2023 Student Visionary of the Year finale

THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY PRESENTS STUDENT VISIONARIES OF THE YEAR

They look to the future - and see infinite possibilty.

They challenge the status quo - and make the impossible, possible.

They boldly imagine a better world - and lead the charge to create it.

Formerly the iconic Students of the Year campaign, Student Visionaries of the Year is a groundbreaking philanthropic leadership development program for high school students. Every year, courageous young leaders embark on an exciting 7-week journey with a goal to create a world without blood cancers.

THANK YOU TO OUR TOP SPONSORS

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WELCOME

Good Evening,

On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), welcome to the Palm Beach - Treasure Coast Student Visionaries of the Year Grand Finale.

I want to congratulate each candidate team and team member on their tremendous efforts and feel privileged to celebrate such a dedicated group of people raising funds on behalf of our patients. Our volunteers share a connection to the mission of LLS and are vital to the important work of our organization.

Student Visionaries of the Year has grown tremendously through the efforts of an amazing leadership committee, and I thank each one of you for your hard work and dedication in helping us reach great success. This evening, you will also meet our Honored Hero, Bodhi, whom each candidate has participated in honor of. Tonight, we pay tribute to them and all those touched by blood cancers. Our patients give us reason to never give up in our pursuit of finding cures for blood cancers.

Each of our candidate teams have chosen an LLS Mission Pillar to represent and bring awareness to throughout their campaign. These three pillars, Research, Patient Education & Support and Policy & Advocacy, make up the very core of what LLS does. LLS has helped millions impacted by cancer through our more than 70-year history, investing more than $1.5 Billion in groundbreaking research, providing personalized one-on-one education and support services to patients and their families, and mobilizing a network of volunteer advocates fighting to drive policy changes that accelerate the development of new cancer treatments and break down barriers to care. More than 70 years of fighting blood cancers has led us to a game changing mission: to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Thank you for sharing our vision.

Best of luck to all of our 2023 candidates!

Sincerely,

Bobbie Jo Bates Executive Director, South Florida Region

LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE

Our 2023 Leadership Committee is made up of an extraordinary group of community and business leaders committed to making an impact on the LLS Mission. Together this team nominated a dynamic class of candidates who are well connected in their communities and relentless in their efforts to raise funds to find cures for blood cancers. Thank you!

LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Kristen Bauer

Silvia Hagan

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Denise Buckner

Anne Cascione

Keith Epstein

Cynthia Hauser

2024 STUDENT VISIONARIES OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

Looking to get involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society? Do you know the next Student Visionary of the Year?

Join our Nominating Leadership Team! LLS.org/StudentVisionaries

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Derek Brock Chairman

Troy Rice ViceChairman

Barbara Abernathy, PH.D.

Rebecca Rubinstein

Ed Balbis

Bill Burns

Peter Brock

Sam Forrest

Jonathan Duerr

Keith Epstein

Valerie Fiordilino Maslow

Jessica Johnson

Irv Silver

EmeritusMembers

Ron Gache, Esq.

John Hough, Esq

Meet Our Honored Hero

Bodhi

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Loxahatchee

Bodhi was diagnosed with B-Cell ALL on January 19, 2019, when he was 2 months shy of his 3rd birthday. He had developed lots of little bruises over a week so his mom took him to his pediatrician who sent them straight to the ER for bloodwork. It was in the ER that a doctor told them he had leukemia. The following day he was transferred to Holtz Children’s Hospital in Miami where he started induction therapy. Bodhi spent 9 days in the PICU while he was blasted with chemo and another 25 days in the pediatric oncology unit. At the end of his induction therapy he transferred into the care of Dr. Melissa Singer at Palms West Hospital for the next 3 years and two months of his treatment. There were plenty of speed bumps along the way but he finished treatment May 21, 2022!

