PAST JR. PARADE CAPTAINS:
2019: Emma Sorensen, Make-A-Wish South Florida
2018: Thomas Boegler, The Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital at Broward Health
2017: Grayson Zrelak representing Deliver The Dream
2016: Daniel Moreno representing the Ann Storck Center
2015: Madison Smith representing Cure SMA – Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) type 2
2014: Alex Casamento representing the Arthritis Foundation, Florida Chapter, SE Region. He was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) at the age of five and is one of 300,000 kids in the U.S. who suffers from this painful and incurable disease.
2013: Lauren Bendesky who was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma. Her fight and optimistic attitude is the reason “A Prom to Remember” nominated as their representative in the Parade. Lauren was aboard the Jr. Captain Showboat powered by FPL
2012: Sydney Lister diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma (Facebook winner with 927 votes).
2011: Five year old Martina Bello diagnosed with Leukemia sponsored by the James Jr. Fund.
2010: Alison Marchessault – Born with the Recessive form of Polycystic Kidney Disease, Alison Marchessault has spent so much of her life in hospitals. She is an extremely bright, beautiful and happy young woman. Starlight Children’s Foundation has been one of Alison’s favorite organizations over the years and she participated in the parade on the Florida Marlin’s Boat highlighted this charity.
2009: TheWinterfest® Jr. Captain was created as a legacy of 15-year-old Amanda Blake who battled osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.


