THE EXCHANGE CLUB OF SEBASTIAN, FL
NEWSLETTER Volume 20, Issue 10 May 31, 2020
Guest Speaker Series
Gigi Casapu
On May 20th our member Phil Barnes introduced our speaker Gigi Casapu, Tennis Professional at The Cascades Retirement Community in Port St. Lucie, Fl. In 1992 Gigi moved to the US from Romania where he and his brother were both tennis professionals. In 1994 his brother, who remained a tennis professional in Romania, was killed in an automobile accident. Gigi has been involved with volunteering his tennis skills with Youth Guidance and has been the organizer and tournament director of the King of the Hill Tennis Tournaments for the past 25 years. He said that this is his way of giving to the kids “in his (brother’s) memory and for myself.” The King of the Hill Tournament participants are 50+ in age and come from as far north as Melbourne to Jupiter in the south. The Moorings Club is very supportive of the tournament. Proceeds are used to fund the programs of Youth Guidance. He thanked our club for our support for the last 10 years.
The Youth Guidance Board wanted to do something for Gigi for his volunteerism. The Gigi Casapu Tennis Scholarship was created to be given to deserving youth to continue his or her education. This year’s recipient (chosen by board members, mentors, and group leaders) is Isaiah Davis.
Isaiah is a senior at Vero Beach High School where he played on both the football and wrestling teams. He entered the scholarship contest with an essay explaining his future goals. He plans to attend IRSC and become a firefighter. Youth Guidance programs are dedicated to enriching the lives of Indian River County youth through mentoring relationships that inspire trust, self-esteem and positive futures. Isaiah said Youth Guidance has been a very positive influence on him. He has been in the program for 3 years. He assisted with the Vero Beach Air Show by running the concession stand which “helped me to build character.”
Phil closed by saying that YG Programs assist 300 kids each year. The summer schedule will be pushing trades and vocations (like bike repairs, carpentry, sewing), life skills, and vocations to introduce the kids to lucrative career paths. Any of our members who are able to introduce them to their field should please contact Phil at 772-492-3933.
On May 27th our guest speakers were Jaime Sturgeon, IB Coordinator from Sebastian River High School with the 2020 Youth of the Year and ACE Award recipients. The Youth of the Year Recipient has achieved high levels of scholastic achievement, community involvement and leadership. This year’s recipients were Alexander Ortiz-Velez and Alyssa Sturgeon. The ACE Recipient has made dramatic changes in his or her performance during high school. This year’s ACE Award recipient was Rian Butler.
Alex will attend Stetson University where he will study music. He will be in the Honors College and the Bonner Program. He plans on continuing to volunteer while in college. He said , “I am thankful for being selected as the Youth of the Year.” The scholarship funds will help him with tuition. Alex thanked his parents for their continuous support and our club for this award.
Alexander Ortiz Velez
Alyssa will attend Stetson University studying history. Her goal is to be child advocacy lawyer. She will be in the Honors College. Alyssa thanked her parents for their support, and Mrs. Metcalf, her kindergarten teacher for providing a great educational foundation and always believing in her. She is thankful for being selected as the Youth of the Year, saying “I am so honored to be chosen.”
Alyssa Sturgeon
Rian was recognized as the ACE recipient. Rian is an IB Diploma student who has beaten the odds. When she was five, her parents split up due to drug use and domestic violence. Her father was in prison for many years of her life. Rian lived with her grandparents, whom she thanked for sacrificing for her and raising her. She began martial arts at a young age and became a black belt by the age of 10. She says, “martial arts has been a big catalyst to overcome obstacles.” She has continued to study martial arts and hopes to be a martial arts instructor as well as a Physical Therapist. Rian will attend UCF and said, “Thank you so much for selecting me for this award.”
Rian Butler
This and That
Mike Natale announced that Kim Sviben, Pelican Landing has made an application for membership. Phil Barnes has arranged for us to install a Freedom Shrine at the Youth Guidance center. We have also met our new member growth requirements for the Excel Club and Jr. Excel Club this fiscal year. These are among several other components that contribute to our club receiving the Big E Award this year!
Due to Covid19 virus continued restrictions Eva Chapman stated that the 27th Annual Blue Water Open has been postponed until June 5, 2021. The board and BWO committee are reviewing the possibility of a Virtual Tournament. All sponsors still get billing on our website as will donors who choose to support our cause. Please keep in contact with your sponsors and let them know that their support continues to help the kids in need in our community.
Paul Williamson suggested we set up on-line selling for our trip ticket raffle and that is now in place. PayPal and credit card payments are now available on our web site and tickets will be mailed to purchasers. Raffle basket items will also be available on-line. The drawings will be held on June 27th. Every member is asked to sell as many tickets as possible. Remember that the winner can use this or any equivalent trip chosen for 2 years after the drawing – or take the cash – sell, sell, sell!
