Educators get schooled at Billie Swamp Safari Community by Eileen Soler - August 1, 2014April 8, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — The tables were turned on more than 30 teachers this summer when the Tribe’s Florida Seminole Tourism Department hosted daylong learning adventures just for them at Billie Swamp Safari. "I loved every minute," said Tiqua Carty, a fifth-grade teacher from Riverland Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale. Carty was one
Tribal members cross the peninsula for Wellness Conference Health by Eileen Soler - August 1, 2014April 7, 2015 MARCO ISLAND — Bright yellow T-shirts filled the lobby, beach and meeting rooms at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa on opening day for the 21st annual Seminole Wellness Conference. "We fought too long to die by our own hands," read the back of the shirts. On the front
Ahfachkee summer school spells f-u-n Education by Eileen Soler - August 1, 2014February 10, 2016 BIG CYPRESS — Education did not take the summer off at Ahfachkee School, at least that’s what nearly two dozen children discovered during the school’s four-week, fun-drenched Ahfachkee Summer Survivor Enrichment Program. "They have fun learning every day," teacher Billie McDonald said during a tour of classrooms where children absorbed knowledge
Science program stimulates educational exploration Education by Eileen Soler - August 1, 2014April 8, 2015 BIG CYPRESS — Preschool graduates stepped into big kid school with a summer prekindergarten boost at Ahfachkee School. "They are loving it and learning at the same time," said Gina Goldsmith, an early childhood intervention specialist with the Tribe’s Children’s Center for Diagnostics and Therapy (CCDT.) Developed by the Health Department, the
Higher education students score academic accolades Education by Eileen Soler - August 1, 2014April 8, 2015 PEMBROKE PINES — Adult graduates from institutes of higher learning, including universities and trade schools, were awarded July 10 with dinner and gifts at Brimstone Woodfire Grill in Pembroke Pines. Six of 13 Tribal members who completed various degrees and certificate programs from July 2013 through June 2014 attended the Tribe’s
Gaming adds air incentive for super high rollers Community by Eileen Soler - June 27, 2014April 8, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — With a unanimous Council vote June 13, super high rollers worldwide will get VIP travel treatment to and from Seminole Tribe of Florida casinos on a new luxury Gulfstream G550 aircraft. Called “whales,” gamblers in the elite category play with extraordinary amounts of money. Some can spend several million
Recovery takes another step toward success Community by Eileen Soler - June 27, 2014April 8, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — With the Andy Buster Band playing country tunes and homegrown steaks smoking on the barbecue, Tribal members celebrated a new stop along the road to addiction recovery with an old-fashioned family picnic. "Only an open heart can catch a dream" reads a plaque on the wall of the new
Tribal members nationwide gather to share, learn and share again Community by Eileen Soler - June 27, 2014April 8, 2015 HOLLYWOOD — Georgette Palmer Smith, executive director of the Seminole Tribe’s Native Learning Center (NLC), said the department’s educational sixth annual Summer Conference could only be successful if attendees soaked up information then took the knowledge home. "It makes our hearts feel good to bring you so much about so many
Seminole sculpture project on New River gets major boost Community by Eileen Soler - June 27, 2014April 8, 2015 FORT LAUDERDALE — Excitement had been building among artists for months about a Seminole sculpture whose future home will be along the New River in Fort Lauderdale. But completion of the statue by sculptor Nilda Comas, with assistance from Elgin Jumper and endorsed with $50,000 from the Seminole Tribe, hinged
Tiny Tribal dancers tap, twist, tumble Community by Eileen Soler - June 27, 2014April 8, 2015 DAVIE — From ballet bun to twirling toes, sisters Harmony and Jaylee Cypress radiated star power when each took the spotlight on the Bailey Hall stage May 31 as students of Performance Edge Dance Studio. The girls, who live on Big Cypress Reservation and attend American Heritage School in Plantation, overcame