Palmer Trinity School

A l u m n i S p o t l i g h t Lisa Dwoskin-Woityra '88   I graduated from Palmer School in 1988, and I had a blast the six years while there.  I was a cheerleader and in the Key Club with Mrs. R.G (now Ms. DV.)  I went to every dance and every basketball and football game and I took advantage of everything Palmer had to offer!  I loved the feeling of warmth that the school had to offer, the teachers, the students, the atmosphere of such a homey environment. It was small enough to really get to know everyone and feel like everyone really cared about you as an individual, not just a number like at bigger schools.  In the Key Club, we did lots of service work and I was always involved with any and every event that had to do with working with the community. Three of my best friends today were established at Palmer, Gina ArgibayDiaz, Sari Von-Buren, and Jason Graman.  I graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Exercise Physiology.  I did a lot of community work with the mentally handicapped and for St. Jude because this was something my parents were involved in.  My parents have been my role models because they have always believed in giving back to the community.  My father established a Foundation with the UM/Sylvester Hospital.  The Dwoskin Foundation has donated over one million dollars towards lymphoma cancer research.  Recently, I chose to do a fundraiser for the Braman Breast Cancer Foundation at the UM/Sylvester because my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2008.  It spread to her lymph nodes, so she had to undergo chemotherapy and radiation.  She finished her treatments on December 5th and she is CANCER-FREE!  All women need to follow her lead of a positive outlook and a love for life!   Metamorphecise Spa, Salon, and Health Club is located in Pembroke Pines.  My husband Matt Woityra and I opened it in 2001 and we now have 3,000 gym members and 1,500 spa members.  Every year, we do a Spin-A-Thon charity event.  This event has spinning bikes, dance classes, live entertainment, a health fair, and live and silent auction.  We have had it for Reach for the Stars Foundation, Dan Marino Foundation, and St. Jude.  This year, I wanted to do it for breast cancer because of my mom.  In the past, we have raised about $15,000 and this year we raised $25,000.  We had the event in October and thanks to the help of our members: Lawrence Taylor, Dwayne and Rocky Johnson, and the Miami Heat players, the sports memorabilia raised us much more money to help the cause. We also hosted Miami Heat Dancers, Deco Drive, and close to 1,000 attendees came out and supported the event.  We had feature articles in the Sun-Sentinel, The Miami Herald, and were also on Channel 10 News with Kristi Krueger.  It was a huge success and it will now become an annual event with the UM/Sylvester Hospital.   We also have a Spa Day for Breast Cancer patients in October, where they can enjoy free spa services to help make the patients feel better. Once a year, we do a transformation contest for people to transform their lives through diet and exercise, as well as mind and spirit. We have applicants who have really been through ordeals in their life (depression, abuse, etc.) enter and the winner wins $10,000 worth of prizes.  The Spa  manager's nephew became paralyzed from a motorcross accident and we did a fundraiser for him. We also have a child obesity program, with the help of the six kids from the Shaq's biggest challenge TV show.  We have helped over 50 kids this past year to get fit and healthy.  Dr. Muinos, from Miami Children's Hospital, is involved with us.  Metamorphecise tries to do three to five big events a year for charity and really give back to the community.   My husband and I have always been big fitness people but we never realized how beneficial having proper diet, exercise, and state of mind could save lives until we opened our business.  We have helped divorcees, cancer survivors, people who have lost loved ones, Alumnews 32

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