The Exchange Club of Sebastian is proud to present the September Students of the Month: Devin Desai from Sebastian Charter Junior High, Dylan Erickson from Storm Grove Middle, Kenyan Paschall from Sebastian River High School, Robert Dangerfield from Sebastian River Middle, Briony Weragoda from Sebastian River High School.
Sebastian Exchange Club’s Young Citizenship Award honors pre-high school students who daily demonstrate good citizenship both at school and at home. It does not necessarily seek to salute star scholastic or athletic performers. Instead, the program is designed to recognize and encourage youngsters who are honest, hard-working, helpful and fair. In practice, the Young Citizenship Award provides classroom teachers with an effective tool to further motivate promising students. It also provides Sebastian Exchange Club with an enjoyable opportunity to supply the encouragement that can be so vitally important in shaping the characters of youngsters at an impressionable time in their lives.
Devin Desai exemplifies everything a student should be – great character, responsible, respectful, and a citizen in every way. He is viewed as a role model by his peers with his knowledge, diligence and articulation. He is incredibly hardworking, works well with students in his class and is confident as a leader who is always willing to help out. Devin is a stellar student and also a leader on the cross-country team. He strives to do his best and encourages others to do the same.
Dylan Erickson fits the description of the Storm Grove model student – a Responsible, Respectful Role Model. He is taking Advanced Placement classes and is a member of the National Junior Honor Society. In his personal time he enjoys Karate. Dylan hopes to continue his studies and become a therapist to help others.
Robert Dangerfield is a wonderful student that always comes to class with a positive attitude and is ready to learn. He is a role model in class by demonstrating several of the IB Learner’s Profiles, he is knowledgeable, principled, and open-minded. Robert models the IB program characteristics of being curious and inquisitive and he is always willing to communicate his thoughts during class discussions, encouraging his peers to be participants in discussions. Robert’s work ethic is top notch; if he does not succeed the first time, he will redo work to get the grade that he knows he is capable of achieving. Robert is a model student that any teacher would be proud to have in class. He said when presented with the award, “Good character can get you anywhere.”
The Youth of the Month Award recognizes hard-working high school students who attain high levels of scholastic achievement, community involvement and leadership. This proven program not only rewards outstanding young people, but also provides an incentive for other youngsters to strive for equally high levels of achievement.
Kenyan Paschall is an IB Diploma Candidate with a weighted GPA of 4.736 and Class Rank of 1st . He was a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist and recognized as the 2021-2022 Sunshine State Scholar for the School District of Indian River County. He was also recognized in the top 100 11th graders in Florida for 2021-2022. He is a member of the National Honor Society, an AP Scholar with Distinction, an AP Rural and Small Town Scholar (2021), an AP African American Scholar (2021). Kenyan is a member of the Peer-to-Peer Club and volunteers as a mentor for students at Fellsmere Elementary School, discussing strategies for dealing with anger, sadness, bullying, etc. and serving as an overall positive role model for the kids. He is a member of the Masterminds Club, representing Sebastian River High School at the state level. He tutors math for IB and AP students as well. Kenyan loves to surf. He teaches elementary students how to surf through Brando’s Surf School. After graduation he plans to attend University of Florida, University of Miami or Stanford to study environmental science. In accepting his award he thanked his teachers and The Sebastian Exchange Club for this “incredible recognition” and his parents for “always pushing me to be my very best.”
Briony Weragoda Is an IB Diploma candidate with a weighted GPA of 4.582 and a Class Rank of 8th She is a member of the National Honor Society and is an AP Scholar. She has earned 2 Biotech certifications. She has been a Drum Major since sophomore year (quite an honor) and has played on the Varsity Lacrosse team for 2 years. She has received superior ratings for 3 years on oboe and saxophone in the Solo and Wind Ensemble and is 1st chair on oboe. Briony is also the Senior Class Representative at Sebastian River High School. Her volunteer work includes a mission trip to Haiti where she taught English and mentored orphans, and working with Buddy Break assisting special needs children. She loves to paint, read, travel and hike. Briony plans to attend University of Florida or Georgia Tech to study bio-medical science and help animals. In accepting her award she thanked her teachers, Sebastian Exchange Club, and specifically her parents for “being my cheerleaders in 100% for all that I do.”
The Exchange Club of Sebastian is a service organization striving to make our community a better place to live, with emphasis on the prevention of child abuse. Consider attending a noontime luncheon meeting any Wednesday, except the first Wednesday of each month, to find out more about Exchange. Visitors are always welcome.
Karen McElveen
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