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Sebring senior Riley Stone honored as 2025 Champion for Children youth award recipient
Summary
Riley Stone of Sebring High School was named the 2025 Champion for Children youth award winner for sustained volunteer service, including Girl Scouts activities, Special Olympics assistance and leadership in AFJROTC.
The Highlands County School Board recognized Riley Stone, a senior at Sebring High School, as the 2025 Champion for Children youth award recipient during its April meeting.
Liz Prendergrass, executive director of the Champion for Children Foundation, and John Verdi of Board Communications introduced finalists and presented the award. Riley has a long record of community service beginning in Girl Scouts — food and clothing drives, school-supplies collections and cleanups — and has volunteered with Special Olympics and veteran-oriented events through Sebring High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC program. According to remarks read at the meeting, Riley is ranked Cadet Lieutenant Colonel in AFJROTC and has participated in programs that bring awareness to veterans and patriotism.
At the awards gala the board and foundation named seven finalists (some were not present) and added Riley's name to a perpetual plaque housed in the Champion for Children office and to be displayed in the district office. Liz Prendergrass noted the record number of nominations this year (32) and thanked the planning committee and volunteers who supported the awards program.
The board invited finalists to approach for photographs and recognized the organizing committee members for their work in staging the annual youth awards.
Riley's citation, read to the board, credited her sustained volunteerism, leadership through AFJROTC and the support of instructors and community partners; the transcript includes praise from an Army recruiter, Eddie Brooks, who is quoted as saying Riley's enthusiasm “inspires others to get involved.” The transcript also identified Chief Dennis Green as Riley's influential JROTC instructor.
The board’s recognition will be recorded in meeting minutes and Riley's name will remain on the perpetual plaque maintained by the Champion for Children Foundation.
