The Carbonell Awards Announces Winners of the 2020 Jack Zink Memorial Scholarships
Skye Alyssa Friedman – Palm Beach County
Jeremy Fuentes – Broward County
Amaris Rios – Miami-Dade County
(South Florida – April 6, 2020) Donald R. Walters, Esq., board president of the Carbonell Awards, South Florida’s Theatre & Arts Honors, today announced the three young winners of the 2020 Jack Zink Memorial Student Scholarships. The selection of recipients is based on talent, experience and demonstrated commitment to the theater, with one winner from each of the three area counties.
“Today was supposed to be our 44th awards ceremony, an elegant entertainment-packed event at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center—before the coronavirus pandemic grabbed top billing and forced us to postpone until later this year,” said Walters. “But we refuse to let the virus delay the announcement of this year’s three talented scholarship winners.”
Skye Alyssa Friedman – Palm Beach County
A homeschooled senior from Jupiter, Skye Friedman has been performing since the age of five. She studies acting, dance and voice at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts, Paris Ballet & Dance, and Craig Wich Voice Studios. She made her Broadway debut in Annie in 2013, and has appeared in professional productions of The Audience, Billy Elliot, The Music Man, and The Sound of Music at the Maltz, as well as COPA student productions of The Diary of Anne Frank, West Side Story, CATS, and Anything Goes. A member of Actors’ Equity, her TV credits include Nickelodeon’s I Am Frankie, Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, as well as assorted commercials. Friedman is a member of the Maltz Youth Touring Company, a Kretzer Kid, and was a Broward Center for the Performing Arts Teen Ambassador for two years.
Jeremy Fuentes
Jeremy Fuentes – Broward County
A graduating senior from Hallandale High School, Jeremy combines his passion for performing with a strong commitment to community service by appearing in various productions that shed light onto social injustices and bring the stories of underrepresented communities to life. He has won many accolades in both his academics and theatrical competitions, and is determined to pursue a BFA in acting, where he will be the first person in his family to go to college.
Amaris Rios
Amaris Rios – Miami-Dade County
Since she was 14 years old, Amaris Rios has dedicated herself to musical theater training in Boston, New York City and Miami. She has performed in 14 productions in Miami Country Day School’s award-winning theater program, as well as the Muse Center for the Arts and the John Davies Theatre Center for the Arts. Amaris has performed with the Boston Conservatory and Berklee College of Music, and received Superior Honor ratings three years in a row at the Florida State Thespian Conference. A skilled musician who produces original music and cover songs, Rios also is an artistic social entrepreneur who reinvented her garage space into a black box where other artistic youth: musicians, poets, actors, can perform their original content once a month. As a proud musical theater major, she intends to use her talents for increased minority representation on the stage.
“The Jack Zink Memorial Scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors who have achieved a minimum 2.5 GPA and are intending to enroll in college to pursue a degree in theater or journalism. The funds will be disbursed to the students selected when they have enrolled in college,” added Javier Siut, member of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, who chairs the Carbonell’s Scholarship Committee.
The scholarship is named for Jack Zink (1947-2008) who was a major voice in South Florida entertainment coverage for more than three decades. During his long career, he was employed as entertainment editor, columnist, critic and reporter at each of South Florida’s major newspapers — The South Florida Sun-Sentinel, The Miami Herald, The Palm Beach Post & Evening Times and The Fort Lauderdale News. Mr. Zink was the founder and a past president of the Carbonell Awards, a past president of The American Theatre Critics Association, and during his lifetime was a recipient of both the Sun-Sentinel newspaper’s highest honor, The Fred Pettijohn Award, given annually to the publication’s top reporters, and South Florida’s George Abbott Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts.
While the final date for this year’s ceremony is still uncertain for the 44th Annual Carbonell Awards—which is South Florida’s version of Broadway’s Tony Awards®—Palm Beach Dramaworks shows earned a record-breaking 29 nominations overall, the most of any theater in the tri-county region. Zoetic Stage received 20 nominations, the most for any theater in Miami-Dade County, and Slow Burn Theatre Company in Fort Lauderdale earned 12 nominations, the most of any theater in Broward County. Out of more than 80 shows that opened in 2019 at regional theaters, 62 were eligible for nominations.
About The Carbonell Awards
Along with New York’s Drama Desk and Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Awards, the Carbonell Awards are among the nation’s senior regional arts awards and predate others including Washington, D.C.’s Helen Hayes Awards. The Carbonell Awards fosters the artistic growth of professional theater in South Florida by celebrating the diversity of our theater artists, providing educational scholarships, and building audience appreciation and civic pride by highlighting achievements of our theater community. Named after Manuel Carbonell, an internationally-renowned sculptor, who designed the original solid bronze and marble award in 1976, each season volunteer panelists and judges choose nominees and recipients from hundreds of shows produced on stages throughout the tri-county area. For more information, visit www.carbonellawards.org.
