ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Bianca
Putting Our Children First
I GET IT
As a parent, educator, working-class taxpayer, and a full-time resident of Hendry County, District 3, I understand the importance of a school system that puts student success first, values ALL of its employees, and responsibly works towards intelligent growth. Because of my experience in the private sector, I also understand the importance of prioritization, wise planning, responsible spending, accountability, and having a solution-focused mindset.
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My children, your children, our neighbors, friends, and our families will be going to a school, working for, or hiring employees from the School District of Hendry County. We are at a point in time when inaction can no longer be accepted by those serving our community. In fact, much work is needed to solve the unaddressed issues facing our county.
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Not only are our local school boards becoming the sites of heated national debates and the place where extremely important decisions affecting our children and community are made, but its members must represent the electorate with thoughtfulness, care, and integrity.
If you are looking for courageous, reliable, trustworthy, genuine representation with a proven track record of implementing change, ingenuity in action, and success then please consider voting for and electing me as your next School Board Member, District 3!
CLEAR DIRECTION
School Board members should put children first through advocacy and action. For too long, the priorities of our district and board seem to have been on merely surviving instead of implementing a plan for the growth of our schools. It's time to put first things first, our students should be the number one concern.
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I have the experience to produce and the courage to say NO to politics and YES to our children!!
Fresh Vision + Clear Direction + Brave Leadership = Positive Change
Meet My Family
My husband, Vince, and I were high school sweethearts. We married in 2007 and welcomed our first perfect little girl 23 months later. It was at that moment that we both knew that we would do anything in our power to provide for, protect, support, and teach her to be the best she could be. We welcomed our 2nd perfect bundle right at 3 years later. Our family and these girls have been our purpose and our joy from day 1.
We understand what it is to be parents. I am familiar with the T-ball days, the volleyball camps, junior-pro, the pageants, the first day of school nerves, the pride in even the smallest accomplishments, the weight of raising children in the world today, and the anxiety parents face when schools across the country are becoming places of indoctrination and terror. We know the measure of FAITH it takes to get us through all joys, griefs, victories, and challenges.
My pledge to District 3 is to fight and advocate for their children with the same passion and dedication I have for my own. After all, our children are the future.
“Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future."
HISTORY OF COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Experience Where it Counts
It is my belief that to lead is to serve. For over 15 years, my time has been committed to our community. Whether through professional duties, volunteerism, advocacy, or leadership I am humbled to have been trusted to represent the residents of Hendry County through a variety of local, regional, statewide and national efforts. My experience in leadership, budgeting, strategic planning, development, training, federal grant coordination, public relations, and data-responsive activities makes me well-qualified to help move our district into a brighter future while meeting specific objectives of the HSCB Strategic Plan.
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Community Relations Director, US Sugar, During my time as the Community Relations Director for US Sugar I worked with an incredible team to develop, staff, and deliver "Raising Cane Tours," a first-of-its-kind community and legislative education program raising awareness of regional agriculture, environmental, and water quality issues as well as informing stakeholders of the methods, best practices, and challenges of the growth, harvesting, and production of the Florida sugar, citrus and vegetable industries. I oversaw and personally delivered local, regional, and state legislative tours of our operations across the local agricultural region. Another major responsibility was my direct involvement in the organizational rebranding and building of USSUGAR.com.
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Program Coordinator, Drug-Free Communities Grant, 2010-2015, Coordinated the coalition efforts funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program through the Hendry County Health Department. Our coalition engaged multiple sectors of the community to prevent youth substance use. As coordinator, I led the advocacy and education campaign that resulted in the passage of a Pain Clinic Moratorium and Ordinance in Hendry County, one of the first in the State. Presented to United States Congressional Staff in Washington DC during the 2014 legislative session. Delivered evidenced-backed drug prevention programming in Hendry County Middle and High Schools. I worked with the Florida Department of Health at Hendry County Health Department from 2005-2015.
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Chair, Sugar Festival, Inc, 2015-2016 a large, multi-day music and agricultural celebration event located in Clewiston, FL with tens of thousands of people in attendance. As chair, I worked with a team of professionals and volunteers to coordinate successful board reorganization and festival invigoration. Our committees consisted of local government, law enforcement, engineers, chamber of commerce, private business, and talent agencies to redesign the festival format still in use today.
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VOLUNTEER DUTIES
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Director, Harry Chapin Food Bank of SWFL, 2014-2017 Harry Chapin Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief network in Southwest Florida, serving Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties, The Food Bank continues to feed a quarter of a million people each month. Their 2017 Annual Report shows a $41 million resource budget and an increase of over $500,000 in assets in 2017 alone. HCFB was recognized by Charity Navigator as a 4-star Charity, the watchdog group’s highest rating for cost-effectiveness and efficiency, prior to, during, and after each year of my tenure. As a director, I represented the interests of all of Hendry & Glades Counties. Our board supported the transition of CEO, organizational development, marketing efforts, immense growth after Hurricane Irma, regular financial audit reviews, accountability surveys, and strategic planning and prioritization efforts. During my time on the Board of Directors, I served on the Development and Marketing & PR Committees and represented the food bank during broadcast fundraising on WGCU Radio and legislative tours.
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President, Leadership Hendry Glades Graduating Class of 2012
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Player Agent (2018-2019) and Volunteer, LaBelle Little League, (2014-2019.) Served on the board to advance youth athletics in LaBelle. represented the board at regional meetings and met board member training requirements.
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Past President, LaBelle Chamber of Commerce, 2017 & 2018, During my tenure as the first Hispanic President of our local chamber, our board was active in the community, held lunch and learns, business socials, grand openings, fundraising dinners, and our first career fair with local employees. As President, I worked with local spokespeople to facilitate and produce a promotional video still in use by Hendry County Organizations like the Hendry County EDC.
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Board Member, LaBelle Chamber of Commerce, 2013 - 2018, During this time, I served with some of the brightest local minds and leaders from various industries. I am proud to have carried our duties out ethically and in compliance with IRS 501(c)3 rules and regulations while faithfully adhering to our by-laws.
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Member, LaBelle High School Advisory Committee, Appropriated funding to select departments and programs at LaBelle High School
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Member, LaBelle Rotary Club, 2011 - 2016. Served several volunteer and fundraising roles in the community, from spaghetti dinners to armadillo races to local golf tournaments.