Girls Inc. celebrates its strong, smart and bold honorees for 2017
The annual Celebration Luncheon was held on March 31 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota and packed a punch of girl power.
By
Niki Kottmann
| 12:16 a.m. April 1, 2017
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Pediatrician, businesswoman, volunteer, mentor, student, teacher — the 2017 Girls Inc. honorees wear many hats, but perhaps the one that they all seem to wear the most is leader.
These four women — Dr. Karen Hamad, Kim Cornetet, Shayla White and Alex Perez — were recognized at the 29th Annual Girls Inc. Celebration Luncheon: Girl Power on March 31 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Their acceptance speeches were dripping with enthusiasm, love and passion, and shared life lessons about key Girls Inc. values such as confidence, independence, pride and originality.
The award winners made their speeches after each were introduced by a current Girls Inc. member. Beforehand, the three chairs — Veronica Brady, Susan Malloy Jones and Sally Schule — made their grand entrance flapping thier “butterfly wings” all the way to the stage (but not before busting a few moves in the crowd).
Programming began and ended with heartwarming performances by the Girls Inc. choir, which invited guests to join and sing along during the finale, Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song.”
Co-Chairwomen Susan Malloy Jones, Sally Schule and Veronica Brady
Leadership Award winner Alex Perez and She Knows Where She’s Growing award winner Shayla White
Girls Inc. of Sarasota County Executive Director Angie Stringer, She Knows Where She’s Going award winner Dr. Karen Hamad, Visionary Award winner Kim Cornetet and Girls Inc. of Sarasota County Board President Jennifer Compton
Debra Lamarca, Michelle Senglaub and Claudia Cardillo
Melanie Jeffrey and Denise West
Alexis Meininghaus and Jaclyn Campbell
Melissa Hembree and Jeanie Dela
Heather Saba and Kelsey Alholm
James Cornetet, Joanna Cornetet, Claire Cornetet, Paige Cornetet and Peter Cornetet
Jamie Minton with Girls Inc. participants Michelle, Sarah, Juliette and Olivia
Linda Freeman and Pam Mader
Teddy Matheu, Susan Richardson and Kendra Brown
Kathy Johnson, Wildred John and Carol Williams
Kelly Hazledine, Julie Sullivan and Margi Furey
Wendy Feinstein and Jenn Stutler
Carrie Doyle and Merete Hermansen
Carolyn Spizzirro, Barbara Campo, Barbara Parker and Renee Hamad
Trissi Willis, Robin Koller and Paula Weisman
Aslan Simsek, Leadership Award winner Alex Perez and Ruth Simsek
Susan Spielberg, Lynda Beemer and Wynonia Dunn
Diane Curtis, Barbara MacMillan and Joan Emrich
Nadisyn Opstal, Vanessa Opstal and Daniel Valderrama
Alane Vertucci and Emmy Charris
Charlie Ann Syprett, Penny Hill and Marilyn Thompson
Guests had the chance to purchase original artwork by Girls Inc. participants at the 29th Annual Girls Inc. Celebration Luncheon: Girl Power on March 31 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Clara Ramos and Jessica Hays
Silvanna Medina, Erin Guzzo and Ella Lewis
Renee Phinney, Kelly Abercrombie and Rebecca Blitz
Stephanie Grosskreutz and Morgan Gerhart
Emily Stroud and Julie Smith
Audrey Robbins and Tom Waters
Guests ate Dare to Fly Cupcakes, lemon bars and assorted macarons for dessert at the 29th Annual Girls Inc. Celebration Luncheon: Girl Power on March 31 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Terri Najmolhoda and Melissa Kirkpatrick
Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed, Tomeika Koski, Donna Koffman, Caroline Ellerson and Tammy Karp
Servers greeted guests with champagne upon arrival at the 29th Annual Girls Inc. Celebration Luncheon: Girl Power on March 31 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Girls Inc. of Sarasota County participants goof off while waiting to go onstage for a choir performance at the 29th Annual Girls Inc. Celebration Luncheon: Girl Power on March 31 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Members of the Girls Inc. of Sarasota County choir perform Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” for guests at the 29th Annual Girls Inc. Celebration Luncheon: Girl Power on March 31 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Tomeika Koski laughs while singing along to Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” during a performance by the Girls Inc. of Sarasota County choir at the 29th Annual Girls Inc. Celebration Luncheon: Girl Power on March 31 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
She Knows Where She’s Going award winner Dr. Karen Hamad, She Knows Where She’s Growing award winner Shayla White, Leadership Award winner Alex Perez and Visionary Award winner Kim Cornetet
She Knows Where She’s Going award winner Dr. Karen Hamad, She Knows Where She’s Growing award winner Shayla White, Leadership Award winner Alex Perez and Visionary Award winner Kim Cornetet
Visionary Award winner Kim Cornetet gives her acceptance speech at the 29th Annual Girls Inc. Celebration Luncheon: Girl Power on March 31 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
She Knows Where She’s Going award winner Dr. Karen Hamad gives her acceptance speech at the 29th Annual Girls Inc. Celebration Luncheon: Girl Power on March 31 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Members of the Girls Inc. of Sarasota County choir perform Hailee Steinfeld’s “Flashlight” for guests at the 29th Annual Girls Inc. Celebration Luncheon: Girl Power on March 31 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Co-Chairwoman Veronica Brady makes her grand entrance at the 29th Annual Girls Inc. Celebration Luncheon: Girl Power on March 31 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