Unicorn Children’s Foundation Offers Virtual Job Club for Teens and Young Adults with Special Needs
Boca Raton FL – April 3, 2020 –The Unicorn Children’s Foundation has announced a “virtual” Unicorn Connection – Job Club to help individuals with special needs find a career path that will lead to a successful, happy, and self-sufficient future. While this project was intended to be an in-person course conducted at the new Unicorn Connection Center, the current rules of social distancing during these unprecedented times have required the foundation to innovate and pivot to remote training opportunities for a population who typically suffers from social isolation.
National statistics reveal that 68% of persons with an intellectual or developmental disability are unemployed or underemployed despite their ability and willingness to work. These statistics are likely to increase during the current state of affairs. The Unicorn Connection – Job Club will benefit both students with special needs and employers in the community. The first session will run from April 19th through June 28th from 4-5pm through Zoom meetings and is open to individuals with disabilities between the ages of 16-29.
Sharon Alexander, CEO of the Unicorn Children’s Foundation, shared “Now, is the time to take advantage of the technology we have available to us and equip individuals who have intellectual or developmental disabilities with the skills necessary to improve employability. If they are better prepared to pursue employment opportunities now, we hope that they will be successful in finding competitive and gainful employment in careers where they find purpose and meaning when social distancing recommendations are relaxed and many will be in competition for new job openings.”
Gabe Bernstein
A diversity employment counselor will facilitate a Job Club through two 9-week sessions. The Job Club will provide teens and young adults with disabilities a support group to develop employment success strategies. Meetings will provide opportunities for discussion on current employment situations and problem solving. Meetings will include specific topic discussions and skill development on topics such as: identification of career preference; identifying connections and networking; resume
refinement; interview skills; self-advocacy, developing friendships/social skills at work; and
maintaining employment.
This program is made possible by the generous support of our grant funders: The Batchelor Foundation, Boca Rio Foundation, Boca West Children’s Foundation, and the City of Boca Raton. For more information and to register, visit https://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org/jobclub.html or email [email protected].
About the Unicorn Children’s Foundation
Unicorn Children’s Foundation is a 25 year old non-profit organization that is dedicated to building communities of acceptance, support, and opportunity for kids and young adults who are challenged by special needs and neurodiversity by supporting or developing its cradle to career pathways. Our initiatives connect families to community resources, advocate for inclusive opportunities, respect differences, empower individuals,
and support success. With 1 in 6 children being diagnosed with a developmental or learning disorder, we believe it is our responsibility to create a world where all children’s potential can flourish. To learn more about the Unicorn Children’s Foundation visit http://www.unicornchildrensfoundation.org. Also available on
Facebook and Twitter.
Palm Beach County’s Oldest & Largest Public Garden Offers Fun & Educational Online Activities for Children and Adults
(West Palm Beach, FL – April 2, 2020)Friends of the Mounts Botanical Gardentoday announced that although the Garden has been temporarily closed during the current COVID-19 pandemic out of an abundance of caution and for the well-being of visitors, volunteers, members and staff, Mounts Botanical Garden is now virtually active with a variety of fun and educational online activities for children and adults.
To make this easily accessible to homebound people of all ages, the Garden recently launched three new portal pages on its official website, mounts.org.
While the front gate may be closed, this page allows visitors to take a virtual tour of Mounts Botanical Garden. This is the perfect online opportunity to explore the beauty of the Garden, learn more about the fascinating plants and display gardens, find family activities that can be enjoyed from home, enjoy breathtaking photos contributed by staff and guests, and even go on an art-meets-science excursion.
On this page, Mounts Botanical Garden offers unique programs for children and families, as well as educational experiences for students in grades K-12. Online activities include:
+ Nature Quest
Like all botanical gardens, Mounts is home to thousands of plants from all over the world. This page offers 20 fascinating factoids and questions of a horticultural nature.
+ Virtual Learning is Fun!
Mounts has partnered with Scientist in Every Florida School to bring interdisciplinary content that connects art and science, including livestream events—the first of which will be on April 21 at 10 am, when Dr. David Blackburn, associate curator of herpetology at the Florida Museum of Natural History, will conduct a virtual tour of Mounts to see Ribbit the Exhibit and learn many curious characteristics of frogs.
