Friday, October 9, 2026

Titan Nation,

 

This week, our True North Titans took on a series of educationally enriching activities. To kick off the week, members of our speech and debate club traveled to Connecticut and participated in the Yale Invitational Tournament. Shortly after, our very own Mrs. Nicole Leon participated in the first conference of the Florida Teacher Lead Program, and our seventh-grade Pinecrest Scholars visited the Freedom Tower as a culminating activity for their recent reading of the novel The Red Umbrella. To close the week, two of our Dadeland students were announced as winners of the America’s 250th Birthday Contest hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA)!

 

Below is your Weekly Scroll:

7th grade field trip to the 

Freedom tower 

On Wednesday, our 7th grade Pinecrest scholars visited the Freedom Tower as a culminating experience for The Red Umbrella, the novel they recently finished reading. The students were welcomed by the President of Miami Dade College, Madelaine Pumariega, and she shared the importance and symbolism of the Freedom Tower – a beacon of hope for so many families in Miami that escaped the brutal Castro regime in Cuba.  

The novel follows Lucia, a young girl who leaves Cuba through Operation Pedro Pan. During their visit, our students had the opportunity to hear directly from Mr. Max Alvarez and Mr. Jorge Finlay Sr., two of the more than 14,000 unaccompanied minors who escaped Cuba through Operation Pedro Pan. Their stories helped our scholars better understand the reality faced by so many children who were separated from their families and forced to leave their home country and everything they know overnight to have the opportunity to grow up in the Freedom of our United States.

Florida Teacher Lead Program: 

Mrs. Nicole Leon

Ms. Leon, from our Dadeland campus, is part of the Florida Teacher Lead Program. 

 

To kick-off the year, she had the opportunity to attend their first conference, where she focused on developing institutional coaching strategies alongside the other 2027 District Teachers of the Year.

 

Last year, Mrs. Leon made history as the first Charter School Teacher of the Year, earning the honor through her students’ academic achievement, the strong culture she fosters in her classroom, and her overall excellence in teaching. This summer, she participated in the Teacher of the Year competition, where she placed as a runner-up, which officially cements her as one of the top teachers in the State of Florida. 

True north speech & Debate represented at the Yale Invitational Tournament

Over the weekend, a group of scholars attended the Yale Invitational Tournament. 

Abigail Santiago, performed an Original Oratory titled: “Lost Wonder” and Eva Lacayo performed Extemporaneous speeches on The Americas and Europe, Energy and the Environment and U.S. Foreign Policy. During the tournament, Abigail and Eva showcased their oral and presenting skills, and exuded characteristics that define being a Titan – strength courage, and honor.  

AUSA America’s 250th 

Birthday Contest winners

Max Vanlandingham and Leo Vanlandingham, from our Dadeland campus, are winners of the Association of the U.S. Army’s (AUSA) America’s 250th Birthday Contest! 

This contest was launched by AUSA to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary and invited students to reflect on the values of service, sacrifice, and leadership while offering a personal take on how our nation has impacted their lives and communities. Max is the winner of the kindergarten to first grade category, and Leo is the winner of the second to third grade category. 

Congratulations, scholars!

TITAN GOLF INVITATIONAL 

The Titan Golf Invitational is less than a month away! Join us on November 4th at the prestigious Trump Doral at take on the world-famous Red Tiger Golf Course for a good cause. 

 

In addition to golfing, our athletes will be able to participate in a series of fun challenges, thrilling silent auction, and lively dinner & award reception. Tickets are selling quickly. Do not wait, purchase your foursome today!