Edgewood Student Nika Gividen Narrowly Escaped Abduction, Will Host The Event
WATCH: The Friday Night Locker Room’s Orville Susong talks with Edgewood Jr/Sr High School senior, Nika Gividen. In 2023, Nika narrowly escaped abduction. She, and the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, will be hosting the hand-timed Stop the Traffic 5K, at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, 400 S. Sykes Creek Pkwy., Merritt Island, Florida, on Saturday, January 20, starting at 8:30 a.m. Proceeds will benefit the local nonprofit, Called Out – End Human Trafficking.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Nika Gividen, a senior at Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School is in the process of working on her Senior Class Project and is hosting the Stop the Traffic 5K Run/Walk that will be held on Saturday, January 20 at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center in Merritt Island.
My business partner, Orville Susong and I recently had the opportunity to meet Nika to find out more about the 5K, and what we can do to help. Orville interviewed her at the Erdman Automotive Studio in Cocoa, and I subsequently followed up with another interview.
We both soon found out that Nika’s Class Project was more than just a school assignment, but something she is extremely passionate about. The proceeds from this hand-timed 5K will benefit the local nonprofit, Called Out – End Human Trafficking.
According to their website, Called Out is a “local community of like-minded people working to end human trafficking in Brevard County, Florida.”
What makes this charity selection so personal to Nika is the fact that she was nearly abducted, in broad daylight, in Cocoa Beach, Florida, on Mother’s Day 2023.
As a member of the Edgewood track team, Nika enjoys running and tries to run a certain number of miles each week. On Mother’s Day 2023, at the conclusion of her afternoon run, she was accosted by an individual who ultimately worked his way into her car. During that time, Nika said he exposed himself, and started asking the most “disgusting and unspeakable questions.”
For some unknown reason, this predator exited Nika’s vehicle, which gave her just enough time to leave as quickly as she could.
Nika fully understands that she was lucky to escape. Human Trafficking is real and far too many young people do not get away. By helping to support this cause, you are making a difference.
To register in advance for this hand-timed 5K, go to eventbrite.com/Stop the Traffic 5-K. Cost to participate in the run/walk is only $20.00. Those that register in advance have the option to purchase a “Stop the Traffic 5K” t-shirt for an additional $10.00. You may also register the morning of the event.
Along with Nika, the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, 400 S. Sykes Creek Pkwy., Merritt Island, Florida, will host the 5K on Saturday, January 20, 2024, with the race starting at 8:30 a.m.
For additional information, contact Nika Gividen at veroniquegividen@gmail.com or go to www.calledoutbrevard.org.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia. He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.
Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020 and Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022.
Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.
He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 24 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.
The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.
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