+ Make Your Own Frog Bog:
Frogs play an important part in the environment as both predators and prey, and as incredible indicators of the health of the ecosystem in which they live. This page offers tips about how to build and stock a healthy frog pond.
“During this unprecedented time of uncertainty while the Garden is closed, we wanted to create a special place for our members and friends,” says Rochelle Wolberg, Mounts Curator-Director. Online activities include:
Photo Credit: Jacek Photo, Ribbit the Exhibit at Mounts Botanical Garden
+ Frog Blog
An insider’s look at the art and horticulture of Ribbit the Exhibit, including stories featuring the 23 whimsical, larger-than-life frog characters created by J.A. Cobb.
+ Virtually Yours
Filled with beautiful places to go, gardening tips from a Mounts horticulturist, and other helpful content, this page includes virtual tours of some of the world’s most amazing gardens.
+ Leaflet
The spring 2020 issue of Mounts’ popular glossy magazine will be published online mid-April.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Mounts Botanical Garden as soon as it is safe to reopen,” adds Wolberg. “Until then, we hope garden lovers everywhere will enjoy the fun and informative content onmounts.org.”
About Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County:
With a mission to inspire and educate through nature, Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden, offering gorgeous displays of tropical and sub-tropical plants, plus informative classes, workshops, and other fun-filled events. The Garden contains more than 2,000 species of plants, including Florida native plants, exotic and tropical fruit trees, herbs, palms, bromeliads and more. Two recent additions to Mounts include Windows on the Floating World: Blume Tropical Wetland Garden and the Zen-like Garden of Tranquility. Mounts Botanical Garden is a facility of the Palm Beach County Extension Service, which is in partnership with the University of Florida and Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden. Mounts is located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach. For more information, please visit mounts.org.
IMPACT 100 PALM BEACH COUNTY EXTENDS MEMBERSHIP DEADLINE
(Boca Raton, FL.) – Impact 100 Palm Beach County is extending today’s membership deadline and is postponing the Grant Finalist Announcement and the voting process. Impact 100 PBC will continue to accept memberships and payments until further notice.
Impact 100 Palm Beach County is a women’s 501c3 nonprofit organization funding local nonprofit initiatives. It is comprised of a growing number of over 500 women who donate $1,000 annually, pool all funds and vote to award grants to nonprofits serving southern Palm Beach County in five focus areas: Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation; Education; Environment and Animal Welfare; Family; and Health and Wellness. Since its inception, Impact 100 Palm Beach County has awarded more than $3.3 million in grants.
“So much is uncertain right now with what’s happening around the globe and right here at home,” said Kathy Adkins, President of Impact 100 Palm Beach County. “But amid all the questions, the headlines and the ‘new normal’ rules and guidelines, one thing is clear, we need to support one another, our neighbors and communities, and the organizations that fight for a better future.”
With this extended membership deadline, the organization is encouraging all current, former and prospective members to complete their membership applications and to invite their friends, neighbors and colleagues to consider joining the organization.
“With each new member, we have the potential to award even more grants to incredibly worthy local organizations,” continued Adkins. “With every member commitment we receive, we are one step closer to our goal of 600 members. With every new member, we can provide even more funding to nonprofits who need it now.”
For more information about Impact 100 Palm Beach County or to join this chapter, please visit www.impact100pbc.org or call 561-336-4623.
Bolay served over 3,000 meals for nurses, doctors, and first responders on Wednesday, April 1st
Bolay, a local restaurant chain based in South Florida took the state of the unknown and embraced it by doing what they do best, serving great food to the local heroes of their community. On April 1st, over 3,000 heroes on the frontlines of the COVID-19 Pandemic were greeted with a complimentary Bolay bol and a smile.
4 years ago Bolay set out on a mission to inspire guest’s with fresh food and living bold. Like any start-up, the first few years are always the toughest and to say Bolay hasn’t been sent for a tailspin would be an understatement. “Preparing for a sudden pandemic is something I don’t think anyone was or could have been fully prepared for,” says CEO, Chris Gannon. “Hurricanes are what we know down here in Florida and they always come with somewhat of a heads up, but this, this is different”.
With a constant change of direction, Bolay has had to pivot quickly, to ensure our Teams and our Guests are being provided the best food, in a safe and immaculate environment, the Bolay way. This doesn’t mean that Bolay’s philanthropic side of the business came to a halt. “A core part of our ethos is to support our local community, and despite the uphill battle we are all fighting right now, we want to show our support to those who are seeing the impact first-hand.” Chris says. First responders which included law enforcement and health care workers, enjoyed a free Bolay meal on Wednesday in addition to food donations being made to local hospitals throughout the week. “We acknowledge the amount of pressure that has been put on these incredible members of our community and want to show our gratitude and appreciation. We recognize that they don’t have the safety net of working from home, and we believe it’s our duty to take care of those who take such great care of us.”
