Page 2 - Martin Downs Bulletin - July '20

Page 2, Martin Downs

Education

CCV Academic Competition expectations of the system’s Kate Boland, president of CCV, announced that the
SFHS team of Scholl and DeCesare was recipient of the
proponents?
Goes Virtual Participating teams first-place scholarship of $1,000 each, the JBHS team
had won a debate against Powers and McAfee received the second-place scholarship
By Jackie Holfelder another team at its specific of $500 each and the MCHS team of LoSardo and Plymale
The fifth annual school earlier this year. was awarded the third-place scholarship of $250 each.
Constitution Academic JBHS was represented Scholarships are funded by donations from individuals
Competition looked very by Shea Powers and and organizations in Martin County and other locations.
different than its four Jackson McAfee, MCHS The Center for Constitutional Values is a 501(c)(3)
predecessors. Like so many by Jordan LoSardo and organization created to encourage greater knowledge of the
nonprofit-related activities Jillian Plymale and SFHS United States Constitution and its importance. Programs
that have taken place since by Solomon Scholl and include the scholarship program and a speaker series to
mid-March, technology ruled Frankie DeCesare. foster discussion of historical and contemporary issues.
the day as teams of high After the three teams For information and to make a donation, contact Kate
school students demonstrated had completed their Boland at CCVMartinCounty@gmail.com or (772) 266-
their knowledge and presentations, Judge Forst 3386. Learn more at www.centerforconstitutionalvalues.
understanding of the United reviewed their responses and com and Facebook.com/centerforconstitutionalvalues.
States Constitution. decided the order of merit
The Center for Judge Alan Forst of the in which the scholarships MCHS team members Jordan
Constitutional Values (CCV) Fourth District Court of would be presented. LoSardo and Jillian Plymale
and the Martin County Appeals, moderator “I want to thank all of the
School District share this groups who participated. They were great and the time and
unique partnership. effort that went into preparation is apparent,” he said.
Teams from Jensen Beach (JBHS), Martin County (MCHS)
and South Fork (SFHS) high schools discussed the relevance
of the Electoral College in today’s world, competing for
scholarships to be used towards their higher educations.
Judge Alan Forst of the Fourth District Court of Appeals,
serving as moderator, phrased the question thusly: What is the
origin of the Electoral College? How did it get into the U.S.
Constitution? How was it initially structured? What were the

2020 Bigs And Littles from page 1

Lawrence Howell, a Big Brother, has been matched
with Little Brother Zakai since 2017. In 2019, he was SFHS team members Solomon Scholl and Frankie DeCesare
also matched with Zakai’s brother, Zamir. Lawrence has with Judge Kathleen Roberts of Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit,
his own young children, but an important part of his life who selected the winning team at SFHS qualifying debate.
is spent with the brothers, fishing and going to church
together on Sundays. Photos provided by Center for Constitutional Values and
Jessica Grassi is a Big Sister and has been matched JBHS team members Jackson McAfee and Shea Powers taken at qualifying debates earlier this year.
with her Little Sister Cynteria since 2017. Jessica and
Cynteria have volunteered at the Taste of Martin County.
The duo is always doing something fun around town.
The Teen Big of the Year, Emily Osborn, is at the
Pinewood Elementary School-based mentoring program.
She has been a Big for almost three years, starting her
mentoring in 2017 with her first Little, Amiyah. After
Amiyah graduated, Emily was matched with a new Little,
Amiyah’s younger sister, Janiya and continues to mentor
her today.
Volunteer of the Year John Sedwitz, a retiree, is a Big
Brother in the school-based mentoring program at Hobe
Sound Elementary and has been matched with Little
Brother Erick since 2019. John was there for his Little
during some difficult family times and has tried activities
from model dinosaurs to painting to Legos to help Erick
to open up.
Worldwide, the mentoring program has been in effect
for 110-plus years, creating and supporting one-to-one
mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise
of youth. BBBS has been serving Martin County youth
since 1986 and since 2010 in Palm Beach.
Littles are aged six through high school age and need a
Big to spend quality, one-on-one time with them; someone
to have fun with, someone they can confide in.
Matches are made by utilizing a questionnaire with
children, parents and mentors that includes considerations
such as location, interests, skills, hobbies and other
information key to selecting the best matches.
Contact Kristine Gunn at (561) 727-3450 for
information on becoming a “Big” or “Little.”
For more information, visit www.mentorbig.org.

Emily Osborn with Janiya

Photos provided by
BBBS of Palm Beach and Martin Counties