The $1,000 Ray Goodgame Outstanding Student Leader Award honors exceptional students in the South Lake area who serve as champions for the community and whose leadership, service, and dedication have made a meaningful impact both in their school and throughout the South Lake community.
At the Chamber’s March breakfast, the award was presented to Robert Alonso, a student at South Lake High School.
Robert has maintained a 3.3 GPA while actively participating in a wide range of academic, leadership, and service opportunities. He has also been recognized for his accomplishments with the Scottish Rite Academic Award from NJROTC, highlighting his commitment to leadership and citizenship.
Within his school, Robert has taken on several important roles. He serves as a Student Government member, helping make decisions that impact fellow students and the school community. In addition, he is the Vice President of the Interact Club, assisting in organizing meetings and managing service events.
He is also well known on campus as the South Lake Eagles mascot, proudly representing school spirit at events over the past two years.
Robert’s passion for hands-on learning is reflected in his involvement in the Culinary program, where he has been a dedicated student since 2022 and a member of the culinary competition team. In this role, he has helped develop the logistics and operations behind a BBQ food truck concept. He is also an active member of NJROTC, where he has focused on developing strong citizenship and leadership skills. As a Community Service Communicator, he organizes service events and helps ensure they run smoothly while representing the school’s NJROTC program.
Over the past four years, Robert has completed more than 300 hours of community service, supporting organizations such as Toys for Tots, the Groveland Police Department, South Lake NJROTC, the Groveland City Youth Council, the Neighborhood Center of South Lake, New Beginnings, and Find, Feed and Restore. Among his most notable service efforts are helping organize and distribute toys through Toys for Tots, assisting the Groveland Police Department with training exercises, and participating in Adopt-A-Highway cleanups along Silver Eagle Road.
Looking ahead, Robert plans to continue his education in 2026 at Valencia College, where he will pursue a degree in Culinary Arts with the goal of becoming a professional chef.
This month’s Outstanding Student Leader Award was sponsored by Billy Kirk, publisher of The Groveland Sun and The Clermont Sun, and his wife, Bobbi Kirk.
