Coral Reef Senior High School in Palmetto Bay earned the top high school fundraising award at United Way Miami's Celebration of Impact Awards on Sept. 25.

The school was named the highest-performing high school student campaign in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), according to Miami's Community Newspapers. M-DCPS employees and students raise more than $1 million for United Way Miami each year.

Sophia Chen, a 2026 graduate of Cutler Bay Senior High School, was one of five Miami-Dade community leaders honored at the ceremony. She joined Dr. Alison Thompson, founder of Third Wave Volunteers; Erin Kobetz of the University of Miami; state Rep. Mike Redondo, and Miriam Singer, president and CEO of Jewish Community Services of South Florida.

Symeria Hudson, president and CEO of United Way Miami, called the honorees leaders whose work has improved life across Miami-Dade. United Way Miami said it chose the five based on their leadership, service record and measurable impact in the county.

The event drew United Way Miami board chair David Zambrana and M-DCPS Superintendent Rafael Villalobos. The ceremony marked a 65-year partnership between United Way and the school district.

Several other M-DCPS schools earned recognition. Norman S. Edelcup/Sunny Isles Beach K-8 received the Grand Champion Award for the highest combined employee and student contribution. Herbert A. Ammons Middle won the top middle school student campaign, and Air Base K-8 Center for International Education took the top K-8 student campaign award. Lindsey Hopkins Technical College was honored as the highest-performing alternative education center.

The awards carry the names of local leaders including Dorothy Shula, Essie Silva and Monsignor Bryan O. Walsh.

No specific dollar amounts were released for individual school campaigns.

Upcoming community events

The Town of Cutler Bay recently held a golf tournament that raised $16,660 for its community fund. Palmetto Bay residents should prepare for king tide flooding risk starting Oct. 24.