2023 Research Candidates

Cure Chasers

Emily Lindstrom, Lauren Kenney and Zoe Gozdz

Jensen Beach High School

Emily is honored to be a part of this program and is determined to make a change on those affected by a variety of blood cancers. Nearly two years ago Emily’s grandfather was diagnosed with cancer which had a large impact on her life, opening her eyes to the reality of how many lives cancer invades. Lauren’s aunt passed away with cancer when she was young so she’s always had a desire to help cure cancer. She is happy to be able to make a difference and help fund new and upcoming research to cure blood cancer. Zoe has always been very involved in volunteering and cared about making a difference in her community. She is so grateful to be involved in this program and it touches a special place in her heart as her friend from volleyball was diagnosed with Lymphoma two years ago.

2023 Research Candidates

Golden36

Evan Finkle

American Heritage School

Evan is a sophomore at American Heritage School where he plays varsity basketball and lacrosse. He also plays for True Lacrosse on their state and national teams and he hopes to continue to play in college. Evan likes to ski, travel, fish, hike and spend time with his friends and family. LLS is especially meaningful to Evan and his family, as he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in October 2020 and has been cancer free for the last year and a half! Evan is raising funds in hopes that one day researchers will discover a cure for cancer.

2023 Research Candidates

Hooked on a Cure 2.0

Gia Arbucci and Blair Baudier Martin County High School

Gia holds the positions of Senior Class President and the School Spirit Committee leader. She also holds an officer position in the Student Government Association and is an active member in the Spanish and National Honors Society. While Gia does not have any direct connections to blood cancer, she wants to improve the livelihoods of those affected in any way possible. Blair is the current president of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), and involves herself in many other school activities such as National Honor Society, Student Government, and the medical program. In addition, she is a dual-enrolled student at Indian River State College. Raising money for LLS is important to her because the challenges that patients and their families have to endure has inspired her to help out as much as she can.

2023 Research Candidates

Riley Rallies Against Cancer

Riley Gorman

Cardinal Newman High School

Riley was born and raised in Palm Beach County, Florida. She is currently a freshman at Cardinal Newman High School. She is an active member of both the Drama Club and the school newspaper, “The Blue and Gold.” Riley’s connection to LLS started at age three when she attended the “Light the Night Walk” for the first time. Cancer has taken many people from her throughout her life, including family and friends. Recently, Riley’s grandmother won a battle with both lung and brain cancer. Riley is focusing on the research pillar for this year’s campaign so that the money she raises will be used to fund new treatments and ultimately cure cancer.

2023 Research Candidates

Team Hope 2.0

Brennan Troup and Henry Alexandrescu

The Pine School

Brennan and Henry are both Seniors at the Pine School. Brennan plays volleyball and soccer, serves as the Athletic head to Student Government, runs the club Letters for Rose, and is president of the National Spanish Honor Society. Brennan was a part of Team Hope last year and was nominated to lead the team this year. Cancer has affected many people in her life, so she is excited to raise as much money as possible to help prevent others from suffering. Being a part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society means a lot to Henry since both of his great grandparents passed away to a form of cancer. Playing soccer almost his entire life, Henry has always yearned to be a part of a meaningful extracurricular. Together, he believes that we can widely distribute knowledge and raise funds to create change.

2023 Research Candidates

The Voices

Angelina Castillo, Brianna Tejada and Sanika Burkule

A.W. Dreyfoos

Vocals at A.W. Dreyfoos, this amazing group of young women are Juniors aiming to make a difference in their community. LLS is important to Angelina because she wants to help patients and survivors in anyway possible. She wants to share with people how important this is and raise money to help those in need. The campaign is significant to Brianna, because she knows the troubles that any cancer can bring to the family. She would like to raise funds to bring care and treatment to blood cancer patients. Sanika is part of her school’s Arts Club where she participates in different events to benefit the community. Although she has not been affected by cancer in her family, this campaign is important to her because she wants to make a difference and help the community around her.

