Miami Springs has always been a community rooted in service, and now its own youth is carrying that legacy forward. Sadie Loughlin, a senior at American Heritage School in Plantation, and Melanny Perez, a junior at Downtown Doral Charter Upper School, have co-founded and now serve as co-presidents of the very first Leo’s Club in Miami Springs.
Both young women are straight-A students who balance rigorous academics with leadership and service.
The Leo’s Club is the official youth branch of Lions Club International, the world’s largest service organization with more than 1.4 million members in over 200 countries. Locally, the Miami Springs Lions Club is one of Florida’s most active chapters, led by District Governor Elizabeth Fisher, who oversees leadership across Florida and the Caribbean. Inspired by the Lions’ spirit of camaraderie, community service, and joy in giving, Sadie and Melanny believed the youth of Miami Springs would also heed the call to serve—and they have not been disappointed.
A Historic Beginning
On Thursday, September 11th, the Miami Springs Leo’s Club held its first official installation and induction ceremony for its charter members. The evening included the formal signing of the charter, which recognized the Leo’s as part of the global Lions family. For the students involved, it was a milestone moment that transformed their vision into reality.
From Challenge to Calling: Sadie’s Story
Loughlin grew up battling Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, a chronic eye condition that caused painful and recurring chalazia with excessive inflammation. The flare-ups left her eyelids inflamed, sometimes bleeding, and swelling so much that they blocked her vision. The condition forced her to miss school and became a long, exhausting cycle of daily compresses, medications, doctor visits, and even surgery.
After years of failed treatments—including costly laser therapies and specialty lenses—Sadie finally found a combination of therapies and orthokeratology lenses that brought relief. That breakthrough left her not only grateful, but deeply aware of how different her life might have been without her family’s persistence, time, and resources.
That perspective is what drew her to the Lions’ Vision Project, where she has since sorted and prepared more than a thousand pairs of eyeglasses for distribution to those in need.
“The Vision Project is really near and dear to my heart,” Loughlin said. “Even for me—with parents who could research, advocate, and pay for treatments—it was extremely difficult. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for people without those resources. That’s why I will always attend the Lions Club meetings and keep volunteering with their eyeglass recycling. I was so inspired by the Lions’ camaraderie, their sense of community, and even the fun they bring to service, that I wanted to expand that opportunity to the youth of Miami Springs. It felt like a tremendous way for us to follow the example of our community leaders.”
Her health journey also shaped her academic path and future goals. Sadie is a Merit Scholarship recipient at American Heritage School, has maintained High Honors every year, and has been recognized nationally with multiple College Board distinctions, including AP Scholar, the National Hispanic Recognition Program, and the School Recognition Award. She is also on track for National Merit recognition this Fall.
In addition, Sadie has been honored with awards in fine arts, French language competitions, guitar performance, and journalism, excelling in both state and regional contests. Her record shows that she is not only a scholar but a master of many trades, thriving in academics, the arts, and leadership.
This past summer, she completed a prestigious congressional internship with U.S. Representative Jared Moskowitz, gaining first-hand experience in government relations, community engagement, and the role of public service in shaping policy. Looking ahead, she plans to study government relations and business with a focus on public health, with the goal of expanding access to care for others.
Roots in Miami Springs
Loughlin and Perez are also cousins, tied together by multi-generational Miami Springs roots. Their grandparents have lived in the community for more than 50 years, and their parents—like many others—returned to Miami Springs to raise their families. The girls grew up watching their grandfather model a lifetime of service to his community, an example that left a lasting impression.
Perez, an International Baccalaureate student and flag football player at Downtown Doral Charter Upper School, balances academics with athletics and service. This past summer, she worked as a counselor with the Miami Springs Recreation Department’s summer camp, mentoring younger children and giving back to the same community that shaped her. She is considering future careers ranging from surgery to firefighting, but she knows her dedication to Miami Springs will remain constant.
“I love Miami Springs,” Perez said. “This community has given me so much — from my grandparents’ friendships, to my parents’ friends I grew up around, and now to the friends I’ve made myself. It really feels multi-generational, like one big family. Sadie and I wanted to bring that same opportunity for connection and service to young people like us, so that we can follow the example of those who came before us.”
Growing the Spirit of Service
In just its first months, the Miami Springs Leo’s Club has:
- Partnered with the Lions Club on the Vision Project, recycling and distributing eyeglasses.
- Written and delivered heartfelt cards to veterans for the Fourth of July.
- Organized a canal cleanup to protect the local environment.
- Restocked and maintained Little Free Libraries across Miami Springs.
- Collected and donated back-to-school supplies for students in underprivileged schools, ensuring children had access to bookbags and basic learning materials.
Looking ahead, the Leos are preparing to break ground on a community garden and, this spring, will join with the Lions Club for another large-scale community cleanup project. They are also planning eyeglass drives and fundraisers at their schools to expand their impact and contribute to Lion’s Club Vision Project.
A Vision for the Future
The Miami Springs Leo’s Club is more than a new student organization—it is a reflection of the town’s long tradition of service, carried forward by a new generation. With Loughlin and Perez at the helm, Miami Springs youth are not only serving their neighbors today but shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
