The January Students of the Month, brought to you by the Exchange Club of Sebastian, include Isabelle (Izzy) Acosta of Sebastian Charter Junior High School, Johnathan Phan from Sebastian River Middle School, as well as Mia Harrell and Zacary Cavill of Sebastian River High School.

The Young Citizenship Award recognizes pre-high and high school students who consistently exhibit good citizenship in their school and home environments. The program aims to acknowledge and promote honesty, hard work, helpfulness, and fairness in young individuals. In practical terms, the award is a valuable tool for classroom teachers to inspire and motivate promising students. Additionally, it offers the Sebastian Exchange Club an opportunity to provide crucial encouragement during a formative period in these young individuals’ lives, helping to shape their characters positively.

Isabelle Acosta (Sebastian Charter Junior High School)

Isabelle Acosta effortlessly manages a demanding schedule of honors courses. Her GPA has consistently held steady at 4.0 throughout her middle school years. Isabelle is not only academically exceptional but also a person of outstanding character. She exhibits kindness, respectfulness, reliability, fairness, and good citizenship. Over time, she has transitioned from being a classroom leader to a leader within the entire school community.

In the classroom, Isabelle is an engaged learner with a strong work ethic, always ready to assist her peers and consistently striving for excellence in every assignment. As the President of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), Isabelle secured her position with an overwhelming vote of confidence, thanks to her heartfelt and enthusiastic speech demonstrating genuine care and concern for her school and community. She excels as both a leader and a member and consistently achieves greatness in all her endeavors.

Johnathan Phan (Sebastian River Middle School)

Johnathan Phan, an outstanding student and remarkable individual, serves as a role model for his peers, consistently displaying kindness and a willingness to help others. His strong work ethic and unwavering determination make him excel academically, setting high standards for his classmates.

In addition to his academic achievements, Johnathan is a talented scientist whose project was chosen to represent SRMS at the Indian River Regional Science & Engineering Fair, showcasing his expertise in this field. Furthermore, he actively participates in the student council and leads with a quiet but impactful presence. Johnathan’s positivity is infectious, making him someone everyone enjoys being around. His exemplary behavior and character make him a shining role model for his fellow students.

Mia Harrell (Sebastian River High School)

Mia Harrell, who holds the esteemed title of SRHS 2024, Valedictorian, is a highly committed IB Diploma Candidate with an impressive Weighted GPA of 4.713. Her academic achievements are complemented by her active involvement in the National Honor Society and her role as the Vice President of her Senior Class. Additionally, Mia is recognized as both an AP National Rural & Small Town Scholar and an AP Scholar.

Moreover, Mia’s dedication extends beyond the classroom as she actively participates in the Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy and has earned certifications in BACE (Biotech) and AG (Agriculture), showcasing her versatility and knowledge in various fields.

Mia’s commitment to her school community is further exemplified through her active participation in clubs such as the Environmental Club and the Pickle Ball Club. In addition, she has been a Varsity Swimmer for 4 years, and earned MVP in her freshman year and the Unsung Hero in her sophomore year. She is also a Blackbelt in Karate and instructs “Little Dragons” (5–6-year-olds). She has played Varsity Lacross for 4 years. Mia does not take her success for granted and is always willing to help others. She embodies the IB learner profile traits of communicator, inquirer, and caring.  

During her leisure hours, she enjoys visiting the beach and hitting the gym, indulging in music, expressing herself through painting, and cherishing quality moments with her family. When graciously accepting her award, she expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Sebastian Exchange Club, her dedicated advisors, supportive teachers, and loving parents. Her aspirations involve attending FSU and pursuing a career in medicine, where she intends to utilize her expertise to alleviate patients’ anxieties and fears.

 Zachary Cavill (Sebastian River High School)

Zachary Cavill, an IB Diploma Candidate, boasts a remarkable academic record with a Weighted GPA of 4.582, securing him the 13th position in his class ranking. His involvement in various extracurricular activities is equally impressive. He has been an integral member of the National Honor Society, the Marching Sharks Band for four years, the Jazz Band from 2021 to 2024, the Steel Band from 2020-2021 and 2023-2024, and the Wind Ensemble from 2021 to 2024. Zachary has also displayed exceptional leadership as part of the Sebastian River High School Band’s leadership team from 2022 to 2024 and as Drum Major from 2023 to 2024.

Beyond his school commitments, Zachary demonstrates a strong commitment to his community. He volunteers as a Junior Councilor at a local science camp catering to elementary school-aged children, serves as an Elementary School Science Fair Judge, and contributes as a Score Keeper and Coaches Assistant for Junior Varsity Baseball at Sebastian River High School. He has been an employee of Publix Supermarkets Inc. since 2021.

In his leisure time, Zachary indulges in various interests, including hitting the gym for workouts, enjoying football and baseball as both a spectator and player, engaging in video games, and cherishing moments with his friends. His passion for science, particularly rockets, is evident, and he eagerly delves into the intricate details of the subject.

Zachary is a stellar student and embodies the traits of the IB learner profile, such as being principled, a thinker, and an effective communicator. He is widely recognized as a leader among both faculty and peers. His peers admire his depth of knowledge and willingness to share his expertise, particularly in history.

When accepting his well-deserved award, Zachary extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Sebastian Exchange Club, his devoted advisors and teachers, as well as his parents for their unwavering support. Looking ahead, he has ambitious plans to attend UCF and enroll in the Mechanical Engineering Honors Program, further cementing his commitment to academic excellence and community leadership.

The Exchange Club of Sebastian

The Student of the Month program is just one of the numerous community initiatives sponsored by The Exchange Club of Sebastian. Their commitment extends to a wide range of activities, including granting scholarships to graduating seniors, providing essential food and supplies to the Roseland Ecumenical Food Pantry, organizing holiday gifts for children supported by Guardians for New Futures, contributing to Nana’s House, collecting supplies for the Chum Bucket at Sebastian River High School, offering support to veteran and military organizations, and much more.

A significant annual fundraising event, The Blue Water Open Charity Offshore Fishing Tournament, is scheduled for May 31 – June 1, 2024. The proceeds from this event are pivotal in enabling the club to sustain its Projects of Service, which encompass the Prevention of Child Abuse, Youth Activities, Americanism, and Community Involvement.

For those interested in learning more, you are invited to attend their luncheon meetings every Wednesday, with the exception of the first Wednesday of each month. These meetings take place at noon in the Tiffany Room of Capt. Hirams Resort and guests are always welcome.