
OUR YOUTH OF THE MONTH AWARD recognizes hard-working pre-high school and high school students who attain high levels of scholastic achievement, community involvement and leadership, and daily demonstrate good citizenship both at school and at home.
Students recognized for the month of February were Jay Green from Sebastian River Middle School, Webster from Storm Grove Middle School, Sophia King from Sebastian Charter Junior High School, and Michaela Sparks and Kameron Riggins from Sebastian River High School.
Jay Green is the epitome of a model student. He is truly a future leader – always on time, never misses school and is A/B Honor Roll since the 6th grade. He will go out of his way to help any teacher or staff member at the school, with anything asked of him. He never complains, and he gives 100% effort in all he does. Jay is a top athlete playing basketball for the SRMS team for 3 years and leading his team as Captain this year. He is a hard worker on the court and in class – success is always on his mind. After high school he plans to attend FSU and study dentistry and become an orthodontist. in accepting his award Jay thanked his mom and dad, coaches and teachers saying, “I am honored to be accept this award.”
Webster is incredibly hard-working and determined to do his best in every aspect of his academic career. He approaches multiple challenges and excels at them. He not only accomplishes the assigned tasks but goes above and beyond what is expected every time, without exception. Webster is well-liked amongst his peers and often offers them help when needed. This budding scientist earned a Florida State bid for the International Science Fair this past two years in a row on very different scientific topics. HIs creative writing and artwork are off the charts as well. He is a member of the SGMS Soccer team, Concert and Jazz Band and NJHS as well as the Vero Beach Karate association, Treasure Coast Percussion and Indian River Soccer Academy. Webster plans to attend BVBHS and then on to University of Florida; majoring in Public Health, and then on to John Hopkins University majoring in Epidemiology and eventually getting doctorate in PHD. In his spare time He enjoys drumming, reading and drawing. In accepting his award Webster thanked his mom and our club “for this opportunity.”
Sophia King has been a tremendously successful and wonderful person in her 8th grade class. As a student at Sebastian Charter Junior High she takes all advanced classes, including high school Geometry honors, ELA, Science, and Spanish. She has also been an active part of various clubs in her 3 years at SCJH, including NJHS and athletic clubs. She has a down to earth attitude and elevates the people around her. She is a helper, a learner, a watcher, and a motivator. She never gives up on her success and makes the people around her more successful. Sophia leads meaningful discussion.
Her dependability and wisdom to speak when needed has made her stand out among her peers. In accepting her award Sophia thanked our club and her teachers, friends and family for always being there saying, “this is truly a great honor and I am grateful for it.”
Michaela Sparks is an IB Diploma Candidate with a weighted GPA of 4.454 and class rank of 23. She is Historian of the National Honor Society, member of the Student Council and an AP Scholar. She has earned passing scores in several IB and AP course by sitting for the exams without taking the course. She is a member of Teens Listen Program in which she interviewed members of the Gifford community and veterans as part of the Laura Riding Jackson Foundation Program. She is captain and a 3 year member of SRHS varsity Weightlifting Team. Michaela also volunteers with the Special Olympics. She loves art and going to the beach. In accepting her award she thanked her mom for encouraging her to be her best, hear friends, and our club saying thank you for “the honor of this Exchange Club Award.”
Kameron Riggins is also an IB Diploma Candidate a weighted GPA of 4.120 and ranked in the top 12% of his class. He is a member of National Honor Society. He was awarded Youth Volunteer of the Year (2018) for Sebastian River Middle School, has attended Florida Association of Student Councils Leadership Conferences (2017-2019) and was given the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (2018). He was a member of the Student Council and has served as Historian and Secretary. He also helped organize African American Student Council (2020) – a new organization started this year in the IRC School District. He was Secretary of the SRHS Excel Club in its inaugural year. For Day of Caring he assisted in making care packages for the homeless community. Kameron loves to cook and bake. He has been accepted to 3 of the 4 colleges to which he has applied. In accepting his award he thanked his aunt for always being there, his teachers and our club.
Margie Duffell
