New York Times best-selling author to help celebrate Southwest Florida’s Christian teachers
Attendees at the 8th Annual Golden Halo Awards will be delighted and inspired by the keynote speaker, New York Times best-selling author Lee Strobel. Tickets, sponsorships and advertising opportunities are still available for the April 25 event, which recognizes outstanding teachers at Southwest Florida Christian schools.
An atheist-turned-Christian, Lee Strobel is the former award-winning legal editor of The Chicago Tribune and is the author of 20 books, including The Case for Christ, which is used by some area Christian middle schools as part of their curriculum. He will present his keynote address, “A Case for Christian Education,” during the Golden Halo Awards ceremony and banquet, which starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 25 at Parish Life Center, 28388 Beaumont Road, Bonita Springs.
The Golden Halo Awards finalists were chosen from a field of 61 student-nominated teachers. The announcements were made during surprise visits to the finalists’ classrooms. The four finalists from three grade levels will be treated to complimentary tickets and limousine transportation to the event. They will also be presented with a diamond pin crafted exclusively for this event by The Diamond District.
In addition to Strobel’s exciting presentation, guests will enjoy a silent auction and a moving video presentation of the often-emotional surprise visits to finalists’ classrooms. FOX-4 morning anchor Miriam Zamorano will serve as the evening’s emcee.
The Golden Halo Awards program seeks to celebrate Christian teachers with a gift, and the Christian Chamber considers Strobel’s appearance a gift in itself. The finalists are:
Grade 1-5
Tabitha Dillehay Classical Christian Academy
Susan McBeath Evangelical Christian School
Rachel Norton Classical Christian Academy
Christine Theriault Royal Palm Academy
Grade 6-8
Deneen Crandall Village School of Naples
Marie Gibbons-Ebert Saint Ann Catholic School
Jennifer Summer Naples Christian Academy
Vicki Watson Classical Christian Academy
Grade 9-12
Kristen Baker Southwest Florida Christian Academy
Dr. Lisa Garrett Evangelical Christian School
Jordan Lyerly Southwest Florida Christian Academy
Abigail Vega Southwest Florida Christian Academy
After investigating the evidence for Jesus, Strobel became a Christian in 1981. Described by the Washington Post as “one of the evangelical community’s most popular apologists,” he has been interviewed on such national TV networks as ABC, Fox, PBS and CNN, and his articles have appeared in a variety of periodicals. He serves as Professor of Christian Thought at Houston Baptist University and has been a recurring guest on radio programs and is a member of the Evangelical Philosophical Society.
The 8th Annual Golden Halo Awards are made possible in part with support of its presenting media sponsor WFTX – FOX-4, along with its other media partners, WRXY – CTN-10 and WAY-FM. Event sponsors include The Diamond District, Ross Martin- Ameriprise Financial, Garden Street Recycling, Busey Bank, Fort Myers Memorial Gardens, Sylvan Learning Centers, Edison National Bank, Vein Specialists, Victoria Heisel, Realtor and the Law Offices of Denise B. D’Aprile.
For tickets, sponsorships and information visit www.HisChamber.org or call (239) 481-1411.
About the Golden Halo Awards
For the Golden Halo Awards, now in its eighth year, teachers from over 60 Southwest Florida schools are nominated by their students for their ability to inspire, demonstrate Christ-like traits, help students overcome weaknesses and boost classroom morale, among other criteria.
Sponsorships from $1,000 to $10,000 offer various levels of advertising and promotional opportunities, which all include Web, social media and printed material advertising; event night recognition; table reservations and a meet and greet with the keynote speaker. To take advantage of these exciting opportunities, visit www.HisChamber.org or call (239) 481-1411. Tickets are $50 per person for members of the general public. The twelve finalists will receive complimentary tickets.
