Titusville Chamber Honors the 2018-2019 Outstanding Young Adults
The Outstanding Young Adult (OYA) program is sponsored by Community Credit Union and Jess Parrish Medical Foundation. It seeks to celebrate North Brevard seniors who excel in academics, extracurricular activities and community service. Each year seniors from each Titusville area high school are awarded a certificate of accomplishment. The students then compete in an essay contest for a $1000 prize to be used for educational purposes.
*Scholarship Winner: Déja Robinson
The 2018-2019 Outstanding Young Adults are:
| Astronaut High School Lindsey Gordon Ashley Holland Gabrielle Maggard Emma Milbert Cameron Mizell Alexandria Stouch |
Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School Michael Barton Kaiya Jernigan Cassidy Louwerse Carmen Ohlinger Austin Pommier |
Titusville High School Trevor Denson Katherine Knapik Emily Mezni Déja Robinson* Ashley Tourscher Noah Watson |
Michael Barton is a senior at Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School. Michael has been a member of several clubs including: National Honor Society, Beta Club and Student Government. He shares his academic acumen with other students by tutoring and serving as teacher’s assistant. In addition to academic excellence, Michael serves his community by being assistant coach for Port St. John Youth football, and volunteering for post-Hurricane Matthew river cleanup. Congratulations, Michael; you are outstanding!
Trevor Denson is a senior at Titusville High School. He is active in several school activities including: student government, Rotary, Math Honor Society and Latin Club. He is a proud member of the Spirit Squad – helping to create new themes, t-shirts and special chants for team events and activities. He is also an avid sportsman, with participation in varsity cross country, track and soccer; as well as a regional and state qualifier in swimming. Trevor’s involvement in the community has been celebrated with several Rotary “State”, “Youth” and “Top” Leader awards. Most remarkably, he is the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Catch A Wave Surf Camp. Congratulations, Trevor; you are outstanding!
Lindsey Gordon is a senior at Astronaut High School. She has served on several clubs including the Board of the Student Government, Varsity Cheerleading, National Honor Society, Thespian Honor Society and the Math Honor Society. Lindsey has volunteered on the Homecoming Board, edited and filmed school events with the TV Production Crew and directed school based social media activities. She also performs at Titusville Playhouse and works part time at Park Avenue Baptist Church. Congratulations Lindsey; you are outstanding!
Ashley Holland is a senior at Astronaut High School and is Vice President of the Student Government. Ashley is also a member of Interact Club, Mu Alpha Theta and Fellowship of Christian Athletes and has participated in the Jazz and Women’s choirs. She has received various awards including the Volleyball Coach’s Award and the 110% Award. In addition to academic excellence, tutoring students and helping with Open House activities, Ashley serves her community by volunteering with the Humane Society, Keep Brevard Beautiful and Parrish Medical Center. Congratulations, Ashley; you are outstanding!
Kaiya Jernigan is a senior at Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School. She is a current member of the National Honor Society. Kaiya has participated in the Academy of Teacher Education and Public Service for four years. She is also on the Yearbook Committee and enrolled in an Exceptional Student Education Class Internship. In addition to Kaiya’s academic achievements, she also finds time to assist the teachers at Atlantis, Enterprise and Challenger 7 Elementary Schools. Congratulations, Kaiya; you are outstanding!
Katherine Knapik is a senior at Titusville High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society. Katherine participates in several clubs and teams including the Latin Club and Latin Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Beginning and Advanced Chorus, Marching Band and the Varsity Swim Team. Katherine has volunteered her time with the Literary Magazine and as Teacher’s Assistant for freshmen chorus students. She is a former Gold Medalist at the World Championships of Performing Arts and has received a Scholar Athlete Award. She works part-time at Tenacious Wellness Spa, is a Reader & Usher at St. Theresa Catholic Church and has volunteered at the Titusville Chamber. Congratulations Katherine; you are outstanding!
Cassidy Louwerse is a senior at Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School. She has participated in the Student Government for one year, and the Theatre Club and National Honor Society for four years. She has also interned with the guidance office and assisted in special-needs classrooms. In addition to Cassidy’s academic achievements, she finds time to work at Kelsey’s Pizza, and volunteers at the Brevard Zoo in the aviary and kangaroo yards and at the SPCA thrift store. Congratulations, Cassidy; you are outstanding!
Gabrielle Maggard is a senior at Astronaut High School. She has been involved in the National Art Honor Society, the National Honor Society and the Anchor Club. She is proud of her position as assistant to the band and its director – Dr. Davis – and continues to support band events. Gabrielle has also been involved with visual arts since her freshman year. In addition to Gabrielle’s academic excellence she volunteers with the Titusville Art League, her school’s library and media center and raises money for the mental health nonprofit – To Write Love on Her Arms. Congratulations, Gabrielle; you are outstanding!
