Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Pnelas took a moment from his busy schedule and gave an impromptu speech to the graduating sixth grade class of the Alexander School last week at the Rusty Pelican Restaurant.

Penelas, on his way to a Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce luncheon in an adjoining room of the restaurant, acceded to a request by Alexander School student council president Michael Schoor and his father Bernie to speak to the class luncheon.

Penelas told the graduates they could accomplish any goal as long as they worked hard and held high aspirations. He used the story of his family as an example -- telling of the struggles and sacrifices by his parents and of his rise to mayor -- of the possibilities open to any citizen.

Alexander School headmaster James McGhee thanked Penelas and the mayor was applauded warmly by the students and their parents.

GRADUATES EARN ACADEMIC DISTINCTION
Six top scholars from Alexander School's year 2000 sixth grade graduating class earned the Presidential Academic Achievement Award.

The students were presented with a certificate, a lapel pin and a letter from President Clinton. The honorees were Billie Jean Delpy, Nicole Grosnoff, Scherina Marshall, Natasha Mengual, Michael Schoor and Dalton Swing.

Three other graduates earned the Presidential Academic Improvement Award. They are RubyAnn Bacardi, Daniela Helcer and Chelsey Steuben.

Alexander alumna Morgan Swing was guest speaker at the school's commencement exercise.
Swing, majoring in Spanish at Yale University, spoke to the audience in English, Portuguese, French and Spanish.

Alexander School founder Beverly McGhee congratulated the honorees and graduates for their achievement in learning and growth.

Students achieving Honor Roll in three or more report periods were Parthener Pinder, six, Allyce Perret-Gentil, five, Raquel Timponi, four, and Jessica Del Aguila, three. The graduating class also included Eric Beaty, Julie Cadet, Cesar Castro-Ruiz, Mickey Cavanaugh, Colton Chase, Ileana Decardenas, Marion Doucet, Scherina Marshall, Gonzalo Rivas, Nicolas Saravia and Brittany Vendryes.

Headmaster McGhee concluded the graduation by thanking the students, their families, the faculty and support staff, "for making Alexander School a community of people who love to learn together."

Alexander School, founded in 1963, educates children age two through 12. The Montessori program extends from the toddler level through the third grade. Fourth through sixth grade is a departmentalized learning program.