, passion, and commitment each of you brings to our school community. Through your tireless efforts to prepare our students for success, we have once again achieved an accolade that places us among a small and distinguished cohort of schools across the nation.
Your innovative teaching, ability to inspire, and unwavering focus on excellence have shaped the incredible learning environment we proudly call MAST Academy. This recognition is a testament to the collective impact you make every day in our students’ lives.
Thank you for all that you do to support our mission and for making our school a shining example of what excellence looks like in education. Let us celebrate this remarkable achievement together and continue to raise the bar for our students and community.
The Purple Star School of Distinction
MAST Academy has been designated by the Florida Department of Education as a 2024 Purple Star School of Distinction! This prestigious recognition is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and commitment to serving our school community with excellence.
The Purple Star School of Distinction honors schools that go above and beyond to support military-connected families through meaningful programs and activities. This is the first year Miami-Dade County Public Schools has participated in this program, and we are proud to be one of only 13 schools in the district to meet the rigorous criteria for this honorable distinction.
This recognition reflects our commitment to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for military families through initiatives that strengthen connections and foster a sense of belonging. It is a well-deserved acknowledgment of the collaborative effort of our faculty, staff, students, and families.
The Purple Star designation will remain with us for three years, and after that, we will have the opportunity to reapply and continue building on this success.
The Superintendent would like to recognize our school at the School Board Meeting of January 15, 2025. Details for this recognition will be forthcoming.
Thank you for your dedication to MAST Academy’s mission and for ensuring that every student and family feels valued and supported. This award belongs to all of us, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished together.
Congratulations, and let’s continue to anchor ourselves in excellence!
Green School of Excellence Award
I am thrilled to share that at yesterday’s Inaugural Green Schools Ceremony, MAST Academy was honored with the Green School of Excellence Award for our commitment to sustainability and building a more resilient future for Miami-Dade County Public Schools! This recognition is a testament to our collective efforts, and I couldn’t be prouder of the team’s dedication to this cause.
Along with this prestigious award, we were also presented with a $1,000 check to support our continued sustainability initiatives. A special shout-out to our own Holly Thorpe, who represented MAST as one of the keynote speakers—her words inspired everyone in attendance. I’d also like to extend a huge thank you to Ms. Deresz for her leadership in spearheading the application process that brought us this recognition.
Thank you, MAST Academy family, for being Anchored in Excellence and for your ongoing commitment to our environment!
MAST Academy “A” Rating
On behalf of the entire MAST administrative team, we are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations on our remarkable accomplishment of maintaining our “A” rating during the 2023-2024 academic year. This achievement is a testament to your unwavering dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence in education.
Your collective efforts have positively impacted the lives of our students, providing them with enhanced opportunities and a brighter future. This continuous record of excellence is a source of immense pride and inspiration for the entire district.
Thank you for your relentless pursuit of academic excellence and for setting such a high standard. Your success serves as a shining example of what can be achieved through teamwork, perseverance, and a shared vision for success.
STEM GOLD
As you may know, our school has been awarded another STEM GOLD designation. I wanted to not only reach out to THANK YOU all but also to highlight what we did to achieve this prestigious honor. This is a thank-you note and a major congratulations because we all excelled this year. Our overall performance improved by 7%, demonstrating our commitment to teamwork and determination. To achieve this award (with middle school and high school combined), we:
· Turned in our lesson plans for the virtual visit (I know you hate it when you see me for this- and I have plans to improve this process- so thank you)
· Competed in 20 SECME competitions
· Competed in 10 robotics competitions
· Competed in the district and state Science Fair
· Had partnerships with NOAA, Slow Food, Good Natured, and Fairchild
· Competed in the Fairchild Challenges
· Competed in the Key Challenges
· Had our CTE programs recognized and scored
· Excelled in professional development
· Educated our students to out-perform on standardized testing
You all went the extra mile and then some, and it shows in our score. When listing our competitions, I had to add extra space because we participated in, placed in, and/or won many of them at the district, state, and national levels.
M.A.S.T.E.R. (Master Awareness Success Takes Everyone’s Responsibility) Mind and Heart Award
I am pleased to announce that our school received the M.A.S.T.E.R. (Master Awareness Success Takes Everyone’s Responsibility) Mind and Heart Award. This designation is a district initiative that is focused on further supporting the mental well-being of students and cultivating a positive and nurturing learning environment.
The application included criteria for three award designations (MASTER Mind; MASTER Heart; and MASTER Mind and Heart) focused on School Programs/Initiatives, Professional Development, Community Partnerships, and Parent Outreach.
Magnet Schools of America Awards
This evening our school was recognized on the national stage for achieving the following awards:
-Certified Demonstration School
-A Top Performing Magnet School of Excellence
-The Theme-Based Innovation Award (the only one in the country!)
All the credit goes to our dynamic students, our world-renowned faculty, dedicated staff, and supportive parents! I am beyond proud of our school and the level of innovation that is happening daily! Continue to foster creativity and curiosity in our students across our beautiful school community daily.
MAST Academy Wins Chess Tournament!
I hope this email finds you well. Please join me in congratulating Ms. Garnett MAST Chess Club Sponsor and students Daniel Belov-Khata, Ilan Spector, and Fernando Vargas on taking home first place in the South Florida Scholastic Regional Championship tournament. Way to go Makos!
Dwight Bailey’s Eduvision Top 40
The District has started to track the Eduvision usage of all MDCPS schools and I am excited to share that we have been number one on the Top 40 list since they started keeping track. Schools are.
Alumni Related Awards
Ramond Linares (’06) wins a New York Emmy for his cinematography.
The 2020 Emmy was Awarded by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, New York Chapter for the project “Street Level: Northern Boulevard” in the Religion, Program Feature / Special category.
Brandi Cossairt (’02) acheives Full Professor rank in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Washington
Class of 2002 Brandi Cossairt has acheived Full Professor rank in the Department of Chemisty at the University of Washington in Seattle. Brandi specializes in inorganic chemist studying the synthesis and post-synthetic modification of nanoparticles with unique physical properties.
Patton Allison (’05) wins 2020 Withrow Teaching Excellence Award at Michigan State University
Class of 2005 Patton Allison’s students call him “knowledgeable and passionate” and a driving force behind the popularity of the college’s undergraduate concentration in aerospace engineering.
Two MAST Academy Alumni Recognized as part of Forbes Top 30 Under 30 Class of 2020.
MAST Academy Alumni are taking the world by storm! Erika Tyburski C/O 2008 and Ana Sophia Mifsud C/O 2013 have been recognized in Forbes 2020 Top 30 Under 30.
Benjamin Velez (’06) to Receive this Year’s Fred Ebb Award For Excellence in Musical Theatre Songwriting
The Fred Ebb Foundation in association with the Roundabout Theatre Company will present the fifteenth annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to Angela Sclafani & Benjamin Velez (’06). The award recognizes excellence in musical theatre songwriting.