School District Celebrates Academic and Athletic Achievements
SDIRC is #1? Wonderful Monds Commits. 10 Academic All-Stars Honored.
The School District of Indian River County was ranked the #1 Best Place to Teach in Florida by Niche, a national leader in school and community data analysis. This recognition comes after a highly successful Wired to Learn Fast conference held earlier this year at the District. Educators from 31 states attended to engage the concepts of “data-driven instruction” as practiced by the Indian River County School District. Dr. Moore’s innovation and leadership earned him Superintendent of the Year honors in 2025.
“This recognition speaks to the culture we have built across our schools,” said Dr. Moore. “Our focus has been clear. Support our teachers, invest in strong leadership, and create the conditions where both educators and students can succeed. Being named the top district in the state for teaching affirms that work.”
Student success in athletics.
Students are excelling in various endeavors. The football team had 4 Division 1 recruits at the end of 2025, with EJ White and Jordan Crutchfield signed to Florida State, as Xavier Stinson committed to Iowa and the Under Armor All-American, Champ Smith, chose Illinois. These young men will graduate this year.
The Fighting Indians quarterback and athletic sensation, Wonderful “Champ” Monds IV, who just completed his 2nd year as a student, reclassified to graduate in 2027. Before his reclassification, he was considered the #1 college QB prospect in Florida for the 2028 class, according to Rivals, an online media outlet that follows nationwide recruiting.
At age 15, Monds, who is 6’3” and 220 pounds, was garnering interest from multiple top football programs in the NCAA. As a freshman QB for Vero Beach High School, he completed 70% of his passes for 2,234 yards and 23 touchdowns. He ran for 502 yards and another 9 touchdowns from the pocket.
In his sophomore year, he was sidelined with injury after the season opener. Yet, having healed in time for the playoffs, he started the last 5 games, throwing for 691 yards and 7 touchdowns without an interception. He rushed for another. His team ultimately came up short in the state championship, finishing 14-1.
Having reclassified to graduate in 2027, Monds obtained an agent, Rosenhaus Sports. Recruits like Monds have opportunities for Name, Image, and Licensing (NIL) contracts with universities. On Friday, with “all of his guys” on the team in the room, he announced he is committing to Notre Dame. His mother and father have guided their 16-year-old son in his development. After personally thanking his mom and dad, he told ESPN’s Pat McAfee, “I feel like Notre Dame has everything you can think of when it comes to academics and the coaching staff. Overall, it’s the best fit for me.”
Monds’ father, who is on the coaching staff at Vero Beach High School, echoed those sentiments and his happiness that his son will be a part of a winning culture on the field and in the classroom. His mother, Sherri, added, “It goes back to what Champ said: we put God first, and he hasn’t led us wrong yet.”
Monds has family members who have made it to professional sports. His father played Major League Baseball, and his grandfather and uncle played in the NFL. In an interview with Rivals last August, he said, “The main thing each one of them told me is to stay humble. That’s the main thing. When you start getting too big-headed, you can drop. You just have to keep working.”
More academic all-stars.
Yet, the future is bright for many other students who have humbly worked hard in the classroom. The school board recognized 10 Academic All-Stars from Sebastian River High School and Vero Beach High School last week. Most of the all-stars are pursuing careers in various science, technology, and engineering fields. Each of the students had invited parents, family members, and specific educators who influenced them.
VBHS academic all-star Jay Maurer was the football team’s outstanding kicker. He transferred from the Tampa Bay area for his final year because his parents needed to take care of other family. Maurer was on his way to being co-valedictorian before he arrived at VBHS. He will be attending the University of Florida and majoring in Finance. Dr. Kyra Schafte said, “Maurer is an AP scholar with distinction and was named a National Merit Commended Scholar, placing in the top 3 to 4% nationwide based on his junior year PSAT scores. He double recognizes his mom for the great impact she’s had on his life.”
Like Monds, Louis St. Petery has competed athletically as a swimmer at the varsity level since entering Sebastian River High School. He was a four-time high school All-American and a Top 100 swimmer in the USA. He qualified all 4 years for the Florida State Championship, winning twice in the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard backstroke. St. Petery will attend the United States Naval Academy, where he will continue to swim.
