South Florida Science Museum

Young Friends and Families
of the South Florida Science Museum

NOVA ROYALE: Pharaoh’s Mystique

On Saturday, October 4, 2008 The Young Friends and Families of the South Florida Science Museum transformed The National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach into far Egyptian lands for their annual fundraising gala, Nova Royale: Pharoah’s Mystique.

Beginning with a cocktail reception, around 100 members of Palm Beach County’s young, hip social set mixed and mingled at the best party this side of the Nile. While enjoying the Egyptian themed backdrop, the Young Friends scoped out items in the spectacular silent auction, including: a one night stay at the Night Swan in New Smyrna Beach, a one night stay at Hotel Biba in West Palm Beach, a wine tasting for 10 from Store Wine Storage, and four diving excursions to explore the ocean waters off of Florida. After bidding on these exclusive items guests moved inside to enjoy a seated dinner in the jewel-themed dining room. After dinner, it was time to Walk Like An Egyptian while dancing the night away to hot DJ sounds.

Co-chairs Heather Greenhill and Virginia Oatley were thrilled with the success of the event. “This event brought together such a fantastic group, all here in support of science education in Palm Beach County,” said co-chair Heather Greenhill of Rudolph & Associates Law Firm. “I’d like to thank our committee and Honorary Media Chairs for making this event such a great success!” Honorary Media Chairs of Nova Royale were Virginia Lang of WILD 95.5 fm and Jay Cashmere of WPTV Channel 5.

Funds raised at Nova Royale support science education in Palm Beach County and the comprehensive campaign for the new South Florida Science Museum. Chairpersons of the Young Friends and Families of the South Florida Science Museum committee are Heather Greenhill and Virginia Oatley. For more information please call (561) 832-1988.

NEW PHOTOS COMING SOON!

WILD 95.5’s Virginia Lang and WPTV Channel 5’s Jay Cashmere serve as honorary chairs during Nova Royale

As The Young Friends and Families of the South Florida Science Museum plan a “trip”to the Egyptian lands for their upcoming event, Nova Royale: Pharoah’s Mystique, the committee is pleased to announce that Wild 95.5’s Virginia Lang and WPTV’s Jay Cashmere will serve as honorary media chairs for the October 4, 2008 evening at the National Croquet Club.

A New Orleans native, Virginia Lang grew up in the home of great food, incredible people and culture. She attended LSU and then went on to begin her radio career with TIGER 100.7 in Baton Rouge at the age of 20. From there, Lang moved on to Huntsville, NYC, Biloxi, and Virginia is a current member of the Young Friends and Families of the South Florida Science Museum.

“ Joining the Science Museum’s Young Friends committee has been such a great experience,” said Lang. “With a young child I know the importance of science education. Seeing what the Museum brings to children in our community, I am proud to help in such a fun and exciting way.”

Also a New Orleans native, WPTV reporter Jay Cashmere shares his love of scuba diving through his yearly “Underwater Wednesday’s” news special. He regularly visits the South Florida Science Museum’s McGinty Aquariums to discuss some of his favorite dives, which he also shares on-air. Some of these dives include visits to multiple wrecks and reefs in the Keys, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands, Bonaire and The Dominican Republic.

Jay graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Broadcasting and minors in English and Geography. He has won two Associated Press awards for best reporting and feature reporting, and in 2004 was nominated for a Suncoast Emmy award for "Destructive Tires," one of his scuba diving reports. Jay’s “Underwater Wednesday’s” series also earned him a community service award from the US Coral Reef Task Force in 2004 for increasing public awareness on coral reef conservation. Jay currently serves as a board member for Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, and volunteers his time with several local service organizations including the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast and The Christina and Paul Martin Foundation. When Jay is not logging dive time he enjoys golf and cooking Cajun food.

Click here to see some of the Committee’s past events

About Young Friends and Families
of the South Florida Science Museum


Mixers, Museum events, even an evening on the croquet green, are all in store for The Young Friends and Families of the South Florida Science Museum under the direction of 2008-2009 committee co-chairs Heather Greenhill and Virginia Oatley. Heather Greenhill, a marital and family law attorney at the law firm of Rudolph & Associates LLP, is excited to begin her work as co-chair. “This is an amazing group of individuals,” said Greenhill. “I am thrilled to co-chair the committee. We have already planned some fabulous events for the upcoming season and hope to see many new faces at these events to learn what our group is all about.” Heather, who was a nationally competitive gymnast for 15 years, was raised in Palm Beach County and graduated from the International Baccalaureate program at Suncoast Community High School. She received her bachelor’s degree with Honors from the University of Florida and her juris doctorate degree from the Walter F. George, Mercer University School of Law in Georgia. In addition to her involvement with the Science Museum, Heather supports several non-profit organizations including Hearts & Hope, Inc. and the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure. “ Heather joined the Young Friends and Families of the South Florida Science Museum in 2007 and has played an active role ever since,” said Dr. Rachel Docekal, Vice President of Institutional Advancement for the South Florida Science Museum. “Heather is joining Virginia, who has done a remarkable job for our organization. I know these two have big plans and will reach new heights this year.” Virginia Oatley, a West Palm Beach real estate investor, is thrilled to co-chair the committee for a second year. Aside from the Science Museum, Oatley is a committee member of many other local organizations such as Planned Parenthood, Norton Museum of Art, American Friends of British Art, Junior League of the Palm Beaches, and Historical Society of the Palm Beaches. Oatley grew up in Palm Beach and graduated from Rollins College. After working in finance in London and New York, she returned to the Palm Beach community five years ago and resides in West Palm Beach with her daughter Madison who likes nothing more than to spend an afternoon playing at the Science Museum. The Young Friends & Families of the South Florida Science Museum is an extension of the Museum focused on fundraising and raising awareness for the Museum and its programs. This dynamic group was founded in 2006, and is rapidly becoming a vital part of the Museum and the Palm Beach giving community. Filled with an exciting cultural, social and educational events calendar, the dynamic group of young professionals seek to promote and advance the appreciation of science.

Founding Chairs
Kathryn C. Vecellio and Julie Rudolph

2008 - 2009 Chairs
Virginia Oatley and Heather Greenhill

2008 - 2009 Committee
Ben Alexander	Janie Fogt	Susan Nefzger
Clark Beaty	Alison Rogers Haft	Lenora Nickerson
Abigail Beebe	Don Kiselewski	Brooke Raich
Jennifer & Scott Busby	Jamie Marceaux	Heath Randolph
Carla Canedo	Jessica Marulli	Angela Kai Reynolds
Dianna Craven	Jen McNeill	Pam & Todd Schanel
Angela Culveyhouse	Kathleen Millier	Laura Sessions
Evan Davis	Sara Misselhorn	Krista Springer-Basore
Rosanne Duane	Adam Myron	Frances Webster

Benefits of Membership to Young Friends and Families
of the South Florida Science Museum

Annual Membership to the Museum

Invitations to Members’ Only events throughout the year

Complimentary tickets to special exhibits

Subscription to Museum magazine

Discount in Museum Store

Discounts on summer camp and special workshops

Discounts on birthday parties

Free or reduced admission to over 250 other science centers and museums around the state, country and the world

Offering of Insider Tickets to the Diamond Constellation Ball

Opportunity to promote the mission of the South Florida Science Museum:
To excite curiosity and further the understanding and appreciation of science and technology.