2023 Patient Support & Education Services Candidates

Action Pack

Christopher Mugavero

North Broward Preparatory School

Christopher is a Sophomore at North Broward Preparatory School. He is a student athlete on both the Football and Baseball teams. Christopher has also been actively involved in the Spirit of Giving Network and hosted a Sock Drive collecting over 1,000 pairs of socks for their Back to School Drive for underprivileged students. He is an active member and serves as a volunteer in several capacities at Christ Fellowship Church. He is very inspired to help raise funds and awareness for all types of cancers as so many loved ones have suffered from cancer. Closest to his heart is his late grandfather who passed away from esophageal cancer. His goal is to raise money to end cancer and provide for those that can’t afford treatment.

2023 Patient Support & Education Services Candidates

Banking on a Cure

Kenedy Carpino, Jones Weiger and Zach Chapman

Martin County High School

LLS is close to Kenedy’s heart, as one of her best friends was diagnosed with Leukemia and her cousin was diagnosed with Lymphoma. LLS is important to Jones because he has multiple family members who have fought cancer. He is part of the Martin County’s Leadership class and other clubs. He wants to spread awareness so that more people will know the importance of raising funds for this cause. This campaign is important to Zach because he has had many friends and family members who have been diagnosed with this disease and are continuously fighting it.

2023 Patient Support & Education Services Candidates

Fight the Fight

Kate Keller and Marleigh Nichols

The Benjamin School

Juniors at The Benjamin School, this legacy team is ready to take on a challange. This organization is important to Kate because she has friends and family who have gone through the battle of cancer. She is on the swim team, plays lacrosse and is part of the Cancer Awareness Club at school. She wants to help make a difference by spreading awareness and support. Although Marleigh has not lost a loved one to blood cancer, she has lost family to melanoma and breast cancer and her heart goes out to anyone who has to go through that type of pain. She wants to make a change and help bring awareness.

2023 Patient Support & Education Services Candidates

Got Hope?

Emilie Miller

Palm Beach Central

Emilie was born and raised in Wellington, Florida. She is a Junior at Palm Beach Central High School. This organization is important to her because she lost her grandfather. She plays volleyball for the Wellington Volleyball Academy and is in multiple school clubs including the Red Cross. She wants to be part of the fight against cancer and to show others how they can help fight it too.

2023 Patient Support & Education Services Candidates

Just Beat It

Dylan Owens and Sophie Pastor

William T. Dwyer High School

This organization is important to Dylan because she believes spreading awareness to people who are uneducated on the topic of blood cancers is crucial. Dylan’s main goal is to spread awareness about Leukemia and Lymphoma and raise funds to help make a change. LLS is very special to Sophie because of her grandmother who recently passed away from Leukemia and her grandfather who is a survivor of Lymphoma. Her main goal is to spread awareness about these diseases and raise funds to make a difference.

2023 Patient Support & Education Services Candidates

Kiss Cancer Goodbye

Ava Stone

West Boca Raton Community High School

Ava is a Freshman at West Boca Raton Community High School. This organization plays an important role in Ava’s life because both her grandparents and her best friend fought against cancer. She takes part in many clubs at her school including Save the Ocean, HOSA, Chess Club, and Math Honor Society. She hopes to help fund research that will cure cancer, and make a difference not only in her community, but around the world.

2023 Patient Support & Education Services Candidates

Team Helping Hands

Alexa Rubinstein and Sasha Zimet

St Andrews School

Alexa was born in New York City but moved to Delray Beach at the beginning of her Sophomore year. LLS is important to her because she was on a team last year, and saw all that the organization does and wanted to help further bring change. She is a part of her school newspaper, literary magazine and plays volleyball. She wants to help those affected by leukemia through the organization. LLS is important to Sasha because she knows the detriments that cancer can bestow upon a family, as she has experienced the effects herself with both her uncle and grandma. Sasha is the president of her school’s Debate Club and the founder of an organization called the Paw Drive. She wants to do her very best to help people in need and spread awareness.

