SEBASTIAN — The Exchange Club of Sebastian “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 honored in the month of February were Harman Bansil of Sebastian Charter Junior High School, Alyssa Wiles of Sebastian River Middle School, and National Junior ROTC Cadet Lieutenant Micaela Martinelli and Cadet Petty Officer Brandon Ledford of Sebastian River High School.
Bansil shows great leadership in and out of school. He has very supportive parents and demonstrates integrity. He is polite, organized, kind, caring, fun, and a great role model for other students. He is well rounded and actively participates in class discussions and is always willing to learn. He plans to attend Sebastian River High School and then continue on to study criminal justice. Bansil wants to become a judge.
Wiles is a fabulous student and role model. She is an extremely hard worker and always goes above and beyond the requirements of her assignments. She was recently named IB Student of the Month for being balanced. She finds just the right balance to maintain straight A’s in her classes while also being involved in dancing, playing clarinet in the band, membership in the National Junior Honor Society, volunteering at the library, tutoring and babysitting. She is an amazing science student and won third place in her category at the recent county science fair. Wiles works well with her peers and always practices kindness toward others. She has earned a four year scholarship that pays full tuition in any state and wants to study law, business or journalism.
Martinelli holds a 4.37 weighted GPA including several Advanced Placement and Honors classes. She is a member of the Varsity swim and basketball teams. She has been extremely active in the ROTC unit’s activities throughout her four years in the program. As an Executive Officer of the 117 man Platoon Staff, she is responsible for making sure that the many scheduled events happen on time and as planned. Her plans are to attend one of our nation’s military academies in the fall to pursue a major in math and minor in astronomy.
Ledford maintains a 4.56 weighted GPA and is also taking several Advance Placement and Honors classes. He has also done an outstanding job with his duties in the platoon and has been a critical part of the unit’s success. He is also a member of the swim team and placed in the top ten in several Florida State swimming competitions. His plans after high school are to attend either the US Air Force Academy or US Coast Guard Academy where he hopes to continue competitive swimming and major in cyber security.
