Best of the best vocalists from area high schools compete for $10,000 in scholarship money during annual event
Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast (JA) is proud to announce business leader Patti W. Hamilton and attorney Gary Lesser as Honorees during the 15th Annual Watch A Rising Star vocal competition gala. The thrilling, live finale event takes place March 25, 2017 at the Kravis Center for the performing arts.
Patti W. Hamilton has more than 25 years of business leadership experience focused on the areas of operations, strategic marketing, business development, employee leadership advancement and community affairs. Her career spans automotive, golf, waste management, recycling and event operations. Appointed to the Florida Commission on the Status of Women by Florida CFO Jeff Atwater in 2011, she currently serves as Chair of the Commission. She has served on a number of boards in her career including the Executive Committee of the National Construction and Demolition Recycling Association, the Florida Legislative Committee of the National Waste and Recycling Association and is immediate past Chairman of the Florida Festivals and Events Association. She is a past Chairman of the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce and served on the board of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches and the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. Currently she serves on the Roger Dean Stadium Advisory Board and board of Trustees of Jupiter Medical Center. A recipient of numerous business leadership awards, including the Athena Award and the Gaeta Chairman’s Award, Ms. Hamilton is an ideal mentor for future business leaders within the community.
Gary S. Lesser, Managing Partner of Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith Law Firm, and West Palm Beach native, began and continues his firm’s commitment to community involvement. The George Washington University graduate (B.A. in International Affairs), began community service by serving on the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s Board of Directors as well as with the Palm Beach County Bar Association where he ultimately served as the Chair of the Professionalism Committee, and he also served as Chair of the Medical Legal Committee for many years. Gary focuses his involvement now with The Florida Bar, where serves on the Board of Governors and the current Legislation Chair. He has also served as the Chair of the Florida Bar Professional Ethics Committee and Chair of the Advertising Committee. Gary has been the recipient of numerous business and personal awards, including “Business of the Year,” “Character Counts,” “Small Business Leader of the Year” and numerous law practice awards. He also currently serves on the Board of the Young Singers of the Palm Beaches, the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, and the national board of the Parents television Council. He received his Juris Doctorate from University of Miami Law School where he was a member of Bar & Gavel Society and Editor of the Res Ipsa Loquitur.
The “Watch A Rising Star” event supports both the finalist students and Junior Achievement programs through scholarship winnings and monies raised during the event’s silent and live auctions. The funds help fund financial literacy programs that Junior Achievement brings to students from kindergarten to 12th grade throughout Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Hendry counties.
The “Watch A Rising Star” Gala takes place March 25, 2017 at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Tickets for the black-tie-optional dinner are $200 per person and include a full dinner. Information on sponsorship opportunities, or attending the event, can be found atwww.juniorachievement.com/event/junior-achievement-of-the-palm-beaches-and-treasure-coasts-watch-a-rising-star. For more information, please contact Cristina Hungerford at chungerford@juniorachievement.com or by calling
561-242-9468.
About Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast (JA):
Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast (JA) is a nonprofit organization that focuses on preparing young people to succeed in a global economy through programs that center on work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. JA programs are taught by volunteers in the classroom and after school in over 120 schools and organizations throughout Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Hendry counties. Junior Achievement builds partnership between the business and education communities to provide the curriculum and the volunteers who serve as role models to students to help prepare them for their future. Junior Achievement programs are funded through contributions from businesses, individuals, foundations, and special event fundraisers. For more information please visitwww.JuniorAchievement.com.