2023 Patient Support & Education Services Candidates

Volley for a Cure

Natalia Henao

Park Vista High School

Natalia is a Sophomore attending Park Vista High School. LLS means a lot to Natalia since she knows friends that have had family members pass away from leukemia. Natalia has also experienced what it’s like to lose a loved one to cancer. Natalia is currently in a couple of clubs at school, her favorite one being HOSA. She loves the thought of growing up to have a profession in health care and wants to do what she can to help stop cancer from taking away people from their families.

2023 Advocacy Candidates

Finding the Answer to Cancer

Elle DeOrsey and Lulu Lang

Oxbridge Academy

This duo is a legacy team and are Juniors at Oxbridge Academy. Elle is a part of the Spanish Honors Society, National Honors Society, and Cancer Awareness Club at school. She has been a Varsity lacrosse player since freshman year and is also a Varsity cheerleader. During the summer she is a leader in training at Experience Camps, a camp for grieving children who have lost a loved one. Lulu was inspired to raise money in honor of her cousin Owen who was diagnosed with Lymphoblastic Lymphoma in December of 2016 when he was 15 years old. After over two years of treatment, he beat Lymphoma and has continued on with his life, and creating a family of his own. She wants everyone who is diagnosed with cancer to be able to do what he did.

2023 Advocacy Candidates

Mission: Possible Rose Antonucci, Laura Suskind and Juliana Papera Florida Atlantic University High School

Participating in the Student Visionaries of the Year is important to Rose because cancer runs in her family and her grandmother passed away from cancer when she was 12. Laura wants to help raise money to support and advocate for affected families. Cancer runs deep in Juliana’s family as her mother had cancer while pregnant with her. She hopes to shine light on this important topic and help fight for a cure.

$5K Club Members

The $5K Club is a group of exemplary team members who raise $5,000 or more for their candidate teams during the 7-week competition. $5K Club members greatly advance their team’s progress towards their goal and demonstrate how all participants can make a significant impact.

Isabella Baker

Isabel Bongino

Ann Fernandez

Jill Finkle

Scott Gorman

Chloe McGann

Talia Miller

Robert Mugavero

Daelan Pinsky

Melissa Rooney

Kaylie Strom

Ella Womble

*As of February 19, 2023

Meet Our 2023 Hosts Suits

97.9 WRMF

Suits graduated from the Connecticut School Of Broadcasting at 19 Years old and joined the KVJ Morning Show just a few months later as their technical director. He has grown his on air role to 7 Days a week with The Night Shift on WRMF

Monday-Saturday 7pm-Midnight and Suits On Sundays 7amNoon as well as his daily role with the KVJ Show.

Jonathan Duerr LLS Board Member Compass Realty

Jonathan has lived and worked in Palm Beach County for more than 19 years. His experience includes real estate sales and marketing for both new homes and residential resale properties. Jonathan is a 14-year member of the Board of Trustees for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and he has a strong involvement with several other charitable organizations throughout the Palm Beaches.

Congratulations to our 2022 Top Fundraisers

Isabel Bongino Team Hope 2022 Winner

Isabel was the 2022 Students of the Year winner and set a fundraising record for the Palm Beach - Treasure Coast market. Isabel is currently attending Auburn University and majoring in Nursing. She is still very involved in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, mentoring this year’s Pine School legacy team and is looking forward to being a Visionary of the Year candidate.

Ryland Hauser, Nick

Venezia and Gio

Cascion

Lymphoma Leaders

2022 Runner-Ups

Ryland, Nick and Gio are Seniors at Jensen Beach High School. The trio found their campaign to be rewarding as they were able to give back to their community. The boys are all looking forward to continuing their philanthropic efforts as they commit to colleges.

South Florida’s Premier Anti-Aging & Wellness Center

Proudly Supports Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Student Visionaries of the Year

To learn more about our services, call Kelly Klement at 561.342.5527

@thebiostation | thebiostation.com

You succeeded in taking “ACTION” to make a difference in the lives of those affected by blood cancers!

We are so proud of you!

Love, Mom & Dad

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