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 March were Sophia Watford from Sebastian Charter Junior High School, Paula Carrasco-Pazmino from Storm Grove Middle School, Noah Doyle from Sebastian River Middle School, and Evelyn Castro and Kai Edwards from Sebastian River High School.
Sophia Watford is an exceptionally dedicated student and leader amongst her peers. She is respectful and polite, and a positive role model. She works hard, does her best, is always willing to help others and is a great source of encouragement for her peers. She has a kind heart and determined spirit and is a positive presence in the classroom. Sophia has excelled throughout her middle school years at Sebastian Charter Junior High School. As an 8th grader, Sophia maintains a cumulative 4.0 GPA average and is enrolled in all advanced classes. She has served on the National Junior Honor Society. Sophia has her eyes set on attending college and dreams of working for NASA someday. She has always been interested in space and how much of it hasn’t been explored yet. Sophia is also heavily involved in youth sports and is an outstanding athlete in volleyball, basketball, and is also a part of our school’s running club. She says “playing on a sports team means that you have to be patient, a team player, and a social person. It teaches you important skills that you will use forever.”
Noah Doyle is an exceptional student. He is incredibly hard-working and has wonderful class participation. He has shown a remarkable willingness to help other students and lead them to perform better. Noah is also caring when working in collaborative groups, he takes on the role of the group leader, it comes very natural to him. He sets a great example as a role model for his peers and fellow classmates to emulate both in and outside the classroom. He manages to remain an easy-going personality while still maintaining the drive that helps him succeed. Noah is extremely respectful to all staff that he comes in contact with him. Overall, he is a very intelligent, kind, and genuine student. In accepting his award Noah thanked our club his parents and advisors “for encouraging me to be a better student.”
Evelyn Castro is an IB Diploma Candidate. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Senior Class Representative and Secretary of Future Business Leaders of America club. She has been a member of the Girl’s Golf team, receiving the Scholar Athlete designation in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Evelyn is an inaugural member of the Peer-to-Peer club and a Science Fair judge at Fellsmere Elementary, Sebastian Charter Jr. High and Treasure Coast Elementary. She shadowed an orthopedic surgeon at Vero Orthopedics and loves to read and spend time with family. Evelyn is a most thoughtful, kind and stellar student. She exemplifies the IB learner profile traits of thinker, open-minded, and principled. She stands out amongst her peers as a highly motivated student and her goals do in fact have deadlines. In accepting her award Evelyn said, “I am so happy to be chosen” and thanked our club her parents and advisors for their support.
Paula Carrasco-Pazmino is an exemplary student and a model example of a stellar Stingray. She is well mannered and kind, always polite and respectful to staff and peers alike. She is intelligent as well as creative, and she is sure to get her work done! Paula has received all A’s and B’s, receiving some high school credit and is a Reading Challenge completer. She works hard and cares about her grades and plans to attend the Charter High School in the fall. She is a member of the scouts and is bilingual. Paula maintains a positive attitude every day and always brings a smile with her to class. She is ready to ask questions and help other students during class. In accepting her award Paula thanked her teachers, friends and family for helping her.
Kai Edwards is taking International Baccalaureate (IB) classes and as well as dual-enrollment classes from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He has a 4.618 weighted GPA and is ranked 4th out of a class of 402 students. He is an AP Scholar, a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society and Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp. He was a 2023 Florida American Legion Boy’s State Delegate, and a College Board National Recognition Recipient for Small and Rural Towns in 2023, and a Navy ROTC Scholarship recipient. Kai is the current Operations Officer of SRHS NJROTC (Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp). He manages the planning of all unit activities, including over 2000 hours of community service per year, and day-to-day schedules whilst incorporating the Navy’s core beliefs and values. He is a graduate of 2023 NJROTC Leadership Academy. Kai was Captain of the Boys Tennis Team and a 2023 Florida 3A Boy’s Singles Quarterfinalist. He tutors elementary school students through the Peer-to-Peer Club. He is bilingual in English, Japanese and some basic Spanish.
In accepting his award, Kai thanked our club, his parents, commander and advisors for their support saying, “I have received a letter of recommendation from Congressman Posey and hope to attend the United States Naval Academy or the University of Florida and enroll in their Navy ROTC program to commission as an officer in the United States Navy. I plan to major in Aerospace Engineering.”