Bolay has the ability to reach thousands in the community and give fresh food in bulk quantities and family packs. “The grocery stores were not prepared for the influx of people coming in and wiping out the shelves. Our restaurants are capable of providing fresh food, ready to heat and ready to eat, in large quantity,” says Chris. “We realized quickly that our healthcare heroes were not able to join us for the build-your-own bowl experience in our dining rooms. So we set up curbside pick-up tents, where they can order online and simply drive by as a team member with gloves and a smile hands them their order”. Bolay has also set up free contactless delivery so guests can stock up on their favorite items, without leaving their homes or essential workplaces.
“I am beyond impressed by how quickly our 900+ Team Members have adapted to our temporary situation and how their attitudes continue to bleed our culture. At a time like this, with so many unknowns, it’s our culture that continues to strengthen and the All-In spirit really shines. I know this is something we will overcome and be stronger because of it. As we say – Bolay All Day!”
About Bolay
Bolay takes a fast-casual approach to fresh, bold and flavorful food that invigorates the palate. Created by Chris Gannon and his father, Tim Gannon, co-founder of Outback Steakhouse, the restaurant invites diners to build bowls for lunch and dinner, packed with nutrient rich superfoods and tasty proteins. With ingredients that uniquely customize bold, innovative flavors, including GFFS certified gluten-free selections, Bolay innovates the build your own bowl experience, and pairs it with infused teas, and local craft beer and wine. To learn more about Bolay, please visit www.bolay.com, ‘Like’ Bolay on Facebook, or follow @Bolay on Instagram and Twitter. For press/marketing questions and additional statements please contact 561.281.4802 or email [email protected]
While we shelter at home life does not stop. It may seem like it has stopped, since for many of us ours has, but much of life continues on as it always does even though it may be on a smaller, slower scale. The headline of the day will dominate the news, because that is what we are experiencing right now, but right now there are so many stories that are also happening.
Behind the scenes, environmental protection is being rolled back, such as the 2012 ruling that increased fuel economy standards with an intent to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new cars by 5% annually. The new Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient Vehicles act will cut emissions by just 1.5%. One side of the argument, the lower emission standards will allow for a more cost effective vehicle that will allow consumers to replace their older vehicles with newer ones that have a higher gas mileage and are safer. On the other hand, the cost differentiation is not substantiated but more so there are states, most notably California, that have more stringent standards so there is a concern about standardization with states having their own criteria.
Whether you believe that the new national standards are justified, or not, one thing is for certain. We all want the same thing. We all want (and need) clean air, not to mention clean water, although how we get there is decisively different.
The roll backs of environmental standards, not merely from cars but overall, are a very tangible health consideration. Clean air and water is essential for overall health and wellbeing, right? We can all agree on that point. Without those basic necessities, we get sick more often as well as have a weakened immune system making us more susceptible to viruses and disease.
Nature is pretty remarkable in terms of self-regulating. The pictures that have become popular of waterways looking so much cleaner without the normal foot traffic and skies looking so much clearer without the pollution paint a picture of what could be when we take the environment as a priority. Without as many cars on the road, that will make a temporary difference in greenhouse gas emissions, but once we are no longer all staying home, we will once again go about our normal lives.
In the meantime, while we may think that life has stopped, it hasn’t.
We all have the same objective, although how do we get there? There are many roads to take, and we are not going to all want to go the same way. Some will think the new fuel economy standards are in our best interest while others will not.
Whatever the viewpoint, understanding that life does not stop and that there are many initiatives like these that are being implemented every day, and while there may be one story that dominates the headlines, it is important to continue to follow what else is going on as much as what has consumed all of our life right now. The immediate epidemic will one day be over, but there is a much wider health concern that is not going to go away.
We may not think about the environment in terms of a health initiative, but it is a good time to start.
PALM BEACH COUNTY FOOD BANK RECEIVES $25,000 GIFT FROM DOWNTOWN PALM BEACH GARDENS
Downtown’s philanthropic initiative focuses on hunger in the community
(Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) – As the local economy continues to be impacted in unprecedented ways, the parent company for Downtown Palm Beach Gardens is giving back to the local community and impacting those who need help most in these difficult times. The lifestyle shopping center recently gifted the Palm Beach County Food Bank with a $25,000 check from ShopCore’s Core Giving Foundation, to provide access to nutritious food for those suffering to put food on the table.
