Willie and Estella Pyfrom dedicated their entire lives to educating and mentoring students and youth throughout the Glades. Surrounded by migrant field workers and poverty, they worked hard to overcome their environment and became pillars of that same community. 

 

The two of them together devoted many years of service to Palm Beach County School District and students in the Glades communities. Mr. Pyfrom worked as a Music Teacher and Band Director for over 56 years at several schools throughout the county, including Belle Glade High School, when it was integrated in 1967. Due to a successful band program, he has earned a plethora of excellent and superior ratings. Also, with his influence, many students went on to become successful in their careers as band directors, principals, university professors, and vice presidents. In 2020, he retired but still volunteers with the district.

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Mrs. Estella Pyfrom capped a career in education for over 35 years. She worked at several schools throughout the county as a Teacher, Guidance Counselor, and Summer School Administrator. After retirement, she saw a need for children living in underserved neighborhoods not having access to technology and internet services. She was heralded as a hero for using her retirement funds to launch Estella's Brilliant Bus, a custom school bus outfitted with 17 computer stations to offer the internet to rural and under-connected communities in Palm Beach County. She knew access to computers was a chance for success. The bus provided computers and internet access to assist students with their educational needs and services to homeless individuals to apply for housing and other necessary services.  

 

One of her favorite quotes was: “Investing in people, the dividends and returns will be greater in the future." As a result of her work, the Brilliant Bus won recognition in 2013 by President Barack Obama, who honored her as a Point of Light at the White House. She was named one of 10 CNN Heroes also. In 2014 she received the Oprah Winfrey “The Life You Want” Award. In 2015, Oprah also named her the top VIP in the nation and profiled her in the January issue of O Magazine. She was featured in a Microsoft commercial that aired during the Super Bowl, and a month later, she was a guest on the Dr. Oz Show. She is also listed in the Directory of Who’s Who for her perseverance, demonstration of leadership skills, and her personal and occupational achievements. She was invited to be a guest on the Steve Harvey Show.

Finally, to continue the works of Willie and Estella Pyfrom, the foundation will provide financial scholarships to gain aid with books, school supplies, technology, and assistance with diverse academic experiences that will contribute to the cultivation of well-rounded students.

 

Applications will be available on January 31, 2024, online and at the local area schools. Scholarships will be announced in April.