The line is searching for an educator who is inspiring the next generation to 'dream big, think differently and challenge the status quo.' On Oct. 24, one finalist will be named the winner and serve as Harmony's godmother during the ship's Nov. 10 naming ceremony.
Royal Caribbean will award a $25,000 grant to the winner's school or nonprofit organization.
'These three upstanding individuals have demonstrated unwavering passion and dedication, going above and beyond the classroom to make a huge difference in the community,' Royal Caribbean president and ceo Michael Bayley said. He thanked everyone who participated by 'recognizing our many heroes in education.'
The public can go to www.local10.com/godmother through Oct. 14 to cast their vote for the winner.
The finalists are Brittany Affolter, manager, teacher leadership development, Teach for America Miami-Dade. She was inspired by her teachers to leave an unhealthy home, attend college and become an educator. To help pay it forward to others like her, she now trains teachers at 14 low-income schools in Miami-Dade County, serving more than 500 students. In her spare time, she tutors her former students, is working to become a mentor for children in foster care and completing her master's degree in educational leadership.
Katherine O'Fallon, magnet coordinator, New River Middle School, has been sharing her passion for marine science with middle school students since 2006. She strives to inspire students to immerse themselves in the underwater world, and apply what they learn by getting involved in their community. Exposing her sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students to environmental issues, O'Fallon fosters stewardship and encourages them to preserve and protect their local habitat. She hosts multiple coastal clean-ups and organizes daily field experiences for students, including snorkeling trips in Fort Lauderdale and the Keys, shark-tagging with Nova Southeastern University and trips to local state parks.
Anike Sakariyawo, physical science teacher at Miami Norland Senior High School, has taught various grades for more than 13 years, and is currently the physical science teacher lead for ninth-grade students. Her passion for education extends beyond the classroom and standard school schedule; she founded Seeking Education Empowers Knowledge, a nonprofit that aims to empower teenagers, parents, teachers and the community. SEED serves more than 1,000 at-risk youth in urban and rural areas with programming such as digital literacy, robotics, coding, electricity basics and how to create a product and a business plan.
More innformation on the finalists is at www.royalhometownhero.com.
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