Holiday Gift Exchange
On December 18 we held our annual holiday gift exchange. This was a great opportunity for camaraderie with fellow members ….. lots of laughter, gift stealing! Holiday desserts were provided by Karen McElveen, Debbie Fitzpatrick and Margie Duffell for this event and to celebrate members who had December birthdays:
Susan Baran 12/01
Felix Cruz 12/01
Paul Reeves 12/20
And those members who have December anniversaries:
John Waitner 2 Years
Debbie Fitzpatrick 3 Years
Ali Qizilbash 9 Years
We also presented our waitress Lisa with a thank you card and gift for everything that she does for us throughout the year.
Students of the Month
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 the daily demonstration of good citizenship both at school and at home. Students recognized for the month of December were Madison Deperi and Christopher Cordner from Sebastian River High School, Baylee Walker from Sebastian River Middle School, Tamara Coakley from Storm Grove Middle School, and Hassan Sharar from Sebastian Charter Junior High School.
Madison Deperi is an IB Diploma Candidate. she is very disciplined and conscientious. She has a weighted GPA of 4.233 and Class Ranking of 32/370. She is a member of the National Honor Society and recognized for the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists Award of Excellence. Madison is a Varsity Soccer Player, is on the Varsity Track Team and a member of the District Championship Team 2017-2018. She has received our Scholar Athlete Award (must have an unweighted GPA of 3.5 while playing a varsity sport). She is also a member of Model UN, Art Club, SADD Club (President), Church Youth Group at Roseland United Methodist. Madison Volunteers at GFWC Sebastian River Junior Women’s Club Science Camp and at the North County Library. She is certified in S.P.A.C.E. GIS in Transportation and Logistics. In accepting her award she said “Thank you to the Exchange Club, my incredible teachers, and parents. I have been accepted at UNF and FAU and am looking forward to a major in biology. Thank you all for your support. I appreciate this with my whole heart.”
Christopher Cordner is also an IB Diploma Candidate. He carries a weighted GPA of 4.625 and ranked 2/370. He has been an IB Student Kindergarten throughout 12th grade and he is a member of the National Honor Society. He is on the Varsity soccer team and Varsity football kicker. Chris has volunteered for Lines in the Lagoon Fishing Tournament, Michael Shields Inshore Charity Fishing Tournament and the mock Ellis Island Immigration simulation at Liberty Magnet. He is a member of the Yes I can Club, FBLA and a research assistant in Stimgenics. Chris has also been awarded our Scholar Athlete Award (must have an unweighted GPA of 3.5 while playing a varsity sport).
Chris has made an application to the US Naval Academy and has received a recommendation from Representative Posey. He has also made an application to UF to study biomedicine. In accepting his award he thanked our club for the opportunity to be recognized saying, “I am appreciative and humbled to be chosen. Thank you to my parents for pushing me to be the best I can be.”
Baylee Walker has an amazing work ethic. She is always willing to help and go the extra mile by giving lending hand, daily, and just helping wherever and whenever necessary. She is always encouraging to her peers and she strives for excellence. She is one of our top student-athletes as well in the school, as she balances two sports (volleyball and girls lacrosse) as well as maintains honor roll status in her academics. She has made great strides in her athletic sports, as she was team captain of her volleyball team, as well as one of the leading players for her girl’s lacrosse team. With her amazing work ethic and her drive to be great; she has a boundless future ahead of her and she will definitely accomplish all of her goals. In accepting her award Baylee thanked our club, teachers, and parents for supporting her.
Samara Coakley is hardworking and responsible, a member of the NJHS and a cheerleader. She has all straight A’s and sets the tone for academic success for her peers. She is kind, well organized and volunteers in class. She wants to attend VBHS and on to UF to become a doctor. She loves running and photography. In accepting her award she said, “thank you to my teachers and the Exchange Club for this opportunity.”
Hassan Sharar is a straight A student this semester. He is hardworking and honest and adores his little 2-year-old “princess” sister. He is quiet but does everything right. In accepting his award Hassan said “I am very honored and grateful for being here. Thank you to my school and parents for what I have become.”
Community Giving
On December 11th we awarded checks to Youth Guidance and The Gifford Youth Achievement Center. Laurie Connelly, a director of Youth Guidance and mentor said “Thank you for your generous donation – mentors are positive role models for the youth. Freddie Wolfork from GYAC also thanked us for your donation saying it helps fund their food bank, buy clothing and furniture for needy families. He said GYAC also stands for “Giving Youth a Chance.”
A “real” check for $12,180 was also presented at our December board meeting to Phil Barnes of Boys and Girls Club!
What a Surprise for Phil from the Boys and Girls Club!
Community Outreach
By Karen McElveen
The Sebastian Exchange Club’s annual Ecumenical Food Pantry Christmas Food Box delivery took place on Thursday morning, December 12th. Many members showed up on Wednesday afternoon. Unfortunately, the order was not yet pulled together, so it moved to Thursday morning.
The demand for Christmas food boxes is down this year, according to Dennis Klamm at the Food Pantry, so we only had 60 complete boxes to fill. Consequently, we were able to purchase a healthy supply of dog food and baby diapers, which are always in high demand and cannot be purchased with Food Pantry money.
Hats off to Curt Chapman and Felix Cruz, who offered up their trucks for the delivery. Thanks also to all who participated: Eva Chapman, Kathy Burns, Debbie Fitzpatrick, Karen McElveen, Phil Barnes, and Michael Natale.