The Upper Keys Weekly is proud to partner with the Coral Shores’ Athletic Department in choosing “The Male and Female Athlete of the Week.” Recipients are chosen on qualifications of athletic excellence, academic standing and community involvement. We thank our future leaders and the CSHS Athletic Department for allowing us to share a little “Hurricane Pride.”
SHEILA GONZALEZ
Sheila Gonzalez, a junior and three-year member of the Coral Shores Canettes dance team, is this week’s Upper Keys Weekly Female Athlete of the Week. “Whether the Canettes are performing on the sidelines, at a football game or in the gym at a pep rally, Gonzalez always stands out with her talent, attitude and smile,” said Canette sponsor Joanne Haddad. “It is her attitude which makes her a favorite of her teammates during long practices.”
Haddad said Gonzalez has had to come back and work hard following a serious knee injury and surgery, but it has not slowed her down and her perseverance is a great example for the team.
Gonzalez is also a member of the On Your Toes dance studio Elite Competition team, where she travels across the state competing and participating in classes and workshops. Along with her On Your Toes teammates, Gonzalez won numerous platinum and high score awards. She’s currently involved in The Upper Keys Foundation-Hurricane Dorian Relief Mission. She also frequently volunteers at the Plantation Key Nursing Home, performing and visiting with residents.
Gonzalez is also a standout in the classroom. She takes a full schedule of AP and Honors classes, carries a 4.0 unweighted GPA — a 4.441 weighted GPA — and is ranked in the top 5 of her junior class of 166. Her current goals include attending Boston College and studying pre-med in preparation to become an anesthesiologist.
JEAN “JULIAN” BAIDET
Jean “Julian” Baidet, a senior leader of the Coral Shores swim team, is this week’s Upper Keys Weekly Male Athlete of the Week. Baidet is in his third year with the program. According to head swim coach Jon Olsen, “Julian has helped out in a number of different events. He’s all about the team. He consistently asks to fill in where we have voids for the sake of team points. You have to love that selfless approach.”
Kelly Kater, associate head swim coach, said, “Julian makes every swimmer on the team better. He is such a great encourager … he’s inspirational. Julian stays excited about swimming and that tends to be infectious. Literally every other swimmer feeds off of the energy he brings to practices and events.”
Baidet was honored with the “Spirit Award” at last year’s Swimming/Diving Awards Banquet.
Baidet has also been singled out for his Upper Keys Foundation community service. Most recently, he helped with the highly successful Lighthouse Swim. He, along with 41 of his swim teammates, provided much-needed assistance to more than 450 swim participants. Additionally, Baidet is deeply involved in the Special Olympics. He has been active in that cause each of his four years at Coral Shores. He has placed a special focus on the soccer and flag football events. Last May, he traveled with six other Coral Shores student-athletes to participate in the Special Olympics “challenge games” in Orlando.
“Julian is an invaluable member of our Special Olympics program,” said Upper Keys Special Olympics coach and organizer, Pete Reineso. “He’s so dependable and so inspirational. He makes participation fun for everyone.”
Julian is very active in Coral Shores’ Drama Club and the Sound and Engineering Club. He is also an accomplished animator and has participated in numerous animation and “Voice Acting” seminars throughout South Florida.
