Knighting Honorees

2023 Knighting Honorees

Sylvia Martin-McGinnis
Growing up across the Matanzas River in Vilano Beach with her three sisters, Sylvia Ann Martin – McGinnis is the proud mother of 3 wonderful children and enjoys spoiling her 5 grandchildren. Sylvia’s career path has taken her from the role of a hair stylist all the way up to her current position as a Senior Sales Director with Mark Kay Cosmetics. Over 50 years ago, Sylvia embraced the reenacting community in St. Augustine which led to her working in the Easter Festival and Royal Family to this day. In 1981, she also became a pirate with the Krewe of the Blackheart and instrumental in the first pirate gathering. Working within these local groups, she brought her love for living history to the forefront and was an essential link between these organizations and the City of St. Augustine. Additionally, Sylvia was part of a dedicated group, whose efforts successfully brought the Tall Ships into the St. Augustine Port & Marina. Due to her passion for this city and its history, she was honored in 2022 with induction into the Order of Leviathan, which is an international pirate Krewe. This same passion, along with her donation of over a thousand volunteer hours - spanning half a century - to the groups already mentioned and several women’s organizations, makes her a wonderful new member to our honorees.

Father Gilbert Medina
Father Medina was ordained to the priesthood in 2007 and is currently the pastor of Saint Peter Catholic Church in DeLand. In addition to his many responsibilities as shepherd of his flock, Father Medina also partakes in many historical events in St. Augustine. His portrayal of historic figures in events such as Pedro Menendez’s birthday celebration and Founder’s Day have helped educate thousands of visitors about the pivotal moments that formed this very city. He is grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of maintaining and contributing to the Spanish culture and traditions of the nation’s oldest city. He is quoted as saying, “Portraying the founder of the great city of St. Augustine has deepened my awareness and respect for the Spanish culture. The contributions of so many different peoples from the various parts of the Spanish Empire, whose descendants are here today, have enriched the formation and development of this beautiful city, and indeed all of La Florida. Viva Espana!” It is our pleasure to honor a man who is a true and dedicated cultural educator of this city’s founding nation.

Elizabeth Duran Gessner
Elizabeth has a background in art history, Spanish language and history. She has worked on development of historical resources in St. Augustine such as Mission Nombre de Dios, the Cathedral Basilica, and the Sisters of St. Joseph. Elizabeth is most well known in St. Augustine for being the founder and current President of the Tolomato Cemetery Preservation Association. This site is important to many of us locals here in St. Augustine who are descendants of the diverse groups who are buried within - including but not limited to Spanish, Minorcan, Irish, African, Greek, and Italian peoples. Through her tireless efforts, she has partnered with the University of South Florida to digitally scan and 3D map the Tolomato Cemetery, ensuring this historic landmark is accessible for generations to come. Elizabeth is proud of how the preservation of this cemetery enables us to focus on and get to know the lives and real history of the families of St. Augustine, from the First Spanish Period all the way through to the end of the 19th century. Her unceasing dedication to document the history of this oldest continuously settled city in the Unites States clearly demonstrates why she has been selected to receive this honor.