Emily Mezni is a senior at Titusville High School. She is a member of several clubs and teams including Sources of Strength, National Honors Society, Best Buddies, Chorus, Band, Track and Field and the Swim Team. Emily volunteers at the Kids Place and TST Swim Meets. Finally, she has just started to work part-time at Tropical Smoothie Café! Congratulations Emily; you are outstanding!
Emma Milbert is a senior at Astronaut High School. She is an active member of the National Honor Society, the Interact Club and the Astronaut High School chorus; and, from 2015-2019, has been a member of the Advanced Placement Academy. She has also participated in cheerleading, volleyball, tennis and swimming. Emma is a respected member of the student body and has represented them in the student government since her freshman year. She also coordinated student government members in the operation of the Eagle Market, which offers free food, clothing and personal items to students. In her spare time, Emma participates on the City of Titusville’s Student Advisory Council and volunteered with Hope for North Brevard. Congratulations, Emma; you are outstanding!
Cameron Mizell is a senior at Astronaut High School. He is an active member of the student government, a member of the Advanced Placement Academy and the German Honor Society; a TV anchor for WE-TV and is instrumental in the revitalization of the INTERACT Club. In addition to participating in Chamber Choir, he is a Team Captain in Soccer, a three-year Varsity Letterman in Track and a Team Captain for Junior Varsity Basketball. Cameron serves his community by working with the Titusville Rotary to coordinate a Playalinda Beach Clean Up Day, teaching classes and performing productions during the “Chaos” camp at Park Avenue Baptist Church and interning with Representative Rene Plasencia’s recent campaign. Congratulations, Cameron; you are outstanding!
Carmen Ohlinger is a senior at Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School. She has served in the Student Government since 2017 and is currently the Vice President. In that capacity, she has helped to organize Homecoming, Teacher Appreciation Week and Spirit activities. She is also totally immersed in varsity sports, including soccer, cheerleading, track and cross country. Carmen has been the Junior ROTC Corps Commander for four years, the Treasurer of the National Honor Society for two years, and a member of Sources of Strength – which promotes solutions to suicide and bullying through positive messaging. As a member of Junior ROTC, she has volunteered for Space Coast Honor Flight, writing letters to veterans, presenting colors and supporting send-offs. Her character is further shaped by maintaining babysitting and office cleaning jobs. Congratulations, Carmen; you are outstanding!
Austin Pommier is a senior at Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School. He is a member of the National Honor and Mu Alpha Theta Societies. He is Captain of the Basketball Team and is now entering his 6th year on the team. Austin shows leadership in the community by volunteering at the Caladium Learning Center and with Honor Flight; and, also shares his talent for basketball at 5 different youth camps. Austin has received special recognition from News 13 by winning the “Everyday Heroes Award” for assisting with Hurricane Irma preparation and cleanup. Congratulations, Austin; you are outstanding!
*Déja Robinson is a senior at Titusville High School. She has served as a mentor in the JUMP Mentoring Program from 2015-2018, has participated in Creative Writing for two years and has been a member of the Chess Club. Déja has studied violin for four years and continues to participate in the Chamber Orchestra and Terrier Sound Auxiliary. She has also been celebrated for “Superior Solo Performances” at District and State Competitions at Winter Guard. Déja was a State Finalist in the National American Miss Florida competition and awarded the Lorene McLeod Senator Award during the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State competition of 2018. She continues to explore political affairs by interning with the Brevard Democrats, interviewing candidates during the Brevard County Black Caucus of 2018, and working with the Sanjay Patel Congressional Campaign. She also registered and pre-registered high school students to vote! Déja is the winner of the 2018-2019 Outstanding Young Adults Scholarship! Congratulations, Déja; you are outstanding!
Alexandria Stouch is a senior at Astronaut High School. Alexandria is Secretary of the Student Government Executive Board and has been a member of the Student Government for four years. She is also a member of the National and Math Honors Societies and serves as a mentor to freshman students. Alexandria belongs to the varsity volleyball and track teams. She is also a Disney candlelight choir singer, has worked with the vacation bible school class at Park Avenue Baptist Church for 5 years and has recently completed a 10-day mission trip to Guatemala. Congratulations, Alexandria; you are outstanding!
Ashley Tourscher is a senior at Titusville High School. She is a member of Project 7 and treasurer for the National Honors Society. Ashley has been a member of the school chorus and gold and silver medalist on the Volleyball team. She is currently partnering with a fellow student to create a nonpartisan club at the school. Ashley understands the importance of volunteering and has done so with several organizations, including: the SPCA of Brevard, Solaris Senior Assisted Living Center, and the vacation bible schools at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church and Saint Luke’s Presbyterian Church. Congratulations, Ashley; you are outstanding!
Noah Watson is a senior at Titusville High School. Noah is the President and a 3-year member of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society. He is also a member of the Spanish National Society and the National Honor Society. Noah loves being a peer tutor and mentor and is the President and Founder of the A Capella Club. He maintains commendable academic achievement while participating in varsity and junior varsity soccer and football. He also volunteers at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Congratulations, Noah; you are outstanding!