Osceola Creek Middle School recently announced the recipients of its Scholar-Athlete Award for March. The award is sponsored by the school police and honors varsity athletes who also excel in academics, effort, behavior and school spirit, and serve as role models for others. This month’s honorees carry high grade point averages, as well as play varsity sports.
Boys basketball honored Adrian Cabrera, 14, an eighth grader.
“My scholar-athlete for March is Adrian Cabrera,” coach Pete Pagliaro said. “He has achieved a 4.78 grade point average while playing for the school’s boys basketball team. He is also a member of the National Junior Honor Society. Adrian displays leadership on and off the court and has been a role model for our younger players.”
Cabrera wants to attend the University of Florida as a prelude to a career as a surgeon.
Karie Abel, 12, was honored in girls basketball.
“It is with great pleasure that I nominate Karie Abel for scholar-athlete of the month,” coach Judy DeCosta said. “As a member of the girls softball team, basketball team and track team, she has demonstrated hard work, leadership and determination. Ms. Abel is also a student in the culinary program. Most importantly, Ms. Abel strives for excellence on and off the court. Karie also demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship and kindness towards others.”
Abel, a seventh grader, has perfect attendance and is a straight-A student with a 5.17 GPA due to her numerous Advanced Placement courses. As a sixth grader, she achieved the Outstanding Percussionist award in band. She hopes to attend the University of Florida, as a precursor to a career in paleontology.
Nalani Starcher was honored for girls soccer.
“Nalani is an outstanding person on and off the field,” coach Tony Bugeja said. “She is a very confident and outgoing student. Her fellow students look to her for guidance. She is always setting the example and will truly be missed at Osceola. She is going to be a community leader one of these days.”
Starcher is carrying a 5.13 GPA and has perfect attendance. In addition to soccer, she is also a member of the school’s track and volleyball teams, and is a member of the Coats for Kids Club. She was honored with the Principal’s Award and was the Female Athlete of the Year as a seventh grader.
Starcher wants to stay in Florida for college and is leaning toward FSU or FAU, followed by a career as a pediatric dentist.
Supporting the program are Subway, Domino’s Pizza and Burger King, located at Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Orange Blvd., and Dairy Queen at Royal Palm Beach Blvd. and Okeechobee Blvd., which donated free food coupons.
ABOVE: Principal Nicole Daly, Karie Abel, Adrian Cabrera, Nalani Starcher and Officer Sandy Molenda.
