Just a couple of months ago, The Broward Health Foundation hosted a virtual tribute to all the healthcare heroes who have been on the front lines. The one-hour special event not only expressed gratitude for their selfless healthcare workers but also raised more than $225,000 for Broward Health Foundation’s Covid-19 Relief Fund, which provides ongoing philanthropic support for Broward Health’s evolving needs throughout the pandemic.
Hosted by six-time Emmy Award-winning journalist Laurie Jennings, the tribute featured moving patient stories, uplifting interviews with frontline workers, segments with Broward Health leadership, and appearances by special guests such as NBA Hall of Famer and Miami Heat legend Alonzo Mourning and former Miami Dolphins standout Twan Russell.
Nonetheless, a highlight of the presentation was the debut of an original song entitled “Light and Love,” composed and produced by Weston native Shelbie Rassler. The gifted musician is a Cypress Bay High School graduate and currently a master’s degree student at the prestigious private performing arts conservatory, The Julliard School in New York City.
“When the Broward Health Foundation reached out about writing a piece dedicated to our Healthcare Heroes, I could not have been more honored and excited. These incredible individuals risk their lives every single day for the well-being of others, and I felt so fortunate to have had the meaningful opportunity of saying ‘thank you’. Furthermore, as a student who grew up in Weston, it was special to work with current area high school students and collaboratively produce this piece for the event,” exclaimed Shelbie Rassler.
Rassler has already gained national attention for several high-profile collaborations, and her original score was performed by dozens of South Florida high school students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Dillard High School, J.P. Taravella, Archbishop McCarthy, South Plantation, Dreyfoos School of the Arts, NSU University School, American Heritage, Western High School, and Cypress Bay High School, who collaborated on vocals, instrumentals, and dance.
“After everything this past year, it was nice to be able to give back to the people who have spent every day at the forefront of the pandemic. Using the arts, we were able to thank the healthcare workers in the way we know best and offer some light in the middle of all the darkness,” said Cypress Bay senior Ashely Valent.
