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The Coconut Grove Village West Homeowners and Tenants Association has resolved
to name the new aquatic facility at Elizabeth Virrick Park ' Verneka Sturrup Silva Aquatic Facility'
in honor of Verneka Sturrup Silva, a local community leader and advocate.
WHEREAS, (iptuisrc Acroefb (lea was born in Miami, Florida, to William Samuel Sturrup
and Ellen Ingraham Sturrup, who were among the earliest settlers in Coconut Grove who migrated from
the Bahamas.
WHEREAS, after graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Miami and earning a
Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee,
Mrs. Silva began a 40+ year career in the Miami -Dade County Public School System, holding positions of
Physical Education Teacher, Guidance Counselor and, lastly, Assistant Principal at Coral Gables Senior
High School, from where she retired in 1986. She embarked on and completed graduate and post-
graduate pursuits at Atlanta University, New York University and Barry University while working full-time,
raising her daughter and caring for her parents.
WHEREAS, she was a lifelong member of the Historic Christ Episcopal Church in Coconut
Grove, served in various capacities, and, in 1978, was licensed by the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast
Florida as a Lay Minister -- becoming one of the first females in the diocese to receive that distinction.
WHEREAS, Mrs. Silva worked closely with Father Theodore R. Gibson, Mrs. Elizabeth Virrick
and other concerned residents in the 1950's and 1960's in their slum clearance effort in Coconut Grove.
An outgrowth of that project was the establishment of a City of Miami -owned and operated park and pool
and named in honor of Elizabeth Virrick, for the neighborhood families to enjoy.
WHEREAS, she was recognized over the years for many achievements from civic, social and
religious organizations, and educational institutions at local, state and national levels.
WHEREAS, Mrs. Silva's lasting effect on the lives of those individuals in her realm -- family,
neighbors, colleagues, sorors, students -- is a clear testament of why naming the aquatic facility in her
honor, and in the Coconut Grove neighborhood where she spent her lifetime, is so deserving.
NOW BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT we, the Executive Board and Members of the
Coconut Grove Village West Homeowners and Tenants Association (HOATA) extend our resounding
support of District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo's proposal to name the new aquatic facility at Elizabeth
Virrick Park the "Verneka Sturrup Silva Aquatic Facility".
Clarice Cooper, President
SIGNED this the 10th day of February 2026.
Reynold Martin, 1st Vice President Jamila Stephens, 2nd Vice President
P.O. Box 331963, Coconut Grove, FL 33233-1963 • 305-812-7834
City Clerk
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