Social Seens... Photography by Gram
Pepin Academies Gala
“Up, Up and Away, “ the 16th annual benefit gala for Pepin Academies, helped raise funds for its mission to enhance academic
success for students with learning disabilities by creating environments where they can thrive and succeed. At the event,
co-chaired by Sue Sheaffer, DeLynn Gaston, Maria Gasvoda and Jim Dawson, the Peregrine Falcon Awards were presented to
Gordon Gillette, John Ramil and Clint Childress of Tampa Electric, along with Dennis Sheaffer and Dr. Ron Kuntze for their efforts
to assure Pepin students of bright futures.
Girl Scouts’ Dessert First
Chefs from a variety of Tampa Bay area restaurants created and served one-of-a-kind desserts inspired by their favorite
Girl Scout cookies during the Dessert First fundraiser. The evening benefits the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida and was held
at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park where its own restaurant, Luna, provided a gourmet buffet dinner to balance out the
sugar highs of the desserts.
Amy Pfaelzer, former Girl Scout and owner of
the Beach House Gallery in Dunedin, was
thanked for attending by fellow former Girl Scout
Amy Hudock, the fundraiser’s honorary chair.
164 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE
Bascom’s Chop House was well represented
by Chef Ryan Kelly and Sous Chef
Steven Capone, whose Trefoil Samoa Truffles
were a popular cookie-themed dessert.
| JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
Photography by Carol Dioca
Former Girl Scout Cherie Pattishall, owner
of Engle & Völkers Madeira Beach, and
Michael Wykoff, the firm’s managing broker,
enjoyed sampling creative sweet treats at the event.
Dr. Jeff Skowronek, chair of the
Pepin Academies Support Services, and
his wife Christina welcomed board members
and their guests to the gala.
Bay News 9 Anchor Veronica Cintron and
her husband political strategist Preston Rudie
were amazed by the accomplishments of the
students showcased at the gala.
Lauren and Tom Pepin are excited that the
Pepin Academies in Pasco will graduate
its first senior class in 2017, and that the
Riverview campus expansion is underway.