THE STARS AMONG US

Last week, one of our very own was honored

by the Coral Springs Chamber of Commerce

at their Wake Up Breakfast.

Myrna Puello, our assistant controller since 2001,

was presented with a Stars Among Us certificate

in recognition of her tireless efforts

as our representative in our local Chamber.

In addition to working for P&H Interiors full time,

Myrna belongs to the Ambassador Committee

of the Coral Springs Chamber. Members of the

Ambassador Committee are responsible for

welcoming new members and introducing them

to the other representatives.

Myrna also participates in the Chamber's Gala Committee

(please refer to our 5/1/09 blog entitled "The Roaring 20's")

who most recently presented deserving students

with coveted scholarships.

When Myrna isn't busy raising her young family,

working in our office, or attending Chamber meetings,

she is up at 4am every Saturday to meet with

the Team in Training for the Miami Marathon.

Team in Training is raising donations for the

Leukemia/Lymphoma Society through their race for a cure.

The walk/run is scheduled for January 2010,

and will cover 13.1 miles.

She's already up to 10 miles in those

early-Saturday-morning training sessions,

so we have every confidence in Myrna

that she will finish with flying colors!

And if all of this doesn't sound like enough...

on Nov.5th, Myrna starts Leadership Coral Springs,

whose goal is to enhance our City and its

business environment by improving leadership skills

through individual and group activities.

Members will identify and improve their shortcomings,

honor diversity and build on differences,

develop problem-solving skills through conflict resolution,

and use teamwork to develop synergy.

Myrna is definitely a shining star among our P&H group,

and her selfless efforts to improve the community

and to help those around her is to be commended!

To assist Myrna in her quest to receive funding

for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, please visit:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sfl/miami10/mpuello.

It's certainly for a good cause, and will make you a shining star too!

GIRL POWER

P&H Interiors was treated to some
very special guests this week.
Our office hosted a Career Day tour
for 10 girls from the Sheridan House.

The focus of the tour was to spark
the students’ interest in the Creative Arts,
and to expose them to different professions
available to them as they look toward the future.

If they can remain motivated to stay in school
and assume responsibility for their own destinies,
they can accomplish great things
as independent, successful women.

Susan Connor and Marisa Leibmann
headed the event by providing
the complete P&H headquarters tour,
explaining the need for our individual departments,
and emphasizing the importance of
how the contributions of every team member
influence the success of each project.

The girls also engaged in
a space planning activity
that incorporated the concepts
of square footage and scale.
Each student was provided
a sample 16x16 room “blueprint”,
and was instructed to plan the interior
using templates. Some very clever designs
were created which included pianos,
additional bathrooms within the allotted space,
and even a walk-in closet!

All in all, we felt a very positive connection
with these career-minded young ladies.
It is our hope that we have contributed
to planting the seeds of inspiration
for their future achievements … and, who knows?
Maybe we have planted the seed
for a future interior designer!

The Roaring 20's

The Roaring Twenties was the theme for the
Coral Springs Chamber of Commerce Gala
held on April 24th.

P&H’s Assistant Controller Myrna Puello
was an integral part of the planning committee
for this noteworthy event that
presented scholarships to
outstanding high school students
who received the Bridge to Leadership Award.

These individuals demonstrated their
leadership qualities outside of the classroom,
while at the same time excelling
in their academic curriculum.

Held at the Heron Bay Marriott Hotel,
amidst zoot suits, flappers, and even an antique auto,
additional awards were also presented
to business leaders in our community
who have exhibited distinction
in their chosen professions.

Attendees included members of the City Council,
as well as our own Coral Springs Mayor Scott Brook.

It was a roaring good time for all,
and no one left singin’ the blues!

Back to My Roots

by Marisa Leibmann, Designer

On April 2nd I had the unique opportunity to return to my alma mater, J.P. Taravella High School- right here in Coral Springs- to speak to Miss Donna Haynes’ 2nd period Interior Design Class.

Electives in Interior Design were nonexistent when I was in high school (let’s say, a few years back). In fact, I wasn’t even aware that Interior Design was a profession until I got to college! So it is has become a passion of mine to enlighten students about the career that I enjoy so much and that has brought me such satisfaction (See "The Kids of Summer", "Education Motivation" , and "Juror Duty").

I was able to deepen the students understanding of the profession by sharing some of my “real world” experiences with them. The student’s many insightful questions were proof of their interest in my presentation and made it a most rewarding experience. Moreover, it was reassuring to learn that a few of the seniors have already enrolled at universities in South Florida in order to attend their Interior Design programs.

(Designer Marisa Leibmann and Teacher Miss Donna Haynes)

A special thanks to Susan Connor and the rest of the P&H Interiors staff who have been so supportive in my continual efforts to expose the next generation to all the amazing work that we do. It is wonderful to work at a firm that is so committed to enriching the profession and community we are so lucky to be a part of!

Soaring with the Eagles

P&H Interiors is now a proud sponsor of the North Broward Preparatory Schools. Our banner can be seen at the main football field at the Coconut Creek campus.

We support North Broward’s advocacy of excellence in academics and commitment to the personal growth of all its students. The athletics program emphasizes a balance between competition and scholastics. The fine arts program encourages students to hone their artistic talents, but to also utilize these skills in order to reach out to the community… a philosophy not unlike our own here at P&H Interiors! (See "An Affair to Remember" and “Not Just a Good Deed”)

(Pictured Above: Congratulations to coach Tricia Amrhein and the girls’ flag football team for their recent 24-13 victory over West Boca High. GO EAGLES! )