Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida announces that Big Sister Noelle Strevig has been selected as the Santa Rosa County Big of the Year.
Big Brothers Big Sisters staff chose Noelle for this honor because she is so consistent and supportive of her Little Sister Kennidi, according to a press release. Noelle and Kennidi have been matched since March of 2014. Since being matched, Noelle and Kennidi have seen each other nearly every week.
Their Match Specialist Michelle Byrd is proud to give Noelle this honor. “As soon as I met Kennidi and her family, they had my heart,” said Byrd. “I love this match. Noelle is an excellent example of how a consistent presence in a child’s life can make a difference.”
Each week they go to a local coffee shop to talk and work on schoolwork. “Kennidi is a bookworm,” Noelle says, “A lot of children don’t like to read and I admire that she does, because I think reading is extremely important. It helps expand your vocabulary, and I have seen her interests grow too because of it.”
“School feels great. It’s less stressful than it used to be,” Kennidi says. “Since we have been matched the way I act in public is so different too. I was so shy but Noelle has helped me feel more comfortable talking to people.”
“Noelle has been an amazing influence on Kennidi’s grades and educational outcomes,” says Big Brothers Big Sisters President and CEO Paula Shell. “Without Noelle, Kennidi probably would have been held back a grade. You can clearly see the impact of this match.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida has been the area’s leader in one-to-one mentoring for 29 years by serving children ages 6 to 18. Our mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Last year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida served 616 children in Northwest Florida.
