On Sunday -- October 4th we had 81 Teen Anglers, Junior Teen Anglers, family members and friends come together to honor the Teen Angler of the Year -- Shane Surrency. We did things a little different this year -- we rented a pavilion at Jaycee Park and held the event outdoors. Everyone attending had a great time and the many different kinds of food was excellent.
To qualify for the fish off for the Teen Angler of the Year you have to be in the top five middle school and high school with the most points accumulated during the school year. After the inshore tournament was held last May Shane was the winner of this honor. He was followed by Justin Roe in 2nd place and for the first time we had a three way tie for 3rd place -- Pierce Hostetler, Helen Kinchen and Branson Troska.
Shane is in the 9th grade and attends Lincoln Park Academy and joined Teen Anglers in August of 2007. Shane said he likes all sports but football and baseball are his favorites but none can take the place of fishing. After Shane graduates he wants to attend Indian River State College and he would also like to get his Captain license and become a fishing guide.
As part of Shane's prize package he received a big trophy, an onboard battery charger from Minn Kota valued at $150.00, a depth finder from Hummingbird valued at $650.00, a life jacket from West Marine valued at $100.00, a Teen Angler of the Year shirt and an offshore charter on the "B" with Capt. Al Bernetti. Not too bad for fishing once a month and keeping your grades up all school year! Thank you Johnson Outdoors for donating all the prizes. The second and third places winners also received a trophy and an offshore charter on the "B."We also had a special prize of a rod and reel combo for one of the third place winners -- Helen Kinchen. Helen had more points going into the fish off than any other Teen Angler has ever had. Helen is a middle school student at Northport K -8.
The Junior Teen Anglers were honored with a participation certificate for their efforts during the last school year. We had a total of 14 Juniors and their families attend. The Teen Anglers were also given certificates of participation with 12 Teen's attending. We also gave out certificates to recognize their efforts for the oyster shell bagging we did last year. We gave out 14 certificates for this with one going to a Junior Teen Angler -- Robert Kinchen, Jr. and one to Trace Meding. Trace's sister -- Taylor is in her 2nd year as a Teen Angler but Trace has been to all the Teen Angler meetings and has helped at all the oyster shell bagging. Trace will be eligible to join Teen Anglers next school year.
At the beginning of the new season the Teen Anglers & Junior Teen Anglers held our 1st ever fun raiser -- we sold 346 tubs of cookie dough!! One Junior Teen Angler -- Dylan Brewer and his family sold more than anyone else -- 29 tubs!! Dylan was awarded with a kit that contained a Leatherman's tool, flashlight, clippers, a knife and carrying case. Way to go Brewer's!
Just a couple of quick THANK YOU to Brenda Martzolf for the huge sheet cake she made and it had the Junior Teen Anglers & Teen Anglers logo on it! To Paul Meding for cooking all the hamburger and hot dogs -- I noticed that his helpers -- Capt. Al Bernetti and Capt. Joe Ward were doing more sampling of the food than cooking! Also, to all the parents and family members that brought such great side dishes!! And, for Suzanne Bernetti for making all the certificates that the Junior & Teen Anglers received.
If you would like more info on Junior Teen Anglers (5 to 11 age group) or Teen Anglers (12 to 18 age group) you can call 772-201-5773 or go to the web at www.teenanglers.org
See you at the next tournament!
Cammie Ward