- January 13, 2026
June Bigham stands behind her brick. Photo by Sydney Tevin
June Bigham's dedication brick. Photo by Sydney Tevin
June Bigham smiles with family members. Photo by Sydney Tevin
Seabreeze High School Principal Tucker Harris, Administrative Assistant Jeanette Oberst, June Bigham, and teachers Jennifer Campanella, Hannah Offenberg and Kasondra Williams. Photo by Sydney Tevin
Samantha Couch gifts June Bigham flowers. Photo by Sydney Tevin
June Bigham’s signature tuxedo brownies. Photo by Sydney Tevin
Faculty members at Seabreeze High School gathered on Dec. 19, 2025, to honor retired culinary teacher June Bigham with an engraved stone, a tribute to her decades-long impact on the school’s culinary program and its students.
Bigham first joined Seabreeze High in 1988, teaching home economics/consumer science. As the school’s academic offerings evolved, Bigham transformed her class into a culinary program in 2000, which was later established as the Academy of Culinary Design in 2001. To help launch the program, the National Restaurant Association sent Bigham to Johnson & Wales University for a chef certification. She taught for 32 years.
Bigham’s influence resonated far beyond the classroom, according to former student and current culinary teacher Hannah Offenberg.
“It impacted me tremendously on how I run this program,” Offenberg said. “I was able to see every single day how she ran it.”
During her tenure, Bigham established traditions that still define the program, including catering events for staff and sharing signature recipes like her tuxedo brownies. She helped cater community functions, including the Paul Rice Law Office, the opening dedication of Hinson Middle School, Thanksgiving meals for faculty and even a food parade for the Florida Senate.
“I just felt, this is my community,” Bigham said. “The school is part of my community.”
To recognize her legacy, faculty members created a commemorative brick, now placed in the school’s courtyard. Many of Bigham’s students have gone on to successful culinary careers, inspired by her guidance.
After COVID-19, Seabreeze High School temporarily discontinued all academies, reclassifying them as programs. Now, the culinary program is set to reclaim its academy status for the 2026-27 school year, with plans underway for a student-led catering café.
