CHRISTINA TASCON

Normally profiles begin with a description of the person being written about and end with a final quote from the subject or by someone who knows them well.

In this case what Sean Castro’s drama teacher said about him flavors whatever else you might learn about this amazing young student.

“At the beginning of every year I share something with my students which was told to me by my professor,” Dee Rose-Imbro said.  “He said, ‘If it doesn’t come from the heart, then it doesn’t mean a thing.’  Sean is the essence of that statement.  Everything he does comes from his heart.”

Castro will be heading to France on August 22nd on a yearlong scholarship funded by the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.

At only 15 years of age, he will venture out to live and study in a place where he does not yet know how to fully communicate.

Sean Castro, son of Andrea and Marco Castro, moved here in 2008 from California.  He leaves in just over a month to live with two new substitute parents and five siblings in Menton, France.

Castro’s selection with five other local students is quite a feat.  Only 75 students were chosen from the whole state of Florida  o be sponsored by the Rotary Club Youth Exchange Program.

Students of the program are chosen only after submitting a written application as well as being interviewed in person.  They must be “above-average students or young professionals with demonstrated leadership in the community; open to new experiences and cultural differences and sponsored by a local Rotary club.”

Everyone who was interviewed about Castro told InsideVero that Castro fills that bill completely and is completely up to the challenge he is about to experience in France.

If you have seen the newest lip dub video by DOME Films showcasing downtown Vero Beach and a song by Bruno Mars, “Treasure,” Castro is the first kid on the screen wearing a white t-shirt and one red suspender.

Not his first foray into the video world, Castro is already a well known performer at the Riverside Theatre and on stage at Vero Beach High School.

“I have been in chorus since 5th grade,” said Castro, “and started dancing and singing at Riverside Children’s Theatre in Peter Rabbit and never stopped since then.”

Having seen any performance in which Castro has participated, you will most likely remember his expressive and animated performance.  He was always one of the standout actors in the productions in which he participated.

“Sean is more than just a great dancer and performer,” said DOME’s Clifton.  “His performances are very  emotive and he takes direction so easily to give the emotional expressions needed for whatever we ask of him.”

He is also extremely polite and engaging to not just adults but also to the peers he works with at school and the theatre.  A rare asset found in today’s nonchalant youth of today.

Castro has been on stage steadily but in addition to his performance skills, what is most known about him is his leadership skills among his peers and the children who are younger and look up to him for his guidance.

He works closely with Megan Callahan at DOME Films on the choreography portion of all their dance shoots.

“Sean has an infectious motivation that makes you want to do great things,” said Callahan.  “He is such a positive role model for all the kids to look up to because he is always so professional and the first person to help everyone out if they don’t understand what to do.”

As Castro leaves for his year studying performance and dance abroad, Callahan will be heading off to New York University School of the Arts.

“For the last four years we have done so much together; he is my closest friend and is always there for me.  Hopefully one day we will both work in the theatre together,” said Callahan.

Whether working together includes performing on stage or working behind the camera remains to be seen.

John Clifton, one of the partners at DOME Films says he sees Castro’s interest moving deeper into the creative video technology side.

“He has been a great actor, totally comfortable on camera and is also a really good dancer,” said Clifton.  “We definitely see him as an obvious candidate for the Short Films we are doing this summer and in future.”

Clifton said that Castro has always been available to anything they ask him to do and takes a big role with the choreography and all of their video productions.

“He is the model to all the students and really is a professional who takes direction well and really knows his stuff.”

“We’re really excited for him to go to France but we’re also really bummed about it obviously because he is such a big part of DOME.”

“I am a bit nervous about leaving Vero but I want to get out and see everything,” said Castro.  “I will be attending regular high school and dance classes but probably not the vocal classes because of the language difference.”

Castro’s parents only wanted him to apply for the summer but he was accepted to the yearlong program.

“I told Sean to keep his head up and do what you he wants to do,” said his mother Andrea.  “He is such a high energy, positive person and I know he will do well wherever he goes.”

Castro keeps himself very busy and goes from one position teaching at the High School Summer Camp to the stage at Riverside in this summer’s production of Smiles.

“Sean is always on the go. He never has free time but he, like myself, enjoys life through what we are doing,” said Callahan.  “Technically it’s work but with him it doesn’t feel like it!”

On June 18^th, the City Council recognized Castro and the five other Indian River students at the City Council Meeting in Chambers by proclaiming that June 18, 2013 to be Rotary International Youth Exchange Day.

In addition to Castro spending the year in France, others awarded the Rotary scholarships were Donella Aldrich going to Poland; Anna Briggs going to Croatia; Liam Lewis to Switzerland; Christina Victor to Germany and Amanda Vhorst to Japan.

We wish them well as they go out as ambassadors of Indian River County, Florida, in an opportunity we imagine they shall never forget.