Scott Hardcastle, Class of 71
Teressa Neal Hardcastle, Class of 76
Winners of 2006 Minuteman Awards
Scene: CBJSHS Graduation Ceremony, Cocoa Beach High School, Friday May 19th, 2006 ...
A full house of graduates, parents, relatives, friends and, of course, faculty and important guests. Two of those guests were told they had to attend—they didn’t want to, as their own daughter is graduating the next year and they’d been to so many in the past—but each were told something different by each other as to why they had to attend. When they arrived—they were shuffled into the front of the show and asked to sit on the sidelines right up front. Huh? Oh well, they thought, at least we got seats up front!
Then Principal Tim Cool, gets up and starts his speech: “America is a nation who’s principles rest upon a reverence for human dignity, freedom and courage. In 1775, a group of ragged but determined people stood against seemingly overwhelming odds and, with the grace of their faith and belief in human rights, forged a new nation. We honor their spirit, commitment, vision and courage.
"Each year at graduation, Cocoa Beach Junior Senior High School presents the “Minuteman Award” to a member or members of the school or community who fits the criteria of: ONE WHO STANDS TALL AMONG MEN OR VISION AND WITH RENEWED COURAGE WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THOSE WHOSE PRINCIPALS MAKE THIS COUNTRY GREAT.
"This is the highest award the school may bestow upon individuals who have served this community. The award was initiated in 1966 during the second graduation ceremony for Cocoa Beach High School students.
"Nominations are received and carefully scrutinized by an elected committee of students, faculty and community members. Nominations have been accepted and awards given continuously through the years, and this tradition continues tonight as 2 new minutemen are added to the stone monument at the front of the school.
"This year I am proud to present the Minuteman Award to two very special people. They are both graduates of Cocoa Beach Junior Senior High School. Both have volunteered their services for countless hours to help make our school a better place. They epitomize what this award is all about.
"They are a husband and wife team who have gone above and beyond the call of duty for many years. Our school would not be the same without the ongoing support that this outstanding couple provides to the entire Cocoa Beach Junior Senior High School community.
"Here are just a few examples of the many wonderful things they have done for Cocoa Beach Junior Senior High School:
- Provided transportation for the Girls' Golf Team and Team Chaperones for the past five years
- Girls' Soccer Team Coordinator since 2003
- Runs the SkyBox during all home Soccer games
- Teressa ran for and won Space Coast Queen to keep student scholarships at Cocoa Beach
- Helped establish The Steve Petro Scholarship Foundation
- Acts as Liaison for the Recreation Center and events held at Cocoa Beach
- Rock Jock Volunteers
- School Advisory Committee (SAC) member for the past three years
- Coordinates the Alumni Football Game raising thousands of dollars for the Football Program
- Volunteers endless hours helping to set up and take down all soccer equipment for all games
- Announcer for all Girls' Soccer games
- Past Member of the Minutemen Award Committee
- Cocoa Beach Alumni Board Member participating in such events as the Project Graduation events held at Daytona International Speedway
"Community and parental involvement are an absolute necessity for a great school to run smoothly. Parents like these are few and far between. Cocoa Beach Junior Senior High School is truly blessed to have such parents to make our school the best it can be.
"Again, this award is about those people who stand tall among men of vision, and with renewed courage, contribute to those principles which make this country great.
"Please join me in congratulating this year’s winners: Scott and Teressa Hardcastle.”