“During these extraordinary circumstances, we are so grateful to be one of the many hunger relief organizations to benefit from ShopCore’s incredible generosity,” said Karen Erren, Executive Director for the Palm Beach County Food Bank. “Hunger relief is always about neighbors helping neighbors, but especially in these unprecedented times.”
The Palm Beach County Food Bank provides access to nutritious food for more than 100,000 hungry Palm Beach County residents every month and says they anticipate demand to significantly increase as more and more people are left without jobs and income. Typically, the Food Bank procures more than 5 million pounds of food annually from grocery stores, restaurants, food distributors, wholesalers and other sources and provides it to almost 200 local community partners and programs, including food pantries, soup kitchens and residential housing programs. However, in the wake of COVID-19, food donations have become scarce and many partner agencies have had to close their doors.
“ShopCore’s corporate philanthropic initiative spotlights hunger,” said Erin Devlin, Shopping Center Marketing Manager for ShopCore Properties – Owner/Managing entity for Downtown Palm Beach Gardens. “Now more than ever there is a greater need to support those who are hungry in Palm Beach County. The Palm Beach County Food Bank is on the front lines of helping those in need. Their programs reach families, school children and seniors, and connect those in need to available benefits and resources. We are so fortunate to be able to provide this donation and hope it inspires others in the community to do the same.”
Downtown Palm Beach Gardens is a lifestyle center located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, just east of I-95, featuring a unique collection of shops and restaurants, including Whole Foods, Cobb 16 Theaters, Yard House and many more. Accented by an abundance of signature events, pet friendly atmosphere, family centric experiences, and so much more, Downtown Palm Beach Gardens is a favorite in Palm Beach Gardens. The stylish venue, conveniently located in Palm Beach Gardens between West Palm Beach and Jupiter, features a collection of local boutiques and dining options sure to please any palate. Downtown Palm Beach Gardens is owned and managed by ShopCore Properties and is located at 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens, Palm Beach Gardens.
For more information on the Palm Beach County Food Bank or to make a donation, please visit pbcfoodbank.org. For more information on Downtown Palm Beach Gardens, please visit downtownpbg.com.
Wellington & United Way Partner to Provide Hot Meals to Go on Tuesday, April 7th
Wellington is partnering with the United Way of Palm Beach County to distribute 1,000 meals-to-go to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. A special thanks to Flipany and Food Network Star Finalist Chef Chris Valdes for volunteering their time and resources to prepare these meals and helping support our community during this difficult time.
Wellington’s Community Center parking lot will serve as a drive-through pick-up site on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, from 1:00 PM through 4:00 PM. Drivers will receive up to 4 meals per car, on a first come first serve basis.
Wellington staff will wear personal protective gear as they handle and distribute the meals. We ask that drivers and their passengers remain in their vehicles and practice social distancing measures to keep everyone safe.
WHO: Wellington, United Way of Palm Beach County, Flipany, and Food Network Star Finalist Chef Chris Valdes provide hot meals to Village residents.
WHAT: Wellington Serves Hot Meals to Go during COVID-19 Pandemic
WHEN: Tuesday, April 7, 2020, from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
WHERE: Wellington Community Center – 12150 Forest Hill Blvd, Wellington, FL 33414
For information and additional community resources during the COVID-19 Pandemic, please visit the Village’s Coronavirus Information web page.
Every month when I write this column, I look forward to sharing destinations with you—our treasured Around Wellington readers. I’m hopeful that my words will inspire you to visit some of the places I bring to you each month.
Often, I’m writing my column as I travel around the world. Once I shared the story of Liverpool from my room in the Hard Day’s Night Hotel after attending a “Beatles” concert at the world-famous Cavern Club. I’ve unpacked my bags from places like Antarctica and immediately made notes about what I wanted to share with you, the readers. At times, I’ve brought you stories close to my home in New York City. Perhaps I’ve scouted out the best soul food in Harlem—my adopted neighborhood. In some cases, I’ve gone underground to bring you photos and stories of the artwork in the city’s subway. My hope is that you’ve enjoyed the variety of places, people and adventures I’ve shared over the past 14 years.
Hanging out with Paul outside the Cavern Pub.
This Month is Different
As I write this column, I’m not traveling—and I’m assuming you aren’t either. No, I’m quarantined in my suddenly too small New York City apartment. All New Yorkers are hunkering down at home except essential personnel and businesses—which, of course, includes the liquor stores. Trust me, we need those virtual happy hours to keep us sane.