Also due to the threat of Covid 19 virus Phil Barnes stated that he is working on rescheduling the Jr. Blue Water Open. More information will follow.
The Annual Installation Dinner event will also be determined based on Phase 2 or Phase 3 Covid19 Re-opening criteria. It is possible that officers/directors may be installed via Zoom Video Conference at a regularly scheduled membership meeting in June with the awards ceremony to follow at a later date. More to follow.
Community Involvement
This community has always come together during the worst times, and the coronavirus pandemic is no different. When the pandemic is over, we ask everyone to remember to patronize our local businesses!
The Sebastian Police Department will hold a food drive on Saturday June 6th at Walmart in Sebastian. Please stop by with nonperishable food items that day or drop off at the Police station during the week. 
Children attending Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy recently received a special surprise of care packages full of goodies delivered right to their doorstep. Youth Guidance staff members hand-delivered care packages to 50 low-income children in need. The packages included puzzles, games, toothbrushes, hygiene products, snacks and more.
“You could see the kids’ faces light up immediately when they saw our van. A lot of them ran out to meet us – they were so excited,” said Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy executive director Phil Barnes. “We wanted to do something to let our kids know that we are still in their corner, and I definitely think we accomplished that today.”
Group Leaders Delivered Packages to their Students
| This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY |
This Quarter’s Visitors –
Please Come Again!
04/29 – Kim Sviben, Pelican Landing (Mike Natale)
Happy Birthday! We will celebrate all those we missed again soon!
June Birthdays
Paul Williamson 06/22
Charles Fischer 06/30
2019-2020 SCHJS Jr Excel Officers Jason Fuegel- President Elect, Matthew Acosta – President, Aiden Rico – Treasurer and Alexandria Simpson, Secretary hold club banner with other club members
Meetings have been canceled and school will be closed for the remainder of this school year. Here are the accomplishments these students have completed this year:
- Americanism – 4 patches
- Proper Flag Etiquette in November
- Letters to Military in December
- National Law Enforcement Appreciation in January
- National Black History Month in February
- Community Service – 5 patches
- Fall harvest supply drive in October
- Grace Rehab visit in October
- Dress Down Day in November
- Food Drive in December
- National Black History Month in February
- Youth Programs
- Flier distribution to homerooms in September
- Prevention of Child Abuse – 2 patches
- Distribution of Flyers to homerooms in September
- All district clubs received Proclamation from IRC Commission for ongoing efforts and sign placement in the county (Flyers distributed on Parent Square) in April
- National Day of Service – 1 patch
- All district clubs received Proclamation from IRC Commission for ongoing efforts and sign placement in the county in April
Excel Club of Sebastian River High School
Front Row: 2019-2020 Club Officers Kameron Riggins – Secretary, Tamika Lazarre – President-Elect, Alexander Ortiz-Velez – President and Sarah Cosner – Treasurer Back Row: Club Builders Terry Gardner, Kathy Burns & Margie Duffell
Meetings have been cancelled and school will be closed for the remainder of this school year. Here are the accomplishments these students have completed during their Charter year:
- Americanism – 1 patch
- Letters to Veterans in November
- Youth Programs – 3 patches
- Grand Cay K-12 in September
- Teens for Jeans In February
- Presentation to SCJHS Jr Excel Club Members in March
- Community Service – 3 patches
- Grand Cay K-12 in September
- Teens for Jeans in February
- Presentation to SCJHS Jr Excel Club Members in March
- Prevention of Child Abuse – 1 patch
- All district clubs received Proclamation from IRC Commission for ongoing efforts and sign placement in the county (Flyers distributed on Parent Square) in April
- National Day of Service – 1 patch
- All district clubs received Proclamation from IRC Commission for ongoing efforts and sign placement in the county in April
Congratulations to the members and advisors of both of these clubs! As this school year closes we wish you all the best in your future endeavors! We all look forward to the 2020-2021 year’s club growth and achievements.
Our American Flag – Did You Know?
- If it touches the ground and is not soiled it does not need to be disposed of
- It can be washed or dry cleaned
- The proper way to dispose of it is to deliver to the American Legion or VFW for proper burning and burial
- It must be illuminated at night
- There are 13 folds in the triangle. The triangle represents the hat that the patriots wore during the revolutionary war
- The 21-gun salute was originated as the ships welcome to vessels coming into the harbor (8-6-7)
- While a prisoner on an English ship Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner
- The flag never fell fully to the ground, but was held at a 45-degree angle by bodies of patriots who had died
- The English gave up the war when they could not the flag fall to the ground
Calendar of Events
Due to the Covid19 threat future meeting events will be held on Zoom. We will keep you updated when luncheon meeting scheduling will resume.
June
06/03 – Zoom – No Meeting (Board Only)
06/10 – Zoom – Students of the Month?
