By Cristina Cabrera Jarro -

MIAMI | A future diplomat and a community leader are the recipients of this year’s Golden Knight Scholar Athlete Award from the archdiocesan Department of Schools.

Marcel van Hemert of St. Theresa School in Coral Gables and Nikolas Garcia of St. Mark School in Southwest Ranches were the fifth pair of graduating eighth-graders � one from Miami-Dade, the other from Broward � honored with the award, which was first given out in the spring of 2012.

The Golden Knight recognizes students who excel in the classroom, on the field and in their communities. To be considered, applicants must have: a 90 percent average or above academic standing; letters of recommendation from their teachers and principals; involvement in a community service project; a portfolio showcasing other awards received; and undergo an interview with archdiocesan officials. 

Both of the 2016 recipients were recognized at an award ceremony that took place before the end of the academic year at their respective schools. 

 

The future diplomat

The Miami-Dade County winner, Marcel, excelled at St. Theresa School not only in the classroom but on the baseball diamond and running track. He was an active member of the National Junior Honor Society and served as Student Council president, a position which he believes will aid his future career in international relations, with a focus on the diplomatic corps.

With his service project, Marcel raised funds for humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees through Catholic Relief Services. He surpassed his initial fundraising goal of $1,000 almost tenfold, raising $9,000.

Marcel said the effort helped him learn that “you can become involved in an important issue facing our community or society as a whole, and even with the time constraints from school work and activities and limited resources, you can still make a real difference in the world.”

Currently, Marcel is attending the Mas Family Scholar Summer Program at Christopher Columbus High School, where he will be entering the ninth grade this fall. Its curriculum is designed to prepare students to become top candidates for admission into major colleges and universities. That’s ideal for Marcel, who said he is interested in one day applying to Georgetown, George Washington University, Northwestern, Duke, and the University of Miami.

 

The community leader

“My mom once told me that my Catholic education and my life's experiences have molded me into the teenage boy I am and the man I will become later on in my life,” said Nikolas, the Golden Knight Scholar Athlete from St. Mark School.

His father died when Nikolas was nine months old. It was a burden and terrible loss for his family, but from a young age, Nikolas took it upon himself to take care of his household.

“I have been the man of the house for 13 years and help my mom, grandma and sister in every way that I can,” he said.

Nikolas’ desire to help has extended beyond his home and into the community. In 2010, he founded the Sunshine Kids Club in his Southwest Ranches neighborhood. The group, which gathers once a month, strives to develop a “spirit of neighborhood friendships,” grassroots leadership and local community volunteerism.

In December 2015, their club participated in the Channel 4 Neighbors4Neighbors' Adopt-a-Family 4 the Holidays program, where they raised $1,000 in gift cards for the Jarret-Grant family of Miami Gardens.

Nikolas also takes time to tutor underprivileged children after school at the Hope Outreach Center’s LEAPS Program, helping Spanish-speaking children with homework and learning English. He also mentors students, helping them to build self-esteem and leadership qualities.

At St. Mark, he maintained an athletic schedule while still making the Principal’s Honor Roll every year since Pre-K3. His ease with math gained him entry into the Jump Start Advance Math Program at Archbishop Edward McCarthy High School while still in seventh and eighth grade.

This fall, he will join McCarthy High’s Excelsior Scholar Program, designed to enhance educational experiences for top academically performing students and prepare them for top colleges and careers.

Though he has a way to go, Nikolas plans to attend the University of Florida’s College of Design, Construction and Planning, followed by a degree from UF’s School of Law.

“I push myself to be the best I can be and do not allow anything less of myself,” Nikolas said. “Many of my personal traits I learned from my Catholic faith education, like to be honest, respectful, polite and helpful. I put people's needs first before mine, am a team player, a good listener and communicator, have a positive attitude, am patient, and hold Jesus at the center of my life.”