OKEECHOBEE — Good grades are serious to 11-year-old Camron Vega, because he believes education is important. His mom taught him this when he was very young, and he has done his best to maintain a record of nearly all As since kindergarten, although his mom said he has had a few Bs here and there over the years. Camron, who is now in fifth grade, loves a challenge though and is never happy with just getting by, when he can excel. Last year, he was nominated to the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, DC, but due to financial constraints, was unable to attend. Although disappointed, Camron doesn’t let things like that get him down. He always has a smile on his face and is well-liked by his teachers and peers.

He spends a lot of his time helping others, whether it is his mom, his teachers, fellow students or his younger brother and sister, and he takes his role as big brother very seriously, often telling his siblings they need to study harder to get good grades. His brother’s dad died a few years ago, and their mom said Camron has taken on the role of father to his younger brother and sister. “He feels he needs to lead them,” she said. “I couldn’t be prouder of that boy.”

Each year when his school, Central Elementary, holds the Battle of the Books, Camron enters, because he loves to read, and it fits right in with his love of a challenge. This year has been a little hard on Camron and his siblings, because they are used to their mom coming to school to see them get awards, and no visitors are allowed on campus at all due to COVID-19. The school does awards virtually so families can still enjoy the moments even if not first-hand. It’s not quite the same though and not nearly as much fun if mom isn’t sitting out in the audience beaming with pride. Despite this, Camron still does his best to earn the awards and bring them home so his mom can display them proudly.

When Camron was in pre-school, he wanted to be a builder when he grew up, but now, his interests have changed and he has decided he wants to be a YouTuber.

Do you know an inspiring child? Send me and email and tell me about him or her. cwomble@newszap.com