Annual William T. Dwyer Awards for Education Annouces 2025 Finalists

The Economic Council of Palm Beach County Foundation is proud to announce the twenty-eight finalists for the prestigious William T. Dwyer Awards for Excellence in Education, presented by the Hanley Foundation. These educators have been selected from an impressive pool of over 500 nominees. They will be celebrated at a picturesque waterside reception at Lamarina at Safe Harbor Rybovich in West Palm Beach on April 8, 2025, graciously hosted by Huizenga Holdings.

The highly anticipated Dwyer Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, May 5, 2025, at Dreyfoos Hall at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. The winners will be revealed and honored alongside all finalists, nominees, and past recipients of this distinguished recognition. Felicia Rodriguez, anchor at WPBF 25, will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening.

"Every year, the William T. Dwyer Awards allow us to shine a spotlight on the incredible work happening in classrooms across Palm Beach County. These outstanding finalists represent the very best in education, and we are thrilled to celebrate their dedication to the success of our students," said Michele Jacobs, President and CEO of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County.

"Hanley Foundation is proud to once again present the Dwyer Awards, hosted by the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, where I am honored to serve on the board," said Dr. Rachel Docekal, CEO of Hanley Foundation. "Our partnership reinforces Hanley's unwavering commitment to building a strong and healthy community through our mission to eliminate addiction. Through our grant-funded prevention education programs, reaching students and families across 34 Florida counties, we are providing proactive intervention and education, combatting addiction within our communities."

The Dwyer Awards, an annual program developed in 1984, honor the extraordinary contributions of educators in Palm Beach County's public and private schools. The program increases awareness of exemplary teaching and provides financial support to educators and their schools. The rigorous evaluation process is carried out by nearly 100 prominent business leaders from the area, ensuring that the most deserving educators are selected as finalists.

The categories for the 2025 Dwyer Awards include:

• Grow Up Great: Early Learning Education
• Elementary Education
• Middle School Education
• Senior High School Education
• STEM Education
• Exceptional Student Education
• Student Support & Advancement

Tickets for the William T. Dwyer Awards for Excellence in Education are available for $45 each. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 7:00 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.economiccouncilpbc.org/dwyer-awards/.

The 2025 Dwyer Awards would like to thank the following sponsors: Presenting Sponsor - Hanley Foundation; Early Education Award Presentation Sponsor - PNC; Elementary Education Award Presentation Sponsor - Comcast; Middle School Education Award Presentation Sponsor - Mariaca Wealth Management; Senior High Education Award Presentation Sponsor - Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC; Student Advancement Award Presentation Sponsor - The Frisbie Group; Special Programs Award Presentation Sponsor - United Healthcare; STEM Award Presentation Sponsor - FPL; Cocktail Reception Sponsor - I.T. Solutions of South Florida; VIP Reception Sponsor - Huizenga Holdings; Media Sponsor - WPBF 25; Knowledge Sponsors - Blue Ocean Capital, Flagler System Inc. d/b/a The Breakers, Gunster, Kitson & Partners, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium; Creativity Sponsors - Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, Jones Foster P.A., Max Planck FL Institute for Neuroscience, Plastridge Insurance, SBA Communications, Shutts & Bowen LLP, The Weitz Company; Teacher/Student Ticket Sponsors - Bank of America, CareerSource PBC, Eastwind Development, LLC, Keshavarz & Associates, Inc., M&T Bank, Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, Urban Design Studio; and Dr. Dennis Gallon.

For more information, contact ccahur@ec-pbc.org.