Willie and Estella Pyfrom dedicated their 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 their community.  They devoted many years of service to Palm Beach County School District and students in the Glades communities.

 

Willie 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 and began volunteering with the district.

 

​​Estella Pyfrom was a career educator 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 in 2008. This initiative features a custom tech bus outfitted with 17 computer stations to offer internet to rural and under-connected communities in Palm Beach County. She knew access to computers was a chance for success, and she expanded the program with an additional passenger bus equipped with internet and tech to reach more areas in Southern Florida and beyond. The buses not only provide computers and internet access to support students in their educational needs but also offer services for homeless individuals to apply for housing and other necessary resources. 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.

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Finally, to expand 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 and Scholarships announced yearly.