PA G E
B2 GOSPORT
SPOTLIGHT
October 2, 2015
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ ‘2014-2015 Military Big of the Year’ From Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida
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ig Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida announced IT1 Fredrick “Josh” Amerine as 20142015 Military Big of the Year. He was presented the Ron Mobayed award at a training event Sept. 2 at NASP Corry Station. Amerine and Nicholas have been matched for a little more than a year, and during that time, Amerine has played an integral role in his Little Brother’s life. Despite Amerine’s hectic military schedule, he always found time to be a consistent role model to Nicholas. Amerine recently told his case manager “Nicholas is the best Little Brother one could wish for; we are practically inseparable and make an awesome team.” They typically get together on Sundays and some of their outings include shopping and learning about different foods at the Asian market, playing basketball, volunteering at a car wash, being road guards at 5K run, playing video games, watching movies at the base theater, and of course school work at Barnes and Nobles. Amerine has also introduced Nicholas to his Japanese culture by having him eat sushi for the first time, which he now loves, and teaching him how to speak in Japanese. During the past school year, whenever Nicholas
became discouraged with his grades, he could always count on Amerine for encouragement. Amerine has shared about his own experiences about going from Cs to straight As, and has told him if he can do it, then he can also. Amerine has encouraged Nicholas to make a great first impression with his teachers during the first week of school, and also has given him great advice on how to behave in school and around others. Nicholas’ mom told their case manager, “Nicholas is always excited and looks forward to Josh’s visits. He talks about their outings all week, he’s always smiling and even made the comment, “I am going to have a good night sleep,” after one of their outings.” She likes that Nicholas listens and respects Amerine. Amerine works with Nicholas in front of his mom, and she commented that she really appreciated that because she can see they are on the same page with doing what is best for Nicholas. Amerine has taught Nicholas three
(Left-right) Paula Shell, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters; IT1 Fredrick “Josh” Amerine; Michelle Byrd, Big Brothers Big Sisters case manager
main things that would ensure him success in life: family first, attitude, and academics. Nicholas’ mom likes that Amerine sets a great example for her son, by putting his wife first before everything or everyone else. They end every outing with a mentoring summary on how to boost self-esteem and how to be a good person. Some goals and special projects they are currently working on are leadership development, teamwork, building skills and a plan of action for this year’s curriculum in school. Amerine has also been very helpful in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ “100 Men 100 Days” recruitment campaign, by recruiting other men to volunteer
and become Big Brothers. Because of the role Amerine has played in his Little Brother’s life and because of the wonderful impact he has made, Big Brothers Big Sisters is honored to have him as 2014-2015 Military Big of the Year. The Ron Mobayed Award was established as a memorial to the life of Lt. Ronald Joseph Mobayed, who was an outstanding Big Brother while he was stationed in Pensacola for flight training in the early 1990s. Tragically, Mobayed and his crew were killed in the line of duty Oct. 3, 1995. This award is presented to pay tribute to Big Brothers Big Sisters military volunteers in honor of Mobayed’s
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love and dedication to the armed forces, and is awarded to the Big who exemplifies the spirit of Mobayed through their commitment to their Little, to the agency and to the children of the local community. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida has been the area’s leader in one-to-one youth service for more than 26 years by providing caring, adult mentors to children ages 6-to-18. The group’s mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported, one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. In 2014-2015, Big Brothers Big Sisters served 635 children in Northwest Florida.
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