In my case, however, the happy hours will have to wait. I’ve tested positive for COVID-19. Thankfully, my case is mild compared to so many. I’ve weathered fevers, chills, headaches, a pesky dry cough, and extreme fatigue over the past two weeks and have emerged on the other side of this frustrating virus. My lungs have remained clear and after another week or so of taking it easy, I should be back to normal. I’m sharing this to let you know how important it is to pay attention to your health during this terrifying pandemic. It doesn’t matter what your local officials say, only you can take care of yourself and your family. So. Stay. Home.
One World Trade
Yes, It Can Be Boring
As a full-time travel writer, wanderlust seeps from every part of my being. Knowing I can’t travel for the foreseeable future is maddening. But travel is only paused. It will return and when it does, I’ll be among the first to book a flight. In the meantime, let’s go with the theory that planning is almost as much fun as traveling. Shall we?
Think about it, those epic trips we all love to take require a fair amount of planning. So get out a notepad, start a spreadsheet of trips, have a brainstorming travel planning session with a friend or partner. Do whatever you need to do to focus on those future trips you’ll be taking when life returns to normal.
Thun, Switzerland
A Few Ideas
Rather than bring you a new destination this month, I’m going to revisit some of my favorites. I mentioned Liverpool—the home of the fab four. Check out all there is to do in this seaside English city here.
Looking to fill up a bucket list? Check out what it’s really like to hang out with penguins at the bottom of the earth in my Antarctica post.
Is an African safari in your future? My Tanzania post shares the incredible sites our group experienced with TopGuides Safaris.
Hopefully this pandemic nightmare will be behind us by autumn. If so, why not plan a colorful autumn getaway. Here are some gorgeous options.
Thinking about trying a river cruise? My story about cruising the Rhine River aboard the Scenic Opal will provide all the inspiration you need.
I’m guessing that’s enough to keep you busy for a few weeks! In the meantime, I’ll rest up, kick this virus and be back with more travel inspiration in May. By then we’ll be one month closer to exploring the world again. Take care.
Very few basketball odysseys begin in places like Blackburn, England and find their way to Miami Shores, Florida, by way of Denmark, Bosnia and Estonia. And, then get instructed by a Wellington coach with strong ties to England. Well, that’s one way to describe the basketball travels and adventures for England’s Harriet Swindells, who has just completed her junior year of playing basketball for the Barry University Buccaneers (Miami Shores, Florida). Barry University is a member of the very-competitive NCAA Division II Sunshine State Conference.
And, during this past season, one of Harriet Swindells’ coaches at Barry University was longtime Wellington resident and former Wellington Wolves player Emily May, whose paternal grandfather was English-born and raised. May had spent the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons coaching women’s basketball at St. Thomas University in nearby Miami Gardens, Florida.
Harriet Swindells with Emily May
The impact of Coach Emily May’s presence on the coaching staff this past season was strong and immediate.
“Coach Em (May) has been great for the team this season,” says Harriet. “Her enthusiasm and energy showed every day!”
HER EARLY BASKETBALL DAYS
For Harriet Swindells, she started her formal roundball career as a pre-teen when she played for a basketball club in nearby Manchester, England. Frankly, she started playing hoops because of the influence of her older brothers. The family installed an outdoor basketball net at home, when young Harriet was just four. According to Harriet’s parents, she and her two older brothers played countless games of basketball during their childhood.
“Harriet, growing up with two older brothers, just followed what they did so she played football (soccer) and basketball with them,” says Stephanie Swindells, Harriet’s mother. “The boys (Harriet’s two older brothers) never gave her any free passes, so the only way she could get past them or score was to dribble or shoot from distance. She became very good at it and very tough.”
After playing a few years of pick-up basketball with her brothers, young Harriet finally had an opportunity to get some formal basketball instruction and coaching.
BRITAIN’S BASKETBALL CLUB SCENE
“I started officially playing basketball at about age 12,” recalls Harriet. “My older brother started playing basketball at a club in Manchester (Manchester Mystics) and when I realized they had a girls team, I decided to join.”
For Harriet, the transition to basketball was somewhat easy as she was used to playing a sport with a round ball, but that sport was one where the ball is kicked with your feet rather than dribbled with your hands.
“Before basketball, I played football (soccer) for a local team,” adds Harriet.
As a 12 year-old, Harriet played basketball for the Mystics’ under 13s squad. Because she was new to the club and one of the younger players, she had to earn playing time by patiently waiting for her chance.
“She never gave up, carried on playing with (older brother) Joe at home, and worked hard in practice,” remembers Stephanie Swindells.
