Band of Mystery

The Felix Varela Band of Mystery went to Tampa, Florida this weekend to perform on Saturday 11/20/2010 at State Championships and accomplished many great things.

They won the Semi-Final event and were awarded Best Music and Best Percussion. I am honored by those awards which designate our program as having the highest level of music performing in our class in the State Competitive Circuit. This means our kiddies can play their instruments well and are able to perform literature at a high level.

The success at Semi-Finals Qualified the Band program for Finals that night at the Tropicana Dome in Tampa, Florida. This was the first time in the school's history that our band program makes it to Finals. Many spectators and schools were cheering for our Band of Mystery, as well as ALL of the other Miami-Dade Bands. Only 2 bands from Miami made it to Finals and Varela was one of them. At finals the students performed very well and ended up in third place for the State, even after some of our percussion instruments fell apart marching onto the field. This is all amazing when you consider there are hundreds of bands in Florida and our little band is one of the top ones.

Jon Kersten Memorial Scholarship Award

Felix Varela's Drum Major Anthony Williams, Senior, was awarded a Scholarship and Certificate. He received the Jon Kersten Memorial Scholarship Award for outstanding Musician. Only five students in the State received this Award and Anthony was one of them.

Congratulations to him for his hard work and dedication.

Region IV Rookie Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Mr. Chris Illa, band director at Felix Varela Sr. High School for being named Region IV Rookie Teacher of the Year.

FDOT Public Hearing

This year there will be a new way to participate in the Florida Department of Transportation’s Work Program Public Hearing. It will be streamed online so interested persons will be able to participate by e-mailing or phoning in comments or questions.

Please help inform the public of this opportunity by
• posting the public hearing dates on your organization’s calendar
• e-mailing the attached electronic flier to your members or constituents and/or
• posting the attached e-flier on your website.

There will be a link to the Work Program on the FDOT construction website www.fdotmiamidade.com where viewers will be able to preregister beginning November 26 to participate online, and where all related materials will be available. Your opinion is important to the department. FDOT project managers will be on hand to hear your thoughts and answer your questions.

Those who attend the public hearing online will be able to view two-minute pre-recorded segments on major FDOT projects, as well as the live portion of the public hearing. Online participants will have the opportunity to submit questions or comments via e-mail or phone.

• Miami-Dade County Public Hearing
Thursday, December 2, 7 p.m.
FDOT District Six Auditorium
1000 NW 111th Ave., Miami

• Online Public Hearing can be viewed
Thursday, December 2, 7 p.m.
at www.fdotmiamidade.com/workprogram

• Monroe County Public Hearing
Wednesday, December 8, 6 p.m.
Marathon Government Center
2798 Overseas Highway, (Mile Marker 50), Marathon