06/17 – TBD
06/24 – TBD
06/27 – Installation Dinner at Captain Butchers (tentative)
Annual Elections
Board Elections were held at our April 29th meeting. The following were elected:
President Ali Qizilbash
President-Elect Phil Barnes
Secretary Eva Chapman
Treasurer Diana Best
Directors – Two Year Term
Lyse McDonough
Karen McElveen
Adam Preuss
Directors – One Year Term
Kathy Burns
Terry Gardner
Johnathan Rhodeback
Congratulations to all – thank you for serving our club!
District Director Rene’s Corner
Sebastian Club: We have funded seven $2000.00 scholarships in 2019 including recipients in 2018 and 2019. Some have deferred the scholarship their first year which we allow them to do. The Scholarship and Youth of Year Committees have met. Rene reports the scholarship recipients of the Sebastian Exchange Club Scholarship Foundation for 2020 are:
Leticia Ovalle- $2,000
Alexander Ortiz Velez-$2,000
Madison Uhle- $2,000
Sofia Carmona-$2,000
Alyssa Sturgeon- $1,000 H.R. “Rappy” Perez scholarship
Adam Preuss Student Chairman has announced the following recipients:
Youth of the Year:
Alexander Ortiz Velez $1000
Alyssa Sturgeon $1000
ACE:
Rian Butler $1000
Rian’s application/essay was advanced to the National Level, which means that she was also awarded the District Scholarship . . congratulations to this deserving young lady!
Indian River Club:
The club held its 4th Annual Toss Out Child Abuse Charity Cornhole Tournament on March 7th at Walking Tree Brewery. Thirty sets of partners teamed up, some arriving early to warm up and hoist a few limited-edition craft beers made especially for the tournament. A total of $3000 was raised for the prevention of child abuse and other local youth-oriented activities. Congratulations Indian River Club for your successes!
Fellsmere Club:
Due to the Covid19 Virus the 2020 Shrimpfest & Craft Brew Hullabaloo scheduled for Friday, March 20th through Sunday March 22nd was cancelled. Watch the website at shrimpfestfl.com for any rescheduling possibilities.
President Elect Phil Barnes
Secretary Eva Chapman
Treasurer Diana Best
Directors – Two Year Term
Lyse McDonough
Karen McElveen
Adam Preuss
Directors – One Year Term
Kathy Burns
Terry Gardner
Johnathan Rhodeback
Congratulations to all – thank you for serving our club!
District Director Rene’s Corner
Sebastian Club: We have funded seven $2000.00 scholarships in 2019 including recipients in 2018 and 2019. Some have deferred the scholarship their first year which we allow them to do. The Scholarship and Youth of Year Committees have met. Rene reports the scholarship recipients of the Sebastian Exchange Club Scholarship Foundation for 2020 are:
Leticia Ovalle- $2,000
Alexander Ortiz Velez-$2,000
Madison Uhle- $2,000
Sofia Carmona-$2,000
Alyssa Sturgeon- $1,000 H.R. “Rappy” Perez scholarship
Adam Preuss Student Chairman has announced the following recipients:
Youth of the Year:
Alexander Ortiz Velez $1000
Alyssa Sturgeon $1000
ACE:
Rian Butler $1000
Rian’s application/essay was advanced to the National Level, which means that she was also awarded the District Scholarship . . congratulations to this deserving young lady!
Indian River Club: The club held its 4th Annual Toss Out Child Abuse Charity Cornhole Tournament on March 7th at Walking Tree Brewery. Thirty sets of partners teamed up, some arriving early to warm up and hoist a few limited-edition craft beers made especially for the tournament. A total of $3000 was raised for the prevention of child abuse and other local youth-oriented activities. Congratulations Indian River Club for your successes!
Fellsmere Club: Due to the Covid19 Virus the 2020 Shrimpfest & Craft Brew Hullabaloo scheduled for Friday, March 20th through Sunday March 22nd was cancelled. Watch the website at shrimpfestfl.com for any rescheduling possibilities.
This is a joint effort with the Rotary Club of Sebastian and will raise funds to support youth sports and organizations throughout north Indian River County.
Greater Palm Bay Club: The club cancelled its Junior Fishing Tournament at Pineapple Park in Melbourne scheduled for Saturday April 18th. Contact Ron Smith for more information at ronlsmith45@gmail.com.
The One Nation Under God Pancake Breakfast will be held on Saturday November 21st. Location to be determined.
A car show is planned for the future – date to be determined.
“June is the gateway to summer.”
-Jean Hersey
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This is a joint effort with the Rotary Club of Sebastian and will raise funds to support youth sports and organizations throughout north Indian River County.
Greater Palm Bay Club: The club cancelled its Junior Fishing Tournament at Pineapple Park in Melbourne scheduled for Saturday April 18th. Contact Ron Smith for more information at ronlsmith45@gmail.com.
The One Nation Under God Pancake Breakfast will be held on Saturday November 21st. Location to be determined.
A car show is planned for the future – date to be determined.
“June is the gateway to summer.”
-Jean Hersey
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