MIAMI, April 25 – The Miami HEAT was named the 2004-05 winner of the Florida Education Commissioner’s Business Recognition Award for its HEAT Academy free, after-school program. The HEAT is one of only three organizations to receive this award in Miami-Dade County, and this selection marks the second time the HEAT has received this award for its HEAT Academy program.

The HEAT Academy, sponsored by Carnival Cruise Lines, started in 1999 as a collaborative partnership with the Miami-Dade County Public School System and currently operates at three Miami-Dade County Public Schools: Dunbar Elementary in Overtown, Little River Elementary in Little Haiti and Riverside Elementary in Little Havana. The Academy’s major goal is to provide economically disadvantaged students who are most at risk of academic failure or juvenile delinquency with a program of after-school tutoring and academic enrichment. The program is dedicated to strengthening the students’ reading and math skills so that they are able to increase their potential for success on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) exam and to compete on a national level. The HEAT Academy runs the course of the school year, Monday through Friday, and is frequented by employees of the HEAT who share their time and experiences to help support the teacher instruction. Recently, HEAT Academy and Carnival Cruise Lines implemented a college scholarship program, whereby current HEAT Academy students will be tracked through their high school years and qualifying students will be eligible to receive college scholarships, courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines and HEAT Academy.

Each year the Commissioner of Education recognizes worthy business partners for their commitment to improving the academic performance of Florida school students and for their outstanding public service. They help Florida's educational system gain a competitive edge and assist in providing enhanced services to our students. The Business Recognition Awards program verifies the interest and dedication of businesses that want to make a difference in education. Specifically, the program honors those organizations that work with their local school districts to increase high student achievement, promote greater government efficiency, and strive for a safe learning environment -- three goals of the Florida Department of Education.

In addition to the HEAT Academy program, the Miami HEAT has also supported the local school systems during the course of the school year by supplying them with the following academic aids:

HEAT FCAT Video Pep Rally: A motivational video presentation featuring the entire Miami HEAT team that explains the importance of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) and provides helpful test taking tips.

Miami HEAT Read To Achieve Public Service Announcements: A series of special messages to children and parents from HEAT stars Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade and Eddie Jones on the importance of reading.

HEAT Black History Month vignettes: The HEAT created twenty Black History Month vignettes that were distributed to Miami-Dade & Broward County Public Schools and aired throughout the month of February (Black History Month). Each vignette recognized a prominent African American from either the past or present and included voice-overs by Miami HEAT players, coaches and personalities.

Miami HEAT Scholarships / Dr. Jack Ramsay Scholarship: Each year, the HEAT offers $10,000 in scholarship funds to high school seniors. Scholarships are awarded based on academic performance, community service and financial need. Scholarship winners for the 2004-05 year will be announced shortly.