It is with great pride that The Exchange Club of Sebastian presents the Students of the Month for October: Payge Anderson from Sebastian River Middle School, Kelsie Seeley from Storm Grove Middle School, Abigayle Parrott from Sebastian Charter Junior High School, and Fiza Alikhan and Jayden Hughes from Sebastian River High School. Brandon Nevarez was chosen as the September student of the month from Storm Grove Middle School but received his recognition during October.

Sebastian Exchange Club’s Young Citizenship Award honors pre-high school students who demonstrate good citizenship both at school and at home daily. This 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.

Payge Anderson – Sebastian River Middle School

Payge Anderson is an excellent student and role model to her peers. She is an exceptionally hard worker that always strives to do well and is always willing to support others. Payge not only has the utmost respect for her teachers, but she is also extremely respectful of her peers within the classroom and is very diligent with her assignments. She is a natural peer tutor. If someone needs help, she is always willing to lend a helping hand. She cares about her grades and her peers. She is a quiet but great friend to her classmates, and she works hard to be successful. She comes to class with a smile and a great work ethic. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys creating digital art and loves to fish.

Brandon Nevarez – September Student of the Month Storm Grove Middle

Brandon Nevarez is a very quiet, hard-working student who exemplifies the Storm Grove values of respect, responsibility, and role model. He was selected as student of the month for September, is an honor roll student, and participates in 1st section band. He is also a member of the jazz band and the National Junior Honor Society. He is very supportive of other students. His hobbies are running, drawing, reading, and occasionally playing video games. He plans to attend SRHS and continue to UCF.

Kelsie Seeley – Storm Grove Middle School

Kelsie Seeley is also a student who exemplifies Storm Grove values of respect, responsibility, and role model. She is kind, considerate, and caring and a peer mentor who also supports her teachers. She is a straight A Honor Roll student, a member of the National Junior Honor Society, and a cheerleader. She enjoys many types of dancing, playing basketball, and being with her family. Kelsie volunteers at her church and school and is a caregiver to two golden retriever puppies. She plans to attend VBHS and then continue her studies to become a physical therapist or professional dancer.

Abigayle Parrott – Sebastian Charter Junior High School

Abigayle Parrott is an exceptional student and a natural leader among her peers. She is not afraid to stand up for what she believes. Abigayle is conscientious and courteous and has infinite positivity, integrity, and work ethic. She is a member of school sports and clubs and volunteers for the youth ministry of her church. Abigayle wants to study to become a veterinarian of large animals after graduating from high school.

The Youth of the Month Award recognizes hard-working high school students who attain high scholastic achievement, community involvement, and leadership. This proven program rewards outstanding young people and provides an incentive for other youngsters to strive for equally high levels of achievement.

Fiza Alikhan – Sebastian River High School

Fizza Alikhan is an IB Diploma Candidate with a 4.44 weighted GPA and is ranked 13th in her class. She is a student who is always prepared and ready to engage in the lesson. She’s kind, sweet, and helpful and is well-respected by her teachers and peers. She is a National Honor Society and National Technical Honors Society Member and has received her Certified Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing. Fizza is a member of the Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy, Marching Sharks, Pride of Sebastian, and was selected to represent SRHS on the Superintendents Advisory Council. She participated in Teens Listen by interviewing veterans to record their stories for posterity. She is on the lacrosse and weightlifting teams and loves to spend time with family, working out, and listening to music. She plans to attend UF and pursue a medical career.

Jayden Hughes – Sebastian River High School

Jayden Hughes is also an IB Diploma Candidate, has a weighted GPA of 4.608, and is ranked 2nd in his class. He is an AP Scholar with Honors and has been selected for the College Board National Recognition. Jayden is on track to become the first African American valedictorian in Sebastian River High School’s 27-year history. He is an amazing young man with many talents and interests. He is a member of the Masterminds Club, Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy, the National Technical Honors Society, and the President of the National Honor Society. He was nominated and attended discussions with Harvard and UF Alumni about future college aspirations and potential career paths at various schools. He has received his Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing. Jayden tutors for Mathnasium in Vero Beach. He helped repaint a kid’s playroom at a Women and Children’s refuge home in Vero Beach during United Day of Caring. Jayden works part-time at Publix and loves to travel, work out, try new foods, and watch new shows and movies. He plans to attend Duke University and pursue studies in the medical field.

Exchange Club of Sebastian

The Exchange Club of Sebastian is a service organization striving to make our community a better place to live, emphasizing Youth Programs, Americanism, and the Prevention of Child Abuse. Their annual Sebastian Exchange Foundation Blue Water Open Charity Offshore Fishing Tournament will be held on June 4th in 2022, at Capt. Hiram’s. Over $850,000 has been raised through the years, of which all have been given to worthy charities in the community. Consider attending a noontime luncheon meeting any Wednesday, except the first Wednesday of each month, to learn more about Exchange and the BWO. Visitors are always welcome.