WHO’S ON THE BALLOT
CANDIDATES FOR INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
The Junior Civitan International Board consists of 1 President, 1 Vice President and 3 at-large Directors. The below Junior Civitans have declared their intent to run for a position on the 2023-2024 International Board.
Jeshua Espiritu | Candidate for President
Jeshua Espiritu joined the Sumter High Junior Civitan Club (South Carolina) as a freshman. Over his three years as a member, he has served as president of his school’s Junior Civitan Club (2021-2022) and Regional 2 District Co-Director (2022-2023). During his time as the 2022-2023 Region 2 District Co-director, he was able to organize and host a Region 2 District convention to celebrate their district. Some honors and awards he has received during his time in Junior Civitan include the 2021-2022 Club Officer of the Year (District Level), 2021-2022 Club Officer of the Year (International Level) and the Good Samaritan Award at All In Summit. Jeshua is seeking the office of president because he enjoys participating in selfless acts of service that help communities thrive and grow and wants to extend his service to help Junior Civitan on a broader scale. If elected as International President, one of the most important things he said he wants to accomplish is “to make sure that every voice is heard and that clubs get the support they need by helping to provide them with resources, such as the Kick-It Event, and expand service opportunities.” Aside from Junior Civitan, Jeshua is involved in the Sumter High School Marching and Jazz Bands and the National Honor Society. When he is not busy with Junior Civitan or other school activities, he enjoys his hobbies which include playing the saxophone, tennis and pickleball.
Brooke Porter | Candidate for President
Brooke Porter joined Junior Civitan as a freshman at the Cleveland Early College High School Club (Lawndale, N.C.). Throughout her time as a member, she has served in various roles in her local club and on the international level. Brooke is the current International Vice President and in her local club she has served as CECHS 9th Grade Director, district Public Relations Coordinator and Lieutenant Governor, CECHS President and Vice President and Region 3 Co-Director. During her time as president and vice president of her local club, she spearheaded initiatives to increase their club’s membership and led her fellow classmates in the absence of an advisor until a new one was named. Additionally, she has received the honor of Junior Civitan of the Year at the district level and her club was recognized as 3rd Place International Club of the Year. Brooke shared it would be an honor to now serve the organization as President because she wants to continue growing, learning and pursuing her passion of helping others. Her goal is “to further expand the organization’s reach by increasing awareness and involvement among young people.” Aside from Junior Civitan, Brooke is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and the Explorers Medical Post. When she isn’t serving with Civitan or another school club, you can find Brooke enjoying her hobbies of cooking, kayaking, fishing and more!
Stacy Nyaga | Candidate for Vice President
Stacy Nyaga joined the Wake Leadership Junior Civitan club (Raleigh, N.C.) as a freshman. Over her three years in Junior Civitan, she has served in various roles such as secretary and president in her school club. Additionally, she served as co-director of the Region 3 District. During her time in these roles, Stacy raised $5,974 for All-In Summit in her first year fundraising and her efforts led her to be named the second-highest fundraiser for the 2023 event. During her time in leadership, her club was also named an Honor Club. She also increased membership and helped lead two district-wide service projects. Stacy is seeking the office of Vice President because she has been able to serve in her local community and district and she said she now wishes to serve nationally and internationally through the vice presidency. Her goal is to “identify more ways to serve those with intellectual disabilities through Special Olympics, partner with the Wellhouse and Ronald McDonald House Charities, have more clubs involved with Kick It, and also help increase communication between the districts and their clubs.” Aside from Junior Civitan, Stacy is a member of Girls Learn International, her school’s Student Government Association and the Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program. When Stacy isn’t with her fellow Junior Civitans or another school club, she enjoys her hobbies of reading, cooking and crocheting.
Nicolas Ornelas | Candidate for Vice President
Nicolas Ornelas joined Junior Civitan as a freshman at the Academy of Tucson and is headed into his senior year. He is the incoming vice president for his school club and is excited to continue serving his community through his work with Junior Civitan. Throughout his time as a member, he has served as district director, where he aided in the construction of a new club at the Academy of Tucson Middle School. Nicolas is seeking the office of Vice President for Junior Civitan. He shared he is interested in this position because his commitment to service and his passion for leadership has driven him to seek a position where he can contribute on a greater level. If elected, he shared his primary goal is to “increase engagement within our organization by encouraging participation and emphasizing the importance of civic duties.” Aside from Junior Civitan, Nicolas is the Vice President of his school’s Student Council, an Art Committee Director of Student Council and the Chess Club President. He has received honors and awards through his extracurriculars including MVP of the Football team and Student of the Quarter at his school. When Nicolas isn’t serving with his fellow Junior Civitans, he enjoys several of his hobbies which include going to the gym, playing soccer, reading and volunteering at church.
Click here to read why Nicolas wants to serve as International Vice President.
Victoria Scott | Candidate for Director
Victoria Scott will start her third year with Junior Civitan as an incoming junior this fall. She is a member of the Academy of Tucson club and has contributed in a variety of ways throughout the years. Recently, she has served as the Region 8 Event, Meeting and Convention Coordinator to serve her fellow Junior Civitans on the district level. As coordinator, she helped with structuring their 2023 convention in Tucson. Additionally, she is the incoming club president for her school’s club. She shared some of her goals locally include planning and hosting more activities to offer more club awards and achieve more service hours. Victoria is seeking to be an international director because Junior Civitan has had a positive impact on her life and she is eager to explore more ways to serve and meet new people. If elected to this position, Victoria shared she plans “to bring out of the box ideas to help propel Junior Civitan to continue being a service organization of choice for many years to come.” Aside from Junior Civitan, Victoria is involved in her school’s student council, where she served as president of student activities; the National Honor Society, where she will serve as the historian this year; and finally, she is a member of the Calvary Chapel Youth Group. She has received honors and awards through her extracurriculars including Student of the Year at her high school and was deemed the Most Improved Volleyball player during a recent season. When Victoria isn’t busy with extracurriculars, she enjoys acting, volleyball and getting involved with her school and community.
Click here to read why Victoria wants to serve as International Director.
The candidate bios were compiled from information provided by the candidates and campaign speeches were provided directly from the candidates themselves. These are not endorsements of any candidate by Junior Civitan International.