Shannon Your next Village of Pinecrest Seat 3 Council Member
Their first date was a horseback ride up the Andes mountains to vaccinate the local population against smallpox. She was a young American serving in the Peace Corps. He was a young Peruvian with a social conscience. Sixty years later, they run a medical clinic for the under-served population in the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru.
That is my parents’ story. And it is where mine begins. I am Shannon del Prado and I am running for Re-Election to Village Council Seat #3.
I grew up throughout Latin America and the United States. My father joined the U.S. Foreign Service and my mother was a health project manager for USAID. I attended 12 schools before graduating from high school. I returned home for college and law school. I was working for the US Department of Justice in Washington, DC when I met my husband, Skip Pita. He was a young Cuban-American lawyer. He had a passion to make the world a better place – a trait that resonated with me.
We were married 25 years ago. We moved to Miami because it was a multicultural city. When we were ready to raise a family, we chose Pinecrest. Because my family moved so often growing up, I recognized the sense of community in Pinecrest. Community is important to me.
Pinecrest has been a wonderful place to raise our family. There are so many intangibles about Pinecrest that make it special. My three children shared the same kindergarten teacher at Palmetto Elementary. As they grew, their teachers often stopped by to watch their lacrosse games one of many other events. We see our neighbors walking, volunteering in our community, and supporting the Farmer’s Market. This is Pinecrest’s essence. It is what makes Pinecrest a special and vibrant community.
So many of our Pinecrest neighbors share the spirit of volunteering. I have had the honor of serving with other parents as a room mother and a Girl Scout troop leader. When we wanted to boost science scores in the elementary school, my husband and I formed a Science Task Force and pulled together scientists in our community (we even have a rocket scientist and she lives in Pinecrest). We were able to raise money to bring hands-on science into the class room. I have also had the honor of serving with other neighbors on the Pinecrest Zoning Board. I have served as Vice President for the PTSA at Palmetto Senior High School and its Treasurer.
Service is part of my family’s very fabric. My parents continue to run the clinic in Peru. My husband and I have organized nine South Florida medical teams that have traveled there and performed over 300 surgeries for the underprivileged. To be a part of these efforts has been an honor and a privilege.
Council Seat #3 is a volunteer position. I have practiced law with my husband for twenty four years. I believe that my ability to listen, to empathize with people’s concerns and to have a calm, analytical approach to problems helps me as a Councilmember.
It has been an honor to represent our community. I thank you for your consideration.
- Initiated Pinecrest Peacock Mitigation Program.
- Initiated Pinecrest Composting Program.
- Initiated Cross Walk at Coral Pines Park. Cross Walk to be installed 2024.
- Initiated installation of new, driver-alerting speed signs. Signs to be installed 2024.
- Supported Water Project. Potable Water and fire hydrants now accessible to 743 more Pinecrest homes.
- Supported Acquisition of two new parks. Matzner Park design finalized.
- Improved police retention by making officer compensation competitive to peer municipalities.
- Supported Expansion of Pickle Ball opportunities.
- Fought for and maintained our Village Charter, and our fundamental form of representative government.
- Consistently Voted for and Kept Tax Rates the Same and Low.
- Pinecrest continues to be ranked the #1 Municipality to live in Miami-Dade County.
- Named Vice Mayor 2024.
- Pinecrest Resident 20 years
- Married to Skip Pita 29 years and Raised our 3 Children in Pinecrest Schools
- inecrest Zoning Board – 2 years
- Law Enforcement — 3 years US Dept. of Justice on Police Force Professionalization
- Palmetto High PTSA — VP and Treasurer (2018-2020). Continue to volunteer at the High School
- Board Member, Palmetto Elementary ACT Committee to Raise Funds for Teaching Aides- 9 years
- Co-Chair Palmetto Elementary Science Task Force – Raised Funds for Science Teacher and Equipment for Hands-On Lab Experiments and Interactive Learning
- Girl Scout Troop Leader (Troop #513)
- Vice President Palmetto High Lacrosse Booster Club (2019)– organized and raise funds for team
- Organized 9 South Florida Surgical Teams to Peru.
- Raised Funds for Chapman Partnership to feed the Homeless (2023).
- President Miami Dade Trial Lawyers Association (2016)
- Recipient Art Garcia Award for Public Service (2013)
- Lawyer and Founding Partner, Pita Weber Del Prado