Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse to Honor Shining Stars at luncheon

March 6, 2023 – Sarasota

The Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse (SCoSA) will honor the 2023 award winners at the 17th Annual Sarasota Shining Stars Recognition and Awards Luncheon. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 22, at Michael’s On East, 1212 East Ave., Sarasota. Tom Knight, former Sarasota County Sheriff, will serve as the emcee.  

Individual tickets are $80; table sponsorship is available for $1,000. Tickets are available online at www.SCoSA.org or by calling SCoSA at 941-928-4435. 

This year’s honorees are:   

Citizen of the Year: Mark Pritchett, President and CEO, Gulf Coast Community Foundation   

Mark Pritchett is being recognized for his years of community service. He has served as the president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation since 2015; he is retiring this year. Under Pritchett’s leadership, the Foundation has tackled many of our community’s toughest issues, including homelessness, affordable housing and mental health services. His smiling face and words of encouragement make you want to be part of his team to move forward, pull resources together and motivate people to do things for the greater good. Pritchett serves on the boards of the Florida Chamber Foundation, Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, the Sarasota County Economic Development Corporation, and the Community Foundations of Florida CEO Leadership Team. He is a Lifetime Member of Leadership Florida and supports many causes outside of his role at the Foundation. In 2021, he received the Civic Achievement Award by the American Jewish Committee. His caring attitude and sincerity make Mark Pritchett the perfect Citizen of the Year for the Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse. 

Community Leadership Award: Lt. Col. Michele Matthews, Sarasota Area Commander, The Salvation Army 

The award recognizes the leadership and community contributions made by Lt. Col. Michele Matthews, who has served as The Salvation Army’s Sarasota area commander since 2021. During recent tragedies she led efforts to help people suffering from loss, homelessness and other issues. Matthews supervised The Salvation Army Homeless Shelter that housed two residential addiction recover programs during the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ian. She facilitated food trucks and worked toprovide assistance to many individuals in North Port in the aftermath of Ian, including temporary housing. Previously, Matthews was The Salvation Army’s national secretary for Social Services and Public Policy; national director for White House Relations; and territorial director for Pathway of Hope, a national poverty alleviation initiative, for The Salvation Army, USA Southern Territory. Matthews also has served as CEO of The Salvation Army’s Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Command and chief development officer for The Salvation Army Caribbean Territory. The Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse is proud to recognize Lt. Col. Matthews with the Shining Stars Community Leadership Award.                    

SCoSA 2023 Shining Stars news release, cont’d. 

Student Shining Stars:  

High School: Santino Keelen, Booker High School 

Santino Keelen is a senior at Booker High School. He is pursuing the AICE diploma (Advanced International Certificate of Education) and is a jazz guitarist in the Visual and Performing Arts program at Booker High School. A transfer student from Sarasota High School, Santino was a member of the Drug-Free Youth program while at SHS. At BHS, he has consistently earned the Renaissance distinction with a high grade-point average each quarter. Santino has completed over 100 hours of volunteer service. He took an elective course in peer counseling in his sophomore year. His teacher noted that, due to his excellent participation in the class, his expertise in counseling and his moral and behavioral leadership, she trusted him to help counsel fellow students when appropriate. Santino’s father, Michael Keelen, teaches at Booker High. Michael has struggled with addiction and alcoholism himself, as did other men in his family. “Santino has motivated me to stay sober all these years because I did not want him to grow up the way I did.” Santino says, “While many of my peers lost sight of their education and health, I worked to stay on the right path.” Michael adds that Santino’s rejection of drugs and alcohol “makes me immensely proud.” The Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse is proud to recognize Santino Keelen as the Shining Stars High School Student of the year.     

Middle School: Zane Van Blarcum, Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences 

Zane Van Blarcum is an eighth-grade student at Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences. He was vice president of Student Leadership while at Bay Haven School of Basics Plus and is a member of SSAS Student Council and the Recycling Team; and co-founder of the Accio Club, inspired by the Harry Potter books. Zane has volunteered for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Zane also mentors a young friend. “I have seen first-hand how substance abuse can cause family heartache,” he says. “My 11-year-old neighbor now lives with his great-grandmother because both of his parents are no longer fit to take care of him because of drugs. I try to mentor him so he doesn’t end up in a similar situation. I believe that education and prevention is much better than trying to find a cure.” Tara Tahmosh, SSAS principal, says “Zane is strong, very strong, and great, but the world has yet to see just how great. His potential is truly unlimited.” The Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse is proud to recognize Zane Van Blarcum as the Shining Stars Middle School Student of the year.