When the opportunity to play an actual basketball game presented itself, she seized it with energy and passion.
“Her first big game was a quarterfinal when she was 12 years old,” recalls Neil Swindells, Harriet’s father. “The best guard on the team — Gina Brierley, who now plays for Sunshine State Conference rival St. Leo University — fouled out and the team was behind. The team brought Harriet on with five minutes to go as a last resort. At that time, it was not usual for girls to score a three-point shot. She had been on the floor for only seconds when she pulled up and shot a three-pointer. The gym was full, as it was the last game of the weekend, and, needless to say, when it went in, the crowd went crazy. We won the game and she went to her first final four (of the league). Her reputation as a shooter started from that day.”
Unlike in the U.S. where lots of children play basketball at school, Harriet did not have that opportunity.
“Basketball isn’t very well known in my hometown of Blackburn so there were no school teams,” states Harriet.
Harriet quickly grasped the game of basketball and realized there were opportunities for her to play college basketball in the U.S. It was just a matter of where in the U.S. and at what level.
“I realized that college basketball could be a possibility when I was about 14 or 15 years old,” recalls Harriet.
REPRESENTING ENGLAND
It didn’t take Harriet long to move up the playing pecking order of English basketball.
In Great Britain, the pathway to playing international basketball starts by playing for your region of the country.
Beginning as a teenager, Harriet played for the North West of England (girls) at every age group in the annual regional competitions, according to her parents. But, what truly motivated her was watching her older brother, Joe, play for England at the Under 15 level in 2012. Harriet was just 13, at the time.
“We were walking out of the venue one day after a game and she said ‘I want to do that’ and that then became her goal,” says Stephanie Swindells.
Harriet was chosen to represent England at the Under 15 level. She continued to be involved in the England squad, as she was selected for international tournaments and games. One of Harriet’s most recent national appearances was playing for England in the Division B European Championships in the summer of 2016 in Bosnia. She was also selected to play in an Under 18 tournament in Bosnia in 2016.
At age 16, Harriet moved away to play high school basketball and continue her studies at Charnwood College in Loughborough, England.
Charnwood College was chosen to represent England in a 3-on-3 tournament in Estonia in June. Harriet played on Charnwood College’s 3-on-3 team in Estonia.
FROM BLACKBURN TO BARRY
The decision to attend Barry University took time and research.
“In my first year at Charnwood College – the equivalent of a junior in high school – I started to email coaches and assistant coaches from all over the U.S.,” recalls Harriet. “I was sending them my highlight tape and a player profile stating my stats for that year, along with an explanation of the skill set I had. As I started to get emails back from teams who were interested, I started to narrow these down after communicating with the coaches and understanding who would be the best fit for me and what I wanted out of my college career. I kept in contact with Barry. In the end, it came down to Barry and another school, and after visiting Barry, it was clear that this was the best fit for me.”
Stephanie Swindells agrees that the ultimate decision for Harriet to attend Barry University was not an easy one for her daughter, but it was clearly the right one to make.
“She had a few offers, including NCAA Division 1, but chose Barry above all of them as she felt that was the best fit and she loved the team when she met everyone on her visit,” said Stephanie Swindells. “We think that she made a good decision.”
THE BARRY BUCCANEER BASKETBALL EXPERIENCE
Since arriving at Barry University in August 2017, Harriet – wearing #15 — has steadily improved in all aspects of her game.
As a freshman in 2017/18, she played in all 30 games for Barry. She averaged 6.8 points a game and shot 32.5 percent from the three-point line. She scored in double figures in nine games and had a season-high of 21 points in a Sunshine State Conference game vs. Lynn University. She made a pair of buzzer-beater three-point shots to end a pair of games at home vs. Palm Beach Atlantic University which can be seen here:
As a sophomore in 2018/19, she played in 29 games. She started six of those games. She averaged 10 points a game while scoring a season-high of 19 during a Sunshine State Conference game vs. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She scored in double figures in 14 games. From the free-throw line, she shot 80.5 percent and had 25 steals plus 63 rebounds during the season.
As a junior in 2019/20, she played in 25 games and she started all 25 games. She was the team’s leading scorer at 15.3 points per game and was Barry’s top shooter from three-point range, as she made 71 three-pointers during the season. Her three-point shooting percentage was a respectable 31.8 percent. During the season, she had a career-high 29 points vs. Findlay. From the free-throw line, she made 85.5 percent of her shots from the charity stripe. Her single-game high for rebounds was 10 and assists was seven.
This year was a bit of a juggling act for Harriet, who is used to playing as a shooting guard, but due to a season-ending injury to the team’s top point guard, Nichel Tampa, back in December (2019), Harriet had to assume the role of being a point guard, as well.
