The Boys and Girls Club of Martin County presented 25 students with awards on April 29, 2025, recognizing them for their character.
The Joe Kordick Youth Character Awards are named in honor of the late Joe Kordick, founding chairman and the driving force of CHARACTER COUNTS! in Martin County.
The six pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS! are Trustworthiness, Responsibility, Respect, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.
Student award winners were chosen based on how they demonstrated the six pillars.
Of the 25 award winners, 15 were 8th graders, and 10 were seniors. All 12th-grade winners also received a $1,000 check to help pursue the next step of their lives.
Congratulations to the following Joe Kordick Youth Character Award recipients:
8th grade:
Hope McIntyre, Anderson Middle School
Zach Solmes, Anderson Middle School
Destiny Keahey, Anderson Middle School
Eli Lipsey, Anderson Middle School
Liam Keating, Anderson Middle School
Thomas Sihvola, Anderson Middle School
Deybid Lopez, Anderson Middle School
Noelle Rizkalla, Hidden Oaks Middle School
Dylan Gardiner, Hidden Oaks Middle School
Jon-Michael Tillet, Hidden Oaks Middle School
Jazlynn De La Torre, Indiantown Middle School
Jacqueline Magano, Murray Middle School
Jacob Cooper, Murray Middle School
Cameryn Carey, Murray Middle School
Malia Brown, Stuart Middle School
Elliana Lovatt, Stuart Middle School
12th grade:
Shiv Sanghrajka, Jensen Beach High School
Kathryn Webb, Jensen Beach High School
Michael Lovett, Martin County High School
Adrian Morales, Martin County High School
Dayanira Melendez, Martin County High School
Thomas Knippel, South Fork High School
Bianca Morales-Soto, South Fork High School
Tania Dominguez Laureano, South Fork High School
Billie Churchill, Clark Advanced Learning Center
Mattine Jensen, Clark Advanced Learning Center
Dr. Anita Caswell, the Choir Director at Murray Middle School, was also recognized for being an outstanding educator and leader, and setting an example of great character for students. She was the first recipient of the Character COUNTS! Champion Award, given in honor of late MCSD educator Dorcas Boucher.
View photos from the event, here.