The Exchange Club of Sebastian proudly announces its January Students of the Month: Mallory Erickson (Storm Grove Middle School), Eli Parrott (Sebastian Charter Junior High School), John Bailey (Sebastian River Middle School), and Jeanna Antinozzi and Keino Jackson (Sebastian River High School).
These students earned the Young Citizenship Award, which recognizes middle and junior high students who demonstrate good citizenship at school and home. The award encourages honesty, hard work, helpfulness, and fairness, and recognizes students who cooperate with teachers and parents. It also aims to motivate promising students by showing them that good citizenship is valued and rewarded. Congratulations to January’s Young Citizenship Award winners!
Mallory Erickson (Storm Grove Middle School SGMS)
Mallory Erickson is an exemplary student who has maintained a straight-A average throughout middle school, placing her in the top 10 of her class. A member of the National Junior Honor Society, she also participated in this year’s Regional Science Fair. Mallory’s diverse interests include playing viola in the SGMS Orchestra, participating in the Community Church youth group in Vero Beach, and holding a 2nd-degree black belt in Ju Jitsu Karate. She also mentors and teaches karate to younger students. Looking ahead, Mallory plans to attend VBHS, focusing on AP and Dual Enrollment courses, with the goal of pursuing a career in science or medicine.
Mallory consistently leads by example, demonstrating diligence and a strong academic and extracurricular work ethic. She is kind and respectful and excels in everything she undertakes. Quick to grasp new concepts, she works effectively both independently and collaboratively. Mallory readily assists her peers with patience and a warm smile. She is a truly exceptional young woman—respectful, happy, and kind. Mallory has her priorities in order and is a true asset to Storm Grove Middle School.
Eli Parrott (Sebastian Charter Junior High School)
Eli Parrott is an exceptional student known for his responsibility, active class participation, and strong work ethic. His calm demeanor and dedication to learning make him a valuable presence in the classroom. Beyond academics, Eli exemplifies good character, consistently striving for excellence in all his endeavors. A recent addition to the Running Club, he inspires and motivates his fellow runners. Eli’s positive spirit, kind heart, and polite manner make him a pleasure to be around. He readily assists his peers and school staff, fostering a positive environment. As a natural leader, Eli serves as a positive role model for other students.
John Bailey (Sebastian River Middle School)
John Bailey is an exemplary student who consistently exceeds expectations. He completes his work thoroughly and often goes above and beyond, demonstrating a remarkable dedication to learning. Instead of resorting to games when he finishes early, John chooses to engage with challenging novels, showcasing a thirst for knowledge that is uncommon for his age. His insightful contributions to class discussions reflect a depth of understanding and maturity beyond his years. John’s integrity and academic dedication have earned him the respect of his peers, who view him as a positive role model. He is a true pleasure to have in class, and his future is undoubtedly bright.
Youth of the Month Award
The Youth of the Month Award recognizes two Sebastian River High School seniors who excel in academics, community involvement, and leadership. These students consistently demonstrate good citizenship at school and home. This program not only rewards outstanding young people but also motivates others to strive for similar achievements. These students are also eligible to apply for the Youth of the Year award at the Exchange Club District and National levels. The January Youth of the Month Award recipients are:
Jeanna Antinozzi (Sebastian River High School)
Jeanna Antinozzi, an IB Diploma Candidate with a 4.51 weighted GPA, ranks in the top 5% of her class. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Senior Class representative, and captain of the Varsity Cheerleading Squad. Her leadership and community involvement extend to serving as an assistant coach for the Storm Grove competition and basketball cheerleading teams, coaching recreational cheerleading for the Sebastian Sharks, and mentoring students at Fellsmere Elementary. Jeanna has also tutored at the Boys & Girls Club of Sebastian, where she served as junior staff, planning and participating in activities, and currently serves as Vice President of Keystone. She has also served as a Science Fair Judge at Sebastian Charter Junior High.
Jeanna enjoys trying new foods, traveling, and baking in her free time. She truly embodies the IB Learner profile traits, excelling academically while demonstrating compassion and leadership. Upon accepting her award, she thanked her parents and teachers for their support and encouragement. Jeanna plans to attend the University of Miami to study Kinesiology.
Keino Jackson (Sebastian River High School)
Keino Jackson, an IB Diploma Candidate with a 4.3 weighted GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society, Cross Country and Track teams, and the African American Student Council. He volunteers with the Crossover Mission, mentoring students through basketball training and academic support to develop skills for success. As a Student Tech at SRHS, Keino assists with various tasks, including presentations in the Performance Arts Center. He is a recipient of the prestigious Questbridge National College Match Scholarship (one of only 7,288 selected from 26,000 applicants). Keino embodies the IB Learner Profile traits and demonstrates principled behavior in all his endeavors. Upon accepting his award, he thanked the Sebastian Exchange Club, his parents, teachers, and “all who supported me throughout (his journey).” Keino has been accepted at Florida Southern University, where he plans to study technology.
The Exchange Club of Sebastian is actively involved in numerous local community initiatives, including the Student of the Month program. Their core pillars of service are the prevention of child abuse, youth activities, Americanism, and community service. Their major annual fundraiser, the Sebastian Exchange Foundation’s Blue Water Open Charity Offshore Fishing Tournament, will be held May 30-31, 2025. Over the past 30 years, this event has generated over $1,085,000 for the community. If you are interested in these areas of service, you are invited to attend a Sebastian Exchange Club luncheon meeting at noon every Wednesday (except the first Wednesday of each month) at Capt. Hiram’s Resort. For more information on the Blue Water Open, go to www.bluewateropen.com.
