SPPF MASTR Kids Program

Today, we celebrate the birthday of Ms. Barbara C. Shorter — an extraordinary educator, trailblazing leader, and dear friend of our namesake. 💙

Ms. Shorter’s leadership has long exemplified the kind of community we strive to create at SPPF: one built on encouragement, high expectations, support, and the unwavering belief that better outcomes ARE possible.

In 1991, she became the first African-American female high school principal in Pinellas County when she was appointed principal of Gibbs High School — the very school she graduated from as part of the Class of 1953. Throughout her remarkable career, she helped shape generations of students, educators, and community leaders while leaving a lasting legacy at Gibbs and throughout Pinellas County.

We are deeply grateful for all that Ms. Shorter represents — excellence, perseverance, vision, and service. Please join us in wishing her a very Happy Birthday! 🎉

Last Thursday, we hosted our second gathering of the Ladies Who Launch. This is a focused and impactful group of local women committed to assisting our scholars with achieving their future dreams. The group decided their first initiative would be to help add an additional classroom at our John Hopkins location, enabling SPPF to increase the number of children served this summer!

Middle and High school summers are TOUGH to navigate for parents AND for teens. As parents you want to keep them safe in the midst of all the changes. As teens you want to push the boundaries and take control. We created the High School MASTR Plan Program to accommodate both of you! It's a safe environment where scholars push the boundaries both in their thinking AND in their doing. They push beyond basic reading and math to develop writing skills and translate math into "finance" and "engineering." This summer they will learn how to SAFELY use AI as a tool to improve the quality, and efficiency of current work, while exploring new opportunities altogether. In extracurriculars, they push themselves to try new things like sailing, cooking, and film-making. They also explore careers that might just lead them to fulfilling careers!
You can learn more and apply here: https://sppf.org/apply/

We were super proud to be a part of a wonderful evening of recognition. The St Petersburg Women's Chamber of Commerce celebrated SPPF CEO, Bridgette Heller, for her global leadership and many contributions to the community! Congrats also to additional honorees Roseanna Costa and Dr. Kanika Tomlin!

💐 Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at SPPF! 💐

Today, we celebrate and honor the incredible women who help make our mission possible — the mothers, grandmothers, mentors, educators, volunteers, staff members, supporters, and caregivers who pour love, wisdom, and encouragement into the lives of our scholars each and every day.

To the moms of our scholars: thank you for your trust, your partnership, and the countless ways you support your children’s growth and success. Your dedication inspires us.

And to every woman who helps uplift, guide, and strengthen the SPPF and M.A.S.T.R. Kids community — we are deeply grateful for you. 💙

Wishing you a day filled with love, appreciation, and joy!

A big CONGRATULATIONS to Davide Poole, a long time SPPF scholar (pictured here in 5th grade), for his acceptance to the Questbridge Scholars Program. His enthusiasm, curiosity, hard work, and resilience are a credit to his parents and to our community. The Questbridge scholarship is a HUGE achievement which broadens David's options/potential pathways on the journey to the career he dreams of. David, we are SO PROUD of you!

https://www.questbridge.org/partners/college-partners

Please vote for our St. Pete scholars!!

Thank you, Links, Incorporated, St. Petersburg, (FL) Chapter for recognizing the talented scholars in our community and enabling to compete on the national stage. Come on community, let's show the scholars our support!!! Category 1: Grades K – 3 http://wshe.es/s5LPzI6j ; Category 2: Grades 4 – 6 http://wshe.es/Sja8xJT1 ; Category 3: Grades 7 – 9 http://wshe.es/MAEv1nwi

We are excited to welcome Silvio to the Shirley Proctor Puller Foundation Board of Directors! With more than 18 years of experience in K–12 education, administration, and nonprofit leadership, Silvio brings a deep passion for community engagement, strategic partnerships, and empowering teams to do impactful work.

A bilingual leader and lifelong learner, Silvio embodies the M.A.S.T.R. Kids attribute of compassionate curiosity. When he’s not leading and serving, you might find him performing improv comedy or facilitating art expression workshops right here in St. Petersburg! 🎭

His favorite quote is, “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” — Angela Y. Davis

We are thrilled to have Silvio join our village and support our mission to build brighter futures for our scholars. 💙

Meet Kai Perry. Captain of her Sailing Club at Hampton during college. Crew Member of the Schooner Amistad, a reproduction of the original launched as an educational tool in 2004. (https://www.discoveringamistad.org/board-of-directors/2016/1/24/kai-perry-eb4ml-mjmxa) She is also a groundbreaker and often "does it scared" (her words, not mine). She personifies authenticity, resilience, and bringing your true self to the pursuit of making a difference in the lives of others. THANK YOU, Madame Sailor, for your passion and commitment to teaching in community.