A literacy initiative that has reached Dunedin High School and Palm Harbor University High School earned a spotlight at the Pinellas Education Foundation's 40th-anniversary celebration on Thursday, Sept. 24.

Ellen Truskowski, Pinellas County Schools' director of federal programs and special projects, received the Impact & Innovation Award for her role in the foundation's Closing the Gap program. The initiative targets a gender gap in elementary reading, with boys trailing girls in literacy achievement. A combined Dunedin High and Palm Harbor University High team took first place in the Guys Read Book Battle, a competition developed under the program, according to the foundation's website.

The awards were presented at the foundation's ninth annual ChangeMakers Breakfast at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park, as first reported by St. Pete Catalyst. Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Kevin Hendrick attended.

The foundation also announced it is designing a STEM-focused innovation center at the Gus A. Stavros Institute in Largo. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2027. No cost estimate or funding details have been released.

Bobby Coston Jr., assistant principal at Lealman Avenue Elementary and a 2025-26 Teacher of the Year top-10 finalist, received the ChangeMaker Award. Coston grew up in St. Petersburg, graduated from Boca Ciega High School and participated in the foundation's Take Stock in Children mentoring program as a student. He earned degrees from Florida A&M University and Stetson University.

"Receiving this award is incredibly meaningful to me because my story is deeply connected to Pinellas County," Coston told St. Pete Catalyst.

Bob and Kay Dillinger received the Champion of Education Award. The couple founded the Beth Dillinger Foundation in memory of their daughter, a nonprofit providing food, clothing and education to youth in need. The Dillinger family has supported the Pinellas Education Foundation for more than 17 years. Bob Dillinger died in 2024.

CEO Kim Jowell told St. Pete Catalyst the foundation is focused on early literacy, getting students reading on grade level before third grade and helping more students complete Algebra 1 by ninth grade. As of early 2024, 49 teachers had completed a micro-credentialing course in gender-differentiated instruction under Closing the Gap. The course was the first of its kind in Florida.

Established in 1986 by Dr. Gus A. Stavros, the foundation has raised more than $200 million for Pinellas County Schools students and teachers.

Take Stock in Children applications remain open through Sunday, Oct. 4. The foundation's senior scholarship application period runs from Wednesday, Sept. 30, through Jan. 31, 2027.