Our Youth of the Year Recipient has attained high levels of scholastic achievement, community involvement, and leadership. The 2019 recipients of the Youth of The Year Award are Connor Ford and Aimee Nicole Mejia Rone of Sebastian River High School.
Connor Ford is an IB Diploma Candidate with a 4.52 GPA. He is an AP Scholar, member of the National Honor Society, FBLA Mu Alpha Beta, a band mentor for disabled youth and local elementary students. He handles adversity well and is on the leadership committee of the Marching Sharks and Pride Band. He hopes to attend UNC Chapel Hill, N.C. or a Florida University and study business and sports medicine. In accepting his award Connor thanked our club, his family, teachers and counselors and IB Advisor Jaime Sturgeon.
Aimee Nicole Mejia Rone moved to the United States in the 6th grade. She learned to speak English and was admitted to the Sebastian River Middle School IB Program in the 8th grade. She is now in the SRHS IB Diploma Programme with a 4.239 GPA. Aimee is a member of the National Honor Society, “Its in the Bag” Program, Student Council, Salvation Army Red Kettle Club and an AP Scholar. Aimee was overwhelmed with gratitude for receiving her award.
Our A.C.E. Scholarship Recipient has made dramatic changes in his or her performance throughout high school. The 2019 recipient of our A.C.E. Award is Ariana Gerner of Sebastian River High School. Ariana is in the IB Programme and has a 4.536 GPA. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Vice President of the school student body and has recently received her CNA certificate. She has played Varsity Lacrosse for 4 years and competed in Track and Field. She has also been a hostess and office aide and assisted with the Honor Flight. Ariana is the ideal IB student: hardworking, dedicated, dependable and caring.
Ariana endured very hard times in the 10th grade when both parents lost their jobs. She got a job to help out and support herself through her high school years. Even so, she continued her studies in the rigorous IB Programme as well as athletics and her job. In thanking our club for her award Ariana said she has learned how to manage time and how to fend for herself. She plans on attending the University of Florida and become a nurse practitioner specializing in psychology saying, “mental health is most important.
Margie Duffell