The Public Education Foundation held its16th annual Education Hero Award Dinner over the weekend. On Saturday, Mark L. Fine, chief executive officer of Mark L. Fine and Associates, received the Foundation’s Education Hero Award. The dinner, which was held at the Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas, was sold out.
“The Education Hero Award Dinner this year was well attended and included a wonderful performance by entertainer Earl Turner; we are thankful for the community’s continued support,” said Judi Steele, president of the Foundation. “We are grateful to have the opportunity to recognize the contributions of individuals who have advocated on behalf of children and who also understand just how important public education is to Southern Nevada’s future.”
The prestigious Education Hero Award recognizes individuals throughout Nevada who have made significant civic and charitable contributions improving public education. Additionally, The Public Education Foundation has released a new children’s book on the life of Mark Fine, “A Hero Named Mark,” which was written by Doug Puppel with design and illustrations by William Verrill.
Also honored during the dinner were Phyllis Frias and her late husband Charlie, who received the Lifetime Education Achievement Award. Annemarie Jones was the recipient of the Champion of Children Award, which honors individuals dedicated to supporting children and improving their future.
Mark L.Fine
The Education
Hero Award
Mark Fine, chief executive officer of Mark L. Fine & Associates, will receive the prestigious Education Hero Award from the Foundation for his longstanding contributions to education and the community. Mark is a longtime advocate of public education, a co-founder and director of the Clark County School District's School-Community Partnership Program, a past president of the board of Class! Publications, a former chairman of the UNLV Foundation and a firm believer in the role public education plays in determining a community's quality of life. The Foundation is proud to recognize his enduring support and influential advocacy on behalf of K-16 education and the children of Southern Nevada.
Charles and Phyllis Frias
The Lifetime Education Achievement Award
Charles and Phyllis arrived in Las Vegas in 1958 and built what is known today as Frias Transportation Management. Through the years, Charles and Phyllis have been quiet philanthropists who staunchly supported education and made it the cornerstone of their charitable giving. Whether creating scholarship programs and funding school programs in desperate need or working to build a community where every child has the opportunity to obtain a quality education, their strong dedication and determination on behalf of public education and the children of Southern Nevada is truly remarkable. The award will be presented posthumously to Charles, as he passed away in 2006.
Annemarie L. Jones
Champion of Children
Annemarie L. Jones serves on several nonprofit boards, including the Foundation's Board and the Lied Discovery Children's Museum's Board of Trustees, where she advocates for more educational opportunities and raises critical funds. While Annemarie only moved to Southern Nevada two years ago, she has quickly become a tireless advocate for our children, seeking out opportunities to make a difference and stressing the importance of strategic partnerships between nonprofit organizations.
Each September, The Public Education Foundation honors unique individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment and dedication to children and education by presenting two distinct awards to the heroes amongst us.
The Education
Hero Award
The prestigious Education Hero Award recognizes individuals who have made significant civic and charitable contributions impacting public education in Southern Nevada. Each honoree has demonstrated extraordinary concern for our community and our future and is dedicated to the advancement of improved educational opportunities for all. Their steadfast commitment and unwavering service to our children distinguishes them as our "Education Heroes." Our
Education Heroes.
The Lifetime Education Achievement Award
The Lifetime Education Achievement Award is presented by The Public Education Foundation to individuals whose lifetime achievements are truly extraordinary. Recipients have given generously and worked tirelessly as advocates for quality public education and greater educational opportunities for all children. This award is bestowed upon special individuals whose dedication and determination serve to inspire each of us to become more involved in shaping our children's future. Our Lifetime
Education Achievement Honorees.
Champion of Children
In 2009, the Foundation unveiled a new award category
– Champion of Children. This esteemed award is presented to an individual
dedicated to supporting children and championing children’s issues nationally
and globally. This celebrated honor recognizes a special person whose
dedication and passion serves to inspire others to become more involved
in shaping our children’s future. Our
Champions of Children.
