Sebastian Exchange Club Recognizes February’s Outstanding Students

The Sebastian Exchange Club is proud to announce its Outstanding Students for February, recognizing local students who exemplify strong citizenship. This month’s honorees are:

• Preston Beana from Storm Grove Middle School
• Hank Miller from Sebastian Charter Junior High School
• Annabella Perret from Sebastian River Middle School
• Emily Krajewski and Skye Clayton from Sebastian River High School

The Exchange Club presents two distinct awards: the Young Citizenship Award and the Youth of the Month Award.

The Young Citizenship Award celebrates middle and junior high school students who consistently demonstrate positive character traits. Each month, one student from each participating school is chosen for their honesty, hard work, helpfulness, and fairness. These students are known for their cooperation with teachers and parents and their willingness to contribute.

The Youth of the Month Award recognizes two high school students each month. Similar to the Young Citizenship Award, it selects individuals who demonstrate outstanding citizenship both at school and in their home lives. These awards highlight students who have already made a positive impact while inspiring their peers to do the same. Through this recognition, the Exchange Club emphasizes the importance of good citizenship, showing that positive efforts are appreciated and celebrated. In short, it’s a way to encourage students to keep up their commendable behavior. The program also equips teachers with a means to further motivate their students.

Preston Baena (Storm Grove Middle School)

Preston Baena’s steady dedication stands out at Storm Grove Middle School. He is a quiet leader willing to share his skills with fellow classmates. He excels in his studies, particularly math, and even spends his free time tutoring fellow students in algebra. He shows more than just academic success, he shows a heartfelt commitment to supporting others, earning him respect and a natural leadership role among peers.

Outside of academics, Preston is a member of the National Junior Honor Society. He channels his energy into service while balancing athletics with the Sun Devils travel lacrosse team and volunteering at Christ Fellowship Church. Looking ahead to Vero Beach High School, Preston lays the groundwork for strong academics and community involvement, showing that leadership comes through steady, caring effort.

Hank Miller (Sebastian Charter Junior High School)

Hank Miller stands out as a leader at Sebastian Charter Junior High. He is a guiding force, and steers his classmates toward their potential with a subtle yet steady confidence. He carries values like respect, honesty, and a deep sense of community, and puts them into action daily. His leadership shines through in the quiet consistency of someone who lives with integrity. Hank’s the type of student who lifts the energy in every situation, a young person destined to make a lasting difference down the road.

Hank embodies the five core principles of the National Junior Honor Society—scholarship, leadership, service, character, and citizenship—not as lofty goals, but as part of who he is as a leader. His excitement spreads to those around him, whether he’s digging into a tough math challenge or working with others on a project. Hank has a natural knack for relating to grown-ups and classmates, exuding a calm, joyful vibe. Hank doesn’t chase the spotlight, but his upbeat approach to every moment inspires everyone he meets.

Annabella Perret (Sebastian River Middle School)

Annabella Perret lights up SRMS with her upbeat energy, maturity, and steady effort. Ranking in the top three percent of her 8th-grade class, she doesn’t just succeed—she lifts those around her, guiding them with her quiet & strong example.

Her knack for science turned heads at the Indian River Regional Fair, earning her a trip to the State Fair and a spot in the Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge. A first-place nod from the American Psychological Association highlights her determination. Though soft-spoken, Annabella’s talent also flows into music, landing her a place in the 2025 Middle School All-State Honor Band.

Youth of the Month Award

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.  Chosen for the Youth of the Month Award for February are:

Emily Krajewski (Sebastian River High School)

Emily Krajewski, an IB Diploma Candidate, holds a 4.5 weighted GPA and ranks in the top 5% of her class. Part of the National Honor Society, she nailed a perfect score on the FAST ELA Reading Assessment as a sophomore and earned certifications as a Biotechnician Assistant (since May 2024) and WordPress Editor (since 2022). At SRHS, she’s a four-year Color Guard veteran, a 2023 Leadership member, and a Weightlifting Team athlete.

Accepting her award, she thanked her parents, teachers, and The Exchange Club of Sebastian, saying, “I am honored to be here.”

Emily’s heart for service shines as a Peer-to-Peer Mentor at Fellsmere Elementary, a volunteer for Adopt a Grown Cat, an aftercare aide, and a Night to Shine chaperone. Crazy about animals, she works at Midway Veterinary Hospital’s shelter and plans to study animal sciences at the University of South Florida or Florida Gulf Coast University. She unwinds with books, baking, cooking, and quality time with family and friends.

Skye Clayton (Sebastian River High School)

Skye Clayton is an IB Diploma Candidate, who rocks a 4.54 weighted GPA, landing him in the top 4% of his class. He is a National Honor Society member, Entrepreneurship & Small Business Certified, a WordPress Editor since 2022, and an FBLA standout in 11th and 12th grades, snagging 2nd place nationally in Securities & Investments. At his award ceremony, he gave a shoutout to his parents, The Sebastian Exchange Club, and his high school crew, grateful for the recognition. He’s set to study technology at UCF.

Skye’s all about giving back, pitching in at the Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival, Roseland Church Thrift Shop cleanups, the church Pumpkin Patch, the Christ Christian Academy Lions Gala, and beach cleanups. When he’s not volunteering, you can find him swimming at the beach, gaming, or tinkering with his car—keeping busy and grounded.

The Sebastian Exchange Club goes beyond its Student of the Month program, diving into local efforts through its core focuses: preventing child abuse, supporting youth, promoting Americanism, and boosting community service. Its big yearly event, the Blue Water Open Charity Offshore Fishing Tournament, hosted by the Sebastian Exchange Foundation, is set for May 30-31 this year. Over time, this tournament has hauled in over $1,085,000, with every dollar funneled back into the community.

If these causes spark your interest, drop by a Sebastian Exchange Club lunch meeting at noon any Wednesday—except the first of the month—at Capt. Hiram’s Resort. Curious about the Blue Water Open? Check out www.fishingforcharity.com for details.