Social Seens... Photography by Gram
Pepin Academies Gala
For 17 years, the Pepin family has hosted a fundraiser for Pepin Academies at TPepin Hospitality Centre in Tampa.
This celebration of the school’s students and their accomplishments demonstrates the effectiveness of establishing a safe and
nurturing environment for young people who need more resources than what the traditional classroom can provide. The Peregrine
Falcon Awards were presented to Kelsey Lehtomaa Frouge and Judge Laurel Moore Lee at this year’s Cirque du Pepin Academies
Gala – Journey of Learning.
Crisha Scolaro, a founder of
Pepin Academies, thanked retired
broadcast journalist Gayle Sierens Martin
for once again serving as
master of ceremonies at the gala.
Muse Awards
The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance hosted its annual Muse Awards to recognize artists and other individuals and organizations
that have contributed to the arts in St. Petersburg. This year the Visual Arts award recipient was ceramic artist Charlie Parker, the
Muse Art Ambassadors were Paul Wilborn and his wife Eugenie Bondurant, the Patron of the Arts winner was Sylvia Rusche,
while Mark Sforzini won the Performing Arts award and playwright Sheila Cowley received the Muse Literary Arts Award.
Paul Wilborn and his wife Eugenie Bondurant
were excited to receive their Muse Award,
a glass bowl that was created by
artist Duncan McClellan.
164 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | MARCH/APRIL 2018
Debbie and Guy King, who have been
supporters and advocates of Pepin
Academies for many years, were the
chairs of this year’s gala.
Lauren and Tom Pepin were proud to host
the gala for Pepin Academies, an organization
that began in 1999 with 17 students and
continues to make a difference in the lives of
its students and their families.
Photography by Gram
Michael Roberts of the St. Petersburg Opera
was pleased that Mark Sforzini, its
executive director, was chosen to receive
the Muse Performing Arts Award.
Mary Ellen Collins and her husband John, the
founders of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, are
proud that the organization has accomplished
so much for the arts in our community.