The Kappa Eta chapter of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity (ATO) hosted its inaugural Derby for Dreams fundraiser Oct. 4, uniting students, families and community members for a day of racing and philanthropy.
The event drew more than 80 attendees and featured over 25 pinewood derby cars competing in a lighthearted, family-friendly atmosphere. By day’s end, the chapter had raised $4,000 through 89 online donors and more than 20 cash donations. The funds will help build a sensory garden at nearby University Park Elementary School.
Aerospace engineering senior and ATO chapter president Jake Minsky said the idea stemmed from the fraternity’s desire to make a meaningful, local impact.
“We reached out to University Park because they are the closest elementary school to campus, so we could make an immediate impact,” Minsky said. “Along with this, a pinewood derby event is a fun activity for Florida Tech students because many of us are engineers.”
The partnership between the fraternity and University Park was built around a shared goal of long-term community engagement. University Park Principal Dr. Tracy Shenuski said the sensory garden will serve as a space for emotional regulation and mindfulness, a hands-on hub for STEM and environmental education, a venue for inclusive play and social interaction, and a canvas for artistic expression and storytelling.
“We are so grateful to Florida Tech and Alpha Tau Omega for their generosity and commitment to supporting our students,” Shenuski said. “By integrating the garden into our daily routines and curriculum, we’re helping students build resilience, empathy and a deeper connection to the natural world.”
On Nov. 20, ATO members visited University Park to formally present the $4,000 donation. Florida Tech President John Nicklow, Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Mark Rendell and school board member John Thomas attended the presentation and offered remarks recognizing the partnership. The check presentation marked the official launch of the collaboration and celebrated the success of the fraternity’s Derby for Dreams fundraiser.
“Being a successful student at any level can sometimes be stressful,” Nicklow said. “So, I am so proud and pleased to celebrate the addition of a critical tool in responding to that aforementioned stress—a place where engagement will be about sounds and smells, tactile experiences and purposeful design, not the next assignment.”
The fraternity’s sponsorship will fund the design and installation of sensory-rich features, such as musical instruments, fragrant plants, textured pathways and interactive stations. Continued support from ATO will also cover year-round maintenance and educational programming to maximize student engagement and learning.
For ATO, the garden represents an opportunity to create something that will continue to grow year after year.
“Building a sensory garden was something that the principal wanted to do, and we liked the idea because it can be a continuous project that we improve on every year,” Minsky said. “The chapter and I are super excited to have a partnership that will last for years.”
For a first-time event, Derby for Dreams exceeded every expectation, Minsky said, and the chapter was thrilled by the strong community turnout and creative car designs. His favorite moment came when Florida Tech assistant professor Timothy Crombie and his son claimed first place in the derby.
Minsky credited several people for making the event possible, including Florida Tech dean of students Cat Nanney for event coordination, ATO chapter advisor Mark Nanney for securing the pinewood derby track and chapter members Lachlan McKlveen and Nicholas LaSpina for helping plan the event, along with the entire ATO brotherhood for its enthusiasm and teamwork.
With the success of its first Derby for Dreams, ATO plans to make the event an annual tradition that continues strengthening ties between Florida Tech and the local community.