NOT ALONE AT BARRY
While Harriet is a few thousand miles away from the creature comforts of her Blackburn home, she is not the only player on Barry’s women’s basketball team who had to use a passport to arrive in Miami Shores. There is another English player on the squad. It’s sophomore Ashleigh Pink from Sudbury. And, there are teammates from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Spain, New Zealand, and Australia. And, there are five girls on the team from various parts of the U.S.
It’s worth noting that Harriet and current Barry teammate Ashleigh Pink played together for England in 2016 at the Division B European championships. And, Harriet has played against current Barry teammate Camilla Flefil, from Sweden.
“I played against Camilla in an under 15s international tournament in Copenhagen, Denmark, as well as some practice games where Sweden came to England,” adds Harriet.
Naturally, there are pros and cons about attending college in another country.
“I enjoy the Miami weather!” admits Harriet. “I enjoy my friends and teammates and just doing what I love to do every day, and having the facilities to do so. I miss my family often when I’m in the States. I miss my parents’ food, the accents, and humor that comes with my family. I miss those roast dinners on Sundays. That’s my favorite meal. In general, I miss fruits and vegetables that can be hard to come by at school. And, of course, I miss biscuits – custard cremes, digestives, and jammy dodgers.”
THE COACHES’ CORNER
Barry University head women’s basketball coach Bill Sullivan, who just announced his retirement from coaching, is delighted with the progress and effort of his young English recruit, who stands at 5’ 6”, but who has clearly played with the heart and drive of a giant.
“In my 44 years in basketball, Harriet is one of the best pure shooters — men or women — I have ever coached. When opponents are preparing their defensive game plan, I’m sure Harriet is one of the first players mentioned because she is such a scoring threat. She is usually guarded by the opponent’s best defender, but her incredible range and quick release make defending her a difficult task,” says Sullivan. “I love Harriet’s passion for the game. She is a warrior – a tremendous competitor. Harriet is constantly in the gym working on her skills and despite several injuries this past year, she never wanted to miss a practice or a game.”
Barry University assistant women’s basketball coach Emily May – the players call her Coach Em — relishes Harriet’s intensity during games and practice.
“Harriet brings an edge and a level of passion to the game which can really get the team going. She’s a ‘gym rat’ whose dedication and work ethic has earned her respect on the court,” says May, who has strong family and athletic connections to England as her paternal grandfather, Christopher May, was a standout club and county-level rugby player in England’s county of Cornwall in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
PLAYER APPRECIATION
Harriet has words of praise and appreciation for her two coaches this past season and the role they have played in her development as a player.
“I am very thankful to have been coached by Coach Sullivan,” says Harriet. “You will never find a coach who cares about the game and this team as he does. We developed great communicative relationship through the years which helped me on and off the court. I wish him all the best and a happy retirement.”
“Anytime I wanted an extra workout, Coach Em would always make herself available and we would find a time to get in the gym,” continues Harriet. “This impacted me as it helped my confidence and skills to remain consistent through the season. This was one aspect I struggled with in previous years, however I showed improvement in my junior year.”
In the upcoming 2020/21 season, Harriet will be looking to make history.
“Harriet is presently in second place on our All-Time Career 3-Pointers Made rankings,” notes Sullivan. “During her senior year, I believe Harriet will become the leader in most 3-pointers made in the history of Barry University women’s basketball.”
PROUD PARENTS BACK HOME
Thanks to technology, the Swindells family, while living in England, is able watch Harriet’s games on their computers.
“We have watched every game possible online whilst she has been at Barry, which has meant some very late nights sometimes with the time difference,” said Stephanie Swindells. “A typical Wednesday night game starts at 5:30 pm, which is 10:30 here on a school night. Her brothers watch her games, in their respective homes, when they can.”
Win or lose, the Swindells family is proud of the competitive determination, work ethic, and on-the-court leadership displayed by the ‘baby’ of their family.
“We are very proud of her both on and off the court,” said Neil Swindells. “She wears her heart on her sleeve and is passionate, committed and has worked hard for what she has achieved.”
Without a doubt, Harriet Swindells has matriculated into one of the better basketball-playing Buccaneers for Barry University and definitely one of Britain’s (and Blackburn’s) best in basketball, too. Thanks, in small part, to the role of a Wellington coach with English roots. The 2020/21 season awaits.
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Photos of Harriet Swindells taken by Barry Athletic Communications/Joel Auerbach
Photo of Harriet Swindells and Emily May taken by Carlos Marquez.