An International Baccalaureate, St. Petery is equally recognized in academics as a National Merit Commended Scholar, and he will graduate with honors with designations as an industry scholar. His mother, Sherri, is a well-known music teacher in the district at Liberty Magnet, and therefore, music is a passion for her son too. Dr. Schafte noted, “He is an accomplished pianist, earning five superior ratings in the National Piano Playing Auditions by the National Guild of Piano Teachers.”
Each of the 10 All-Stars had their mother and father present to watch their sons and daughters sign their acknowledgements as Indian River County Academic All-Stars. Dr. Moore commented, “At the end of the day, you have your parents standing behind you and an educator, and I think those are the absolute best people to be standing behind you, supporting you in all of your accomplishments.”
Sebastian River High School All-Star Malachi Smith invited his parents and 2nd grade teacher, Miss Donna Watson. Dr. Schafte shared that Smith has a 4.265 weighted GPA and will graduate with honors and industry scholar and scholar diploma designations. He also was a three-sport athlete in basketball, football, and track, where he earned the district champion title in the 400-meter hurdle in 2025. He will attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to pursue a degree in health science.
Smith also does extensive community work through two churches and the Environmental Learning Center. He also holds a job at a local restaurant. Many of the all-stars were extensively involved in community work. VBHS all-star Olivia Ragley, who received an AP scholarship and is a member of the National Honor Society, hopes to pursue a career in kinesiology and physical therapy. She is a part of the Health Occupation Students of America. Yet, she is already teaching as a gymnastics coach for children. Dr. Schafte said, “Ragley also volunteers at Christie’s Fitness Center, supporting children with autism in gymnastics.”
Lola Rodriguez has already received a Certified Nursing Assistant certification and will be studying biotechnology at Florida State. She is the president of the Coastal Cleanup Club, where she leads 20 members in the promotion of environmental stewardship and monthly cleanup projects. She is also the treasurer of the Health Occupation Students of America.
Rodriguez has been working since the age of 13 at the Vero Beach Yacht Club too. She was recently promoted to assistant manager. Dr. Schafte commented, “[It is] a role that reflects her reliability, leadership, and commitment. Her internships at St. Edward’s School and Vero Beach High School’s biotech department have allowed her to mentor younger children, demonstrating her patience and ability to foster learning environments.”
Another academic all-star who devoted her summers to tutoring and mentoring middle school students is Kaylie Esposo. She graduates from Sebastian River High School with honors and will attend the University of North Florida to major in mechanical engineering.
Determination is often a mark of a great student too. Like Monds, Atazia Cartwright is also on track to graduate in 3 years. Dr. Schafte described her as “resilient,” stating, “While accelerating her academic coursework, she is also completing the patient care technician program at Treasure Coast Technical College, further showcasing her dedication to serving others and preparing for a future in healthcare.”
Cartwright will be certified upon completing the program at TCTC. She intends to enter the workforce and then pursue a degree in psychology. Deshaun Menns’ journey was complicated. He attended school in South Florida as a freshman but in New Hampshire as a sophomore student. Entering his junior year, Vero Beach became home, yet he remained focused on his goals.
He is a dual-enrolled student and a member of the National Honor Society. He is in the top 10% of his class at VBHS. His chosen field of study is information technology, and he has already obtained an Adobe Certified Professional in Visual Design. He will complete his associate’s at Indian River State College and transfer to Florida Atlantic University to finish his studies in information technology.
A special teacher.
One teacher was honored by two students receiving honors, Alexa Magana and Cassandra Grindrod. They both were greatly impacted by their Sebastian River High School biotechnology teacher, Mrs. Emily Sukhoi.
Magana was accepted to 5 schools before choosing Santa Fe College with the intent of utilizing a direct connect program to complete her studies at the University of Florida. Grindrod is in the biotech program at SRHS too. She has already earned two industry certifications. She has chosen to attend Indian River State College to pursue a degree in pharmacology.
While the district showcased the all-stars, the students honored their parents, instructors, and coaches. It was a memorable moment as family and mentors surrounded their students on the school board dais. Dr. Moore charged the students to go forward. He said, “I would encourage you to go to your post-secondary experiences, learn all the great things that you can possibly learn, and have a whole bunch of fun. But then, take all of those skills and come back to Indian River County and invest in this community.”
Nice article. It’s good to hear some good news when the media likes to only publish bad news.