ABOUT Andy Alfonso
Andy Alfonso, a junior at Mater Academy Charter High School is thrilled to be able to have the opportunity to help his community become better prepared for any hazards. He is involved with various organizations including Future Business Leaders of America, where he has served in several leadership positions, and Miami Dade County Teen Court.
Andy believes there is a need to better educate the citizens of the South Florida community about the many aspects of emergency and disaster preparedness. He is committed to work with community organizations, businesses and neighboring cities to give residents the opportunity to prepare themselves for potential emergencies and natural disasters.
"The recent devastation of Hurricane Sandy throughout the Northeast demonstrates the importance of preparing on every front — from personal preparedness at home to community and government. The fair has been designed to offer a unique opportunity to become educated on various emergency preparedness topics."
ABOUT Mater Academy
Mater Middle/High and Performing Arts Academy was founded in 2002 through a charter contract with Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The school is located in Hialeah Gardens, the county's 11th largest city and a fast growing municipality with a population of 200,000 residents.
Mater opened its doors in August of 2002 with a population of 381 students in grades 6 - 9. Each year thereafter, another grade has been added thus making Mater, today, the largest charter school in Florida with an enrollment of approximately 3,000 learners in grades 6 - 12. The school received Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) provisional accreditation in 2002, and achieved full accreditation in the 2005-2006 school year. The school also received the distinction of being honored in both Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report as one of the top high schools in the nation.
Mater represents a young, innovative and aggressive institution promoting educational reform through structured discipline combined with a vertical curriculum that starts in the 6th grade and continues until graduation in the 12th grade. Mater strives for excellence not only in academics, but in all aspects of student life, thereby creating a culture that encourages all students to complete their high school studies and make education a life-long pursuit.
"The mission of Mater Academy is to develop the intellectual and social skills of its students by facilitating a rigorous college preparatory curriculum and a wide range of educational resources within a safe learning environment. Students are expected to perform at or above grade level availing success in high school and within a global society."