Born in the Tri-City area of the Glades, Mitchell, the Founder and CEO of Muck City United, INC, has always been aware that its people are the source of its power. Tri-City residents use to create much, resulting in a bursting and lively community bursting with potential. Amongst them are Heroes and Sheroes who silently go the extra mile. Those heroes and sheros became the blueprint of Mitchell’s goal for his non-profit organization, Muck City United (MCU, formerly Muck City BLM). The high school athletics and music programs have been huge draws to the area for decades. Willie and Estella Pyfrom were legendary leaders in the music and auxiliary programs at Glades Central. Mitchell grew up watching them become bonus parents to thousands of children as they led the band program. Mitchell benefited directly from their service, serving as the band’s head drum major during his senior year of high school under Willie Pyfrom’s tutelage while Mrs’ Pyfrom led the dancing and auxiliary department.
“I has the initial idea for renaming the band room in honor of Mr. Pyfrom during a conversation I had with him one day. At an event planned to celebrate his nearly sixty (60) years of service as an educator, I asked would you like your name on the building? He told me “Yes, I would like to see that!”. From then on, it became my mission to see it done. Mitchell immediately began contacting the Glades Central staff and the Palm Beach County School Board to find out what needed to be done. His diligence was renewed when he received a call from Mrs. Pyfrom, who asked about the project’s status honoring her husband. Mitchell knew that Mrs. Pyfrom, who gained her own national notoriety for launching Estella’s Brilliant Bus, also deserved recognition for her years of service. Mitchell was immediately inspired to add her name to the building next to her husband’s name.
After a long brainstorming session between Mitchell and his friend and alum Shakecia Benjamin {a clarinet player}, they came up with a deserving name for the building. Then after numerous phone calls and follow-ups with interested parties, Mitchell’s conversation with Mr. Pyfrom became a reality! Glades Central Community High School Building #5 will be renamed the WILLE AND ESTELLA PYFROM HALL OF MUSIC AND AUXILIARY on Friday December 9th 2022!!! Sadly, Mrs. Pyfrom passed away in 2021, and what was intended as a surprise for both will be unveiled in memoriam of her beautiful spirit and his winning presence. We know he will be pleased and surprised once he learns his soulmate was also honored, and she will smile down on him and beam pride in return!
Muck City United INC. and its Board Members credit many contributors and sponsors with adding the Pyfrom name to the building. The building naming committee included the Pyfrom Family, Fromer Band Alumni, and Band Parents. In addition, he thanks the Glades Central School Advisory Council (SAC) for their support and Glades Central High School’s submission to the Palm Beach County School Board, who gave the final approval. Besides MCU, corporate sponsors were Quantum Foundations Grant, Healthier Glades, Friends of the Everglades, and individual special donations from Philip Kushlan, Mirielle Miller, Kina Phillips, James Smith, and Eve Samples. As the entity which created the building name and secured its approval, MCU used funding to cover lettering for one of the two sides of the building, food provided by Local Business Coal Brothers, and Trev’s House of Treats, and other special contributions to commemorate the event. MCU is proud to embody its mission through this act as we honor (2) Pillars and HomeTown Heros of the Muck Tri-City communities, KING WILLIE and QUEEN ESTELLA PYFROM!!
Sponsor for Willie and Estella Pyfrom Hall of Music And Auxiliary
