John W. Battle III
Arts & Culture

As a performing arts instructor at Hallandale Magnet High School, John Battle works tirelessly to provide students with an avenue for their creative energy.  Affectionately known as "Papi," although only a young man himself, John believes success in the classroom can translate to success in life as long as you work hard to achieve it.  He was instrumental in reinstating the school's Drama Club in 2002 and has seen significant academic improvement from its members - 100% receive their diploma and go on to college, including those who enter the club with less than a 2.0 grade point average.  John's enthusiasm for the arts also extends beyond the classroom.  In 2003 he founded the John Battle Theatre Ensemble, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to entertaining and educating inner-city youth through theatrical training, performances and a summer camp program.  Since its inception, the ensemble has provided a stage for more than 500 middle and high school students to shine artistically. 

Dwight & Dinah Stephenson
Business & Entrepreneurism

Dwight and Dinah Stephenson have been building communities and inspiring lives since the early 1980s.  Their construction and design management company, D. Stephenson Construction, was formed in 1992 and has become a respected leader by operating with honesty and integrity, and it is those same values that fuel their service to the community.  Dwight, an NFL Hall of Famer and former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman, and Dinah, a lawyer, are partners in life and in business.  Together, they united their enthusiasm for sports and fitness and passion for academics and mentoring to establish the Dwight Stephenson Foundation in 2007.  The Foundation generates funding for charities that provide educational, health and human services to underserved children and families in South Florida.  Among the organization's many accomplishments is the Dwight's Computers for Kids program, which has collected and refurbished hundreds of computers to help children with limited access to technology.  Dwight also uses his success on and off the field to mentor younger players to prepare for careers after football, and Dinah mentors students and graduates about balancing personal and professional life. 

Lt. Nathaniel Lasseur
Community Service

Lt. Nate Lasseur's enthusiasm for saving lives extends beyond fighting fires in his West Palm Beach fire station's district.  His missionary parents taught him at a young age that blessings in life are only earned by helping others, and he practices that belief in everything he does.  Nate's commitment to serve took a new direction in 2002 after a memorable trip to Haiti.  There he saw first responders battling fires in civilian clothes with minimal safety equipment.  The experience inspired Nate to establish International Firefighters Assistance, Inc. (IFA).  A grassroots organization with a global reach, IFA partners with local firefighting units to collect equipment and coordinate training for rescue workers in underprivileged countries.  For Nate, supporting the community at home is part of his daily routine and he is passionate about teaching younger generations, particularly Haitian-American children, the importance of community service both locally and abroad.  Lt. Lasseur was named 2009 West Palm Beach Firefighter of the Year. 

Mia Y. Merritt, Ed.D.
Education

Dr. Mia Merritt leads by example. An administrator for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, she uses her personal experiences as a misdirected youth to teach at-risk teens and young adults that their past choices do not dictate their future. Dr. Merritt believes that both the seeds of greatness and the seeds of failure can be found in each of us. Her goal is to motivate young people to feed their greatness by setting goals, working hard and cultivating their gifts. For Dr. Merritt, facing obstacles is a necessary part of growing up. It's overcoming them and learning from mistakes that make the difference in your life. She takes her teaching beyond the walls of the traditional classroom as well. She is an eight-time author of personal development books, certified motivational and keynote speaker, radio show host, mentor and life coach. Dr. Merritt is also an avid volunteer with Girl Power!, a non-profit after-school program that promotes positive behavior, builds confidence and improves academic performance in adolescent girls.

Victoria Fleury
Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever Award

A senior at Palm Beach Gardens High School, Victoria Fleury is a natural-born leader with a strong work ethic.  She consistently places in the top 5 percent of her class and is enrolled in her school's Pre-medical Five Star Magnet Program, which means she will be a Certified Nursing Assistant upon graduation.  Victoria is as committed to her academics as she is to giving back to the community.  As president of the National Honor Society, she was instrumental in getting the organization to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.  Victoria's passion for helping others and her interest in pursuing a career in neurobiology developed in high school when she befriended a classmate who has Tourette's Syndrome.  Already an aspiring medical school student, Victoria will be the first in her family to attend college.