The Exchange Club of Sebastian proudly announces its Students of the Month for March. This initiative celebrates diligent pre-high and high school students whom their teachers and peers have nominated for their outstanding academic achievements, community engagement, leadership, and consistent demonstration of good citizenship both within their educational institution and at home. The honored students for March are Sophia Watford from Sebastian Charter Junior High School, Paula Carrasco-Pazmino from Storm Grove Middle School, Noah Doyle from Sebastian River Middle School, and Evelyn Castro and Kai Edwards from Sebastian River High School.
Furthermore, the Young Citizenship Award recognizes one student monthly from each of our local middle and junior high schools. This program aims to acknowledge and foster students who exhibit honesty, diligence, helpfulness, and fairness traits. These students actively collaborate with teachers and parents, readily offering assistance whenever needed. This award is an effective tool for classroom teachers to motivate promising students further. It also emphasizes to these students the importance of good citizenship, affirming their conduct and attitude are noticed, appreciated, and duly rewarded.
Sophia Watford (Sebastian Charter Junior High School)
Sophia Watford is an exceptional student and leader among her peers. Respectful, polite, and a positive role model, she consistently demonstrates dedication and hard work. Always willing to assist others, Sophia’s kind heart and determined spirit make her a valuable presence in the classroom. Throughout her time at Sebastian Charter Junior High School, Sophia has maintained a stellar academic record, holding a cumulative 4.0 GPA and enrolling in all advanced classes as an 8th grader. She has also been actively involved in the National Junior Honor Society. With aspirations of attending college and pursuing a career at NASA, Sophia’s passion for space exploration is evident. Outside academics, she excels in youth sports, particularly volleyball, basketball, and running club, where she emphasizes the importance of teamwork and social skills.
She says, “Playing on a sports team means being patient, a team player, and social. It teaches you important skills that you will use forever.”
Noah Doyle (Sebastian River Middle School)
Noah Doyle is an exceptional student known for his remarkable diligence and active class participation. He excels academically and is committed to assisting his peers, leading them to higher performance levels. Noah’s natural inclination to take on leadership roles within collaborative settings showcases his caring nature and ability to inspire others. He serves as a commendable role model, both within and beyond the classroom, balancing a laid-back demeanor with a determined drive for success. Noah’s respectful attitude towards all staff members further underscores his admirable character. Overall, he is recognized for his intelligence, kindness, and authenticity. Upon receiving his award, Noah expressed gratitude to the Exchange Club, his parents, and advisors for their encouragement in his academic journey.
Paula Carrasco-Pazmino (Storm Grove Middle School)
Paula Carrasco-Pazmino embodies the essence of a stellar Stingray through her exemplary academic performance and outstanding character. Known for her impeccable manners and kindness, she consistently demonstrates respect towards both staff and peers. With a blend of intelligence and creativity, Paula diligently completes her assignments, maintaining a remarkable A’s and B’s record. She has even earned high school credit and completed the Reading Challenge. Paula’s dedication to her studies is evident as she plans to continue her education at the Charter High School in the upcoming fall semester. Actively involved in the scouts and proficient in two languages, she exudes positivity and enthusiasm daily. Paula’s willingness to engage in class discussions and offer assistance to her peers further highlights her commendable attitude. Upon receiving her award, Paula expressed gratitude to her teachers, friends, and family for their unwavering support and encouragement.
Youth of the Month Award
The Youth of the Month Award recognizes two seniors from Sebastian River High School who excel in scholastic achievement, community engagement, and leadership. These students consistently exhibit good citizenship both within their school environment and at home. This established program not only honors exceptional young individuals but also serves as an encouragement for other youths to aspire to similar levels of achievement. Furthermore, recipients of this award have the opportunity to apply for the Youth of the Year accolade at both the Exchange Club District and National levels.
Evelyn Castro (Sebastian River High School)
Evelyn Castro stands as an IB Diploma Candidate with an impressive array of achievements and involvements. Not only is she a member of the National Honor Society, but she also serves as the Senior Class Representative and Secretary of the Future Business Leaders of America club. Evelyn’s dedication also extends to sports, as she’s been a valuable member of the Girl’s Golf team, earning the Scholar Athlete designation consecutively in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Additionally, she contributes to her community as an inaugural member of the Peer-to-Peer Club and as a Science Fair judge at multiple elementary schools. Showing a keen interest in the medical field, Evelyn shadowed an orthopedic surgeon at Vero Orthopedics. Outside her academic and extracurricular pursuits, she enjoys reading and cherishing moments with her family. Known for her thoughtfulness, kindness, and stellar academic performance, Evelyn embodies the traits of a true IB learner, such as being a thinker, open-minded, and principled. Her exceptional motivation and commitment to her goals set her apart from her peers. Upon receiving her award, Evelyn expressed her gratitude, stating, “I am so happy to be chosen,” and extended her thanks to the Exchange Club, her parents, and advisors for their unwavering support.
Kai Edwards (Sebastian River High School)
Kai Edwards excels in both his academic and extracurricular pursuits. Currently enrolled in International Baccalaureate (IB) classes and dual-enrollment courses from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, he maintains an impressive 4.618 weighted GPA, ranking fourth among 402 students. Kai’s achievements include being recognized as an AP Scholar and holding memberships in prestigious organizations such as the Future Business Leaders of America and the National Honor Society. He’s also actively involved in the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (NJROTC), serving as the Operations Officer, where he oversees all unit activities, including coordinating over 2000 hours of community service annually. As a graduate of the NJROTC Leadership Academy, Kai demonstrates strong leadership skills on and off the field, having served as Captain of the Boys Tennis Team and achieved notable success in tennis competitions.
Additionally, he dedicates his time to tutoring elementary school students through the Peer-to-Peer Club. Fluent in English and Japanese, with some proficiency in Spanish, Kai is a versatile and dedicated student.
Expressing gratitude upon receiving his award, Kai thanked the Exchange Club, his parents, his commander, and his advisors for their unwavering support. He aspires to pursue a career in Aerospace Engineering, aiming to attend either the United States Naval Academy or the University of Florida and enroll in their Navy ROTC program to commission as an officer in the United States Navy.
Exchange Club of Sebastian
The Exchange Club of Sebastian actively engages in various local community endeavors beyond the “Student of the Month” program. Their core pillars of service include the Prevention of Child Abuse, Youth Activities, Americanism, and Community Service. An integral part of their annual calendar is the Sebastian Exchange Foundation’s Blue Water Open Charity Offshore Fishing Tournament, scheduled for May 31st to June 1st this year. This event has historically raised over $1,000,000, all of which is reinvested back into the community.
Those with similar interests are encouraged to join a Sebastian Exchange Club luncheon meeting held at noon at Capt. Hiram’s Resort every Wednesday, except the first Wednesday of each month. For further details about the Blue Water Open, visit www.bluewateropen.com.
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